LCD Monitor Blown

[n2ize]

My LCD Monitor blew...just like that. Worked for years and then last night I turned it on and whammo... It just sat there blinking.

So, I had to borrow my father's monitor. Actually he gave it to me as he wants a new one anyway. I told him if he finds a decent monitor at a good price to pick up two of them and I'll pay him the difference and keep this one around as a spare. He's thinking of perhaps a 21" wide screen monitor.

Any recommendations ? Linux compatibility is a must.

[kf0rt]

I've been running a pair of HANNS-G HW191D's (dual-monitor setup) on my Windoze box for about a year and a half with no problem. 19" widescreens that run at 1440x900. Bought them because they were pretty cheap at the time ($150 apiece).

No problems at all with either, but I wouldn't mind more resolution if it didn't mean a bigger monitor. If I had to do it over, I'd get monitors that did 1920x1080 ("hi-def") and supported HDMI. Not sure how valid that might be under Linux, but the HDMI implies HDCP (Hi-Def Copy Protection) support, so there are more options if you use it for watching movies. For instance, if you put a Blu-Ray drive in your computer and want to watch a Blu-Ray disk (movie), your monitor MUST support HDCP or it won't work.

Or so I'm told... :mrgreen:

[KG4CGC]

Contrast ratios and maximum resolution as well as response time ie; refresh rates in nano seconds need to be compared as well as size and brand and overall picture brightness. Then look at view angles as a field of view in DEGREES. Next you need to ask yourself if you will use a graphics card that has a digital output. The VGA input does not do a monitor justice. Most have both a VGA and digital inputs. Forget looking at one that needs an adapter cable. 80 bux for nothing when you can get one already good to go.
Don't be fooled by discount store monitors as they always have poor specs.

[KJ3N]

Any recommendations ? Linux compatibility is a must.
I've had good luck with this Acer H233H (http://us.acer.com/acer/product.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&rcond5e.c2att92=453&inu49e.current.c2att92=453&link=ln314e&CountryISOCtxParam=US&kcond47e.c2att92=453&rcond159e.att21k=1&kcond48e.c2att101=45250&rcond190e.att21k=1&acond23=US&rcond4e.att21k=1&sp=page17e&rcond157e.c2att92=453&ctx1g.c2att92=453&rcond42e.att21k=1&kcond50e.c2att92=453&rcond45e.att21k=1&rcond158e.c2att1=25&ctx2.c2att1=25&inu53e.current.c2att92=453&rcond38e.c2att1=25&var13e=US&rcond44e.c2att1=25&rcond186e.c2att92=453&rcond3e.c2att1=25&rcond28e.attN2B2F2EEF=3264&rcond189e.c2att1=25&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=2813107949).

[WØTKX]

Any recommendations ? Linux compatibility is a must.
I've had good luck with this Acer H233H (http://us.acer.com/acer/product.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&rcond5e.c2att92=453&inu49e.current.c2att92=453&link=ln314e&CountryISOCtxParam=US&kcond47e.c2att92=453&rcond159e.att21k=1&kcond48e.c2att101=45250&rcond190e.att21k=1&acond23=US&rcond4e.att21k=1&sp=page17e&rcond157e.c2att92=453&ctx1g.c2att92=453&rcond42e.att21k=1&kcond50e.c2att92=453&rcond45e.att21k=1&rcond158e.c2att1=25&ctx2.c2att1=25&inu53e.current.c2att92=453&rcond38e.c2att1=25&var13e=US&rcond44e.c2att1=25&rcond186e.c2att92=453&rcond3e.c2att1=25&rcond28e.attN2B2F2EEF=3264&rcond189e.c2att1=25&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=2813107949).

Heh, that's my monitor too... damn good for the $$$. :agree:

[n2ize]

I've been running a pair of HANNS-G HW191D's (dual-monitor setup) on my Windoze box for about a year and a half with no problem. 19" widescreens that run at 1440x900. Bought them because they were pretty cheap at the time ($150 apiece).

No problems at all with either, but I wouldn't mind more resolution if it didn't mean a bigger monitor. If I had to do it over, I'd get monitors that did 1920x1080 ("hi-def") and supported HDMI. Not sure how valid that might be under Linux, but the HDMI implies HDCP (Hi-Def Copy Protection) support, so there are more options if you use it for watching movies. For instance, if you put a Blu-Ray drive in your computer and want to watch a Blu-Ray disk (movie), your monitor MUST support HDCP or it won't work.

Or so I'm told... :mrgreen:

I thought it would still play on a regular monitor but only not in high def.
In any event I have no plans to try it out anytime soon since none of the stuff I want to watch is in high def anyhow.

[n2ize]

Any recommendations ? Linux compatibility is a must.
I've had good luck with this Acer H233H (http://us.acer.com/acer/product.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&rcond5e.c2att92=453&inu49e.current.c2att92=453&link=ln314e&CountryISOCtxParam=US&kcond47e.c2att92=453&rcond159e.att21k=1&kcond48e.c2att101=45250&rcond190e.att21k=1&acond23=US&rcond4e.att21k=1&sp=page17e&rcond157e.c2att92=453&ctx1g.c2att92=453&rcond42e.att21k=1&kcond50e.c2att92=453&rcond45e.att21k=1&rcond158e.c2att1=25&ctx2.c2att1=25&inu53e.current.c2att92=453&rcond38e.c2att1=25&var13e=US&rcond44e.c2att1=25&rcond186e.c2att92=453&rcond3e.c2att1=25&rcond28e.attN2B2F2EEF=3264&rcond189e.c2att1=25&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=2813107949).

Looks interesting. Thanks.

[W1GUH]

I recently picked up an HP 2159m http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+21.5%22+Widescreen+Flat-Panel+TFT-LCD+HD+Monitor+-+Black/9278569.p?id=1218073534138&skuId=9278569

I've been using it as a monitor for my PS3 & it's been great for games, blu-rays, linux, and cable TV. I've also used in on my computer; works fine there, too.

Bought it mostly for price and reviews. $219.00

"You pays your money and you takes your choice."

[KG4CGC]

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS316&=&q=lg+w2252tq+monitor&aq=4&oq=lg+w2252tq&aqi=g10

[N1LAF]

How about this one.....

http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/PM/Solutions/DealoftheDay/%7E/media/AAAA298E1F7743B7A18299170A7737AB.jpg?w=590&h=184&as=1
* 25.5in LCD Display / 1920 x 1200 Max Resolution / Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
* 5ms Response Time / 10000:1, 1000:1 Contrast Ratio / 300nit(s) Brightness
* 170/150 Viewing Angle (H/V) / 0.282mm Dot Pitch / TV tuner, Speakers Included, Dual speakers / 3 Years Warranty

Connectors: DVI, HDMI, VGA, Component video
In stock, 4.6/5.0 user ratings, $299 today - free shipping

http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Pr ... ku=8672995 (http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=8672995)

[WØTKX]

The screen size and distance is important... unless you like the first row at the movies. Viewing distance in inches divided by 1.5 to 2 is a good guideline:

2.5 feet or 30"/2= 15" screen ("regular desk" size)
2.5 feet or 30"/1.5= 20" screen

3 feet or 36"/2= 18" screen (OK, 19)
3 feet or 36"/1.5= 24" screen

4 feet or 48"/2= 32" screen ("big corner desk" distance)
4 feet or 48"/1.5= 24" screen

So 26" is "in between", but maybe a bit large.

6 feet or 72"/1.5= 48" screen (now this is getting into small room territory)
6 feet or 72"/2= 36" screen

With a big corner desk at home, I messed around with different screen sizes. Too large sucks for reading web pages, even if it's OK for movies.

After researching and playing around with it, I decided 22-24" was plenty big.

My 37" (CRT HD monitor) in the living room is perfect, as it's a skinny room... I'm viewing about 6.5' from the screen. I have been to friends houses with huge screens in small rooms... it's not comfortable, and you tend to see 'artifacts" more readily.

Going a little smaller is cheaper too. :yes:

[KG4CGC]

Keep in mind that these newfangled monitors are a waste unless you are using a good graphics card. All too often I see where people are using a great monitor with old graphics hardware. This scenario really shows where the detail lacks. For graphics work a minimum of a 512MB video driver is a must.
Don't sell yourself short either. A good graphics card also makes things easier on the eyes. Once you have set the maximum resolution, go back and make your smell my finger fonts default to at least 125% of original size. Resize your icons too if you wish. All easily done from the setting control panel which can be found by right clicking on the desktop.

[n2ize]

I opted for a Samsung 25" wide screen with both analog and vga inputs. Thus far I'm using it under Linux and its SLAMMING !! Contrast is awesome, colours are sharp and vivid . I like it. Actually I bought two. One for me to replace the one I borrowed from my Dad and one for my dad so he wouldn't have to go back to using that crummy 17" Dell OEM monitor. :lol:

[N1LAF]

John, what is the Samsung model number?

[n2ize]

John, what is the Samsung model number?

It's a SyncMaster 2494. It's actually a 23.6 inch (diagonally measured).

[WØTKX]

I opted for a Samsung 25" wide screen with both analog and vga inputs. Thus far I'm using it under Linux and its SLAMMING !! Contrast is awesome, colours are sharp and vivid . I like it. Actually I bought two. One for me to replace the one I borrowed from my Dad and one for my dad so he wouldn't have to go back to using that crummy 17" Dell OEM monitor. :lol:

Welcome to the new century. And you are a good son. ;)

[KG4CGC]

John, what is the Samsung model number?

It's a SyncMaster 2494. It's actually a 23.6 inch (diagonally measured).
Congrats and I love how they double rounded up the numbers.

[n2ize]

I was looking at the old monitor and I noticed that these things are not made to be fixed or even opened. Unlike the older monitors that were screwed together these things are sealed and the only way to open it is to break it open.

[W1GUH]

I was looking at the old monitor and I noticed that these things are not made to be fixed or even opened. Unlike the older monitors that were screwed together these things are sealed and the only way to open it is to break it open.

So did you? What's inside? :stirpot:

[n2ize]

I was looking at the old monitor and I noticed that these things are not made to be fixed or even opened. Unlike the older monitors that were screwed together these things are sealed and the only way to open it is to break it open.

So did you? What's inside? :stirpot:

No not yet. I haven't had a chance to go over it with the sledge and baseball bat yet.

What I expect to see inside is a typical flat LCD panel and maybe some cold cathode fluorescent lamps that I can hopefully salvage. But these days the lamps are often embedded in the panel between layers of adhesive compound and are almost impossible to salvage.