Display Solution

[BluRayExplosion]

So here's my dilema. I love Blu-rays as much as the next guy ('round these parts anyway) but I also play games on my PS3 and computer. I just started a lucrative summer job and should have enough to buy a fairly kick ass display by August.

I currently have a Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP (I know, I know....) that I've been using as a universal display solution for games, my computer and of course Blus.

To be frank, the image quality SUCKS. Supposedly a lot of people think it's pretty good, but it could be that the viewing angle is horrendous. Regardless, the point is I need a new display.

First I was looking at one of those 32" Sharp Aquos displays. From what I hear an incredible bang for the buck. However there's one problem. PC resolutions are in 16:10, not 16:9. The first thought I had was to get a really good monitor instead, as this would cover all bases and those magical black bars would preserve the aspect ratios when watching Blus or whatnot.

Are monitors typically lower quality than HDTVs (obviously it depends on the models, but on a dollar-for-dollar basis). Any thoughts on this? Learning from my experiences researching a receiver, NOW is the time to start looking into this if I ever hope to make a decision before the end of the summer.

[crackinhedz]

Panasonic - 37" 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV ($999)

Panasonic - 42" Class 1080p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV ($1,350)

size

[crackinhedz]

not an expert on monitors, but they usually do not have as good of contrast resolution as HDTV's unless it is medical grade monitors which cost big bucks. (but I could be wrong)

...also, Panasonic blacks should be good enough that even with black bars it would blend in fairly well with the bezel.

[BluRayExplosion]

Thanks for the suggestions, I was really hoping to find something with a 16:10 aspect ratio though, so I don't have to squish my work on the pc... They don't make 16:10 HDTVs, do they? lol

Yeah, from the research I've done so far, all monitors are in the budget-range or incredibly expensive... Anyone have any insight on why its so hard to find one for a mid-range price?

I guess it could be because the higher-end ones focus on ridiculous resolutions (what's the point in 2560 x 1600 if the quality is crappy in the first place?!!!) instead of good picture quality...

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by BluRayExplosion

I was really hoping to find something with a 16:10 aspect ratio though, so I don't have to squish my work on the pc... They don't make 16:10 HDTVs, do they? lol

squish on a 37" or 42"?? it should be big enough to begin with!

...or keep your current monitor for PC?

[Deciazulado]

Change the resolution on the PC to fit the monitor. Should be relatively easy.

[azzzz]

xp and vista looks totally find on my 42in hdtv...you just have to make some change to the resolution....happy purchasing...

[BluRayExplosion]

Hmm.... I guess I assumed because I never see 1920x1080 in the menu for changing the resolution that the OS didn't support it. Is the same true with most games/apps? (About the resolutions available being dependent on your setup.) For example if I'm playing a game, I never see 1920x1080 as an option.