LCD recommendations?

[MaxVal]

I'm going to spend some money I shouldn't on an LCD, but the choices are bewildering!
I realize that I shouldn't go by specs alone, and an actual visit to B&M shops to inspect the goods would be best. Due to time constraints this is not to be.
That said, I thought I might list things I view as important and solicit responses from those with more experience with LCD's.

I'm considering a 17" screen.
Unit will be used for web surfing and TV viewing in a kitchen (ATI All IN Wonder).
Integrated speakers would be a plus.
Max Height <16".
Preferred color is beige.
Absolute contrast level is not too important, but black blacks are highly desirable.
Minimal smearing while viewing TV may be important also.
As for price, <$450 is a must!

If I have left out any key consideration criteria, educate me!

[Bill in SD, CA]

Originally posted by MaxVal
I'm considering a 17" screen.

Max Height <16".

NEC's are good - have one myself and TV is excellant

Don't know about the price though.

Bill

[Polt]

Here are some 17" LCD's with the info you provided.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...alue=3792,3146

As far as the tiny speakers that come on some of these....dont expect much. Most sound like headphones cranked.

Hope this helps.

[thekingofpain]

Ive never seen a beige LCD come to think of it?

I like my Samsung extremely well, good price and excellent picture...

[bombledmonk]

The Benq FP767 is a very good monitor. Its 17 inch screen is bright and clear and with 16ms there is no ghosting. Very much worth the $350 I payed for it. There is a new -V2 version out, it just has a visual updated to the shell.

And mine happens to be biege though it is called white.

[ThePianoMan]

Originally posted by thekingofpain
Ive never seen a beige LCD come to think of it?

I like my Samsung extremely well, good price and excellent picture...

that's because our beige monitors started out white

[mar122999]

Kinda off the subject, but isn't the LCD technology a little bit behind the CRT technology as far as refresh rates, resolutions, and fps goes. This would make CRT monitors a better choice for streaming videos, movies, and especially games, right? In Maxval's case, he would really need an LCD since he is putting the monitor in the kitchen (would be kinda ugly if he used a CRT in there).

[Ming]

Originally posted by Polt
As far as the tiny speakers that come on some of these....dont expect much. Most sound like headphones cranked.

I would have to agree wholeheartedly with this. Definitely consider getting seperate speakers if sound is very important.

[cysus]

GET THIS.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...002-207&depa=0

[MaxVal]

Thanks for the replies!

I guess the things I'm most interested in are:

What brand/model you have, and how pleased you are with it, and the degree of black your display can achieve.

I ask about blacks because I believe reproduction of black is probably the most telling property of an LCD.
Possibly I'm obsessed about this due to the inability of my Dell Inspiron 8100 to make black properly!