Hello, I am considering finally getting rid of my 21" CRT and upgrading to an LCD. Just wonderingwhat to look for, what is a good name brand(s). I am in Ontario, Canada for shopping and will most likely source one out locally once I find out what to look for.I would like to stay around 20" but because of price, I may need to drop to 19"What do you recommend I look for?Thanks!

Hi dutton,I have a ViewSonic VP201b which I love. It's a 20.1" LCD screen. Very sharp text and fantastic image quality (my eyes anyway). I see no ghosting whatsoever although I'm not a heavy gamer (I play the occasional Half Life 2 and Far Cry). It also works well with movies and, of course, FS9.My comments above are based on DVI input. With analog, there's a noticeable degradation but it's still not bad. You can check out a review here:http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=vp201b&page=1One big caveat: it's imperative that you SEE the monitor. It's not just about brand and model because even within the same line of monitors (e.g. the 19" VP191b and the 20" VP201b, both from the Professional line from ViewSonic), the panel manufacturers can be different. In this particular case, I have read great things about both monitors but it goes to show that just because you're buying from the same brand and product line does NOT necessarily mean that you're getting the same quality. In other words, don't fall into the trap of "I heard great things about ViewSonic so let me pick up a ViewSonic."I have heard fantastic things about Dell's 2001FP and I've always been very tempted to get one because of the extremely low price but I'm just not confident about buying a monitor I have not seen in real life.Hope this helps.Edwin

Hi, in addition to Edwin's words, perhaps also look at the desired resolution and not just the screen size? 20 inch or larger TFTs will often require the ability to run 1600x resolutions. In certain cases, specially with games, 1600x might signify you'ld need to upgrade other computer hardware too. If you're already doing 1600x now, please neglect. Good luck and kind regards Jaap

Thanks, Elwin. There is a costco down the road that I am hoping has the Viewsonic they show on their site so I can look at it. Price is $798 Canadian. I am in London, On - aren't you too Elwin?It reads as a Viewsonic VP2000s20.1 in. UXGA LCD Display, Silver Colour: silver and black20.1 in. TFT active matrix UXGA LCD displayThinEdge

This one is tempting too, but like you said, no real way of seeing it first.http://accessories.dell.com/sna/ProductDet...&l=en&cs=CADHS1

Hi Dutton,I'd stay away from the 2005FPW for the reason Jaap pointed out: the resolution. It's a widescreen monitor and those resolutions are not usually supported by games (including FS9). I'm sure the monitor will have some way of simulating the resolution in order to fit your monitor but I'm always skeptical about that type of thing. Chances are, the image quality would be somehow sacrificed.I know nothing about the VP2000s so I can't comment on that. The specs look comparable to the VP201b but as I implied in my last post, you have to see the monitor to say conclusively.I think it might be worth giving the 2001FP a shot - it looks like it's the same panel as the VP201b but at a much lower cost.And no, I'm about 8,000 miles away from you... I live in Hong Kong, home of the old Kai Tak!Take care,Edwin

Thanks!

Thanks again for your assistance.I am starting to think I may go with a 19". The reasons being:I am going to upgrade my system by the end of the yearPrice comparison between 19 and 20+ inchesI am thinking I will go with two monitors eventuallyBeing a web developer, the dual screen purpose would greatly assist meSo, basically, I think I will go with a 19", save a bit of money right now, then upgrade my system, then get a second 19". Of course, the new system would be set up to handle two monitors.Based on the original question of this thread, any recommendations of makes and models for the 19" range?(I have done my own research, curious on actual feedback from those that enjoy the same hobby as I.Thanks!

Suggest the Samsung 204T...20.1" LCD, 1600x1200 resolution, 16ms response (excellent for a 20" LCD) and many other good specs....Silver version... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16824001193Black version... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16824001194Good either way and priced well too...Darryl

Folks,Just some input on the 2405 Dell Widescreen (or any widescreen for that matter): FS9 has some widescreen support! The only thing that appears stretched is the 2D panel. Everything else (scenery, VC) scales to the resolution and is NOT streched. If you change you panel bitmap to a 16:10 format you could even avoid the stretching of the 2d panel.Someone complained that FS9 'cuts' of the top and bottom of the scenery view. I can not confirm that however. If it does I didn't notice :)Personally I love this screen and after coming from a Dell/Sony 21" CRT I will never go back to anything smaller then this.Hope this helps,Alex

Thanks for the info. Opens back up the widescreen option now. I am still thinking though that I may go with the 2 19" displays. Just gotta try to find something good. If anyone has recommends, please let me know.Cheers!

I have the Samsung 913N which I'm very satisfied with - 19" and a response time of 8 ms. However it lacks DVI-D input which may be important to you. I've heard that the Hyundai ImageQuest L90D+ is also very good. It also has 19", 8 ms AND DVI-D input. I bought mine in spring so I suppose new and improved models have entered the market since then!

Thanks for all of the recommends. I have decided to go with the NEC MultiSync LCD1970GX. Futureshop here in Canada has this on sale right now for $549 Canadian ($469 US). Since I do web development, it seems exactly what I am looking for and it has gotten some great reviews for games. It seems that it lacks when playing movies but that is why I have a big screen tv ;)Thanks, again. I will be getting a second one at the end of this year as well along with my new system.

WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!Got myself a new NEC 1970GX - there was a nother fellow picking one up at the same time, fortunately there was two left.Simply incredible! I can not believe what I have been missing! The colours are simply astounding - both just surfing and in FS2004.Thanks to all for all the pointers!