Number 239 - April 2003

I Dreamed of a BIG LCD MONITOR
By Bill Draper, CAUG Coastal Computer News, January 2003
Bob has one and thinks it's great. John got his a couple of years ago, and loves it. They look so doggone neat with their small footprint, and the color is, well, different. Then Computer Shopper had an article last summer on the advantages of LCD how, unlike the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) which constantly refreshes itself with an almost imperceptible flicker, the LCD is flicker-less and is much easier on the eyes. (Should have kept the article for defense, but I was sold anyway.) Then in September, visiting kids and grandkids, I mentioned how impressed I am with the beauty of graphics on LCD monitors, and threw in the comment about reduced eye strain.    Yes, I have vision problems, somewhat severe. Using the computer a lot does exacerbate eye strain symptoms. The disability undoubtedly will get worse over time and I am getting to an age where I might not have many new monitors left in me. Discounting all that rationalization, you have to cut to the truth. I WANTED THAT BIG LCD MONITOR -- BAD!    The monitor is for a home computer. I have one sizeable project that lasts a few days each month, this computer user group magazine. And I have a touch of digital camera mania; you ache when you see the beauty even more entrancing on an LCD screen.    Then came the Christmas Season. The family wanted to know what to get Dad. I suggested filters for my digital camera and was thinking of others when a call came from Number One granddaughter. "Grandad, we want you to have the LCD monitor for Christmas. The family wants to chip in and at least pay for a major chunk of the cost." Well!    Having used a 19-inch ViewSonic PS 790 for a few years, nothing smaller would suffice. Sifting through the product reviews brought my choices down to Samsung and Viewsonic products, though there is nothing shabby about other brands.    I looked at the Samsung and ViewSonic monitors, 19-inch LCDs that is. Man, they are NICE!	Then it was back to reading product reviews and checking specs; this felt sort of funny--almost any choice would exceed my capacity to see and enjoy. The following description of ViewSonics top-of-the-line 19-inch LCD monitor included the major quality elements:    ** "Don't let the sleek metallic-on-black design fool you - this 19" multimedia LCD melds form with function. Featuring Super-ClearMVA technology, the ViewSonic VX900 has superior video response, super-wide 170-degree viewing angles, 250 nits of brightness and a remarkable 600:1 contrast ratio - for blacker blacks and vivid, lifelike colors. OptiSync technology provides advanced digital and analog input options. 0-Touch AutoTune, OSD- and power-lock functions assure an outstanding front-of-screen experience. And at 19 inches, you'll have plenty of room to view everything from large spreadsheets to complex games. "    The 600:1 contrast ratio compares with a 500:1 contrast ratio for other brands, including the Samsung. Nice touch, I am sure, but it probably would not have added one bit to my enjoyment. But I was partial to ViewSonic and selected the VX 900.    Next, to select a vendor. With our 8 percent sales tax, we have an incentive for making large purchases online, especially when any warranty would involve dealing with the manufacturer direct. I checked PriceWatch and found that with shipping costs included, there was little difference in prices. Buy.com has given excellent service in the past and the order was placed with them Tuesday night. The monitor was delivered Friday evening.    Is there a problem? Well, sort of. My year-old Dell 8200 does not have a video card to handle the digital option, meaning the full quality of the display cannot be used. Even so, the analog option turns in a magnificent performance; the colors are gorgeous. Yep, I am shopping for a new video card.    Bill Draper is a CA UG board member and editor of Coastal Computer News.
Number 239 - April 2003