monitor noob

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nathanbarlow

48 posts

Geek

#68026 13-Sep-2010 20:19

hi guys

im looking at getting a HDMI capable monitor for my tablet PC (HP TM2). Mainly for photoediting, but also for blurays/dvds and some light editing/browsing (ie office/web). My laptop screen is really good, but im looking for something with a bit higher resolution as its native resolution is 1280x800, which doesnt really do the trick for high-res things like 12MP photos and bluray :)

My only requirements are that the screen has HDMI, is around the 18-20 inch mark, and is black (lol i hate silver monitors).

Ideally I would like to plug my 5.1 speakers into the screen (as my tm2 only has a headphone port and thus my speakers are profiled as headphones) but not sure if this is doable without getting a "TV" as opposed to a monitor.

Gaming ability would be a bonus, but the laptop screen is fine for gaming really.

Any advice would be appreciated :D

CHeers
Nathan

nathanbarlow

48 posts

Geek

#384331 25-Sep-2010 14:57

could i please get some advice? This thread has had tons of views, and its been ten days.... with no replies?

I would really appreciate any help, as I know very little about monitors, and googling is confusing me.

Thanks (and apologies for the bump)

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#384349 25-Sep-2010 15:39

For 1080p you'll want a 23" 16:9 monitor (1920 x 1080). You won't find that res in a sub-23" size (not without paying out the nose for it).

Pretty much every 23" out there has HDMI in but output for 5.1 (I assume you mean optical out?) will be a luxury feature.

Ragnor

8223 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#384451 26-Sep-2010 03:42

How much do you want to spend max?

trig42

5814 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#384460 26-Sep-2010 08:04

I'd think that a small LCD full-HD TV would be the way to go. Probably cheaper than a monitor too. You may have trouble finding one under 30 inches though. But a full HD 32-inch set will set you back under $800. A Decent 23-inch monitor will be in the 400 dollar range I'd think, but I don't know that you'd get digital audio outputs on it.

Masterpiece

247 posts

Master Geek

#384773 27-Sep-2010 09:58

If you plan on doing photo editing, well you need calibration otherwise you will be skewing colour balance, or even greyscale off all over the place.

Me:"I'm not a robot!"

ET: "Maybe; you have some freewill, but you chose your path by arrangement"

Me "That sounds like a program with no freewill?"

ET: "We will catch up when you end this cycle"

Me: "Sounds like a 'KPI'!"

ET: "Did you read the terms and conditions?"

Me: .....

Ragnor

8223 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#385013 27-Sep-2010 16:19

LCD TV's have a large dot pitch which is bad for close work (fine for sitting 1-2m away).

I would recommend a LCD computer monitor with a IPS panel (these have better color representation than TN panels).

However it really depends on how much you want to spend as IPS panels are more expensive.