I am strictly a gamer, i have been using a matted monitor. I have been thinking about getting a glossy monitor. I see the colors are more vibrant, and the blacks look richer and deeper.
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In my gaming room i dont have very much light behind me, and i do use a light behind my monitor (back lighting).

What do you prefer, and why?

Have you used both?

What do you think are advantages and disadvantages between the two?

Does a glossy monitor get dirtier faster? (i dont touch my screen, nor do i have drinks by it)

Also monitors that are 200:1, i assume that that is only on a glossy screen (for the most part). Am i correct in assuming that this is due to the glossy screen overlay?

glossy 24" monitor??? where did you see that? I saw glossy only in laptops and on 19"...
get a 30" samsung matted and be happy!

Not just saying this coz I have one but I swear the BenQ 24" TFT I have is the single best component I have ever bought since my days building PC's bar none!!!!!

I would agree that the glossy displays I've taken the time to examine have appeared brighter and more 'vibrant', however, I can't be sure whether that's due to the LCD panel manufacturer or the front coating.

I've never seen two of the same basic display, with the only difference being the front coating, side by side for comparison.

It has also been discussed on a number of websites (and I've seen it myself) that when two or more monitors are on display at the brick and mortar, that it is apparently quite common that the more expensive display always seems to get the higher quality video signal...so of course it looks much better than the others.

Glossy displays are extremely bad in well lighted spaces. They reflect everything. I'd only want to use one for any length of time in a darkened room.

Now, if they could add an anti-reflection 1/4 wavelength optical filter coating to glossy monitor technology, that would be incredible. (unfortunately, 1/4 wavelength filters are generally extremely fragile and difficult to clean)

Just like the anti-glare add on panels on the old CRTs, the matte finish does seem to 'diffuse' the screen brightness just a bit. I prefer matte finishes anyway, even when working in low light conditions because there is no glare or reflection to distract me, and even in low light (my lighting source is above and behind me) there is still that stupid light fixture staring back at me from on corner of the screen. Even in a back lighted situation, you can see your reflection on the screen if you're getting intense and scrunching forward a bit (like I have a tendency to do), and my ugly mug is enough of a distraction that I'll put up with a screen thats just a touch dimmer, while maintaining good quality black levels.

Gerritt

I prefer a matted monitor because I like leaving my lights on and I don't like glare.

On a LCD or Plasma TV I prefer the glossy screens because it seems more like your watching on a CRT. When it comes to computer monitors and laptop displays I prefer the non-glossy screens. However, if I was buying a laptop I would upgrade to a higher resolution screen even if it only comes in glossy.

Adam, that hi-res glossy screen could wreck havoc with your viewing experience if you are outdoors or in high light industrial environments.
In an office, the glossy screens also seem to provide for a wider angle of view, so make sure you know who's lurking out there at 120 degrees...
Having said that, I think the Sony laptops with super bright (sorry I don't think thats how they branded it, but that's what it is) screens are glossy and do very well in high light environments, even if you do have to put up with a bit more glare.

Gerritt

I love glossy screens.

A_Pickle said:
Thanks for the input and explanation. You LOVE them? Hmmm, mayhap for the easy cleanup?

Gerritt

Isn't is possible to remove the matte on LCDs?

Wow this thread is already the top Google search for "matted monitor."

The first time I saw a glossy monitor (it was on a laptop), I thought it was neat-o. However, after about 10 minutes, I realized how stupid it was, and now I can't stand them. Reflects way too much.

Top for Google?!?
Incredable!!
I stand by my matte selection/s.

Gerritt

Matte.

Definitely. I hate the glare of glossy screens. For gaming or any type of image editing it drives me insane.

I think HP made their LCD screens all glossy, and they do have 24" ones. Someone above got it right, it depends on the over quality of the screen, not just the glossy coating, that makes it look better and more vibrant in color. I never use a glossy screen, so I can't tell you much.