20.1" 4:3 LCD's..

[Insane3D]

I'm debating picking up a decent 4:3 20" LCD to go along with my 22" NEC FP214 CRT. I would do all gaming on the NEC, so I'm mainly just looking for an LCD that is good for general use primarily. As much as I love the NEC CRT, it has a shimmering effect from time to time when reading text on a mostly white background.

I have a 2005FPW downstairs, and a 1907FP at work that I have been pleased with, and a 20" 4:3 would fit perfectly with the NEC.

I've narrowed down my choices to the silver Samsung 204B or the Dell 2007FP. The specs on both look very similar, although from my understanding reading the LCD buyer's guide thread, the 2007 has the better panel (although there are two possible panels), but the 204 is much cheaper. I was going to get the 204B from Newegg until I saw their dead pixel policy.

Which of these two is the better panel? I have to say I'm leaning toward the Dell right now since I like it's styling (same as my 1907), and it seems to be a better panel. The Samsung is much cheaper though, and seems to also be a good panel as long as you get one without dead pixels.

Any thoughts?

The Dell is about $381 shipped in Small Business right now, and the Samsung is around $300, AR though...

 

[Capt Caveman]

I just got the 204B from Newegg this week. I think it's great. No dead pixels, super bright and really inexpensive, $286 AR. If you read the newegg reviews, I don't think anyone has gotten any bad pixels and have all given it an excellent rating.

 

[zephyrprime]

The 204b has poor black levels and some backlight bleed at the top.

 

[Dkcode]

If the 2007FP uses a IPS panel id go for that.

 

[Insane3D]

Thanks guys...

The Samsung would be more attractive if Newegg didn't have that 8 dead pixel policy...

Any more opinions?

 

[theanimala]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Thanks guys...

The Samsung would be more attractive if Newegg didn't have that 8 dead pixel policy...

Any more opinions?

Well, I have both the 204B and the older, 2001FP from dell, both connected up DVI running native 1600 x 1200. The resolution of the 204B seems to be better (no screen door effect, hardly but slightly noticeable on the 2001FP, not sure how it is on the 2007FP). But the viewing angle of the 204B is VERY weak compared to my 2001FP. It is especially poor when viewing from underneath. I didn't think this would make a difference, but when using the monitor in portrait mode it is very noticable that the colors and brightness shifts when only moving my head slightly. This does not happen with my Dell.

That being said, the 204B was a steal at around $260 AR with Fatcash. I paid $700 for my 2001FP nearly 3 years ago, so the price/performance for me is no question, but if it were only $80 I might have to spend the extra...

 

[Insane3D]

Thanks...this was my line of thinking as well. Also, while it has no effect on performance, I really like the design and styling of the xx07's from Dell. I have a 2005FPW at home, and I'm on a 1907FP here at work, and I love the 1907. The Samsung also lacks USB ports, and I don't think it has quite as much flexibility with inputs...

 

[theanimala]

I agree with what you are saying on the matching look. I really wanted another 2001 or 2007FP to match my current Dell. But I was able to work a deal with my company that they would pay for any LCD monitor that was under $300. I jumped on the Samsung. While I like the Dell, I couldn't beat 'free'. Good luck with your decision.

 

[kmmatney]

The Dell will either have an IPS or an MVA panel. My father-in-law has a 2007FP with an MVA panel, and I used it for a few days. The blacks are extremely good, and the blacks seemed better than any other monitor I've ever used. This one had the banding issue, big-time, but that problem is now fixed. Other than the banding, everything else about it
was nice.

The Dell is the better panel, but if your just going to be doing general work on the LCD, then there will be no problems with the Samsung, as long as you keep the screen right in front of you (it won't have the greatest viewing angles).

 

[Insane3D]

Thanks for the input guys...

From what i understand on the Dell, the banding issues have been fixed, and the new ones are either S-IPS or S-PVA. If I get the Dell, which is the more desirable of the two?

 

[EarthwormJim]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Thanks for the input guys...

From what i understand on the Dell, the banding issues have been fixed, and the new ones are either S-IPS or S-PVA. If I get the Dell, which is the more desirable of the two?

The S-IPS since it has far better viewing angles.

I bought one off the forums here and made the seller open the box to verify that it was an S-IPS panel.

 

[Insane3D]

Thanks for the input so far..looks like the Dell is in the lead.

Bump for some more votes..

 

[n7]

I can't speak for the Dell, but i have the Samsung 204B.

It has terrible viewing angles (TN 6-bit panels suck).

It does have very vibrant color, likely even a bit exaggerated, but okay for gaming.

Not so ideal for pure quality such as photo editting, etc.

I wouldn't recommend it overall.

 

[QuantumPion]

I have the 204B and like it. The vertical viewing angle sucks, but the stand is very adjustable. Once you get it in a comfortable position, the viewing angle isn't an issue. The monitor is very bright and has great colors, and since it is a TN panel it is fast with minimal blurring in games. There is a minute amount of backlight leakage at the top, but it is impossible to see except on a black screen in a dark room. I have no complaints about mine and have no regrets about getting it. I havn't seen an IPS panel in person, it is quite possible the dell would be even better, but I can't comment on experience. If you can gaurantee getting an IPS dell panel, that might be the better way to go, but the 204b is a fine choice.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Maybe a dumb question but what's the deal about viewing angles? Being such a small screen, I can't see viewing the screen besides straight on. As a primary monitor, the Dell has the edge. I was looking to replace my 19" CRT that I used as a second monitor as viewing 1600x1200 on such a small screen was difficult at times. The 204B has been a very nice complement to my HP L2335. The preset contrast/brightness profiles are also nice for different types of applications.

fwiw - my HP L2335 uses an IPS panel. I can say that the 204B is much brighter. I'm still playing with settings to see which may reproduce colors better.

 

[Insane3D]

Thanks guys...

As I said earlier, I won't be gaming at all on it...it's strictly for 2D use. The 22" NEC CRT I have is pretty much one of best CRT's out there...and I still haven't seen an LCD that can come close in most things... I sometimes enjoy a little 2048 x 1536 @ 85hz gaming...

I wouldn't be considering an LCD at all for this system if I could get rid of the weird text shimmer thing...it just happens enough to be annoying.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I had a couple bad experiences with 22" NECs trying to replace my 19" NEC and in the end ended up with three 2007FPs. Since then I have returned two of them for the banding issues and my rev. A02 ones look quite nice.

The original versions has less SDE (not that it bothers me now), but were blurrier.

I took some pics a while ago
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/YOyoYOhowsDAjello/Old2007FP.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/YOyoYOhowsDAjello/New2007FP.JPG

With the new revision, I'm quite happy with how they look.

 

[Insane3D]

Hey YOyo! Been awhile...thanks for the pics and input...

How's things?

 

[Heartbreaker]

The deal with viewing angle is it is so bad on the PVA 2007fp (I received one of these and returned it) that it is like taking a TN panel and using it in portrait mode. If that is fine by you then PVA version is fine for you. If your 204b (TN panel) works in Portrait give that a try and let me know how good you think that is.

I now have a 1707 with TN panel and I prefer that to the PVA 2007fp. Poor viewing angle in the vertical direction is not nearly as bothersome as poor viewing angle in the horizontal.

I would rate as follows best to worst.

1: 2007fp with IPS panel (excellent viewing angles in both vertical/horizontal). Excellent panel.
2: 204b (has TN panel) good horizontal and poor vertical. Servicable panel.
3: 2007fp with PVA panel (mediocre viewing angles in both vert/horiz). I would not buy under any circumstance.

 

[amheck]

I thought the 20" LCD's were 5:4, no?

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: amheck
I thought the 20" LCD's were 5:4, no?

1400x1050 for the cheaper ones I've seen
1600x1200 normally

Both 4:3

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Hey YOyo! Been awhile...thanks for the pics and input...

How's things?

I'm alright. I'm all moved into my new place for another school year now. Getting along off the free wifi connection from the bar downstairs until we get some real internet up here