Widescreen LCD Monitors

[zhiyung]

My 5-years-old 17" CRT just gave up on me, so im planning to get a new 19" LCD.

Now im struggling to decide whether i want a good 19" or a widescreen 19", or more specifically, Viewsonic VX922 or VA1912W... (or similar priced models of other brands).

I'm wondering how would a normal 4:3 video looks on widescreen when it is made fullscreen (ie with WMP)? The image will be stretched horizontally or blank parts would appear on both the left right side? And how would it look if i choose to play my games in 800*600 or 1024*768?

I know specs cant tell much, but can someone give me a rough expectation on the image quality? Should i expect great difference between the two models?
VX922: 2ms response time, 650:1 contrast and 270cd/m2 brightness, 1280*1024
VA1919W: 8ms response time, 500:1 contracsr and 300cd/m2 brightness, 1440*900

Most of the time, i watch videos, surf internet or do my works (word, excel, autocad). I play games sometimes, not too frequent...

Or if anybody has one of these or even both(!), can you give me some comments? Any help is most appreciated

[x586]

It will vary dependning on the software.  Most software can handle various resolutions and can do it with black bars and croping and scaling some are automatic and some give you a choice.  3d games tend to just expand your view. You may have some issues with old software, but current stuff really shouldn't have any trouble. image quality should be the same as far as text and pictures go, in all cases, and most games.

Games probably won't look right if you try to play at non-widescreen resolutions. (800-600 1024-768)

Go to your local electronics shop and take a movie on a usb key and have them show it to you on the screens.

[Reflex]

I honestly have to reccomend you avoid the sub 16ms response time monitors, they achieve the lower response times by cropping the available color pallette.

If you want a good monitor I'd highly reccomend the Dell 2007FPW 20.1" widescreen, they are easily the best looking monitors on the market right now and can be had for reasonable prices if you look for Dell coupon codes online...

[zhiyung]

I would love Dell 2007WFP too, but i can not afford it now... my old monitor is dead now, i need a new one asap ><
If i have a spare monitor, i could buy it on August... damn...

I think i will go for the 2ms Viewsonic VX922, it is about RM1100 here, while the Dell 2007WFP is RM1900...

[Temporary]

Do any Dell 2007WFP owners also have the Dell speaker system that clips on to the monitor?

How do you rate them and for your purpose?

[Jasper]

I have two Dell 20" widescreens and LOVE them.

Though this may be your best bet:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824014105

$294 - 20" widescreen, 8ms

[Hlafordlaes]

Here is a guide you can check out.

[Mefistofeles]

I have a viewsonic widescreen LCD and its incredible for movies.  Not so incredible for websites because the text tends to look "small" on some sites ,which don't have auto adjusting text at least compared to a 19 inch LCD.

Note that the 19 inch 1440x900 LCD's seem to have much larger text than the 20.1 inch widescreen LCD's.

[MTP]

Well you all know I have been using a Apple Cinema Display 20" (1680x1050) for over 3 years now.
Love it. Can not wait to go bigger.

[Agentorange33]

Im going to buy the Gateway FPD2185W 21" Widescreen for my next monitor. Its got every connection you could want, 1000:1 Contrast ratio,HDCP compatible, 8ms response time and it supports HDTV for my future XBOX360.