Composite Video Input on 21" LCD

[gvblake22]

Ok, I have been mulling over getting the SAMSUNG 215TW for at least a month. Now that it has just popped up with a $30 MIR, I am really tempted to finally pull the trigger and buy this puppy.

Yes I know it is expensive and there are lots of cheaper 20" widescreen LCD's, but I really like the idea of having the extra video inputs (primarily the composite video). I would use these extra video inputs for connecting game consoles (N64 or PS2) or a DVD player or whatever. I am wondering what you guys think the picture quality will look like through this connection on the aformentioned devices and/or are there any better suggestions you guys have for me?

[Panda Man]

None from me. I have a syncmaster 997mb and I love it, so anything from the syncmaster series I would recommend (the 997mb is a 19" CRT btw :P )

The way I see it, if there is something you want (for the features or whatever the reason), you have the money for it, just go for it!

[gvblake22]

Well, that's about the point I'm at. But I also don't have money to waste, so I want to make sure that I am spending my hard earned cash on something worthwhile.

[Lead Head]

Originally Posted by Panda Man

None from me. I have a syncmaster 997mb and I love it, so anything from the syncmaster series I would recommend (the 997mb is a 19" CRT btw :P )

The way I see it, if there is something you want (for the features or whatever the reason), you have the money for it, just go for it!

sorry to hijack:Is it an actual Samsung made tube? Or is it made by another company? LIke Sony Trinitron?

[Panda Man]

Only thing I know of is a 19". I can't find ANY LCDs with composite input other than what you find, much less do i know of one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001073

Kinda ugly as well as only being 19"

If you want it, buy it! if you don't like it, return it to newegg in 30 days.

[polobunny]

The quality of those integrated tuners is most often... ugly. Composite first doesn't give you an awesome quality, but with a LCD w/ integrated tuner you can't really customize the appearance too. You would be better with a VIVO video card, this way you can apply filters, de-interlace the way you want and use custom resolutions without having to fiddle in the PiP menu on your monitor. The monitor itself looks like a good deal, but if you're going mostly for all the inputs I think you should pass over this offer.

Originally Posted by Panda Man

If you want it, buy it! if you don't like it, return it to newegg in 30 days.

While it might be cool for the user to be able to do that, it's a real pain when you're the one selling it. It's seriously this type of user fault if the computer parts companies customer service is so crappy and obtaining a RMA is so hard.

[drew and not u]

My dell screens have composite and s-video. I use them for plugging in a cable box and PS2. They don't look that great, but they're there. They actually look perfect in PIP mode, when they're shrunken down to their correct size in the corner. I love being able to have tv in the lower corner of my secondary screen while playing CSS or browsing the forums.

Even though the image quality isn't that great in fullscreen, it's better then shelling out for a TV!

[gvblake22]

Hmmm, good info, thanks guys! :thumb:
Sounds like maybe I will just end up saving some $$ and going with something with the typical inputs.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by drew and not u

My dell screens have composite and s-video. I use them for plugging in a cable box and PS2. They don't look that great, but they're there. They actually look perfect in PIP mode, when they're shrunken down to their correct size in the corner. I love being able to have tv in the lower corner of my secondary screen while playing CSS or browsing the forums.

Even though the image quality isn't that great in fullscreen, it's better then shelling out for a TV!

That's why you shell out for an ATI video card with AVIVO technology! S-video is also 10 times better than composite.
The only downside to those integrated ports is the little to no customization you have. With a program like Dscaler and a VIVO video card for example you can get a pretty good quality with S-video even in fullscreen, you can adjust the brightness separatly, gamma, contrast, hue, saturation, sharpness, de-interlacing mode, offset, you can record (w/ sound), take snapshots and much more. And since Dscaler is an application, PiP looks rather minimal to it. Move it around freely, stretch or make it transparent without having to fiddle with your monitor each time.

Really the monitor itself looks like a good deal so I wouldn't hesitate for it, but once you try a VIVO card there's no going back I say. :P

EDIT: BUT WAIT, you have a X1900GT?! Those babies are VIVO as far as I know! What are you waiting for!

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Really the monitor itself looks like a good deal so I wouldn't hesitate for it, but once you try a VIVO card there's no going back I say. :P

EDIT: BUT WAIT, you have a X1900GT?! Those babies are VIVO as far as I know! What are you waiting for!

HAHAHA, yeah, I was wondering how long it would take people to realize I have a VIVO card. I guess you win the prize polo :thumb:
Anyway, I still have yet to get the VIVO funtionality figured out and perfected on my card, but that is something I intend on doind before I purchase any new monitor (so don't worry). But overall, it sounds like the concensus seems to be:

If you are gonna spend extra $$ for extra video in connectivity, it is better to spend it on a VIVO video card rather than a monitor with the extra connections.

Is this a safe conclusion to make? Since I already have VIVO, I guess that settles it. Thanks guys!