Considering getting 22-24" monitor

atkbob

Hi, I was considering buying a monitor to use for my computer and my PS3. Which brands should I focus on? I'm considering 22-24", and I heard the Dell's are great, but they're expensive. Should I go for 1080p, or is 720p fine for such as small size. How would I get sound, considering the monitor wouldn't have speakers.

meatflower

If you're going to be using it with your computer I'd suggest 1080p. Keep in mind, if it's a PC monitor it's native resolution is going to be 1920x1200. You'll need to get one that does 1:1 pixel mapping if you don't want it running at non-native (i.e. bad image quality) when it displays 1920x1080 signals.

BenQ recently replaced their older 24" models with this one. The old one was highly regarded and the new one has been well received as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014158

This one has a headphone jack on the side, so that's where you'd get your audio from HDMI sources. Hook it up to some speakers or headphones.

I recommmend you check out HardOCP's Display forums (here). There's a plethora of information there.

Deusfaux

22"s - cheap, cheap quality, poorest quality of panel technology (TN) - resolution of 1680x1050 - not big enough to handle 1080p.

24"s - lower end models using TN panels - usually lacking inputs other than dvi and vga. resolution of 1920x1200 - bigger than necessary for 1080p.

- higher end models use PVA/IPS technology - much better viewing angles, color and picture quality - usualy come with a multitude of input types (hdmi/ component, etc) card readers and usb hubs. cost the most.


Regardless, you want ot do some research and make sure that the monitor you're looking at scales the signal over the type of input from the PS3 properly. That is, puts bars on the top and bottom to produce a 16:9 ratio image. Computer monitors are 16:10 and not as wide, so 720p/1080 signals need to be letterboxed.



edit: the old BenQ was a high end 24" using a MVA technology. And cost $600 give or take a 100. That new BenQ is a low end 24" using TN technology and why its a few hundred less.

You'd have lots of options for sound - could use computer speakrs (either plugging directly into them or through the PC back out to the speakers), or get another set of dedicated speakers, or headphones

JWashke

I'm using an HP 24 inch monitor
http://www.amazon.com/HP-W2408H-Widescreen-LCD-Monitor/dp/B0013AHADQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203038797&sr=8-1

It works great for me. I have my 360 hooked up to the VGA port and my Computer to the DVI. It has built in speakers that I use for my 360 and it scales to 1080p (1920 x1080) on my 360 automatically with little black bars on the top or bottom and automatically changes back to 16:10 1920 x 1200 when I switch back to the pc.

I definitely recommend it.

Edit: I took some quick pics so you could see it for yourself, I always like to see pics of TV's etc in action before I buy them, Also so you can see the Black Bars for the scaling.