I have a ViewSonic A70. It's a 17" CTR from the late 90's. It's time to get a new one

T

thehyecircus

New Member
I have no idea what size would be good, what inputs I should have on it (Does HDMI really matter?), or how afraid of that Samsung 22" I should be.

I've been hovering around 22" for my next monitor, though the 24" caught my attention lately. I'd also like it to be Widescreen. But after that, I am so lost. I know there are other threads on here asking similar or identical questions, but I would like a thread of my own. I'm eventually going to build a new computer, so I will be buying a new video card with this. I just need to decide. I would be sold on that Samsung one if not for these horror stories.

Also, every Newegg review talks about a cheap plasticy base. How worried should I be that this thing is going to topple over if the desk shakes?
 
Here I was looking to replace an old 17" BenQ model with a 19" Viewsonic I had selected on newegg. While in a local office supply store I spotted another Viewsonic 19" widescreen model with a much taller base and went with that. The ViewDock model now about 1-2yrs old since it first came out apparently with only XP drivers also saw 3 usb ports along the IPod docking station and 5ms response time.

The taller base and lower response time not needing a monitor stand. The low response was the key item however like a good model under 8ms is best for gaming. Viewsonic, Nec, LG, and others all are seeing 22" widescreen models for good prices while 24" see a good price jump on those.

Ironically it's a Viewsonic 22" widescreen model seeing a 2ms response time seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116096 or the Asus model seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236028 for the best two under $300.

What price range dud you have in mind there? For only a small price drop and 5ms a pair of Nec models can be looked over at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...582+131061720+4018&name=NEC+Display+Solutions
 
This is the same viewsonic monitor I have, only without the iPod dock. It is totally amazing! It even has speakers so your desk isn't cluttered anymore! The speakers aren't the bets, ut they're decent for basic use. (I just used a dual-output jack in my audio-out and have the other speakers running on the side of the computer).

Tiger is having a good deal on a 22" Acer LCD. It's nice too!
 
The first thing plan for whichever one you go with will be moving from a crt after all these years into an lcd to begin with. From a 17" crt to even a 19" model would be a leap there plus getting accustomed to the higher screen resolutions and clarity and brightness seen with lcds over crts in general.
 
That Viewsonic X series is total crap. It uses the same "RTA" bullshit as Samsung. The real response time of that monitor is 5ms, don't be fooled by their lies. Be prepared for an awful halo effect if you get any Viewsonic monitor with an X in the model number.

I don't understand why anyone would not get an LG. They're simply the best TN panels available. The only possible weaknesses they could have are:

a) Someone may really be set on a glossy screen. Sounds strange, but apparently there are people out there who actually like using mirrors as monitors. and,

b) There are other 22" and 24" monitors with more inputs. Composite, component, and HDMI to be specific.
 
fortyways said:
That Viewsonic X series is total crap. It uses the same "RTA" bullshit as Samsung. The real response time of that monitor is 5ms, don't be fooled by their lies. Be prepared for an awful halo effect if you get any Viewsonic monitor with an X in the model number.

I don't understand why anyone would not get an LG. They're simply the best TN panels available. The only possible weaknesses they could have are:

a) Someone may really be set on a glossy screen. Sounds strange, but apparently there are people out there who actually like using mirrors as monitors. and,

b) There are other 22" and 24" monitors with more inputs. Composite, component, and HDMI to be specific.
Click to expand...

X series? I find a VX series like the model being run here. http://www.viewsonic.com/products/lcddisplays/xseries/vx1945wm/

Even with only a 700:1 contrast ratio the model is still doing good here for various things. I decided on Viewsonic as the brand here when making some comparisons between makes and models in general. No halo or mirroing effects have been seen so far.

Over a year ago I advised someone on a 19} standard view model and that has been satisfactory there since. I haven't found any one brand the only choice however.
 
PC eye said:
X series? I find a VX series like the model being run here. http://www.viewsonic.com/products/lcddisplays/xseries/vx1945wm/

Even with only a 700:1 contrast ratio the model is still doing good here for various things. I decided on Viewsonic as the brand here when making some comparisons between makes and models in general. No halo or mirroing effects have been seen so far.

Over a year ago I advised someone on a 19} standard view model and that has been satisfactory there since. I haven't found any one brand the only choice however.
Click to expand...

The X-series is their designated "media" line. VX means it has an iPod dock. VX don't use RTA overdrive, and therefore are advertised at 5ms and don't have the halo effect. They do, however, have a $70-$80 USB port with an iPod adapter on it. Customers are so foolish.

The X media blah blah series doesn't have the iPod dock and uses Samsung panels with 5ms (with RTA overdrive so they can lie and say 2ms). The RTA nonsense is what causes the halo effect.
 
Did you know the model here at the moment has built in speakers. Those are for the IPod docking however while also seeing 3 usb ports and a head phone for both IPod and pc.

The VX1945wm also falls under the X series catagory being the ViewDock model seen at the link there if you look for the model number in that catagory.
Features

Multimedia base with iPod dock
Multimedia base features iPod dock, 8-in-1 card reader, microphone, headphone jack, USB port for joystick/game control, and USB port for keyboard/mouse.
 
So what am I looking at here? Should the 22" Viewsonic be my next monitor? I know it has a very low refresh rate but why does one of the Newegg reviews say it's bad for gaming?

And what is this stuff about LG?
 
The refresh rate doesn't matter with LCDs. Newegg's reviews say it's bad for gaming because customers are mad that it advertises 2ms but is actually 5ms. LG LXX6 panels are actually 2ms.
 
fortyways said:
The refresh rate doesn't matter with LCDs. Newegg's reviews say it's bad for gaming because customers are mad that it advertises 2ms but is actually 5ms. LG LXX6 panels are actually 2ms.
Click to expand...

The facts are when going to the manufacturer's own product information page where that shows the actual response time for any model selected. When looking at anything seen at newegg look down to see the links for the manufacturer right there for verifying things.

When newegg lists a model as seeing 5ms for the model used here I simply go to http://www.viewsonic.com/products/lcddisplays/xseries/vx1945wm/#specs to see the exact same.

Gee LG's 24" model seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005089 shows that sees 8ms for a response time.
 
Fortyways you're very adament about LG - can you give me some more information on why I should go with them? And I can't find any kind of LG LX6 monitor.
 
The X's I put in the model number are meant to be numbers that change with the model.. I should have used # (L##6W). The actual models are L196W (19") and L226W (22").

Here are some reasons I'm so fond of them:

LG is the largest producer of LCD panels in the world. When you buy any brand of monitor that doesn't actually produce the panel itself, chances are it's an LG or Samsung (#2 producer) anyway. LG has a 3-year warranty (which is typical), and service centers all around the U.S. and other countries I'm sure. There are four in my area. If mine were to have a problem, I could simply drive it there.

L##6W panels are some of the only panels with a true 2ms response time. No RTA, no grey-to-grey, the actual average response time between different colors is 2ms. The 3000:1 contrast ratio is also accurate, unlike Samsung and other companies with their "dynamic contrast." Basically, the specs aren't sprinkled with bullshit.

The backlight is controlled by what's on the screen. If the image is dark, the backlight dims. Their monitors have virtually no backlight bleeding.

Their monitors are just all-around bullshit free. They have a sleek professional look, no big glossy border or triangle shapes and what not. You name the standard and they're compliant with it. VESA mounting, Energy Star, etc.

Here's a list of some of the monitors I've tried before settling on the one in my signature:

Samsung 906BW, Samsung 906CW, Samsung 206BW, Samsung 226BW, Samsung 906GW, Acer P191W, The Viewsonic PC eye linked to (both with and without the iPod dock), two other Viewsonics, a 22" Gateway, a 19" Dell, a 19" NEC, a 19" HP (W1907 was the model number, I think), a 19" Sony, Hanns-G HW191D, and more that I can't remember. I also tried the 22" LG and a previous-gen 19" model.

I didn't just pick LG arbitrarily and am now defending my choice. They're just the best currently available.

Oh yeah, and with the exception of the Hanns-G and Dell, the 19" LG is the cheapest out of all of those.
 
The monitor looks pretty sweet. What do you do if you get a dead pixel though?

And, the 24 inch monitor really isn't worth it, is it?
 
The size is just a personal thing. I think most people like 22". I like 19". I know the 24" LG is built with different technology; I don't think it's a TN panel. It also doesn't have any more inputs than the 22" or 19", so if you really wanted 24" I'd go with another brand in that case.

If mine had a dead pixel I'd return it, but I bought it locally for that purpose. I think you need like 7 or 8 to get an RMA with Newegg.
 
So, buy it locally, easy enough. No Tax in nearby Delaware either, so thats a no-brainer.

And if people like 22, I'll go with 22. I just don't see how PC Monitors can get BIGGER than 19-24 without being outrageously or too large. I mean at some point it's just not necessary to get bigger screens.
 
The last lcd here was used for over 4yrs. and was replaced for a problem seen when first starting the system up. You had keep pushing the power button on and off repeatedly telling me it was time for a new one.

The 19" widescreen Viewsonic replacement comes with a box of IPod adapters as well as seeing speakers and a volome control and headphone jack plus in addition to the 3 usb ports on the base the stand is actually taller then any others whether Viewsonic, LG, BenQ, etc. where I no longer need to put an encyclopedia under the stand to raise it up.

Having looked over various brands and models while in stores not just looking at web pages I found the clarity and overall appearance better then expected. I certainly prefer it over any Proview lcd having bought a standard view 19" Viewsonic for someone some time back and comparing that to even LGs seen in retail stores.

For the untrained eye like that of the typical average user personal preferences and whether gaming or not would be the things to consider rather then any one brand alone. The old BenQ replaced never even saw one dead pixel after 4+yrs. of use.
 
A couple more things: You asked about the crappy plastic base, and yes, they are crappy. Almost all of them. You don't really need to be worried about it toppling over though, it just annoys people because it's not at the right height or it wobbles. If your monitor is VESA mounting compatible you can always get an aftermarket stand with the adjustments you like anyway, though.

Also, DON'T get your monitor from Circuit City. If it does have a problem or you don't like it, they'll try to charge you a 15% restocking fee, even if it's clearly defective.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top