In need of a computer monitor

[Zander]

::smashes head against wall::

Ok so here's the run down. For about 2 years I've been using the Dell 2005FPW for editing in FCP and I have loved it. The image quality is great. It is clean, accurate, and sharp. However, one of my wonderful cats slipped into my little editing studio and peed on it. Now the control panel on the monitor is damaged. The menu flickers on and off, the inputs switch around, and picture in picture will come on. If I leave the monitor unplugged for a long time and then use it later it will work fine for a little bit but the monitor quickly goes back to tweaking out.

Now I'm looking for a replacement. I've been desperately searching for a quality monitor that is under $500. The things I'm looking for are:

20-24" view
1680 x 1020 or 1920 x 1200 resolution (1920 preferred)
Wide viewing angles
Good contrast ratio
Adjustable height
USB hub would be a nice touch too

The two monitors that have come closest were The Dell E248WFP and The SAMSUNG 245BW

The problem with both of those monitors is that they have received poor reviews when it comes to the viewing angle. Viewing angle is fairly important to me because I like to use my monitor to watch movies in my spare time. Also, some people have said the Dell can be blurry. At this point I don't know what to do.

Any suggestions?

 

[Kirk Gillock]

Get a dog.


Seriously, I'd go with the Samsung. I've used one and they're really nice. Then again, the price on that Dell is VERY hard to resist.


Either way, you should definitely get a dog.

 

[jake_carpenter]

Before you write off the old monitor (and especially since you're planning on getting a new one). Take apart the monitor and clean the frak out of it with rubbing alcohol. The control panel may be connected with a little ribbon cable, make sure you clean that really well.

keep the cat.

 

[rawfa]

Before you write off the old monitor (and especially since you're planning on getting a new one). Take apart the monitor and clean the frak out of it with rubbing alcohol. The control panel may be connected with a little ribbon cable, make sure you clean that really well.

keep the cat.

Or at least have your cat pee over the entire monitor uniformly so you'll have an even image. ;-)

No, all kidding aside I have an LG Flatron L225WS that is awesome. It's a 22" 1680 x 1020 5000:1 digital fine contrast. I've bought it for about around 225€ (I think). I also have a 22" benq FP222WA that I use with the LG but I will sell it. I would not advise the benq at all. It's super grainy and the contrast sucks ass.

 

[Loki]

I have the 2407 model Dell.. great monitor... though I like the quality of the image on my Apple 23 Cinema Display... but.. the dell has all kinds of inputs and still looks great.

I highly recommend the dell.. I have had no problems in the year I've owned it.

It doubles as my HDTV; currently I have my Xbox 360 hooked up to the component inputs and my PS3 is using an HDMI to DVI connection.. and it looks awesome for Blu-Ray movies.

 

[Zander]

Either way, you should definitely get a dog.

I think the house might get a little crowded considering my family already has 2 dogs and 7 cats. Not to mention the 3rd dog we are fostering.

^_^

Before you write off the old monitor (and especially since you're planning on getting a new one). Take apart the monitor and clean the frak out of it with rubbing alcohol. The control panel may be connected with a little ribbon cable, make sure you clean that really well.

I decided to give this a shot. After an hour of poking and prodding, snooping and guessing, I finally managed to crack the case open and get inside. I cleaned every inch of the unit and I had to scrape out some crystalized urine from the ribbon's connector. Ick. Long story short I managed to repair the unit and it has been working great for 3 hours. I hope this lasts.

I was debating whether or not I should have given this a try in the beginning. Thanks for suggesting it again. I probably would not have done it otherwise.
:dankk2:

 

[Dangitskang]

Actually, I went through the same thing that you are going through a couple of weeks ago. Not the cat peeing on my monitors but shopping for a GOOD monitor.

After weeks of researching, I went with the Gateway FHD2400. Its $500 but it has great viewing angles, 1920x1200 resolution, its HD 1080p ready, 3ms response time, a huge selection of inputs (VGA, DVI, HDMI, etc.) and a USB hub.

One of the reasons I went with the Gateway is because calibrating the monitors is really easy so its great for editing and color correction.

I bought 2 of em and I love em.