LCD Computer Monitors?

[CLW]

Anyone out there know anything about LCD/HD computer monitors? My wife and I have been going back and forth about purchasing an HD television. My wife is not the slightest bit interested in spending $1000+ for a t.v. "when the ones we have work perfectly fine".

Then she asked, "I saw they are now making HD computer monitors....Couldn't you just hook up your PS3 to that?"

I never really thought about it and it looks like that you can in fact hook up your PS3 to a computer monitor with HDMI.

#1 Has anyone done/doing this?

#2 Any monitors you would recommend?

I have a sneaking suspicion that if I do not get one for Christmas I will be getting an HD monitor for either V-Day and/or my birthday (2/25).

[gschwendt]

The only problem with that is either you'll need to buy a monitor that includes speakers (more expensive) or need to purchase a spare set of speakers. You'll either need a monitor that includes HDMI input (rare) or you'll need a HDMI to DVI adapter ($2.30 on monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041902&p_id=2029&seq=1&format=2)). However, that won't include the audio, so you'll likely need an adapter to hook up to either the monitor's audio input ($.53 from monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=666&seq=1&format=2)) or to the external speakers ($.22 from monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042902&p_id=7190&seq=1&format=2)).

As for suggestions, watch Techbargains.com or Dealnews.com to get great deals on monitors. Dell seems to always be running specials either on their own brand or Samsung (either would be good).

[gschwendt]

Here's a 23" Gateway 1080P for $115 (http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/43985?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SlickdealsnetFP+(SlickDeals.net +Frontpage))
23" Asus 1080p for $140 after MiR (http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/236371)

Both include HDMI and built-in speakers.

[CLW]

Yeah I was just browsing today at Amazon and saw these that looked pretty good:

http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic%252019s-VX2739WM-27-Inch-1920x1080-Monitor/dp/B003GBRXKU/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1293045414&sr=1-4


http://www.amazon.com/HP-2710m-27-Inch-Diagonal-Monitor/dp/B003FMUL72/ref=sr_1_26?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1293046109&sr=1-26


CNET is my usual goto place for reviews but I couldn't seem to find any on just computer monitors.

[gschwendt]

Anymore, an LCD is an LCD... save for additional features (HDMI, speakers, etc.), you're pretty much going to get the same thing from monitor to monitor. There are a couple of brands that are top notch (Samsung for one) but otherwise, so long as you've at least heard of the brand name, then you probably don't have anything to worry about. Asus, Viewsonic, and Acer are three monitor companies that are good but you might not have heard about.

Here's a Viewsonic 27" for $240 (no HDMI though).

[CLW]

Thanks man! Lol UPS just delivered my Christmas present from my wife via Amazon. Its a HUGE and fairly heavy box. Doubtful its a t.v. so hopefully she did well.

[gschwendt]

If you're willing to pay that much for a monitor, you might check out 32" TVs. Here's one from Sears for $290 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05771229000P?adCell=HPsylvania&adCell=W2). It's 720p but unless you're sitting right on top of it, you won't see a difference between 1080P.

[CLW]

Just as an FYI - "Santa" (a.k.a. my wife) did get me an LCD HD Monitor for me for Christmas. I got a 27" HP 2710m Monitor. Looks like she did pretty well.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/display/display/1/storefronts/WD119AA%2523ABA