3 way 19” FlatScreen Monitor Shootout - PAGE 3

where are you getting the street prices from? I can't find them anywhere!

lots of people are asking me this in email, so I may as well post it here:

All our street prices are obtained using our price search engine at http://prices.neoseeker.com.

Also, the prices for each of the products is linked in the article, on the left hand column, under the green link for prices. The prices I got from doing searches are as follows:

Philips 109P - lowest $383
Samsung 900NF - lowest $388
Viewsonic P95F - lowest $479

I am also being asked about the relative sizes of monitors.

Looking at the specs, the largest monitors are the Viewsonic and Samsung. The ViewSonic seemed to take up the most room though, or at least that's the perception I get from just eyeing the monitors.

Thanks for all the comments folks.

A major issue with most 19 inch monitors, especially those based on the Trinitron technology, is the
integrity or 'straightness' of the horizontal scan.

I bought a Viewsonic, but the whole of the centre portion of the screen was pushed up. No controls
were provided to fix this problem! Amazing when you consider all the controls for vertical alignment
and linearity. At the bottom of the screen the centre portion is pushed up around 2mm and at the
top of screen the centre portion is pushed up, or bowed, around 1mm.

Unable to adjust this factor out, I tried several monitors of the same model (PF790 I think) and also
several other models by other manufacturers. Same problem to lesser or greater degrees.

Turns out this fault most normally occurs during shipment (don't ask me why!) and Viewsonic were
not very helpful when it came to opening the back of the case and making adjustments. In the end
I picked the least distorted display and thanked the store for their indulging me (CompUsa).

When reviewing a monitor it is very helpful to indicate what controls are available and especially
what controls are provided to adjust the horizontal bow (top and bottom) as these are most often
missing!

Just a thought, thanks for the review

Thanks for the feedback. Next time I will include a specs list that includes all the controls. I just didn't want to incorporate that into the article because some people are not very interested in the minutiae of controls details... I also tried to give you a sense of the controls based on whether or not we were able to correct any display defects.

Thanks too for telling us about your experience with the "integrity" of Trinitron based tubes. I totally didn't know about that!!

I've decided to buy a new 19" monitor, and since I only have Best Buy for a local retailer I'm pretty much limited in the number of monitors I get to see. And thus, I am here and everywhere else on the Web looking for reviews to base my next purchase. Here's what I've been considering so far.
(Btw all are 19")

KDS AV-195TF -
which is a pretty decent monitor good color, but kinda dark (atleast the instore model so who really knows..)

CPD-G400 -
Seems like a decent monitor, rather bright, I did see this one in the store btw, and it did look very nice. Well that is a saw a monitor based off the stuff (I believe), Best Buy had the 4 Port USB model instead of the Speaker model (CPD-G400).

Samsung SyncMaster 900NF -
I've only read reviews on this one, but from what I've heard it's a very good monitor, but again I just don't know.

Viewsonic P95f -
I read your review, and btw it is the only review out there on this monitor. From what is sounds you think that this is the best monitor out there? And is it brighter in than the Sony or as bright?

Basically, I'm looking for a good sharp, bright monitor, you know no fuzzy text, good for white and black. And some color of course, while I wont be staring a still pictures for life, I don't want to feel like I bought a mono-crome monitor either. Also, I wont be running any more than 1280 x 1024 well mostly so anything above that is irrelevant and extra features on the monitor doesn't matter.

Also, if it helps, I'm a college kid, which means I don't have a lot of money but I am willing to spurge and spend about $500 on this. While, I do play video games, I am spending increasingly more time programing and doing office work as well (gotta pay for that monitor some how). So that's why I'm looking for such a good all around monitor.

So, I'm kinda sensing that the Viewsonic P95F might just be the right one, but if it's darker than the Sony then I'm not quite so sure. And btw is it an Apiture grille? (my best guess is that it isn't).

I appreciate your help. Thanks again.

I'm also trying to decide between Viewsonic P95f and a Sony CPD-G420... The question is whether the Sony's higher price tag is justified or not. But in reply to Bradley and anyone else wondering, yes the P95f is an Aperture Grille monitor (.25 mm in the center, .27 on the edges). A local Swedish magazine recently tested the P95f and a G420 and in their opinion the Viewsonic had a noticably darker (i.e. not so bright) image than the Sony.

Anyone know where Viewsonic monitors are manufactured?

I believe Viewsonic monitors are manufactured at the Viewsonic manufacturing plant. Call it a huntch.

Thats not what he means, Smartass! Where geographically! Oh by the way they manufacture their monitors on Earth, the third planet from the sun.

-Gxcad

I know im a little late for this thread but i would really like your input i am going to buy a new 19 inch monitor in the next 2 weeks i really had my eye on the p95f ever since your review (i have not seen any other reviews for this monitor) i am a hardcore gamer. I just would like to know how bad is the color compared to the other two? 3rd, distant 3rd, horrible? please set my mind to rest so i can order this monitor with confidence. thankyou

quote Coyote

Anyone know where Viewsonic monitors are manufactured?

ViewSonic is an OEM, they do not manufacture their products. Not that this is a bad thing, many companies use third party manufactures. They use multiple vendors in countries like China and Taiwan.

Hi again gonna buy a monitor in the next few days but cant decide! would the p95f's 3rd place color performance make dvd's look not as good as... say the 900nf?
please help anybody

quote Bradley

I've decided to buy a new 19" monitor, and since I only have Best Buy for a local retailer I'm pretty much limited in the number of monitors I get to see. And thus, I am here and everywhere else on the Web looking for reviews to base my next purchase. Here's what I've been considering so far.
(Btw all are 19")

KDS AV-195TF -
which is a pretty decent monitor good color, but kinda dark (atleast the instore model so who really knows..)

CPD-G400 -
Seems like a decent monitor, rather bright, I did see this one in the store btw, and it did look very nice. Well that is a saw a monitor based off the stuff (I believe), Best Buy had the 4 Port USB model instead of the Speaker model (CPD-G400).

Samsung SyncMaster 900NF -
I've only read reviews on this one, but from what I've heard it's a very good monitor, but again I just don't know.

Viewsonic P95f -
I read your review, and btw it is the only review out there on this monitor. From what is sounds you think that this is the best monitor out there? And is it brighter in than the Sony or as bright?

Basically, I'm looking for a good sharp, bright monitor, you know no fuzzy text, good for white and black. And some color of course, while I wont be staring a still pictures for life, I don't want to feel like I bought a mono-crome monitor either. Also, I wont be running any more than 1280 x 1024 well mostly so anything above that is irrelevant and extra features on the monitor doesn't matter.

Also, if it helps, I'm a college kid, which means I don't have a lot of money but I am willing to spurge and spend about $500 on this. While, I do play video games, I am spending increasingly more time programing and doing office work as well (gotta pay for that monitor some how). So that's why I'm looking for such a good all around monitor.

So, I'm kinda sensing that the Viewsonic P95F might just be the right one, but if it's darker than the Sony then I'm not quite so sure. And btw is it an Apiture grille? (my best guess is that it isn't).

I appreciate your help. Thanks again.

Bradley...don't know if you have purchased a monitor or not, but I just got the Viewsonic P95f and I love it!!! I used to have a Sony G400 which is usually rated quite high, but I find the Viewsonic much brighter with more vivid color than the Sony. And I got it from Dell...15% off coupon and free shipping and only paid about $320. I can't complain. I have had my eye on this monitor for a long time now...finally bit the bullet and bought. I'm glad I did. Hope you find what you are looking for. You just might want to give the Viewsonic a chance.

Check out these reviews before making your decision:

http://www4.tomshardware.com/display/20020709/lcd-11.html
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1777&p=1
http://discuss.pcmag.com/pcmag/messages/?msg=18783.3

They compare some of the monitors and claims.