24" LCD for under $500 (for editing)

[Pat H]

I just got a Mac Pro (love it) but am still lamenting the money I spent. However, I currently have dual 17" 4:3 LCDs and was thinking about replacing them with a 24" wide screen since I'm having trouble properly fitting a PremierePro editing space. Since my wallet is currently recovering I can't afford to spend more than $500, so that eliminates an ACD, which I frankly think is overpriced. I've been looking at the Gateway FHD2400 and the Samsung 245Bw and have read both outstanding and horrible reviews for both. I simply don't know who to believe since I can't find an official review from any reputable hardware review site.

Does anyone have either to comment on their quality? I will be using these for editing and graphics so I at least want decent color (I will also be testing on a TV as well so the monitor isn't the only link in the quality control chain)

Or if anyone has any other suggestions I would appreciate it.

[errol]

I've been drooling over this Acer on newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125

It's 24", 2ms, has HDMI, and I think a glossy screen although check me on that.

And with shipping it should put you at the ~$400 mark for the latest and greatest.

[CST]

The Gateway FHD2400. Highest rated under $500. You can get it at Circuit City for $1 less than $500.

Extremetech gave it a 9/10...they're usually really tough on monitor reviews.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,2213483,00.asp

[Maclarny]

SOYO makes some quality LCDs sold through Office Max

This one (http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=21361009&searchString=soyo) will set you back $399.

Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Response Time: 6ms
1 Year Warranty

Review is here. (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2212150,00.asp)

Hope this helps.

[tvbi]

SOYO makes some quality LCDs sold through Office Max

This one (http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=21361009&searchString=soyo) will set you back $399.

Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Response Time: 6ms
1 Year Warranty

Review is here. (http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2212150,00.asp)

Hope this helps.

I have this Soyo (Topaz S).. got it on BF at OfficeMax for $250. It has a S-PVA panel, which is 8-bit and much better than a lot of LCD out there with TN panel but of course not as good as a S-IPS (ACD) but a lot closer than any TN.

[cydspal]

I like the looks of the Acer, but can someone tip me off as to what to look for in Contrast Ratio, Resolution, Response Time, etc.?

[errol]

I like the looks of the Acer, but can someone tip me off as to what to look for in Contrast Ratio, Resolution, Response Time, etc.?

Sure, you'd want a high contrast ratio. Typically monitors would have something like 800:1 or 1000:1. The Acer I posted has a great ratio at 3000:1. Contrast ratios determine the LCD's ability to display deeper levels of black colors (as far as I know).

Resolution - most 24" are 1920x1200, which is 1080p. The only thing higher I've seen are on the 30" LCD computer monitors (not tv).

Response Time - you want a lower response time, but generally most LCDs do this fine, unless you want to game. High response times (bad) create ghosting and nobody wants that. The acer I posted has a nice & low response time of 2 milliseconds.

Inputs -- You definitely will find DVI on all your choices, but I would also find one that has another HDMI input for future compatibility or if you would want to plug in say, a blu-ray player or a gaming console in addition to your computer.

Hope this helps!

[cydspal]

Now you got me drooling over the Acer. How wonder how long that price will hold?

[errol]

Probably indefiniately.

[DarkFlame]

That acer on new egg looks great, but I'd like to offer you another option on new egg.

The new 24in viewsonic is great with colors, and since you mentioned it was for editing, I am assuming color is a primary concern.

Its like 10 dollars cheaper than the acer, but does not have as good contrast ratio. It has no bleed though, and no viewing angle issues. I recommend you go to your local stores and check out the samsung.. Its really bright and colorful but the viewing angles are horrible.

[errol]

That acer on new egg looks great, but I'd like to offer you another option on new egg.

The new 24in viewsonic is great with colors, and since you mentioned it was for editing, I am assuming color is a primary concern.

Its like 10 dollars cheaper than the acer, but does not have as good contrast ratio. It has no bleed though, and no viewing angle issues. I recommend you go to your local stores and check out the samsung.. Its really bright and colorful but the viewing angles are horrible.

.. But... but.. none of the ones you mentioned have HDMI, do they?

[aaronw1986]

The Gateway FHD2400. Highest rated under $500. You can get it at Circuit City for $1 less than $500.

Extremetech gave it a 9/10...they're usually really tough on monitor reviews.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,2213483,00.asp

I have this monitor, though the glossy type screen may not be good for you? You can use 10% off coupon at CC to get it for like 450.

[ErikAndre]

.. But... but.. none of the ones you mentioned have HDMI, do they?

Oh, the possibilities with HDMI... I have a 22" Samsung and was going to buy another so I would have two matching, but this Acer is a beaut. http://www.truewalk.com/vault/eek.gif

[CST]

I have this monitor, though the glossy type screen may not be good for you? You can use 10% off coupon at CC to get it for like 450.


Nice, where can you find that 10% off coupon?

[xparaparafreakx]

I also have the FHD2400 with so many things hooked up to it. There are times it is on sale for $500 at CC.

Great Monitor for killing people in Call of Duty 4 on the PS3.

[conancn]

If you can get someone in Canada, they can order the Samsung 245T for less than $500 +shipping. I'm looking for one people now. Good luck!

Samsung 245T is def. the best of the best among 24'

[Pat H]

Ended up going with the 24" Samsung for 399 because I saw it in Sam's Club (they have a very liberal return policy, so I figured I'd bring it back if it was crap). The out of the box settings looked horrible, but once I adjusted the contrast and gamma settings within OSX is looks great. And no dead pixels either. I'm thinking it's a good solution for now.

[aaronw1986]

I got my FHD2400 when it was on sale for 500, like it is currently. Applied the AAA 10% off coupon, and got it for 450. If you don't have AAA, I bet someoen you know does and could get a code for you.
www.aaa.com/circuitcity

[CST]

I got my FHD2400 when it was on sale for 500, like it is currently. Applied the AAA 10% off coupon, and got it for 450. If you don't have AAA, I bet someoen you know does and could get a code for you.
www.aaa.com/circuitcity

Thanks, I'll check that out.

[cydspal]

I think that I might (for now) go with keeping my 19" LCD hooked up to my old PC and go purchase the HannsG - 27.5" Widescreen Flat-Panel TFT-LCD Monitor Model: HG-281DJB for $550 at Best Buy for the new Mac Pro? I still just can't get over how much I liked the 24" Imac screen (22w x 20H) and this one gets me close at 26w x 20H, just hope its not too big.

[Tallest Skil]

SOYO makes some quality LCDs sold through Office Max

This one (http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=21361009&searchString=soyo) will set you back $399.


Man, am I glad that I got TWO of those on Black Friday for only $500. Yeah, they're great panels; I didn't have any dead pixels on either, and the color gamut's nice. The only problem is, I still don't have my Mac Pro, so they're basically just sitting here looking awesome. I run my iBook off of them sometimes, but... I want my Mac Pro!!!

[cydspal]

You got the Hanns G 27" for $500 on BF? Wow! Great job! So will the HDMI to DVI cable for the Mac Pro work ok, not loss of quality, etc?

Pat H, I didn't mean to hijack your thread!

[Tallest Skil]

You got the Hanns G 27" for $500 on BF?

No...? Sorry, I don't mean to rain on your Hanns G parade, but I got two of the 24" Soyos on Black Friday for $500. I'm sure they'll discount your panel soon, too!

[cydspal]

No problem, I don't see this one (27.5") going much lower, its on sale at Best Buy for $550. I just hope its a good clear monitor.

[Pat H]

You got the Hanns G 27" for $500 on BF? Wow! Great job! So will the HDMI to DVI cable for the Mac Pro work ok, not loss of quality, etc?

Pat H, I didn't mean to hijack your thread!

lol, no problem. I already made my purchase, so feel free to hijack all you want :D

[cydspal]

So did I Pat, I got the Hannsg 27.5" and now I am wondering if its too big! I might be better off with 2 x 24"....

[Pat H]

So did I Pat, I got the Hannsg 27.5" and now I am wondering if its too big! I might be better off with 2 x 24"....

wow :eek: 27 would probably be the absolute cut off point for me, anything beyond that and you might as well buy a 1080p TV and put it on your desk :D

But a quick question for you (or anyone else)... Is the HannsG a TN panel? I'm noticing with mine that the gamma changes when I view it from different vertical angles, even slightly. It's not a deal killer, but I'm thinking the sheer size makes it difficult to not view one part of the monitor from a different angle than the other. How does yours do with this, especially since I'm not too familiar with HannsG panels?

[danny_w]

I got the FHD2400 and am loving it! I considered the HannsG 27.5" but finally decided it would be too big; for the person who was asking I have read that it has a PVA panel, and it is made by their parent company (it is the same panel in the one other 27.5" display out there). After turning the brightness all the way down and using shades to dim the screen some more, the Gateway is fantastic. I use the Alu iMac 24" at work all day and this Gateway at home and, while not quite an equal (it does use a TN panel after all), it is still very nice for home use. I love the myriad of inputs too, and the case design is very classy, almost like Apple designed it. I ran pixel tests and cannot find any stuck or bad pixels at all. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

[Mav451]

I was interested in the FHD2400 for gaming actually, as it is known to be one of the leaders in low input lag. Whereas PVA's can range from 20ms-40ms (or even more), the TN's can get below 10ms.

The one stickler is that owners with the Gateway, after 1-3 months, started seeing progressively worse backlight bleed (BLB). Let us know if you see it, b/c there's discussion if Gateway is even bothering to fix it or not. Model #'s or even pack date could also help.

[aaronw1986]

I was interested in the FHD2400 for gaming actually, as it is known to be one of the leaders in low input lag. Whereas PVA's can range from 20ms-40ms (or even more), the TN's can get below 10ms.

The one stickler is that owners with the Gateway, after 1-3 months, started seeing progressively worse backlight bleed (BLB). Let us know if you see it, b/c there's discussion if Gateway is even bothering to fix it or not. Model #'s or even pack date could also help.

I bought a fhd2400 which at first was perfect. It developed some blb within a month, but is not bad enough to notice most of the time. The monitor overall is great.

[danny_w]

I was interested in the FHD2400 for gaming actually, as it is known to be one of the leaders in low input lag. Whereas PVA's can range from 20ms-40ms (or even more), the TN's can get below 10ms.

The one stickler is that owners with the Gateway, after 1-3 months, started seeing progressively worse backlight bleed (BLB). Let us know if you see it, b/c there's discussion if Gateway is even bothering to fix it or not. Model #'s or even pack date could also help.
I've read about the blb too, and some have suggested setting the brightness down to 0 and keeping it that way. Even on 0 it is far too bright for me, so I keep it there anyway, and use shades to darken it further. I will post back if the blb gets worse, but it is hardly noticeable right now. The product code is 7010822R and the build date is Jan 2008.

EDIT: I have also noticed that they are in very short supply right now. BB received this one Thursday 2/21, and it was the only one I could find in town. Fry's said that they were due a shipment on the 22th, but I didn't check.