Resolution is the REAL question as Chienworks so aptly points out.
I am still editing off the SCS interface on an old 17" cheap 4:3 Trinitron Tube monitor because it has far more resolution than the 16:9 LCD sets of today. Now that being said - I prefer to screen HDV source to preview on a 24-27 inch widescreen monitor of high-quality. And Blu-ray output to such a size screen gives me good info within the confinement of small room as an editing suite.

Point-in-fact buy nothing less than 24 inch for a look at your interface and make it a high-quality choice...it will definitely help.

A couple of us are using inexpensive LG 32" 1080pTVs, that yield 1920 x 1080 for editing interface screens. I absolutely love it, no more squinting, no more hunching closer to the tube when doing something fine, no more scrounging for the "computer glasses" (these old eyes went on Medicare this year).

OTOH, I don't use it for CC or grading, that is on my second monitor.

You don't state the resolution of the 4:3 monitors, but I think you would be happy with this monitor. Others on the forum have been.

Another vote for the Asus ProArt.
I've yet to see a HDTV that comes close to it.

Bob.

If you study this AutoCAD drawing, you'll see that a 24" 16x9 monitor is the minimum size to get at least the physical height that you likely have with the 19" 4x3 monitor. You'll get a lot more area with the 24" device.

I have (3) Dell's,
24" 16:10 with 1920 x 1200
27" 16:10 with 1920 x 1200
30" 16:9 with 2560 x 1600

The 24" is a good size to resolution match
The 27" I feel is too large for the resolution, but would be too small for 2560 x 1600
The 30" with 2560x1600 is just perfect in every way! If you can swing it this is the ultimate in my opinion.

If you want physical screen sizes for any of these let me know.

Tom

There are websites where you can compare different sizes and aspect ratios of TV's and monitors. Here is one:

http://tvcalculator.com/

I have a Samsung SyncMaster SA850_S24A850DW and I love it. Just like the ASUS mentioned by the others, it also has a 1200 lines resolution. I wouldn't want to deal with a 1080 unless it was a separate preview monitor. I want as much resolution as possible on my work screen and the extra real estate from 1080 to 1200 makes up for Windows' bottom screen bar.

WOW! Wasn't expecting so many replies. Obviously, we're all in love with our monitors here. :-) No surprise really, as we spend so much time looking at them. Thanks for that wealth of info.

Try this Screen Aspect Ratio & Dimension Calculator and also this discussion of HDTV Screen Size.

John

After running the test disc through my Sony LCD XBR's via the Bluray player I couldn't see paying $30,000.00 for a precision monitor of 32" size. The only noticeable difference (which was a lot) was the "black" performance on a stary night scene.
JJK

Nosing around the net, I came upon this: http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Hanns-G_27.5_Inch_LCD_TFT_Monitor_HZ281HPB/version.asp?refsource=LDfroogle

Looks a bargain, but I've not heard of the manufacturer. Anyone?

Looks like not then. They seem to be more well known for the American market.

Arthur,

Here are 439 user reviews for that monitor.

John

Thanks for that. I decided that the main thing going for it was the size, but the low contrast ratio bothered me more. Just ordered this: http://www.pcbuyit.co.uk/dell-ultrasharp-u2412m-widescreen-black-monitor-p-1639.html

Also a very good price (For the UK that is :-( ) with free next day delivery. :-)

Good choice. I like 16:10 better than 16:9 for a computer monitor. The screen has a larger physical size especially important for the vertical.

Best of luck Arthur.

John

Just to update. Monitor now up and running. Absolutely love it! Perfect size. So glad I didn't opt for the 27.5 incher. Pin sharp. Natural colours. Good black levels. I've done nothing to it - straight out of the box. As a bonus, it sits/matches very well with my Dell 4:3 which I use for tool boxes etc.

Thanks to all for the advice. Probably going for 1920X1200 was the one thing that tipped the balance. :-)