Buyer's guide - LCD monitors

Office applications / the internet

If you limit your computing activity to office applications and the internet, then most screens available on today’s market will suit you. If you don’t use your computer very often, go for a 19” screen with a maximum response time of 8ms. If you choose a smaller screen with a higher response time, you’ll probably notice some ghosting on the monitor, which is especially annoying when you’re watching a film. Wide, 4:3, 16:10… what does it all mean? If you often use office applications or video games, then a 4:3 LCD screen with an ultra-fast response time and a suitable format for your documents will suit you. Wide monitors (16:10) are generally favoured by film buffs, as they’re perfect for watching movies in full screen mode. A lot of these screens come with built-in speakers, maximising the space on your desk.

Intensive use

Is eye strain one of your biggest worries? To reduce the consequences of intensive use, choose a 20” TFT screen, which is easier to see and therefore more comfortable on the eyes. Wide formats provide optimal displays for your documents without straining your eyes. To reduce the consequences of intensive use, choose a 20” TFT screen, which is easier to see and therefore more comfortable on the eyes. Wide formats provide optimal displays for your documents without straining your eyes. You should also check the monitor’s adaptability to ensure correct sitting posture. Although a screen’s tilt angle is an important factor to take into account, it’s also vital to consider the screen's rotational capability and height range for comfort over longer periods. If you spend a lot of time working with digital images, choose, in addition to the features previously listed, a screen with a large display surface: a 24” screen is recommended to get the most out of your graphics applications. To make sure you don’t miss a single detail when you’re editing photos or videos, opt for something with a high contrast ratio.

Gamers

Hardcore gamers know that the quality and responsiveness of a TFT/LCD screen is just as important as the power of a PC. So how do you choose the best for your video games? The choice of the screen size is directly related to your graphics card. Basically, the larger your monitor, the more powerful your graphics card needs to be in order to support the millions of displayed pixels. If you want to keep your graphics card, select a TFT/LCD screen with a maximum size of 22 inches. With an ultra-fast response time (5ms, or less), it’ll ensure graphics are displayed without lag or after-glow, without ever pushing your graphics card to its limit. Enjoy the most realistic displays and get right into the heart of your games with a 24” screen – or bigger! Bear in mind that you’ll probably need a more powerful graphics card.

A communication pro

Sometimes integrated into a TFT/LCD monitor, webcams are becoming an essential bit of kit. If you want to enjoy clear pictures and sound when you're chatting without slowing down your internet connection, you'll need a 1.3-megapixel webcam. Suitable for use with flat-panel screens, some webcams even come with a built-in microphone – meaning you can save on space and cable clutter! Pay careful attention to the speakers -- audio quality is essential for good communication. Some TFT/LCD screens are already equipped with 8-Watt speakers, but you can get extra ones to enjoy “surround” sound. If you're a music fan, then choose a 5.1 system with a space-saving design, which will blast out top-notch sound without cluttering up the room.

Comfort and maintenance

In addition to saving on space, wall mounts add a whole new dimension to your monitor. You can even display photos and videos on a wall-mounted monitor. To keep them looking their best, get yourself a suitable cleaning kit. In order to give you complete satisfaction, your TFT/LCD screen should include a rich and varied range of connectors. The digital DVI port (or better, the HDMi socket for High Definition) is the ideal replacement to the VGA port, as it provides crystal-clear graphics that are larger than life! Some monitors have two DVI ports or a single VGA port in addition to the DVI port, which is highly practical for connecting two PCs. You’ll be able to hook up your laptop and your desktop computer to enjoy really big displays. See all laptops

Just like a monitor…

Want to watch TV streamed from the internet or a film on a big screen? For these specific tasks, there’s no need to invest in a large TFT/LCD monitor: your TV is the perfect solution! To connect to your computer, your TV must have a DVI port, or a VGA port and an RCA audio input. Most modern TVs have these. If your TV is compatible with High Definition, opt for an HDMi connection for top-notch graphics and sound. Although they’re practical for occasional use, TVs do not offer the same display quality as monitors over longer periods. Laptops are more mobile than LCD/TFT screens, and can be used as a replacement. Usually connected to a monitor, laptops provide greater visual comfort.

Different display technologies

As the basis of your TFT/LCD screen, the display panel determines the quality of your image and the overall responsiveness of the screen. There are four different types to suit different needs: - Most colour screens use thin film transistor (TFT) technology, otherwise known as “active matrix” to reach response times of less than 10ms, allowing you to run video games without lag. However, contrast ratios are usually low. - In-Plane Switching (IPS) was developed to improve TFT technology by using liquid crystals, where the alignment axis is parallel to that of the screen. Viewing angles are large, but sometimes an after-glow image remains on the display. - The more versatile multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA) offers a deeper level of black and allows you to greatly increase the viewing angle and contrast. Nevertheless, colour reproduction is average. - The most recent development is patterned vertical alignment (PVA), which achieves black levels of 0.15 cd/m² for optimal contrast. Great for video games, this panel provides excellent colour reproduction.

The key is responsiveness

The response time, or the latency time, of a liquid crystal display is the time it takes for the light emitted by a pixel to react to a change in electrical input. If you want to watch action-packed scenes or edit videos, the latency time needs to be relatively short in order to maintain a fluid picture. Perfect for gamers, the best TFT/LCD monitors have a response time of just 2ms, but the average is between 5ms and 8ms.

Which resolution?

Depending on the size and format of your screen, resolution is determined by measuring the number of rows and columns of pixels displayed on the panel. Resolution allows you to adjust your image to best fit your monitor. Ranging from 17 to 19 inches, most TFT/LCD screens come with 1280 x 1024-pixel resolution, which is recommended for office applications and the internet. 20-inch screens in 4:3 format come with 1600 x 1200-pixel resolution, while in widescreen mode they have the same resolution as a 22-inch monitor (i.e. 1680 x 1050 pixels). For excellent response times in the most recent video games, check the power of your graphics cards and the original resolution of your screen, and change them if you need to.

Comfort of use

In addition to image settings, a good sitting posture can limit the fatigue felt after hours in front of a monitor. Test a screen's different tilt positions and adjust its height where possible. The top of the monitor should be at about eye level if you don’t want to spend a day craning your neck. If you want to watch a film with your friends and family, think of the comfort of others around you. Choose a TFT/LCD screen with a wide viewing angle (minimum 160° horizontal and 140° vertical), so that everyone enjoys the same image quality.