Regarding PIP, I can see how it would be completely useful for many people. The fact is though, the menu options on this screen is so clunky, I was aggrevated even trying to get to the PIP options. If there was a remote control included, it would have been a lot less painful.
"Some of the combo monitors have difficulties with this one."
Yeah, I was impressed. The monitor includes five different color modes, and while some monitors offer them also, they don't make much of a real difference. Splendid does though.. huge differences. The theater mode really is a lot better for movie viewing, and the game for gaming.
"Yeah. So? alot of these types of combo screens are focusing on being a TV first."
The menu system was the clunkiest part of the screen, it was really unacceptable. To me, I'd rather just say screw it to PIP or even changing a color mode simply because I have to spend two minutes trying to be patient to make it happen.
"Compared to a 20" screen this thing is pricy. Compared to my 32" that I got on SALE at a price of ~ $678, this thing is a steal."
You are comparing a plasma to an LCD Monitor? Yes for a monitor this monitor is pricy, but has unbelievable picture at 1650*1050.. but. Like I mentioned in the review, the Xbox 360 did not look crisp at all, and the same would probably be said for anything else other than a computer. I think for HD TV, you are going to want an actual television that has it as it's sole purpose.
I paid $1,000 for my LG 26" LCD TV last year, and it offers exceptional Xbox 360 quality, which is good because that's the main reason I bought it. It's designed for 720p, which is why it looks amazing... this monitor was not, which is why it's component looked like S-Video.
That sad thing with my TV is that it only supports 1280*768 (720p), so I didn't have the best of both worlds. Xbox looks amazing, as would HD Digital cable, but the computer lacked in overall resolution.
"Alot of these combo screens have problems with this. Once again, not entirely sure why. You'd think they would be kings of high def..."
Well, I don't understand it either. It has component cables, but I did not see the crisp, high detail like I do with my LCD TV. I wish I could better take photos to show the quality differences but it's a pain in the ass.
That said, yes this is a great monitor for it's picture quality. The overall clunkiness and poor Component quality is what held it back from a better score. Not to mention the poor sound quality... it's bad. I can't see anyone owning this actually using the built-in sound.
