What you see is what you get. And, let's face it, sometimes what you get isn't what you want to see.

I've been playing with a couple of LCD displays from AOC (Envision) and ViewSonic that deliver exactly what you should see, with a few extras tossed in.

AOC 193+

The AOC 193+ LCD monitor ($349) delivers the quality we've come to expect from higher-priced models and could be the perfect match for your PC.

The only problems I had with it is that you may get minor screen noise when viewing DVD movies and minor ghosting when playing games that require high-end, higher resolution video.

But whether you're into spreadsheets or Doom3, the quality of this monitor is tough to beat. And it looks good doing it.

Its super-thin silver and black case and easy access to all of its controls (down the right side of the monitor) make this one of the best looking monitors in its price range.

Other key features include:

• It has a wide viewing angle of 160 degrees.
• Maximum resolution is rated at 1280x1024 pixels at 75 megahertz with a recommended resolution of 1280x1024 at 60mhz.
• It has digital (DVI-D) and analog inputs.
• It comes with a three-year warranty on the unit and a one-year warranty on the display.
• On screen display language is in English, Spanish and French.

ViewSonic N2060w

For those of you wanting more --- a lot more --- from your monitor there's the ViewSonic N2060w ($499), which is actually being marketed as a 20-inch widescreen, Hi-Def LCD TV. But we know better.

This baby can fit comfortably on your desk or in your den and deliver beautiful video.

Because it's actually a TV, it comes with two built-in speakers, a tuner and all sorts of inputs. It can also handle 720p Hi-Def video, which may be the only drawback considering all the hype with the new 1080p standard. This could be due to the fact that no one is transmitting signals using the new higher resolution yet.

Also, there's no DVI input for you computer, only analog (RGB).

Aside from that, there's a bevy of features to make you want to exclaim "I've gotta have it!":

• It boasts a contrast ratio of 700:1 (the average PC monitor gives you 500:1).
• Viewing angle is 160 degrees horizontal and 140 degrees vertical.
• Inputs include RGB (for your PC), TV/cable, composite, component and S-video, mini-stereo and RCA inputs/outputs for audio.
• Audio rated at 3x3 watts.
• Two built-in speakers.
• A built-in TV tuner.

For more information, check out www.nam.aocdisplay.com and www.viewsonic.com.

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