EQ2 of a Big MonitorFollow

About four years ago I was using a 21" CRT monitor for all of my gaming. At that time, my partner ordered a 19" flat screen LCD monitor for himself, but I begged off on getting one for myself, figuring that I could never go down in monitor size and remain satisfied. When I saw the improved picture quality of his monitor, however, I immediately ordered my own, and it's the faithful monitor I have been using ever since. Its max resolution is 1280 x 1024.

It's now four years later and I'd like something bigger. I figure the technology must be better now, right? So I've looked online for some bigger LCD or plasma monitors and I just can't figure anything out. I'm hoping someone using something bigger can help me! I'd really love something 30" - 40".

First off, is there really an issue associated with screen burn on plasma monitors? Or is that a bunch of BS perpetuated by the people trying to unload their LCD & CRT monitors? I mean, I can play EQ2 for many hours at a time, and all the little windows around the edges of the screen are always in the exact same place.

Second, does it make any difference if the vendor refers to the item as a "monitor" vs. a "TV"? Or nowadays is it pretty much the same thing?

Third, and probably most importantly, what's up with the low max resolutions on the bigger screens? I can't find anything bigger than like 21" that has a max resolution even as high as this four-year-old monitor I'm using now. Is it the case that you don't need a high resolution on a bigger screen? That just doesn't make sense to me; it seems counterintuitive, but what do I know.

Fourth, is it worth getting a monitor with the wider aspect ratio like the HDTVs? Or would I just wind up playing my games with wide bars of nothingness on the sides?

Many thanks in advance to anyone willing to help me with this stuff.

Let me try to answer:
1. Don't know, but screen burn is real. Ever seen a TV that couldn't get rid of "CH 3" in the top corner?
2. Monitors can handle the more intense signal of computer graphics. TV's cannot.
3. The same resolution on a bigger screen would look more "grainy". Same amount of pixels spread over a larger area. You can buy high-end monitors that go to higher settings, but you will pay a high-end price for it ($600+). Capability, not size, determines the graphics ability.
4. An HDTV picture requires an HDTV signal. If there is no HD signal, you have a picture no different that a normal TV. Some cable companies advertise special HDTV channels.

Upgrading my old broken TV to something new, I shopped a bit. Was going to buy a plasma until I noticed a slight "wavering" along some video edges that was a bit unerving. I settled for a 36" CRT HDTV. I haven't paid for HD channels, so the picture is pretty normal. Someday I may...

If you spend lots of time playing, staring at a computer monitor, imagine what would happen to stare at a plasma screen.
They are VERY bright, and you might not want to subject your eyes to that.

Also consider your field of view and visible icons. The closer you sit to a large screen, the bigger your field of view (head bobbing and weaving). This may be good for a shooter game like Halo where you have to focus on a distant target. However as you know in EQ2 there are many bars, buttons, chat windows, icons, quest logs, etc. to watch and use. The further you sit away from the screen, the smaller the bars, windows, and icons become.

Maybe borrow a friends larger screen and test it for a bit, see it it suits you.
Or go to a retail store and sit in front of a plasma, at the expected distance you would normally play.

Good luck!

...

Toshiba TLP-S30U Projector... cost two years ago, 1200$

bulb cost - 350$ lasts roughly 12 to 18 months with constant daily use 4 hours a day.. (give or take)

Picture size: 10 feet diagonally, Horizontal approx 9 feet, verticle approx 7 feet... throw distance, 16 feet.

HDTV compliant, supports all resolutions. plus inputs for S-video and composite video.

this is how we game at my place, Xbox, PS2, GameCube, and PC connections... You've not lived until you've seen your favorite game characters life size.

only real question is do you have a space for such a beast?? but if you do.. a projector is an amazing thing.. at a fraction of the cost of plasma.

Projector = Da Bomb Saving for on myself

We used 2 plasmas in the hospital Emergency room where I work. That 1000-2000 hour life time is very acurate.

they lasted about 3 months when left on 24 hours a day. We have switched to some 36 inch LCD monitors. LCD is the way to go if you cant fit a projector.

For the love of all that is holy don't buy plasma

Speaking specifically for displays in the 30+ inch range, the difference between a "TV" and a "Monitor" is simply that the TV has a tuner (something to convert the cable/antenna signal into a picture). The "monitor" would require an external tuner if you wanted to watch TV on it. So for use as a computer monitor, there is effectively no difference except that the "TV" would cost more.

The reason displays this large (30+) have typically lower resolutions than 20" monitors is simple. Most people use 30" displays to watch TV. They're designed to be viewed from across the room, not up close like a computer display.

If you're OK with the size of your current display, but want more resolution, spend the $1500.00 and get the sony linked above, or get something like this which is like yours but has 1600x1200 resolution. Beware, though, EQ2 tends to get pretty sluggish at 1600 resolution.

If you really want something "bigger", I'd take the advice offered above and get a high resolution LCD projector.

Oh, and EQ2 does support the widescreen displays, it will use the whole display -- you won't get the "wide bars of nothingness".