Flat Panel TVs and Monitors

Finding The Flat Panel Monitor of Your Dreams 

by John Thompson

1. Flat panel monitors use interfaces - analog or digital. The most up-to-date models have digital interface but an all-digital configuration costs a good deal more. If you are purchasing an analog flat panel, you should attach it with a digital interface to your video card with a digital out jack to mainstream the signal.
   
   If you are thinking about to buy a digital interface, you need to investigate its compatibility. There are several digital interface standards available today-Plug and Display (P&D) from the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Digital Flat Panel (DFP) from the Digital Flat Panel Working Group, and Digital Video Interface (DVI) from the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG).
   
   The P&D interface is the oldest of the three criteria and chances are your new model wont have this convention. Support for DFP standard is seen across many hardware vendors. The DVI standard is the newer and the most popular. Do your research and whichever standard you chose, you need to match its ingredients that consists of cables and video cards!
2. Pixel-refresh response time: In a LCD monitor, the time required to switch from light to dark objects or vice versa, is referred to as Pixel-refresh response time. If the response time is poor (more than 40ms), you may see ghosting effect, i.e., the image seems to remain longer on the screen than it actually is!
   
   Whereas in a text environment this would hardly matter, in a gaming or media centric environment the effect could be a deterrent. More inexpensive models give more ghosting than their costly counterparts. Also, pixel-refresh response time is not articulated on the monitors. You need to watch in detail to judge the performance of each model.
3. Viewing angle: One trouble with a flat panel monitor is its viewing angle. Laptop users must have experienced this problem. Moving away from the monitor in any direction causes the display to appear black! Various models offer different viewing angles horizontally and vertically.
   
   Find the one better suited to your discretionary income! In any case, for a home PC, the viewing angle doesnt make much difference but if the monitor is going to be used for official presentations then it should have viewing angle of at least 120 degrees horizontal and 100 degrees vertical. Also, ask for add-ons like pivoting frames.
4. Size: bigger is better, but with flat panel, remember 15-inch screen gives you the experience of a 17-inch CRT monitor. If you can shell out for 17-inch flat panel, by all means, go for it, if not, a 15-inch screen should not be a disappointment.
   
   Other things to check when buying a flat panel are guarantees and warranties. A three-year warranty is recommended. People change the monitor settings in stores and while purchasing; make sure that you analyze the piece adequately. You now have the basic information; all you need is time to check out the market!
   
   Check out the great selection of big screen tvs and flat panel monitors at our site today!