Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Dream Machine ( Build your own PC ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dan Spangenberg who wrote (3269)	10/28/1998 3:47:00 AM
From: Dave Bissett	Respond to of 14778

Thanks Dan. I'm going to experiment with the refresh right away. I think it's set to "optimum" in the ATI software, which may mean high. Ditto on the white backgrounds...that's what's causing me some eyestrain too. I've turned the contrast down several times. dave

To: Dan Spangenberg who wrote (3269)	10/28/1998 4:14:00 AM
From: Dave Bissett	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14778

OK, just checked the refresh. With the ATI software set to optimal the monitor menu screen said the refresh was actually 74. I changed the setting in the ATI software to 72 and then the monitor said the refresh was actually 69. The text was slightly sharper. From 72 the ATI software drops down to 60, which I'm looking at now and the text is a little sharper still. I'll try it here for awhile. I remember reading somewhere that larger monitor screens are like big screen TV's...as the picture expands it gets coarser and perhaps this is what's going on. (I would say that the text is now pretty sharp at a refresh of 60.) Maybe this whole issue says something about why really high end monitors are so expensive. Dave

To: Dan Spangenberg who wrote (3269)	10/28/1998 5:06:00 PM
From: Dan Spangenberg	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 14778

Monitor Deals. Just came across what seems to be a pretty good deal on refurbished Viewsonic monitors. Not quite as good as Master Repair, but maybe more available. Tiger Direct tigerdirect.com I know who they are, but never bought from them. Anyone have any experience with Tiger? Dan

To: Dan Spangenberg who wrote (3269)	10/28/1998 5:30:00 PM
From: Spots	Respond to of 14778

>> Refresh rates/size/distance/etc I sit 42" back from a 21" monitor (slightly over 20" viewable) at 1280x1024 with a 72 refresh rate. I can't sit closer comfortably, and I can't tolerate a lower refresh rate (even 70 gets me). I can see visible flicker at 72 and wish I could go to 80 or more but the monitor doesn't support it (though the Matrox Millenium does). Monitor is a NEC XP21. At these settings and distance, text is sharp. I have not experienced the fuzziness at higher rates, but then I have nearly always run my card/monitor at the max rate to remove the flicker. People are vastly different, so I don't know how much this info is worth, except to point out that fact maybe. I once took a PC in for repair without monitor, and the techie hooked it up at 48hz refresh. I had a blinding headache in under 10 seconds; he said people tell him that all the time but he thinks they're all lying <gg>. He couldn't tell the difference. Go figure. BTW, yes, you can set the default background in both IE and Netscape. I forget how, but its there in the preferences (options?) somewhere. I set it to white, myself <g>. Maybe that's why text looks so clear to me. I spend typically 10-14 hrs/day glued to the PC. (Get a life, Spots.) Spots

To: Dan Spangenberg who wrote (3269)	11/2/1998 11:58:00 PM
From: Sean W. Smith	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14778

All, As I have said previously I use a Viewsonic PT813 and Matrox Mil II 8M at 1600x1200 80 Hz Refresh at 24bit color. Rock solid clear text even in 6 pt fonts. I can tile 9 80x25 character displays at a time on this screen. It Rules. Next step. Already talked the boss into buying it... I haven't found a video card that can handle this resolution and refresh yet (360 Mhz RAMDAC). Any Suggestions? Viewsonic PT 817 The Xtreme Monitor™ is for those who demand the ultimate in a 21" (20.0" viewable) display! For the imaging, CAD/CAM and graphics professionals who require the highest resolutions (2,048 x 1,536) and fastest refresh rates (up to 180Hz), the ViewSonic P817 is a quantum leap over anything in the market today. With a remarkable video input bandwidth of 360MHz, this monitor keeps pace with the fastest graphics cards available and delivers a greatly enhanced screen performance. It also boasts a four-port Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub to simultaneously run USB compatible peripherals and Host On Screen™ software which allows users running Windows® 98 to adjust screen images via their keyboard and mouse. We also have some of the 24" Sony's and text on those is also very clear. very high dollar though. Sean

To: Dan Spangenberg who wrote (3269)	11/3/1998 2:31:00 PM
From: Dave Hanson	Respond to of 14778

Refresh rates and text sharpness...thanks for a very interesting post, Dan. Text sharpness is the absolute key for me. I run 1152x862 on my 17" Iiymana Visionmaster Pro. Been setting my Matrox g200 card at 85 Hz, but I just tried 75 hz. Perhaps just a hair sharper--not much discernable difference, though. Since I don't notice any flicker at this refresh, I might try it out for awhile. Any URLs you have on this would be most appreciated. Regards, Dave

To: Dan Spangenberg who wrote (3269)	11/11/1998 3:03:00 PM
From: Dan Spangenberg	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14778

Opinions requested on new notebook. I need to purchase a notebook and would like opinions from the thread. I have never owned a notebook so don't really have any opinions or history to help me out. The usage will be on out of town tradeshow trips and sales trips to check e-mail, check up on memos, track investments (daytrade :-) etc. but I don't travel extensively. I have looked at a few of the reviews and writeups and the amount of info seems staggering. My budget won't allow one of the serious $3000+ units, just can't justify it. I would like to get away with around $1500 fully configured. Is this do-able? I have also checked www.compaqworks and looked at a couple of their refurbished units. Opinions anyone? Thanks Dan