Monitor questions

[TheEpicOfTyler]

So, I am really tired of this stupid CRT I've had for years and I want to get an LCD monitor. I'm not too savvy to all that goes into this stuff, so I'm throwing some questions out to people here who are.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3883448&Sku=A179-2240

First, does anyone have any experience with this monitor? I did some quick looking around on Google and all I see is positive customer experiences, but I want to check. Is that a good price?

What I'm more curious about is, can I hook my PS3 up to it with little fuss? I currently have my PS3 hooked up through HDMI to our Sony Bravia, but it's a fight for TV time, and I would like to play it at my leisure.

My final question, that really isn't as important as the rest but it's just an idea. Is there some sort of external HD digital tuner I could buy to hook up to this and have it act as a television? I would prefer not to get a TV card for my PC.

Thanks!

[biosc1]

I have some Acer's at work. They are fine. Some of the issues you run into with a cheaper monitor is a less functional stand (tilt/swivel/rotation can be limited) and a lack of inputs.

You will have to get an HDMI/DVI adapter for getting your PS3 connected to this monitor. Some people dislike their experience with the adapter, but I personally haven't had much of an issue.

Also, keep in mind that the resolution is 1680x1050, so the image will be scaled down...as I don't think the PS3 really lets you choose 16:10 ratio. Though, in the past I've played a lot of games on a 1680x1050 monitor with my 360 and never noticed an issue.

Overall, personally, I don't have much of an issue with Acer, though they tend to be considered a cheap brand. They still build functional monitors at a great price.

[total]

The only problem you will notice is that you aren't going to get a true 1080p image as the monitor can't actually display that resolution. That being said, I own this very monitor. I like it. The colors actually look better than one of my more expensive Dell displays. Unless you are doing extremely color sensitive work (ie: not gaming) it will work just fine. If you want something that will work a bit better with your PS3 (HDMI port on the monitor, full 1080p) you will be looking at spending (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052&Tpk=N82E16824236052)a bit more.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

So I ordered this and an HDMI/DVI converter today, but I didn't think at all about sound for my PS3 until a few minutes ago. Would I use the composite cables into speakers for sound? Can I do that?

Thanks for your replies! Our Bravia is a lower end model and only does 720p anyway, so 1080p is not something I'm worried about.

[Troggles]

I had one Acer that had 5 dead pixels out of the box, and the next one was DOA. I suggest staying away from them.

[AbeLincoln]

For sound what I do is use a composite to mini-stereo jack converter and plug it into the line in on my computer. So that I don't have to keep changing inputs on the speakers.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm just going to splice up an old set of composite cables into some old surround sound speakers we have laying around until I decide if I want to buy some better speakers. (The speakers on my computer are complete ass.)

I got the monitor today, (Love living near TigerDirects distribution center - 14 hour delivery ftw) and it's gorgeous. I haven't detected any dead pixels and it worked straight out of the box. Very pleased.

I'm just waiting on my DVI adapter now.

[PathMaster]

I like Acer's for business stuff. Most of the Acer's I have dealt with have been terriffic general use screens, nothing special. (No personal experience with the one linked.)

The one thing I do like with Acer is the great support they give the screens. Any issue and they usually fix it for free, just need to ship it to them.