Hi all, I'm new to these boards and I'm hoping that you guys can help me. I'm in the market for a new monitor for my PC that I will also be using for movies and Xbox 360 use. I've narrowed it down too these two.

This one:

Samsung 215tw

Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Display Colors: 16.7 Million
Display Type: WSXGA
Input Video Compatibility: Analog RGB, DVI Digital Link, Composite, S-Video, Component

Horizontal Refresh Rate: 30k - 81kHz
Maximum Resolution: 1680x1050
Panel: a-si TFT/PVA LCD
Pixel Pitch: 0.27mm
Recommended Resolution: 1680x1050
Viewing Angle: 178°(H) / 178°(V)

Pros:

Brigher
Better contrast
wider viewing angle
component and svideo connections

Cons:

$100 more
1 inch smaller

and this one:

Samsung 225bw

Brightness: 280 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 700:1
Display Colors: 16.7 Million
Display Type: WSXGA+
Input Video Compatibility: Analog RGB, Digital
Maximum Resolution: 1680x1050
Panel: a-si TFT/TN LCD
Pixel Pitch: 0.282mm
Recommended Resolution: 1680x1050
Viewing Angle: 160°(H) / 160°(V)

Pros:

Bigger
cheaper
faster refresh rate

Cons:

not as many connection options
lesser contrast ratio

The 215tw uses PVD technology which I hear is better for image quality and not as good for refresh rates. With a 8ms response time, does that matter? I will be gaming with this so will the 225bw with its 5ms response be better? That one uses a TN lcd which is better for response times but not as good as a PVD when it comes to image quality. So what do you guys think?

Don't you require the component inputs for XBox 360? (I don't have one but I hear that it is how it connects to a display).

I am actually considering the same question, but with Gateway's 21 and 22 inchers (which incidentally seem to be copies of the Samsung units)

I suppose I am leaning more towards the 21 inch LCD because of the S-PVA for better color rendition as I plan to edit digital photos and video. Although I sure would like to save the ~$100.

Read the reviews of the Samsung 215TW at www.behardware.com. Also go to http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/ and search their forums.

Samsung 215TW is a good monitor, but it does have a high input lag - ranges from 20ms to 60 ms! Remember the furor over Samsung TVs with large input lags? Their monitors are no exception.