Andy, I got an Acer AL2016W 20" widescreen LCD monitor for $188. I
expected junk, but have been pleasantly surprised. Very important to me
is the fact that the interference I used to have from the CRT on HF
completely disappeared - or at least moved out of the ham bands! Even
more important is the fact that I can now fit all of my DXLab windows on
one monitor! It also has inputs for analog or digital video, although it
doesn't have built in speakers, or TV input. It was also the only one in
my price range that had a 3-year warranty.
If you do decide to get one, a couple of tips.
Get the fastest refresh rate you can afford. This one is 5 ms, and I
get no streaking or smearing with video or games. I hear that 8 ms
refresh rate can do that, but haven't seen it for myself.
Also, as soon as you get the monitor hooked up, download a
pixel-checking program, such as "Dead Pixel Buddy". Some LCD monitors
will have dead pixels in varying quantities. A few scattered around the
display may not be noticeable, but several clumped together can make an
obvious "hole" in your display. Find out in advance what the return
policy is for dead pixels! Some manufacturers hide the fact that they
won't allow an exchange unless there is a certain number of dead ones!
Lots of sizes and makes out there now, and prices keep dropping. Have
fun shopping!
73
Dave
KB3MOW
Andrew O'Brien wrote:
>
>
> Any thoughts on a wide screen PC monitor versus a standard screen?
> I'm thinking of adding a 21 inch wide screen.
>
