Alright, as promised, here is my review of the VP930b (Revision #3 - Contrast 1300:1, Brightness 300). This monitor features a Premium MVA panel made by AU Optronics, and according to all sources that I could find regarding this model's third revision, this panel seems to be 8-bit. I am unable to verify this, but I can tell you that I have had none of the issues with flickering and so forth that were reported on the earlier versions.
How did I test this? I did many of the same things that I did when testing the Samsung 971P: the same videos, the same games, internet browsing, and photo viewing. I tested both Hollywood quality DVD movies (Empire Falls, V for Vendetta, Black Dahlia) as well as other videos such as those on YouTube. For games, I tested Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Battlefield 2, and the upcoming MMORPG, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. These games allow me to see both fast-paced FPS play in addition to MMO/RPG play. I spent many hours doing internet related activities such as reading the news that I do everyday.
Now, on to results:
Pros:
1) Ergonomics. This, to me, is one of the best aspects of this monitor over many others currently available. Many of the models I find either have very limited adjust-ability or have issues because of a failed attempt at increasing the ability to be adjusted (ie: Samsung 971P with its irritating DVI-I port placement and shaky/flimsy stand).
This stand does not shake much, if at all, when typing, as opposed to the Samsung 971P that shook to an incredibly annoying degree. This stand also has flawless adjustments for height, tilt, and pivot. It moves cleanly and stays in place with no problems whatsoever. Furthermore, cable management is superb and having three ports is wonderful when accommodating different setups (two DSUB, one DVI-D).
The power transformer is built in, which is a con, but this monitor has wonderful heat ventilation, thereby negating this apparent flaw in its design. (Samsung has been wise to start separating the transformer from the unit itself.)
2) Monitor adjustments beyond the physical. The on-screen menu and button setup for this monitor is well done. The menu is clear and allows for all adjustments to be made to the monitor as well as view information regarding the current frequencies and resolution. The monitor's menu also allows for easy switching between the different connections that the three ports allow for.
I am not a fan of having to install software to adjust a monitor, and thus, I cannot comment on the software that came with this model. I was able to make all the adjustments that I sought to make without any other software; to me, this is a victory. Calibration was easy with the monitor's firmware (menu).
3) Picture quality. Prior to calibration, the colors were a bit off, and the brightness was set to 100 (max); this resulted in untrue colors. After calibration, I was able to achieve a magnificent level of true colors across the board. Again, I did all of this by simply using the monitor's on-screen menu. I went through your LCD resource tests and passed all of them with flying colors. The black level, while not as deep as the Samsung 971P, but this is probably due entirely to black lighting issues, which I will address further down.
I believe the colors on this model rival, if not surpass the 971P. While that monitor had better factory settings, it was difficult to calibrate. The 971P seemed too bright when the contrast and color were set such that the color was vivid and true. This is not the case with the VP930b. So, big props to ViewSonic and AU Optronics on this model.
4) Response time. The response time on this monitor is incredibly consistent, as Tom's Hardware Guide suggested, albeit with an earlier revision. I did not notice any ghosting while gaming, even when doing fast 360 degree turns that usually produce intense ghosting on some older LCDs. This panel may have a lower advertised response time than some of the newer models and PVA panels, but this monitor is much more true to its advertised specifications. I did not buy this with the intention of doing hardcore FPS gaming, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it steps up to the plate.
5) Streaking/Ringing -- there is none. In my testing of the games and video playback, I was unable to produce any streaking whatsoever.
6) Video quality. Unlike the 971P, which displayed ringing and streaking around moving objects -- especially humans -- as well as irritating noise, the VP930b displays videos with much ease. Of course, that is not to say it is flawless. While there was no streaking or ringing, there was still some noise. Furthermore, if you look very closely (and I do mean very closely), you can notice some slight ghosting. Will most people see this? Probably not. Is it annoying to the point of it being unacceptable? Not at all. To me, this is the trade-off when going from CRT technology to LCD technology. I do not expect video quality to be flawless with LCDs, and this monitor was more than acceptable in this category, surpassing most LCDs that I have used and seen.
Cons:
1) Backlight bleeding. I went into this purchase expecting some degree of backlight issues. To my delight, however, it was no where near as bad as many of the reviews, especially the older ones, suggested. There is no visible 'X' pattern, even when the monitor is at full brightness and factory settings. Instead, the backlight bleeding takes the form of bleeding in the corners of the screen and a tad bit around the edges. This is undesirable, but far from unacceptable in my eyes. The backlighting is pretty uniform even with the bleeding. When watching widescreen movies, I have not found this bleeding to be very obvious or at all distracting. Once you calibrate the monitor, the bleeding is lessened a bit, though still visible on an entirely black screen. Let me be clear though: this is an important flaw that should be addressed by Viewsonic. While they seem to have made progress with this revision, there is still more to be done. While the 971P does still bleed in the corners, it is less noticeable overall than the VP930b and thus superior to the VP930b.
2) Resolution transitions. Simply put: this monitor is not the fastest when it comes to changing resolutions. The Samsung 971P was superior (almost instantaneous) when changing resolutions. The VP930b does take a few seconds. Again, this is a con that does not render this model unacceptable, but should be improved upon. Surely, Viewsonic & AU Optronics can improve the transitions.
I am pleased to report that the issues with an big and intrusive resolution changing on-screen message have been entirely eliminated. This, the third revision of the VP930b, has a very small message that comes on screen after changing to a new resolution. This pop-up is much smaller than the 971P's and is up for a shorter duration (about 1-2 seconds). So, clearly, Viewsonic has been listening and making positive changes to this model.
I am pleased to say that, overall, in spite of my trepidations, the VP930b has surpassed many of the expectations I had for an LCD monitor. I mainly used a 6-year-old 19" Trinitron CRT monitor up until it died almost two months ago. Picture quality, gaming performance, and video playback with this model is superb. This monitor is true to its advertised specifications and has my vote. I would highly recommend this model for anybody who wants a great all-around LCD monitor. I am very pleased with the VP930b and will be keeping it.
On another note, regarding the 971P:
I went to return the second 971P I purchased from CompUSA (first was from Newegg) about five days ago. In order to avoid the 15% restocking fee, I had to prove to them that the unit was defective. Indeed, the 971P is defective in so far as the model displays distinct and unacceptable red streaking and ringing around moving objects as I mentioned in a previous post. At first, they tested it without trying out any movie/game, so I suggested they play a DVD. They informed me that, while they had a test DVD available, they did not have DVD drives in the test computers (uh?). They did, however, have a short video clip. The manager did not see the problem and was quite unfriendly, but when she called over one of their techs, he clearly saw the problem after watching the clip through twice. The cashier who was helping me also saw the problem after he pointed where to focus on the screen. My point here? I'm not the only one who noticed this problem. Furthermore, while they did not say it was a "big deal", a recent Newegg reviewer who wrote a review on the 971P also highlights this problem, thereby further validating my claim.
Accordingly, I would ask that you, at the very least, consider removing the 971P from the list of recommended monitors for any movement (games, especially videos). It simply fails in this department. No monitor of that price (almost 100$ more than the VP930b) should have such poor performance in games and videos in the form of streaking and ringing.