How to choose a LCD Monitor?

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With advances known as the technology and price declines that have occurred, the LCD is now the sole choice of computer monitor. However, given the abundance of offerings, we need to know to find and all the criteria to be considered, it quickly becomes complicated.

LCDs are available in sizes (diagonal) 17 to 30 inches. For a variety of reasons, including size / price, the optimal size is now 22 inches and will be towards the end of 24 years but you can always choose to opt for products from 19 to 24 inches depending on your needs (17 and 30 are extremes to avoid).

Attention, however, a 19-inch screen is already very large. It is best to move the store to get a clear idea about the size that suits you especially if you change from an old CRT.

Format and Resolution

In the past, screens are available in TV to 4:3 but with the evolution of size and development of 16:9 (TV, DVDs ...), a balance had to be found and so 16:10 who is now with resolutions between 1440 x 900 for the 19-inch and 1680 x 1050 for the 20 to 22 inches.

The particularity of LCDs compared to CRT is that they operate only one resolution, their native resolution. It must have a graphics card capable of producing an image of this size and eyes capable of deciphering the characters on the screen. It is obviously possible to work with resolutions lower for larger characters but this will require a stretch of artificial screen image by producing a loss that more or less high image quality.

T note that all cards being sold are capable of producing great quality images for all applications with the exception of recent games where we must invest in a high-end card for large images and scenes without slowing down.

Response time

The response time of the screen measures the time required to screen for a pixel from one color to another (but simplified). Over this time is low (5ms, 2ms, 1ms ...), more moving images (movies, videos, games ...) will be fluid. The screens slower (16ms, 8ms ...) they produce an effect of reshuffles more or less visible.

For desktop applications, Internet browsing, chat ... this is not at all important because the image does not move much. It is therefore to remember for players and fans of video.

Viewing Angle

Unlike the old CRT, LCD image is not visible if it goes very right / left or top / bottom of the screen. Indeed, the viewing angles from a degree heeling provide black images (no longer see the image).

The most recent offer screens angles of 160 to 170 degree which is sufficient for all uses. Some top models approaching perfection (180 degrees) with angles of 178. We recommend you to opt for models with viewing angles horizontal and vertical above 170 degrees for a good comfort.

Connectors

Remember, the screen should have the inputs needed to display video streams from different devices. There are currently 3 major interfaces: HD Sub VGA - DVI - HDMI.

The best is that the screen is with all these interfaces see more of a connector for HDMI, but we are satisfied most of the time of DVI and HDMI as the Sub VGA HD is an old standard analog endangered. Avoid therefore screens that do just one interface because it will limit the uses and scalability of your monitor.

Ideally, the cables should also be provided but this is rarely the case on patterns of entry and mid-range. In general, we must be careful with this package comes with the screen (bundle) because it can make a real difference.

Quality of Image

Contrast, brightness and color accuracy are the three criteria involved in image quality.

More brightness, the higher the whites are white and the images clear and bright. However an image too bright can be tiring for the eyes and produce very black blacks (gray). The ideal is to have a high brightness and contrast also very high.

To see if the screen is good here is to make the calculation: Divide the brightness (ex 300 cd / m²) by the contrast (2000:1 ex) and you get a black light. If it is larger than 0.3, this is not good at all, by more against you approach zero over your black will be good. (Ex 300/2000 = 0.15, good black but brightness is a bit low).

Regarding the accuracy of colors, it measures the ability of the screen to produce color line that the graphics card has requested. Despite the importance given to this criterion by Internet, I believe personally that this is not important except for computer professionals, do not do so too careful, all the screens are good in this area and there is always room to improve this aspect through the settings for the screen.

Maneuverability

LCDs are known to be somewhat cumbersome compared to the old screens, it is to pay attention to the weight of the screen and its footprint for mobile use and simple. Moreover, it is very important to have a screen that can be adjusted vertically and horizontally to give you a tailored to your posture, this is unfortunately not the case with all screens.

The most

To distinguish itself from competition, some models offer a bit more than what is required for a screen. We usually find handy integrated webcam, a TV tuner to receive TV on his monitor, a USB hub to connect your devices simply without having to go around your machine, speakers for sound although it is often barely acceptable ...

If these are not more decisive, it seemed important to mention them because ultimately they are things that we pay and it is better to know if we will really need.

CONCLUSION

Provided that there is not too demanding (e) or that the screen intended to use extreme or professional, it is usually possible to find happiness after a few hours of research (no less!). For more demanding, it will usually put a price for what is the best keeping in mind that well on the screen is not perfect, all we can do is s 'closer.