Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
#308297 05/27/10 08:20 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
I picked up a used Core 2 Duo Mac Mini to replace my aging (but still working) PowerPC version.

This is our family computer that will be doing double duty as the kid's TV monitor in the great room. It'll be about a 50/50 split for computer and TV usage.

I've connected it to my in-law's 26" Samsung and it looks great. I've been trying to look for something similar but I'm not that familiar w/ the 2010 models and most reviews concentrate on 42" and above. I want it to be at least 720p, 1080p would be nice. I may opt to connect an HD Tivo via HDMI but not a requirement. I can still use Slingplayer on the Mini for now.

I'm wondering if I should consider PC monitors of the same size as well. I can see the advantage of higher pixel density but the contrast is less (as in 1000:1). Not sure if I should be that concerned.

I almost got a 27" iMac because of that stunning display. I'm trying to duplicate that w/ a budget setup. Any specific display help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
oldskoolboarder #308360 05/28/10 12:32 AM
H
htnut
Unregistered
htnut
Unregistered
H
This might be bigger than you want, but a friend of mine just bought one and it looked very good:

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/category/30-...2715ef00217en01

Just drop the Z off of the end for the equivalent U.S. model:

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-32RV525R-32-inch-1080p-HDTV/dp/B002DW98WO

Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
#308364 05/28/10 12:35 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
Thanks. Yeah, 32" is way too big. This is sitting on a desktop and we'll be sitting in front of it for computer use. 26" is kind of a practical limit.

Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
oldskoolboarder #308420 05/28/10 01:12 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 537
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 537
I picked this one from Futureshop here in Canada for $299 as they had a one day sale last Sunday. Not exceptional but I think it's pretty good so far.
LG 27" Monitor


2xM80 VP180 2xQS8 2xM3 HSU STF3 LG 60PS11 Denon 3808 ATI 1506 LCR 2xATI 1502 Oppo BDP-83
Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
Lorenzo1000 #308463 05/28/10 05:00 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
 Originally Posted By: Lorenzo1000
I picked this one from Futureshop here in Canada for $299 as they had a one day sale last Sunday. Not exceptional but I think it's pretty good so far.
LG 27" Monitor


I was looking at the exact same one. Why is it not exceptional? Spec wise it seems it would be.

Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
oldskoolboarder #308488 05/28/10 07:12 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 537
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 537
I think part of that is the adjustment from my smaller monitor to this one. I also haven't had a chance to calibrate it yet...still looks pretty good the way it is though. As well it's a TN panel which apparently isn't as good as an IPS (sic) panel. Regardless, I certainly didn't mean to say it wasn't good. I quite like it and am very happy with my purchase.


2xM80 VP180 2xQS8 2xM3 HSU STF3 LG 60PS11 Denon 3808 ATI 1506 LCR 2xATI 1502 Oppo BDP-83
Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
Lorenzo1000 #308495 05/28/10 08:35 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
Good point on the IPS. You guys have recs on >= 24" IPS monitors?

Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
oldskoolboarder #308514 05/28/10 10:38 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
For $189, I may jump on the Dell ST4210.

Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
oldskoolboarder #308531 05/29/10 01:30 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 537
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 537
Did you mean ST2410?

ST4210 would be pretty big!!!


2xM80 VP180 2xQS8 2xM3 HSU STF3 LG 60PS11 Denon 3808 ATI 1506 LCR 2xATI 1502 Oppo BDP-83
Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
Lorenzo1000 #308539 05/29/10 02:26 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
DOH. Yup, 2410.

Re: 26" LCD TV or similar sized PC monitor?
oldskoolboarder #309395 06/04/10 09:33 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,189
I'm using a Dell ST2410 and it is great for the price. About the only thing it is missing is a height adjusting stand, but it does tilt.


-Dave

M80s VP150 QS8s EP500s
ravenmanor.com/cinema/
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 145 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4