Re: [Sheflug] Re: Computer Shop Advice

[Alex Hudson <home [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 2003-09-10 at 15:16, Darrell Blake wrote:
> > Not all 17" monitors run higher than that. Plus, you're running the risk
> > of dead pixels. Plus, many aren't very good for gaming.
> 
> What are dead pixels exactly? I'm assuming they're just light burt out lights 
> on the CRT monitors?

No, they're more like stuck bits. There are several types of fault. Each
pixel has three sub-pixels (red, green, blue) and a dead pixel can be
any part being faulty. E.g., any one or more of the sub-pixels being
stuck on or stuck off. TFT monitors are allowed upto five pixel faults
(ie., the whole pixel being affected) or seven sub-pixel faults, or
something like that. They have to be a certain distance apart too,
otherwise again the junk the screen.

Usually, you cannot return a monitor because it has stuck pixels - it's
the nature of the beast. However, the distance selling regulations allow
you to return an item for any reason within seven days if you're unhappy
with it - this applies to website purchases.

>  How exactly can the type of display affect a game?

The pixels take a period of time to change. If the game is fast moving,
it may blur on the monitor. Cheaper TFTs have worse response rates.
Anything 25ms or better is usually okay though.

> > Personally, I got a 19" TFT from ebuyer for £300 nicker.
> 
> That's not too bad. I presume p&p was on top?

Yeah, I think it came to nearer 350 all told. Now all I have to do is
get the DVI working on my graphics card - there are two types of inputs
on these monitors, VGA (analogue) and DVI (digital). DVI is better, but
cheaper monitors tend not to have them. Your graphics card needs to
support it too. That's another problem with TFTs - the analogue->digital
conversion (all screens are digital, but video signals on VGA are
analogue) often isn't good, and you get 'shadows' or like ripples on
vertical lines.

Cheers,

Alex.


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