Using LCD Monitor

[Roberto]

Ive surfed around a number of places to find out about LCD monitors but I recon I'd get the best answer here, since Flight Simulator is at the top of the priority list for me!

I'm considering buying an LCD monitor but am usure of the results I'd get. I'm not capable of buying a "top end" monitor.

How does FS work in MID-QUALITY/PRICE RANGE  LCD monitors?

Thanx Roberto,
slovenia

[gabel]

Hi Roberto.
I can't give you an exact answer,but I can tell you:
I wanted to buy also LCD monitor a few months ago,and I 've tested FS9 on my friend's screen.
In the end I decided to buy a 19" monitor which supports 1600 by 1200 resolution,and I'm very pleased with it.
And if you want later on to buy a 3D glasses and headtrack,the LCD monitor will not support it.
This is only my opinion,others may have different views.

Gabriel.
Romania.

[Gixer]

I changed to an LCD (TFT) monitor a while back.  Max res was 1280x1024 which sucked and image quality wasn't as good as my current monitor.  They are great for saving space etc but for gaming you would ideally want a 21"one which could do 1600x1200 (Well in my case I would) and have a megga fast response time to prevent ghosting.

I changed from my LCD back to a CRT monitor.  I have a Mitsubishi Diamon Pro 930SB 19" monitor.  I really like it.  It works on a Grille pitch rather than a Dot pitch and the IQ is amazing on it.  Yes its bigger than a TFT but I picked it up brand new cheaper than most decebt 17" LCD's.  I payed

[4_Series_Scania]

LCD Display ? Don't buy one without reading up on it!

http://www.cifi.com/computing/lcdbuyingguide.html  ;)

[logjam]

Here's the voice of experience. I changed to a 17" LCD not for convenience but because the whole system came with it. I have 2 systems, both in vastly different environments. I used to run FS2K2 on my preferred monitor which is a Sony 21" CRT. Lovely size lovely to look at however the system won't run FS9 and I can't change them around. I find it's acceptable to use the LCD but it's not really that bright. I got used to it. A word of warning. I tried using Anti-aliasing from the system instead of the program and screwed everything up. First off, the LCD monitor does not support the configuration, secondly, there was no way I could get it back. Eventually, I had to re-format the drive and reinstall everything again. I still don't have the half back where it should be. So don't start to get clever if you decide to go for an LCD.

[Gixer]

Todays LCD will do Anti-Aliasing no problems.  My LG L1710s did no problemo!

You coulda got out off your situation by booting into safe mode and turning AA off whilst in safe mode.  I did a simialr thing once when I set the res to high for my monitor and it just went black.  Going into safe mode I set to a safe res then restarted PC.

I still think CRT's are superior for gaming however and will give a better Image Quality if you get a good CRT.

[the_autopilot]

LCD have no problems with games provided it has a 16ms response time or less. Another thing to look for is native resolution which should be 1280 by 1024. IF you want better, 1600 by 1200 are also availible. I have a 16 by 12 and if you can afford one with a low ms, GET IT, you will not regret it. Also, make sure the lcd panel has a dvi connection, most lcds do though.

BTW, one thing that not a lot of people know about is the DVI connection. IF you have an nvidia gfx card, do NOT use a long DVI cable. IF you have an ati,  by all means, ati cards are best for dvi connections. MOre info on that here:
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041129/index.html

[Roberto]

O.K.

I was shocked to find out that she supported the idea and we bought one. A lot of people complain about not being able to watch movies, games, ... I must say, they're really fussy. As long as you don't have a LCD next to a CRT you get used to it quickly.

I must say I notice the effects of settings in FS more now than I did before.

THANXS GUYS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

[Gixer]

To get 1600x1200res though your talking loadsa money  :'( especially one with high contrast and fast response time.

17" wont do that res unfortunately I think the first one that does is either 20.1" or 21".  Prices for that size monitor start at about

[4_Series_Scania]

I have an old crappy Dell 17inch monitor that happily hits 1600x1200 !

Why anybody who takes gaming seriously would consider a TFT over a CRT defeats me entirely!

I'd rather save a packet on the Monitor and spend it on the GFX card.

[Gixer]

I shoulda said, in my last bit was talking about TFT's.

some 17" CRT's will hit 1600x1200 and as Series says.  I also agree with Series that a good quality CRT is much better for gaming over a TFT.

If you are happy with your TFT though I am happy for you.  Your old CRT may have been of poor quality so a nice new TFT will be better in that respect.

[the_autopilot]

I take my gaming very seriously and lcd technology is catching up and fast and there is no reason to go CRT nowadays. IF you don't want a 1600 by 1200 like i do,
there are 1280 by 1024 lcd montiers with refresh rates of 9 ms. These are generally smaller, but even side by side with a crt and there is no difference.

[Gixer]

I do want 1600x1200  ;)

As the technology progresses and more importantly gets cheaper I will no doubt look at a nice big TFT with low responce time and high res.

[4_Series_Scania]

I take my gaming very seriously and lcd technology is catching up and fast and there is no reason to go CRT nowadays. IF you don't want a 1600 by 1200 like i do,
there are 1280 by 1024 lcd montiers with refresh rates of 9 ms. These are generally smaller, but even side by side with a crt and there is no difference.

"Catching up Fast" - You've got it in one!

When I can get a good 19inch TFT  for under

[the_autopilot]

what exactly is the point of a res of 2048 x 1536?

The only time a i use a res that high is when i'm working with dual moniters. There's not even a game that supports that.

But yeah, I see what you mean when it comes to price. But i must beg to differ when it comes to performence which I believe does not suffer in LCD's. But I guess in the end, it all depends on preference. I've never really seen a differnece between my crt's and lcd.

However, i have so much equiment on my desk that lcd's are a must, but don't get me wrong. I still have crt's and I still use them, quite a lot in fact.