One Size Doesn’t Fit All With LCD Monitors
There are many possibilities to consider when buying an LCD monitor. Not only do you have to think about the quality of what you are looking for, but the features as well. Other considerations include the cost of the unit along with the size and weight. Yet with the proper information you can usually choose one within a few minutes of walking into your local retail outlet. Among the many things to consider when undertaking this purchase is what type of monitor you are upgrading from. Some of us still use old CRT monitors that we love, and haven’t seen the clarity of LCD panels. Compared to traditional CRT monitors LCD’s offer a brighter, sharper image than their older counterparts. Most people will want to upgrade to a widescreen monitor for a better picture during movies. While there are standard sized LCD panels available most people prefer the widescreen models. A 19 inch full screen could be replaced with a 21 to 16 inch widescreen monitor. You will save some space with the width and depth so no worries about it fitting on your desk. If replacing a fullscreen, it’s suggested that the widescreen measure a couple more inches, since the viewing area of widescreens is 11% less than that of fullscreens that measure the same. So a 21″ widescreen has about the same viewing area as a 19″ fullscreen. After you’ve decided on a size you have to decide on what kind of features you want. Most modern LCD panels can be used as HDTV’s and have the functions that they have as well. Mainly additional audio balancing and commercial sound reduction so you don’t hurt your ears while watching TV. These models typically run about $100 USD more than a standard widescreen LCD panel, but are worth it if you want the option to watch TV. Depending on the make and model you purchase, your computer monitor might have HDMI support. An HDMI cable is much smaller than standard RCA cables and you can run both audio, and video through it. It achieves such superb audio visual quality by not compressing the digital signal put out by the source. The value of these cables can truly be seen on Blu-Ray players, and gaming consoles. If you’re going to be watching movies on this screen then make sure to look at the pixel response time. Response time is the rate at which the screen shows moving objects. The lower the time, the faster the object is displayed. If the rate isn’t low enough you may notice some ghosting of movements during your movie. The general idea is to get a model with the lowest rating possible. If you can watch your films and other programs with no noticeable screen problems, then the builders have done their jobs right. In addition to saving space with an LCD monitor you will also use less energy. A general comparison shows that LCD’s take up around 1/3 of the space, and use only 1/4 of the power. The saved space alone is the reason why many people upgrade. Remember when you’re looking at monitors that the highest price doesn’t mean the best quality. There are many reasonably priced monitors without extra features that may suit your needs just fine. There are also models that have every extra feature under the sun for the enthusiast amongst us. You probably won’t be replacing your new monitor for a while, so buy one that you’re comfortable with – if you’re unsure about a monitor, it’s probably not the one for you.
