help me select my first LCD monitor

[moshel]

im on the lookout for a cool new LCD monitor, please help me choose one!

i was initially planning for a monitor with HDMI capabilities, i came across one dell 22" monitor which is very sweetly priced @Rs.15k.
well even though its good at that price, i want to know is it really worth investing in HDMI. i can spend 15k for the monitor but i just dont feel like spending 15k for a monitor.

pls suggest me good widescreen monitors (with model nos) in the 10-12k range. im not sure abt the screen size, anything from 19" to 24" will do.

what does HDCP mean? i know the full form but what is it for? is the technology available to us? alot of monitors are sporting this sticker "HDCP compliant". is it really something or just a decoy to make the consumers think they are purchasing something "high definition".

what is the minimum contrast ratio requirement for a lcd display?

one last thing i want from my LCD is that it should look beautiful! not just the screen and the colors on the screen but actually the whole thing, even when its switched off.

regards,
moshel

P.S. i would be using the monitor for gaming and internet surfing.

 

[hellgate]

1>HDCP - its useful when playing Blu-ray/HD-DVD discs (originals not rips).if u monitor is not HDCP compliant u wont get the full HD pic.the pic will be downgraded to normal dvd quality.its only useful if u hav a Blu-ray/HD-DVD rom/rw drive in ur pc and u hav access to Blu-ray/HD-DVD titles.

2>i wud suggest u not to depend to the contrast ratio value displayed by the manufacturer.its better to compare pics 1st hand and buy.

3>personally i wud suggest u to buy HP W1907.i hav it and it lookg gr8 all with black finish and glossy pannel.pic quality is gr8 too,better than all 5 lcds i've used b4.

 

[moshel]

thx hellgate...i will check out the hp screen.

no other suggestions by anyone else???

 

[nish_higher]

that dell monitor is great ..buy it

if u wanna choose something else go for dell,samsung,hp
forget the rest