LCD Monitor - Which to Choose - BenQ or Samsung??

[tygersclaw]

Okay here it is. I have a budget and looking to get a 24 inch LCD monitor.

I have narrowed it down to either the BENQ G2400W 24" WIDE 1920x1200 250cd/m2 1000:1 5MS 0.27mm HDMI DVI-D VGA which can be had for $349.95 CDN or the SAMSUNG SyncMaster 245B WIDE BLACK COLOR 24" 5MS 3000:1 1920X1200 DUAL-INPUTS HAS-STAND which is $395.95 CDN.

Based on your experience, which do you think would be the better of the 2 options?

P.S. My editing needs are not of a professional nature, but more amateur or even novice moving on up to amateur. I do have a FEW images that need editing to look REAL good when printed and some are from weddings I was a DJ for...so would make a nice gift to a Bride & Groom on their anniversary. I am using PSP 10 for editing at this time.

[magicmikey]

The problem you'll have with either of those monitors is they both use a TN panel, which is considered the least consistent and color accurate type available. Unfortunately, the vast majority of LCD monitors available have a TN panel. The two other types of panel available, S-PVA and S-IPS, are much better for photo editing, with S-IPS panels considered the best.

Unfortunately, getting a 24" monitor with a S-PVA or S-IPS panel will cost a lot more than what you can get those two models for. The Dell 2408WFP is considered a pretty good monitor for the price and does have a S-PVA panel. Here's the link:

Dell : Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP 24'' Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand : Monitors : Small & Medium Business

Finding out what panel a monitor uses can be difficult but here's a site that has a database: www.flatpanels.dk - Din guide til fladskærme - Panel Search

Michael

[Light Currents]

Take Michaels advice. Trust me! You want an 8-bit panel. Yes they cost more and you may have to wait a while longer to budget the money up a little, but 8-bit is the way to go.

Here is a very good 24 inch panel info source.

[tygersclaw]

After originally posting this question, I was able to see the monitors side by side in a store. Neither impressed me.

Then I saw a Samsung 245T on sale for $539 CDN and grabbed that as that was only $170 more than the Samsung 245B was vs. the pre-sale difference of $250

[magicmikey]

Looks like a good choice.

Michael

[S_Egbert]

Tygersclaw, are you still happy with the Samsung 245T? I an looking at this monitor as well.
Thanks

[JDArt]

I'd really consider moving up to a 27-inch monitor.

[S_Egbert]

Originally Posted by JDArt

I'd really consider moving up to a 27-inch monitor.

Thanks a lot JD, sheesh, just when I have my mind made up on a 24, you have to go and throw that at me! Now you got me looking at a Samsung 275T+

And I can imagine you wrote that with the innocent expression in your avatar.

[Light Currents]

I'm also looking at the 245T, but be aware there is a reported problem and postings all over the net about the monitor buzzing so loudly, in some cases, it is distracting.

Google something like: "samsumg 245T buzz" (no quotes)

[S_Egbert]

Light Currents,
I have seen those reports also.
A good friend of mine just ordered a 245T yesterday so I will find out soon enough. I will be out of town when he gets it but will be I will back next Friday and will report back here.

[Light Currents]

Originally Posted by S_Egbert

Light Currents,
I have seen those reports also.
A good friend of mine just ordered a 245T yesterday so I will find out soon enough. I will be out of town when he gets it but will be I will back next Friday and will report back here.

Please do post something. One thing I noticed about the complaints, they seem to be about monitors that people purchased after (about) Jan. 2008. Perhaps they changed a part in the production process.

[S_Egbert]

Originally Posted by Light Currents

Please do post something. One thing I noticed about the complaints, they seem to be about monitors that people purchased after (about) Jan. 2008. Perhaps they changed a part in the production process.

Light Currents,
I got to check out my friends monitor for a few minutes yesterday. Beautiful screen, no dead pixels, and even with my ear next to the front of the monitor I could not hear any buzz or hum. He said he can hear some but at the time I was there the house was not completely silent, the room we were in was quiet and I could hear the fans in his computer but nothing from the monitor.
For me, there were no deal breakers.

[Light Currents]

Originally Posted by S_Egbert

Light Currents,
I got to check out my friends monitor for a few minutes yesterday. Beautiful screen, no dead pixels, and even with my ear next to the front of the monitor I could not hear any buzz or hum. He said he can hear some but at the time I was there the house was not completely silent, the room we were in was quiet and I could hear the fans in his computer but nothing from the monitor.
For me, there were no deal breakers.

Thank you, my friend. I appreciate you taking the time to post the follow-up as promised. I am still looking, but the samsung is at the top of my list. I saw a good price on the HP LP2465 yesterday on dealspl.us (samsung s-pva inside), but I've read too many negative reviews about it.