LCD Monitor Suggestions

Because of the Christmas season, any items purchased at a BestBuy/FutureShop can be returned for a full refund. I have been using this opportunity to test out an array of LCD monitors.

Sadly however, I find the LCD market somewhat dissappointing, especially for a graphic artist.

Can anyone recommend an 19' LCD monitor with a resolution of at least 1280x1024 (which is what I use on my 17' CRTs. oh well), a response time adequate for gaming, and most importantly, PROPER GRADIENT DISPLAY.

Of all the monitors I have tested, none can begin to properly display gradients, displaying transitional lines at intervals inside the gradient. Furthermore, their color reproduction has been inadequate, and Brightness/ Contrast is an area of worry.

Again, anyone recommend an LCD monitor that will allow a person to effectively design and edit images on a computer (with a price range of about $500).

>>6 lcd is good for HIGH definition (1900x1600) and crt are good for LOW resolutions (1280x1024)
Simplistic evaluation is simplistic (and wrong).

LCD is good for discrete pixel/sub-pixel addressing and screen geometry (like all fixed-resolution display technologies), light weight and slim profile, but fails for black levels, picture processing latency, small viewing angle, resolution inflexibility (scaler required for non-native resolutions and scan frequencies), and screen door effect.

CRT is the BEST technology for image quality.  Think of any criteria that pertains solely to picture, other than whatever comes as part of being non-digital (such as screen geometry non-desicrete pixel addressing), and CRT is best.  Non-picture-related strengths include variable resolution and high viewing angle.  Downsides are weight and depth required for the tube.

It's obvious that LCD's strengths are not in image quality.  It is the cheapest and least impressive of all the new digital technologies including LCoS/D-ILA/SXRD, plasma, and DLP, none of which have solved the illumination problems that cause their black levels to look like shit compared to CRT.  If the OP had only answered my question, "Why are you looking for an LCD," with an answer like "I need something light and thin to carry to LAN parties," I'd have no problem recommending a good LCD.  Otherwise, stick with the fucking best display technology out there and save your money for when these POS technolgies can catch up.  But no, he said he was going to use it for designing and editing images.  Who the fuck would buy a sub-$1000 LCD for that and be happy with it compared to a much cheaper CRT?

My recommendation:  Find a Diamondtron or non-Dell Trinitron from 2000 or later on eBay for less than $300 at the size you want.  You will get fine sharpness, excellent geometry, vibrant color, and accurate gamma that will last for years longer than it would take for any of the pixels in even the most expensive LCD to go dead.  And you will be able to resell it for almost the same amount as you paid for it years from now, because people who know about CRTs are always on the look out for more.