zzo38 wrote:
I find that LCD computer monitors generally have less lag than LCD TV sets, but computer monitors don't generally have composite input.
Note for readers: most mainstream brands of LCD computer monitors that
do offer component input have utterly atrocious input lag. This is caused by use of certain video decoding chips that handle different crap (deinterlacing, brightness/contrast, stupid HDCP nonsense, etc. -- they're usually called "preprocessing" or "postprocessing" chips). Dell, for example, is notorious for this issue. For other brands, some offer different "modes" you can put them into, and quite often the "Game" mode disables use of the pre/postprocessing chip to greatly decrease input lag -- the trade off is that certain visual adjustments can no longer be made while in that mode.
None of this is hearsay -- it's fact. I speak from personal experience predominantly using Dell-based LCDs over the years. For example my current LCD is a Dell 2407WFP, which is notorious for its utterly atrocious input lag -- I've simply gotten used to it. I should note I have tried upgrading to a newer, less power-hungry (i.e. LED backlit) monitor twice, and the quality problems with those monitors were mindboggling (and many of which many customers experienced/complained about). I stick with what I have because it works and doesn't fuck with me. There are just
too many panel types, and now it's getting even more stupid with
different kinds of anti-glare (AG) coatings. For example, the Dell U2412M pisses me off to no end -- it suffers from strange viewing angle issues when combined with infamous "IPS glow" (Google the term to see what I'm talking about), even in a lit room (result is a washed out picture at the edges of the screen, particularly where the Windows taskbar is located). For me, it was bad enough that I couldn't even read the clock in the bottom right of my taskbar. Who tolerates this shit?!?!
For classic console gaming, I use my little 13" Sony Wega CRT. Likewise I cannot use my Dell monitor's component input with my "slim Playstation 2" -- major visual artefacts occur constantly and the picture looks like complete and total shit, while using the classic (non-slim) Playstation 2 works just fine.
My general advice is to avoid buying a PC LCD to use as a console gaming monitor, instead buy an actual LCD TV or get a small CRT like I did. Otherwise if you MUST get a PC LCD with component + composite + etc. inputs, make sure you read a review of the monitor and its input lag. If the review site doesn't provide such, avoid the monitor and send the site feedback telling them to get their shit together.