LCD Monitors whilst mainly used for PC Gaming/Home computing are a viable, and cheap option for HD Gaming, and home gaming.

Cheap in price, yet in high quality, and high demand, many people are swamped by the options, and don't know what to use. This topic attempts to clarify the majority of questions asked.

Contents;

TERMS
PRODUCTS
EQUIPMENT/FAQ
LINKS

TERMS

Screen Size: Pretty obvious, but screen size denotes the actual size of the LCD screen. This doesn't include the size of the whole unit, just the display area. Around 22-23" is best for gaming, as anything bigger will result on you either having to turn your head a slight amount, or bad image quality.

Input Lag: Basically the amount of time for your actions to be reflected on the screen. Bigger TVs experience slight delays of the picture changing, as it takes time for the Xbox 360 to reflect the image on the screen, then the Liquid Crystals/Plasma change colors to form your larger picture.1920

Full HD/1080P: Full HD is 1080P, as is 1080i, 1080p being the best picture quality you can get. This generally assures you of a widescreen ratio of 16:9. This is PERFECT size for gaming, and you will have the best picture possible.

Resolution: Resolution is the number of dots the monitor is made up off. So 1920x1800 means 1920 dots high, by 1800 dots across. 1920x1080 is a good resolution for gaming monitors as discussed above.

Contrast Ratio: The amount of difference between light and dark colors when shown in extreme amounts. So say you're in a empty room, completely pitch black, but there's a window on one side letting light beam through. The difference between them colors is the Contrast Ratio. Higher numbers denote higher quality colors. Whites will be whiter, and blacks will be blacker.

If you're using for PC browsing as well, text will be more clearer and definitive.

Response Time: How quickly the monitor responds to a keystroke is how this is actually measured. LCD Monitors are measured in MS (Milliseconds) where as CRT (Bulky old school TV's) are measured in NS (Nanoseconds).

From personal experience, 5ms or lower is best for gaming. Anything above 7ms and you can start to notice Ghosting.

Ghosting: Ghosting is basically outlines of an old image left as the monitor refreshes to display your new image.

PRODUCTS

There is many products out there used for basic computing, when it comes to LCD Monitors.

I've compiled a list of what I think are perfect monitors for Xbox 360 Gaming, based on my usage, and friends usages.

BenQ G2220HD

Screen Size: 22.5" (57.15cm)
Resolution: 1920x1080
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Response Time: 5ms
Input Signals: DVI - D-SUB (VGA)

This is what I use. I have 2 of them, one for my PC one for my Xbox 360, and it's amazing. The image quality is amazing, and the contrast is perfect. I barely had to tamper with the settings to get a beautiful image.

If you're watching movies, you wont have any problems. The image is good, and refreshes at an awesome rate. You can use the Microsoft VGA Cable for input, as it doesn't support HDMI. This monitor is 1080P/16:9.

Samsung P2250/P2350

Screen Size: 21.5" (54.61cm)
Resolution: 1920x1080
Contrast Ratio: 50000:1
Response Time: 2ms
Input Signals: DVI - D-SUB (VGA)

My old monitor, that I used for about two weeks and sold to a friend. Awesome picture quality, with a huge ratio. Pretty costly though, which was the only downside. JB Hi-Fi sells them for about 300$ where as the G2220HD can be brought off the net for about 180$ each, so for an extra 60$ you could be running two G2220HD's.

Nothing different in specs with the P2350 except for a 23" (58.42cm" screen.

Once again you will need the Microsoft VGA Cable for this monitor. Another couple of HD 1080P/16:9 bad boys.

EQUIPMENT/FAQ

Is bigger, better?

No, not always. Smaller monitors usually have lower refresh times, which is what you're after for LCD Gaming. They also offer awesome picture quality. And low power consumption.

What if I want to watch movies?

Then monitors are perfect for you. 1080P/i means it's fully able to watch FULL HIGH DEFINITION movies on the screen and in the right picture quality/format.

Am I still able to use a Capture card!?

For all you fanboys out there, you sure can!

Jump onto eBay, create an account, and buy one of these things for 30$.

Plug everything into the corresponding slots and you're good to go. Note, when using one of these, your Monitor wont display in 1080p anymore. The eBay description lists all possible resolutions and details.

How does the Xbox 360 get the image onto the LCD Monitor? Sound? Will my Headset work?

You can buy Microsoft brand VGA/HDMI cables from most retailers that will do the job.

Don't be a tight arse and try and save a few dollars by buying some 3rd party POS, as the image quality is noticable. Numerous people try and be stingy, only to find they have horrible images.

Sound is controlled via two cables, Red and White, so you will need either a Logitech 5.1 Surround Sound system, or something similar to that. The X540 5.1 SS Systems from Logitech are only $100 from JB HiFi.

The Microsoft OFFICIAL VGA adapter has optical out, so your headsets will still work.

Where can I buy good monitors?

JB HiFi was awesome to me. They sell at good prices, give awesome support, and more then anything, you can haggle. Flash some cash around, and they will drop the price a good 50-60$ or throw in a free VGA cable which retail for about 40$ anyway.

Don't be afraid to shop around online, either. Many online retailers can offer massive price cuts, as they don't have to pay employee wages and things like commissions.

ITspot.com.au is a good store, as is pccasegear.com.au

Remember, you have the money,and they want it. Try and talk deals.

LINKS

http://benq.com.au/products/LCD/ - BenQ's LCD Monitor Page
PC Case Gear Monitor Page - Big Discounts Sometimes
JB HiFi Samsung P2250

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Hope this helps people out there. And I will amend the topic when nessecary

Edited 7 times, last edited 19/12/09 - 2:40am.

Thanks mate, big help!

Very nice write up.

Haha, to be honest Revampz, you were my inspiration for the topic

Im an Inspiration, 2G

Definately very useful information for people looking to buy Monitors without much idea about them.

I think it is easily worthy of a sticky? Maybe add some more Monitors to give people a broader range to choose from, Or even just a simple link to the Manufacturers site that sells good quality monitors would be nice.

All in all a great thread though.

Yepp, will do that now Fez.

Thanks for the feedback :]

Do they have those things for HDMI so i could say use a dazzle cacard?

No Problem.

I'm also interested to know No Mercy's question but to component

Dude helped me heaps, cheers

go 24" aoc best monitors

JB HIFI link didn't work properly :p

you might want to also talk about the new LED monitors they are the next step up

I may be wrong, But i heard that the LED Monitors had horrible input lag?

All links will now work

Also, I am not sure about a HDMI TV to PC Device. It's worth a Google though.

@Fake NZ;

I didn't think to put LED Monitors in, as most of them are really expensive, and people generally don't wanna spend $400+ up on their monitor as they usually state they're looking for around the $200-300 mark.

And LED's have pretty bad input lag from personal experience.