Best 30" monitor out there??

[Fun Guy]

I'm looking at the following:

1) HP ZR30w: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...1-4194577.html

2) HP LP3065: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...1-3297215.html

3) Dell 3007WFP-HC: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...4&sku=222-7175

4) LG W3000H-Bn: http://www.lg.com/us/computer-products/monitors/LG-lcd-monitor-W3000H.jsp

Trying to stay in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.

I'm unclear on the technology, but it looks like the ZR30w is H-IPS, while the W3000H, Dell 3007WFP, and HP LP3065 are S-IPS.

Anyone have experience with or knowledge of any of these monitors?

*******************

Info on the panels: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/search.php?query=-IPS&select=panel

 

[Kukag]

Why not go with a LCD tv?

-Kukag

 

[shortylickens]

Why not go with a LCD tv?

-Kukag

Because it wont do 2560x1600.

 

[Kukag]

Ahhh alright =D

Thanks,
Kukag

 

[shiranai]

What is the intended use of this monitor? Gaming? Photo editing?

I can't recommend in good faith any 30" monitor in your price range. All of them have poor uniformity and white glow, and most (all?) of them have terrible AG coatings that make the screen look perpetually dirty. I think these flaws are completely unacceptable in a $1k+ monitor.

The ZR30W is oddly designed. It covers a huge color gamut but lacks sRGB emulation, hardware LUT, or OSD controls for color calibration, which results in ridiculous color saturation in any non-color-managed software (which is most programs, including every game I'm aware of). Furthermore, although the monitor uses a 10-bit panel, only workstation graphics cards (ATI FirePro or NVIDIA Quadro) support 10-bit color.

Items 2-4 are very similar to each other. The HP is favored for having more inputs, whereas the Dell and LG are favored for low input lag. The Dell's AG coating is known to be particularly noticeable.

 

[yang88she]

Dell 3007 wfp-hc

I had 2 of them....love the 2560x1600

 

[Dubb]

I have the LP3065 and have been mostly happy with it. I don't game though.

Uniformity is a slight issue, but hasn't been a real problem, even on graphics/photo editing. I've certainly seen better (ezio 24" screens) but it's still heads and tails above the low end cheapie screens.

I've heard great things about the ZR30W, but haven't seen one in person yet.

 

[wantedSpidy]

I was able to snag a refurb 3008WFP on ebay for $1050 with a 3yr dell warranty. I was looking at monitors extensively and panel quality wise I think the HP LP3065 is better than the 3007WFP's. The 3008WFP has the same panel as the HP LP3065 (or at least they felt the same to me) but has A LOT MORE INPUTS, which is nice. Plus it has an in built scaler.

 

[LucJoe]

This one is in your price range.

LaCie 730

One of the only 2560x1600 RGB-LED monitors. Retail price is ludicrous...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LaCie-730-LCD-3...er_Monitors&hash=item27b3c15853#ht_2794wt_967

 

[intogamer]

This one is in your price range.

LaCie 730

One of the only 2560x1600 RGB-LED monitors. Retail price is ludicrous...

http://cgi.ebay.com/LaCie-730-LCD-3...er_Monitors&hash=item27b3c15853#ht_2794wt_967

FML no more bing cashback

 

[borisvodofsky]

What is the intended use of this monitor? Gaming? Photo editing?

I can't recommend in good faith any 30" monitor in your price range. All of them have poor uniformity and white glow, and most (all?) of them have terrible AG coatings that make the screen look perpetually dirty. I think these flaws are completely unacceptable in a $1k+ monitor.

The ZR30W is oddly designed. It covers a huge color gamut but lacks sRGB emulation, hardware LUT, or OSD controls for color calibration, which results in ridiculous color saturation in any non-color-managed software (which is most programs, including every game I'm aware of). Furthermore, although the monitor uses a 10-bit panel, only workstation graphics cards (ATI FirePro or NVIDIA Quadro) support 10-bit color.

Items 2-4 are very similar to each other. The HP is favored for having more inputs, whereas the Dell and LG are favored for low input lag. The Dell's AG coating is known to be particularly noticeable.

Which 30" monitor do you have then, that is vastly superior than the ones in the pictures.

 

[acx]

Dell is probably going to release the U3011 H-IPS lcd to compete with the HP ZR30w soon. You could wait a month and see if the ergonomics/price of that unit is better if you decide to go with the H-IPS panel.

 

[CptLemur]

Hazro is a UK company that makes solid monitors (literally--they have metal cases) that get great reviews. They used to be tough to get here, but with this latest 30" model they are shipping to the states. They are not cheap, but they are in the price range you stated even after shipping. Take a look:

http://www.hazro.co.uk/

There is a 27" version coming, but it is not available yet.

 

[CZroe]

Apple Cinema Display? Probably too expensive.

 

[TheStu]

Apple Cinema Display? Probably too expensive.

27" LED Cinema display is $999 and has a 2560*1440 resolution.

 

[Ichinisan]

27" LED Cinema display is $999 and has a 2560*1440 resolution.

...but it's not 30"

 

[tweakboy]

MAC Cinema display 30 inches 2560x1600res
only works with MACs though.

 

[TheStu]

...but it's not 30"

True, but it is only 10% less resolution, is an LED backlit IPS display, has a built in USB hub, has a higher pixel density than a 30" display and is $999.

MAC Cinema display 30 inches 2560x1600res
only works with MACs though.

Mac not MAC.

And in addition that minor error, you are also wrong. The 30" Cinema Display had a standard DVI Dual Link cable attached to it. So long as your video card supports DVI Dual Link, then you could attach the Apple Cinema Display.

Regardless of all this, it was more expensive than its contemporaries before and has since been discontinued.

 

[shortylickens]

True, but it is only 10% less resolution, is an LED backlit IPS display, has a built in USB hub, has a higher pixel density than a 30" display and is $999.



Mac not MAC.

And in addition that minor error, you are also wrong. The 30" Cinema Display had a standard DVI Dual Link cable attached to it. So long as your video card supports DVI Dual Link, then you could attach the Apple Cinema Display.

Regardless of all this, it was more expensive than its contemporaries before and has since been discontinued.

Of course if it used VGA you'd only need one cable.
:awe:

 

[TheStu]

Of course if it used VGA you'd only need one cable.
:awe:

Dual Link DVI is a single cable, and I am about 99% certain that VGA cannot handle 2560*1600.

 

[Matrices]

True, but it is only 10% less resolution, is an LED backlit IPS display, has a built in USB hub, has a higher pixel density than a 30" display and is $999.



Mac not MAC.

And in addition that minor error, you are also wrong. The 30" Cinema Display had a standard DVI Dual Link cable attached to it. So long as your video card supports DVI Dual Link, then you could attach the Apple Cinema Display.

Regardless of all this, it was more expensive than its contemporaries before and has since been discontinued.

Who cares about LED backlighting? Another marketing gimmick. This makes panels slimmer, not better or brighter than CCFLs, unless maybe we are talking about laptops. Unless you are a graphic designer or someone who needs the accurate colors (which don't actually look as good as "saturated" colors nine times out of ten, by the way), the sRGB functionality is irrelevant. What you want in movies and games is not the proper hexcode of each color, but what looks best to your eyes.

So again, barring some work-related needs, spending $1k on a monitor and getting less than 30" is just a terrible value proposition. And the HP Zr30w lacks an OSD for the same reason it lacks a scaler: to improve response time, which is the traditional weakness of IPS. If you want to calibrate, why cheap out on calibration software when you are buying a $1200 monitor anyway? A lot of monitors in that range don't have OSD calibration.

 

[shortylickens]

Dual Link DVI is a single cable, and I am about 99% certain that VGA cannot handle 2560*1600.

VGA handles higher resolutions than DVI on a single connector. Which is why I still chuckle when I hear people get all hot and bothered for that awesome DVI.

 

[TheStu]

VGA handles higher resolutions than DVI on a single connector. Which is why I still chuckle when I hear people get all hot and bothered for that awesome DVI.

Dual Link DVI is a single connector and cable, it just has more pins. I think back in the day it may have needed a special two headed cable or something but not anymore. And unless I am mistaken, VGA tops out at 2048*1536 where as Dual Link DVI will run 2560*1600.

 

[snewdle]

You should take a look at HardForum. They have a lot of good info on flagship computer monitors in their display section. Personally, I would make a decision based on what you want to do. If it is only gaming, go with the HP. It has the least flexibility in terms of inputs, but the built in scaler that the 3008WFP uses to accommodate all its bells and whistles creates input lag. How easy or difficult it is to detect I honestly don't know, and from what I've researched it can even depend on the person. Nonetheless your decision (since you've already established a price range) should come down to whether you want to use the monitor with more than your computer and, if so, with what?

 

[RaistlinZ]

My Dell U3011 30" was delivered yesterday.

First off, no dead pixels from what I can see. :biggrin:

Secondly, I had heard about the AG coating and how some either like it or hate it. Personally, I have found it to not be an issue whatsoever. The only time I really notice it is against an all white background - it looks a little "sparkly" but that's it. But it's nice not having a reflective screen anymore, I've quickly adapted to it.

My only quibble is that it appears to have a slight greenish tint on the left half of the screen whenever Brightness is dropped down. I'm not sure if it's a calibration thing, or just a flaw in my particular unit. I'm thinking about getting proper calibration software. So far, I've just adjusted it to what looks good to my eye the best I can.

But all in all, I'm very pleased with it. I haven't noticed any issue with hum as I've heard others have. Dragon Age at 2560x1600 is quite nice.