Do I like my 2005FPW?

[Veech]

Help me make up my mind...

I just unpacked my Dell 2005FPW a few days ago, and I have about another week before the return policy expires. So do I keep it? I upgraded from a Nokia 447i 17" CRT. I'm currently using an ATI 9800Pro AIW, but plan to upgrade the video card soon. Here's what I've noticed:

Pros: Nice landscape-style display, more widescreen. No dead pixels that I can tell. Great resolution, games look good. Cost about $400. More monitor in less space. Ran some of the banding and pixel tests, seemed to pass with great results. Played PlasmaPong and got some real "wow" factor out of it.

Cons: Some "tearing" of blocky images (but I assume that will go away with a video card upgrade). Backlight issue, and somewhat washed-out colors. WAY too bright, but I adjusted it via the settings and the video card menu, to where it's ok. Still, the colors seem washed out compared to my CRT.

I'm using the DVI connection. My biggest problem is how washed out the colors look. I can get used to it, but I miss my aperture grill CRT's vibrant colors. Black looks like dark grey. There is no contrast control option, I guess due to using the DVI connection.

Who else has a 2005FPW and did you have these concerns? Did you grow to love it, or did you find you couldn't stand it and traded it in? btw, I like the price and that's right at my budget for a monitor. I'm inclined to think I did ok and will probably be fine with it, but I wouuld like to hear other opiniopns.

thanks..

 

[PeterJun21]

If you like it and feel like you paid a good price for it then keep it. No reason to ask others for their opinions lol. With having said that I upgraded from a 19' to the 2405 couple days ago and I can't ever imagine myself going back to 19'. But thats a big jump from a 17' crt to a 20' lcd

 

[framerateuk]

When you say "Backlight issue" do you mean backlight leakage? If so RMA it until you get one without the issue. Its a known problem on the 2005.

 

[Thorny]

I had a problem getting used to mine, but got over it quickly. Now there's no looking back, I love the widescreed. Plus, using V-sync fixed the tearing issues with mine.

 

[videopho]

I've loved mine since day one and it's almost 1.5 yrs now.


:thumbsup:

 

[Sunrise089]

Consider a $255 1907fp and $150 cash to put towards that card?

 

[Sunrise089]

wow, what is it with stupid double posting and me today?

 

[stelleg151]

*swings pocketwatch and says: you like your 2005 very much*

I dont know what monitor you have or what your video card settings are, but the colors on my 2005fpw are more vibrant than any crt that I have seen, including a Trinitron and a couple nice samsungs.

I would try messing with your video card color settings.

 

[Veech]

Originally posted by: framerateuk
When you say "Backlight issue" do you mean backlight leakage? If so RMA it until you get one without the issue. Its a known problem on the 2005.

I know it's an issue, that was my biggest concern. My display doesn't have any dead pixels though, and i'd be afraid to RMA and get one that does. And, will I get a monitor with even worse backlight leakage? I don't know how to measure it, what's considered bad and what's considered acceptable? It isn't noticeable to me until I power off, then I see it around the upper right and lower left of the screen.

 

[Veech]

Originally posted by: stelleg151
*swings pocketwatch and says: you like your 2005 very much*

I dont know what monitor you have or what your video card settings are, but the colors on my 2005fpw are more vibrant than any crt that I have seen, including a Trinitron and a couple nice samsungs.

I would try messing with your video card color settings.

It's the ATI 9800Pro AIW, I think it's at the bottom of the rung as far as compatable video cards. I think adjusting down the brightness level (this thing was *ultra* bright to the point of discomfort after a few minutes) has somewhat dulled the impact of the colors. There just isn't much oomph to the colors, they seem faded out, like a brightly colored shirt after it's been washed a few times.

 

[Veech]

Originally posted by: PeterJun21
If you like it and feel like you paid a good price for it then keep it. No reason to ask others for their opinions lol. With having said that I upgraded from a 19' to the 2405 couple days ago and I can't ever imagine myself going back to 19'. But thats a big jump from a 17' crt to a 20' lcd

How much did you pay for the 2405? One major plus in my opinion is that I got a TON of display for the price. I paid something like $600 for my 17" CRT 6 (or was it 7?) years ago, and that was a good deal at the time. Getting this 20" flat panel LCD for $400 is real value for me, I'm really happy in that regard.

 

[Veech]

Originally posted by: Thorny
I had a problem getting used to mine, but got over it quickly. Now there's no looking back, I love the widescreed. Plus, using V-sync fixed the tearing issues with mine.

V-sync, eh? I don't know if my 9800Pro video card supports that, I'll have to check.

 

[Stoneburner]

sometimes they ship the monitor with odd settings regarding color, set it ti default or set all 3 colors to 100 and it'll look infinitely better doggie.

 

[cbuchach]

I upgraded to a 2005FPW from an aperature grill Sony G400 CRT and initially thought it was way too bright and adjusted the brightness down through ATI's utility--but now I am completely used to it and like the bright screen.

I am very satisfied with the screen though would like a larger display, so I could see myself upgrading to the larger eventual replacement for the Dell 2405 in the near future.