If you are still not on the flat-panel monitor camp, you ought to be considering doing it soon. And, if not, then you should! Its the coolest peripheral to own. It represents power, fashion and all things vivacious and out of sight. Until you replace your CRT screen you wouldnt realize how much you hated that eyesore! But before you dish out your hard earned money, getting to know the object of desire will do you wonders.
Shopping hints:
1. Flat panel monitors use interfaces - analog or digital. The current models have digital interface but an all-digital environment costs a good deal more. If you are attaining an analog flat panel, you will have to attach it with a digital interface to your video card with a digital out jack to mainstream the signal.
If you are planning to buy a digital interface, you need to evaluate its compatibility. There are several digital interface standards available today-Plug and Display (P&D) from the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Digital Flat Panel (DFP) from the Digital Flat Panel Working Group, and Digital Video Interface (DVI) from the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG).
The P&D interface is the oldest of the three standards and chances are your new model wont sport this standard. Support for DFP standard is seen across many hardware vendors. The DVI standard is the newest and the most popular. Do your research and whichever standard you chose, you need to match its elements that incorporates cables and video cards!
2. Pixel-refresh response time: In a LCD display, the time required to switch from light to dark objects or vice versa, is referred to as Pixel-refresh response time. If the response time is poor (more than 40ms), you may see ghosting effect, i.e., the image seems to remain longer on the screen than it actually is!
Whereas in a text environment this would hardly matter, in a gaming or media centric environment the effect could be a deterrent. More low-cost models give more ghosting than their costly counterparts. Also, pixel-refresh response time is not mentioned on the monitors. You need to watch intently to judge the performance of each model.
3. Viewing angle: One hassle with a flat panel monitor is its viewing angle. Laptop users must have experienced this problem. Moving away from the monitor in any direction causes the display to look black! Various models offer different viewing angles horizontally and vertically.
Find the one better suited to your funds! In any case, for a home PC, the viewing angle doesnt make much difference but if the monitor is going to be used for official presentations then it should have viewing angle of at least 120 degrees horizontal and 100 degrees vertical. Also, ask for add-ons like pivoting frames.
4. Size: bigger is better, but with flat panel, remember 15-inch screen gives you the experience of a 17-inch CRT monitor. If you can afford 17-inch flat panel, by all means, go for it, if not, a 15-inch screen should not be a downer.
Other things to check when buying a flat panel are guarantees and warranties. A three-year warranty is recommended. People change the monitor settings in stores and while purchasing; make sure that you examine the piece thoroughly. You now have the basic information; all you need is time to check out the market!
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