Windows 7: Looking to buy a new monitor

This is kinda off topic, but kinda not. Anyway,
I have a 20" monitor and I want to upgrade to around a 27". I have 3 screens, 2 are HP 2010i and one is a Dell ST2010. I have noticed the Dell being much darker than the HP's, even when I adjust the settings. I thought this was because of the HDMI but then I noticed a huge difference in dynamic contrast ratio. The HP's have a dynamic contrast ratio of 15,000:1 while the Dell has 1000:1. To be honest, I don't know what dynamic contrast ratio is but this makes me think that the lower the ratio the darker the screen? After thinking that, I took a look at the monitor I want to get and it has a 3,000,000:1 ratio.

What I'm getting at here is that I want a 27" that is as close to my 20" HP as I can, but LED because of the more vibrant colors (right?)
Here are the monitors:
*What I am thinking about getting: Amazon.com: HP 2711x 27-Inch LED Monitor - Black: Computer & Accessories
*What I have (also what I want to replicate): Amazon.com: HP 2010i 20-Inch Diagonal HD Ready LCD Monitor - Black: Computer & Accessories
*The other one I have (What I DONT want to replicate): Amazon.com: Dell ST2010 20-Inch 16:9 Aspect Ratio Flat Panel Monitor: Computer & Accessories

I have this
Newegg.com - Asus VE248H Black 24" 1920X1080 2ms Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 10,000,000:1
I'm quite happy with the balance of performance and price. 200 bucks or even less depending on where you go I generally buy from newegg because returns are painless with them. Amazon I've had 4 week long nightmares with returning stuff.
The only downside is if you plan on placing it high up, it doesn't lean forward much. ...and of course as with all monitors the built in speakers suck (but does anyone actually use those things? if they do I feel sorry for them)

Anyhow I'm actually considering a second atm. I've had this one for 9 months or so now.

Well, the contrast ratio itself is the difference between the brightest color and the darkest color that a monitor can display. A higher contrast ratio is always desired.

Disclaimer: There is no established method for measuring the contrast ratio that is defined by a standards organization. Therefore, you cannot exactly compare the published results from one manufacturer against another to figure out which is better.

Static contrast ratio is the better one to consider, but dynamic contrast ratio gets pushed by mfg's mostly because it's a higher number and numbers sell.

Check out this guide, for some more information. Rather than simply regurgitating what it said, I just linked it here;
The Contrast Ratio Game - Playing with Numbers: TV Contrast Ratio Explained

From a performance standpoint, I would look at an IPS flat panel. The Dell U2711 would fit what you are looking for....but be prepared, it's close to $1,000
Dell UltraSharp U2711 Review - Watch CNET's Video Review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSj9eT2EuVU

I've been preparing to replace my crappy TN based Acer panel with a Dell U2410 (24") for quite some time...but things keep stealing the $600 out of my budget.

+1 for pp's point. An IPS panel will cost more but there is a world of difference over a regular TN panel. See this:

LCD Panel Technology Explained - S-IPS, H-IPS, S-PVA, MVA and TN

Yeah see that's the thing for me, there isn't an enormous amount of quality difference to me that suggest paying over 100% more.
I also don't care about view angles as I sit with my monitors facing me directly, though everyone is different.
Viewing angle is actually something I pay more attention to with TV's but with monitors it's never been a big issue for me.

Fair point but the colours are just stunning and can be calibrated accurately (and the gamut is greater) and you get startling blacks and much less "black crush", there's more gradation.
I know what you mean about double the price, but I think it's horses for courses. I do use my computer as both a workstation and for movies and gaming, so for me it's the most important part of the whole kit.

Another plus for an IPS panel. This is the one I recently purchased - Amazon.com: HP ZR22w 21.5-inch S-IPS LCD Monitor

As a photographer color fidelity is very important to me and this fits my my requirements for that area. It'll also blow away any TN panels in both color and viewing angles.

As for "gaming" well this one has no ghosting images. I know people get caught up in the response time but I'm here to tell you that response time isn't everything, in fact most of your more upper end color fidelity monitors have response times around 8ms. Anyway this one has a response time of 8ms (gray to gray) and has NO ghosting problems when gaming!

Reviews.....

HP ZR22w 21.5-inch LCD Computer Display

It's also often true that many people who are satisfied with TN panels, aren't even sure what to test with and what to look at to find the advantage of an IPS panel over a TN panel. Thus, they don't see any reason to pay more for the IPS panel.

For example, if you had 2 panels side by side and 1 was an IPS and 1 was a TN, you might find yourself wishing they were the same. Especially if you were doing any photographic work or desktop publishing where color accuracy was very important.

Viewing angles are usually more important when you have somebody else viewing from the side or collaborating on work. Or you have a 2-3 monitor setup and not every panel is 100% straight inline with you.

I have 4 of these (3 on my rig and one spare) and the color quality just blows every other screen I've had out of the water.

^ Thanks for the confirmation. I've seen the U2410 and they are beautiful monitors and for those who know what to look for, they are usually highly regarded. I just wish I could find the money to invest in 1 of them...let alone 4 of the 27".