Looking for a good LCD monitor

[browneye]

Sad to say my 21" Trinitron CRT monitor has about "bit the shed" and I'm thinking about a 22" or so flat panel lcd. I don't want to pay an arm and a leg but want some thing pretty good. I am looking at (3) 22" monitors on a web site all 1680 x 1050 but different contrast ratios, 800:1, 2500:1(dynamic)& 1000:1. all for under $300us.
How important is the contrast ratio?
Any one have any tips on selecting a good monitor?
or have bought a decent one recently.

Thanks a bunch David

[doctorhardware]

I would go with the 1000:1 contrast ratio. Also get a monitor with the dvi input. You wont be sorry. I picked up a 20'' sceptre for 139.99 at micro center in store only. The new Geforce EN9500GT video card has dvi output. The color is more crisp and has better detail. If you can't use it now you can use it in the future.

[admin]

I like Samsung and Asus displays, the Samsungs particularly. For under $300, you should be able to get a 24" Samsung with 1920x1200 resolution (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001309). 24" pricing have dropped recently, and it's worth it for the extra resolution that 24" panels offer compared to 22" ones.

There are also different types of LCD panels. There's a good rundown on the different types here:

http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/lcd-panel-types.php

S-PVA panels are still excessively pricey (eg. the Samsung 245-T 24" at over $650!), and some TN panels do still look great with great refresh for gaming/video. So I would trust reviews more rather than just looking at specs and panel type. Not all TN panels are equal, but S-PVA panels will be better (and a lot more expensive).

Some are also 16:9 ratio, as opposed to the more common 16:10. 16:10 is better for computing (as the panel resolution will be higher), 16:9 is better for connecting a PS3 or Blu-ray player (or use as a TV), or playing certain games on the PC that is built for 16:9 (like Fallout 3 which uses 16:9 due to it being available for game consoles as well - with 16:10 monitors you'll get a letterboxing effect). I have a 16:9 monitor, but it lacks the more comprehensive resolution support that 16:10 monitors offer.

If one of them has DisplayPort (probably not, since it's quite new), that would be a plus, although it's not too important as DP will be backwards compatible. Just make sure the DVI has HDCP input, almost all of them do, but an (really really) old model might not. HDMI input would be nice too, saves a converter plug if you ever intend to use the monitor for gaming/Blu-ray.

[browneye]

Thank you both for the info and the links, This gives me plenty to look for.