LCD Buyer's Guide

[ThanatosGOD]

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
I'm currently about to upgrade from a seriously old 19" CRT and reckon I should make the leap to LCD. After extensive research (and looking at this brilliant thread!) I've compiled this shortlist:

Wide Screen 1680x1050
NEC
MultiSync® LCD20WGX2 6 ms (g2g) S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201W01) panel
Samsung
215TW 21" Wide 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM210M2) panel
Viewsonic
VX2025wm 20.1" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201EW01 V0)

4:3 1600x1200
Samsung
204T 20.1" 16 ms S-PVA (Samsung LTM201U1) panel
214T 21.3" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel
Viewsonic
VP2030b 20" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201UN02 V5) panel
VP2130b 21" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel

I was considering the Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP/2007FP, but extensive reports of colour banding etc put me off.
Basically my CRT is so old and crap I don't even know the make or model, it?s even a curved screen which reflects! So I'm expecting major improvements from any of the above.
I will be using the screen for FPS gaming along with other genres, watching video torrents e.g. downloaded movies etc, and normal web and office use. I find the idea of widescreen quite appealing-I would not be losing any vertical height compared to my old CRT anyway, and the extra space would be useful.

I realise that pretty much all of the above screens are very good-but I'm looking for the best. All but the NEC MultiSync LCD20WGX2 are Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (S-PVA)/Premium MVA panels (P-MVA). The NEC's new Advanced Super IPS (AS-IPS) panel does appear to be perhaps slightly superior in terms of response times and colour; whereas the S-PVA/P-MVA's seem to have better blacks and movie playback. I'm not too concerned about ergonomics and features etc but want solid build quality and warranties.

Will the 21" screens affect sharpness much with the larger dot pitch? I'm used to reflective screens and they don't bother me much but is the NEC's OptiClear coating really bad? Plus what is 'twinkling' in movies and will it affect me?

I'm not too concerned about price or about displaying these native resolutions, I have a 7900GTX; I just want the best screen possible in this range in terms of responsiveness, clarity, vivid colours, sharpness, and general IQ. The NEC being a widescreen has 1:1 Pixel Mapping which I think could be very useful for any 4:3 games; I'm not sure if any of the other 16:10 screens mentioned have this feature, but then again if the 4:3 screens above are superior then this in inconsequential.

It would be really helpful if someone who has 1 or more of these screens gave their conclusive opinions. Currently I'm leaning towards the NEC MultiSync LCD20WGX2 and widescreen (in general) but will simply get whichever you guys think is the most outstanding!

Thanks

xtknight could you please reply to this post. Essentially I'm trying to decide between these:

Widescreen
NEC
MultiSync® LCD20WGX2 6 ms (g2g) S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201W01) panel
Samsung
215TW 21" Wide 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM210M2) panel
Viewsonic
VX2025wm 20.1" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201EW01 V0)

4:3
Viewsonic
VP2030b 20" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201UN02 V5) panel
VP2130b 21" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel

I need a definitive answer.

Thanks!

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
I'm currently about to upgrade from a seriously old 19" CRT and reckon I should make the leap to LCD. After extensive research (and looking at this brilliant thread!) I've compiled this shortlist:

Wide Screen 1680x1050
NEC
MultiSync® LCD20WGX2 6 ms (g2g) S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201W01) panel
Samsung
215TW 21" Wide 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM210M2) panel
Viewsonic
VX2025wm 20.1" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201EW01 V0)

4:3 1600x1200
Samsung
204T 20.1" 16 ms S-PVA (Samsung LTM201U1) panel
214T 21.3" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel
Viewsonic
VP2030b 20" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201UN02 V5) panel
VP2130b 21" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel

I was considering the Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP/2007FP, but extensive reports of colour banding etc put me off.
Basically my CRT is so old and crap I don't even know the make or model, it?s even a curved screen which reflects! So I'm expecting major improvements from any of the above.
I will be using the screen for FPS gaming along with other genres, watching video torrents e.g. downloaded movies etc, and normal web and office use. I find the idea of widescreen quite appealing-I would not be losing any vertical height compared to my old CRT anyway, and the extra space would be useful.

I realise that pretty much all of the above screens are very good-but I'm looking for the best. All but the NEC MultiSync LCD20WGX2 are Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (S-PVA)/Premium MVA panels (P-MVA). The NEC's new Advanced Super IPS (AS-IPS) panel does appear to be perhaps slightly superior in terms of response times and colour; whereas the S-PVA/P-MVA's seem to have better blacks and movie playback. I'm not too concerned about ergonomics and features etc but want solid build quality and warranties.

Will the 21" screens affect sharpness much with the larger dot pitch? I'm used to reflective screens and they don't bother me much but is the NEC's OptiClear coating really bad? Plus what is 'twinkling' in movies and will it affect me?

I'm not too concerned about price or about displaying these native resolutions, I have a 7900GTX; I just want the best screen possible in this range in terms of responsiveness, clarity, vivid colours, sharpness, and general IQ. The NEC being a widescreen has 1:1 Pixel Mapping which I think could be very useful for any 4:3 games; I'm not sure if any of the other 16:10 screens mentioned have this feature, but then again if the 4:3 screens above are superior then this in inconsequential.

It would be really helpful if someone who has 1 or more of these screens gave their conclusive opinions. Currently I'm leaning towards the NEC MultiSync LCD20WGX2 and widescreen (in general) but will simply get whichever you guys think is the most outstanding!

Thanks

xtknight could you please reply to this post. Essentially I'm trying to decide between these:

Widescreen
NEC
MultiSync® LCD20WGX2 6 ms (g2g) S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201W01) panel
Samsung
215TW 21" Wide 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM210M2) panel
Viewsonic
VX2025wm 20.1" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201EW01 V0)

4:3
Viewsonic
VP2030b 20" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201UN02 V5) panel
VP2130b 21" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel

I need a definitive answer.

Thanks!

Get the NEC (see reply above).

 

[ThanatosGOD]

Thanks xtnight-sorry I rather stupidly missed your above post! May I ask if your based in the US or UK?

If the UK, do you know of the best place to purchase the NEC?

Thanks again and sorry for missing your first post

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
Thanks xtnight-sorry I rather stupidly missed your above post! May I ask if your based in the US or UK?

If the UK, do you know of the best place to purchase the NEC?

Thanks again and sorry for missing your first post

I live in the US. I hear overclockers.co.uk mentioned often so you could give them a try: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/20_Inch_LCD_Monitors.html Hope everything goes well. Let us know how much you like it.

 

[ThanatosGOD]

Thanks, I was thinking of buying from them anyway.

Once again thank you for your advice. I'll be sure to post back once I get the screen.

 

[JohnOBuirrows]

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
I'm currently about to upgrade from a seriously old 19" CRT and reckon I should make the leap to LCD. After extensive research (and looking at this brilliant thread!) I've compiled this shortlist:

Wide Screen 1680x1050
NEC
MultiSync® LCD20WGX2 6 ms (g2g) S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201W01) panel
Samsung
215TW 21" Wide 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM210M2) panel
Viewsonic
VX2025wm 20.1" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201EW01 V0)

4:3 1600x1200
Samsung
204T 20.1" 16 ms S-PVA (Samsung LTM201U1) panel
214T 21.3" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel
Viewsonic
VP2030b 20" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201UN02 V5) panel
VP2130b 21" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel

I have the exact same problem of choice although personally I'm definately not going to get a 4:3 monitor. By the way, if you really want the best you should look up Eizo's displays although the plus 1000-dollar price tag is a lot to handle.

I know a lot of people are saying "Get the NEC! Get the NEC!" and it will probably turn out the be the best choice for you. Myself? I'm not going to get the NEC but the Samsung 215TW. Why? Firstly, the Samsung features HDCP-support which I really want and unfortunately NEC opted not to include HDCP-support to its European models of the monitor (I live in Finland, you see). Secondly, I'm NOT a hardcore gamer. To me, it seems that NEC is thought of as the 'top dog' because of its stellar performance in games (it may be about the fastest consumer widescreen monitor for gaming, at least in the 20" class). The Samsung on the other hand has been branded as a monitor not suited for games (although many do say that the performance in stellar in that department as well). Well I do play games but mostly just CounterStrike and mostly just 50 minutes a day (I'm planning on buying the up'n'coming C&C, though). So I do not need the best gaming monitor and as Samsung has only that aspect a little less than perfect why should I pass a monitos for that reason? And thirdly, NEC has that mirrorlike screen. Now I'm not going to start badmouthing that aspect. I own a Fujitsu-Siemens 17" widescreen laptop that has similartype screen and I really like that type of coating because it DOES make the colours look more vibrant and the screen more vivid. BUT watching movies for example with lights on or in daytime is a pain in the butt.

At the end of the day, I have heard just about nothing but praise over the NEC. It really must be an excellent monitor and probably the best choice for a (widescreen) gamer. However, I do not believe it is the best all-round performer in monitors (20-21") and with it not having HDCP-support in Europe I will not buy it. Samsung 215TW seems about the best all-round monitor right now (the Viewsonic is decent I guess, but while I haven't tested it, I can't really say in good conscience that VX2025wm is a fantastic monitor -- I feel it's just above-avarage but not great). 215TW may not be for hardcore gamers but I feel that if you need a monitor to do everything (play games, watch movies, edit digital pics, use MS Office, surf the net...) then a monitor like 215TW would be the no-brainer.

 

[drwho9437]

xtknight:

Thanks for your reply to my other query. I've read a lot of articles now but its a complicated mess of misleading specs in the end it seems.

One suggestion: I am an amature photographer. But a good and serious amature. In the general purpose section I like how you mention the samsungs have good color reproduction. (I have a old 152T on my desk). However, it might be useful to update the sticky with lower end photo editing LCDs (if you can think of any) than the one Pro one you have listed. Surely some NEC panels exsist that are good. But I don't know much of what else does.

 

[ThanatosGOD]

I think the Samsung 215TW 21" Wide would be an excellent choice for you, JohnOBuirrows. I personally was very tempted to get it myself, it is an excellent screen.

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the HDCP support unless you have or will get a HDCP supported Video Card. I think with Vista/HD-DVD etc around the corner they should be selling all video cards and monitors with HDCP support but there you go!

I think the Samsung 215TW is considered a bit of an 'odd one out' compared to most of the 20"/21"/16:10 screens because it?s a 21" and is an S-PVA (Samsung LTM210M2) panel. Nonetheless I think it is a good choice and actually good value.

In my opinion I suppose the NEC is 'top dog' for now, but I do think that is largely due to the dramatic change in responsiveness compared to previous generations of screens. You see more often than not general tech enthusiasts are pretty hardcore gamers; and they tend to adopt the technology soonest. Since response time is obviously a gamers most important parameter, having a 20" screen which can now arguably keep up with premium CRT's whilst maintaining IQ, colours, and viewing angles is a revelation!

Your right about the EIZO. I really wanted to get the 21" Eizo S2110WK Widescreen LCD Monitor 16:10 aspect 8ms; but it is seriously expensive-not really warranted unless you do serious photo editing etc.

I think you'll be happy with the Samsung though, and good luck!

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: JohnOBuirrows

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
I'm currently about to upgrade from a seriously old 19" CRT and reckon I should make the leap to LCD. After extensive research (and looking at this brilliant thread!) I've compiled this shortlist:

Wide Screen 1680x1050
NEC
MultiSync® LCD20WGX2 6 ms (g2g) S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201W01) panel
Samsung
215TW 21" Wide 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM210M2) panel
Viewsonic
VX2025wm 20.1" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201EW01 V0)

4:3 1600x1200
Samsung
204T 20.1" 16 ms S-PVA (Samsung LTM201U1) panel
214T 21.3" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel
Viewsonic
VP2030b 20" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201UN02 V5) panel
VP2130b 21" 8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM213U6) panel

I have the exact same problem of choice although personally I'm definately not going to get a 4:3 monitor. By the way, if you really want the best you should look up Eizo's displays although the plus 1000-dollar price tag is a lot to handle.

I know a lot of people are saying "Get the NEC! Get the NEC!" and it will probably turn out the be the best choice for you. Myself? I'm not going to get the NEC but the Samsung 215TW. Why? Firstly, the Samsung features HDCP-support which I really want and unfortunately NEC opted not to include HDCP-support to its European models of the monitor (I live in Finland, you see). Secondly, I'm NOT a hardcore gamer. To me, it seems that NEC is thought of as the 'top dog' because of its stellar performance in games (it may be about the fastest consumer widescreen monitor for gaming, at least in the 20" class). The Samsung on the other hand has been branded as a monitor not suited for games (although many do say that the performance in stellar in that department as well). Well I do play games but mostly just CounterStrike and mostly just 50 minutes a day (I'm planning on buying the up'n'coming C&C, though). So I do not need the best gaming monitor and as Samsung has only that aspect a little less than perfect why should I pass a monitos for that reason? And thirdly, NEC has that mirrorlike screen. Now I'm not going to start badmouthing that aspect. I own a Fujitsu-Siemens 17" widescreen laptop that has similartype screen and I really like that type of coating because it DOES make the colours look more vibrant and the screen more vivid. BUT watching movies for example with lights on or in daytime is a pain in the butt.

At the end of the day, I have heard just about nothing but praise over the NEC. It really must be an excellent monitor and probably the best choice for a (widescreen) gamer. However, I do not believe it is the best all-round performer in monitors (20-21") and with it not having HDCP-support in Europe I will not buy it. Samsung 215TW seems about the best all-round monitor right now (the Viewsonic is decent I guess, but while I haven't tested it, I can't really say in good conscience that VX2025wm is a fantastic monitor -- I feel it's just above-avarage but not great). 215TW may not be for hardcore gamers but I feel that if you need a monitor to do everything (play games, watch movies, edit digital pics, use MS Office, surf the net...) then a monitor like 215TW would be the no-brainer.

The NEC 20wmgx2 has HDCP support. I own it and it's the most awesome LCD/monitor I've ever owned.

 

[JohnOBuirrows]

Originally posted by: gersson
The NEC 20wmgx2 has HDCP support. I own it and it's the most awesome LCD/monitor I've ever owned.

Dude, I don't know if you noticed but the NEC monitor that is sold in Europe DOES NOT HAVE HDCP-SUPPORT. Certainly this is unfair that for example you folks in the US get a HDCP-version of that display and we in Europe don't but what can you do.

Well I am going to get a HDCP-video card when I buy my new Conroe-system within 3-5 months. Well I do see the point that I could just buy another monitor when VISTA and HD-DVD have established themselves but I'm the kinda guy who rarely updates anything (it's a money issue as in I want to buy a product that is futureproof and great and then I don't have to worry about saving money for the update and maybe buy something else).

 

[JediJorgie]

My Benq FP93GX arrived last night. Here are my impressions after using it for 3 or 4 hours. Keep in mind this is my first LCD.

Its obviously a very large monitor, the stand is very stable, and the bezel is very slim. The buttons, like the FP91G+ blend in with the bezel very nicely. I could see how that would frustrate some people, but I really like it.

Right out of the box, the screen looked beautiful. After I used it a little bit, I noticed that it was way too bright and had a slightly yellowish tint to everything. But the yellow seems to have completely faded away after a few hours of use. Overall, the colors seem pretty good, they may need a little tweaking yet, but I'm going to wait a little bit longer to see if the screen breaks in more.

I haven't used the analog connection, but I know that with DVI it is extremely crisp and clear. Things are so crisp now that the digital-looking dots on my Winamp skin are a little hard to look at, guess I'll need to find a new one. There is a slight amount of backlight bleeding on the top, but its only noticeable when the screen is very dark or black. Viewing angles aren't the greatest, as expected from a 6 bit TN panel, but I really only use my monitor head-on anyway. I noticed a slight discoloration moving to the sides and you would have to be staring almost at the side of the screen before it was completely discolored.

Now, games. I tried a little bit of Raven Shield and CS:S and they both looked amazing. I could not see any ghosting. Then I tried WoW for a couple hours and that looked equally amazing, no ghosting again. I haven't tried any extensive DVD testing, but I did watch a few minutes and that looked good. Not as great as games, but still good.

All in all, this a great monitor for the price. The screen is beautiful and the casing is simple and aesthetically pleasing. A great monitor for serious or casual gamers or people looking for a cheap but large screen for general computer use. Graphics and photo people will obviously look elsewhere

If I discover other things as I use it more, I will post it here. If you have specific questions, let me know and I'll try to answer.

Finally, I'd like to thank xtknight and all the other people that have contributed to this thread. The information in here allowed me to figure out the confusing mess that LCDs are and find which was right for me.


-Eric

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: drwho9437
xtknight:

Thanks for your reply to my other query. I've read a lot of articles now but its a complicated mess of misleading specs in the end it seems.

One suggestion: I am an amature photographer. But a good and serious amature. In the general purpose section I like how you mention the samsungs have good color reproduction. (I have a old 152T on my desk). However, it might be useful to update the sticky with lower end photo editing LCDs (if you can think of any) than the one Pro one you have listed. Surely some NEC panels exsist that are good. But I don't know much of what else does.

For now I've added a "PHOTO EDITING (CONSUMER/PROSUMER)" section with some suitable >20" LCDs. However I do understand even $600 is very expensive for some people (it definitely is for me). I'll have to do some more research on what 17" and 19" monitors are decent for photo editing yet affordable.

What you want to look for in a photo-editing monitor is an 8-bit panel that uses no dithering, a high contrast, a low black level, and minimal banding. Preferably S-IPS since they are the closest match to a CRT in terms of gamma and saturation/luminance, however PVA/MVA-based panels are also great for their high contrast.

Believe it or not, the NEC is also cream of the crop for <$1500 photo-editing due to its great AS-IPS panel. You can't beat the high-contrast, low response time, and great viewing angles. It is the "DiamondTron" of LCDs.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: JediJorgie
Right out of the box, the screen looked beautiful. After I used it a little bit, I noticed that it was way too bright and had a slightly yellowish tint to everything. But the yellow seems to have completely faded away after a few hours of use. Overall, the colors seem pretty good, they may need a little tweaking yet, but I'm going to wait a little bit longer to see if the screen breaks in more.

Does it have user-defined color component adjustments (% red, % green, % blue)? Try turning down both red+green. Does increasing contrast >70% cause various color tinting at each increment?

Now, games. I tried a little bit of Raven Shield and CS:S and they both looked amazing. I could not see any ghosting. Then I tried WoW for a couple hours and that looked equally amazing, no ghosting again. I haven't tried any extensive DVD testing, but I did watch a few minutes and that looked good. Not as great as games, but still good.

That's what I suspected (and what I wanted to hear). Thanks for confirming that. The FP93G X definitely sounds like a replacement for the FP91G+.

Finally, I'd like to thank xtknight and all the other people that have contributed to this thread. The information in here allowed me to figure out the confusing mess that LCDs are and find which was right for me.

-Eric

Thank you for the review. It's nice to hear from a user for a change. (Reviews by users, for users.)

 

[JediJorgie]

Yes it does allow for adjustment of red, green, and blue. I'll play with that when I get home. I didn't notice any tinting when I adjusted it, but I will look for that too.

One thing I wanted to ask about was the monitor's AMA feature. From what I understand, this is what gives it such a fast response time. I read that this works by increasing voltage to the pixels or something like that. I disabled AMA and didn't notice a difference in performance. Do you think using AMA could potentially shorten the monitor's lifespan if it really increases power?

 

[ThanatosGOD]

This is getting on my nerves............

So I called up Overclockers UK this morning with the full intention of buying the NEC MultiSync LCD20WGX2 for £400 odd. Just as I was about to give my card details the sales guy tries to persuade me to get the Viewsonic VX2025wm; he spends the next 10min expounding upon the virtues of the Viewsonic, and the slight vices of the NEC, backlight bleeding etc! The really curious thing is that at Overclockers the Viewsonic is a whole £100 cheaper than the NEC! So I found it difficult to dismiss his advice, since this was blatantly no sales ploy.

He directed me to a couple of reviews, BeHardware, Bit-Tech, Lesnumerique. All of which I had read; and indicated to me that the Viewsonic was better in each test. A particularly useful comparison was given by this tool and these pictures:
Lesnumerique Comparison
DarkPic Comparison
LightPic Comparison

One can't deny that those reviews are favourable to the Viewsonic. So since my EVGA step-up has been delayed a little I decided to think about it over the weekend. I really am getting quite frustrated in deciding between these 2. The NEC is faster and has better colours, that much I know, objectively, and I did pop into a local pc store the other day and happen to see a couple of Toshiba and Sony laptops with really glossy screens-and I have to admit I liked their screens a lot. It appears to make the image look crisper, more vibrant, and just somehow more vivid and real, even if this is misleading. But I haven't subjectively seen either the Viewsonic or the NEC and to be honest I'm no professional judge anyway. That lesnumerique 'face a face' is interesting, I think the video comparison does favour the Viewsonic-and in general the Viewsonic seems to be more of an 'all-round screen'. I really can't decide between those dark/light pictures. So basically I'm stuck; for some reason I'm still drawn to the NEC, but will kick myself if the Viewsonic is even slightly better. I still maintain that I will get either regardless of the price differential.

I feel like a real pain is the ass for asking this of you guys, in particular xtnight, but do you think you could look at those links and give me your opinion. And also if anyone has had both monitors at some point-please help me!? I want to feel that the NEC 'must be' better if for nothing else than the price, but how can that many reviews say the Viewsonic is better overall?!

I intend to order either screen on Monday, to be delivered on Tuesday, both are in stock and should arrive at the same time as my video card. I've got a weekend to decide-please help!?

Thanks so much, and I apologise for the inconvenience.

 

[xtknight]

It looks to me like you can see more detail in the background of the LesNumeriques film picture on the NEC, with less wash-out. After calibration, the NEC's midtone colors are obviously superior. Also, it is just as responsive, if not faster. I definitely don't see why the ViewSonic would be better. In the other two big film pictures, the NEC appears more vibrant. I think the main 'con' of the NEC was the glossy screen which some disliked, and "slight twinkling" which both monitors seem to have. Viewing angles will certainly be superior, and the AS-IPS screen (great saturation at a lower luminance) makes the NEC the obvious choice. Due to the way P-MVA panels are, there will be subtle elements of the picture that show up only at certain angles. This is not the case with the S-IPS screens.

 

[Kalessian]

Got a Samsung 940BF.

Some comments:

I'm using it with analog right now (laptop doesn't have DVI) and the colors seem fine already. The text is sharp too. It's stylish and sturdy.

What I didn't like is the viewing angles. They're great all around, but the colors distort too fast. As in if you aren't looking at it straight on one side of the monitor will look different than the other. There's a stuck pixel in the center of the screen that's bright red. I might be able to make it go away. I play fast paced games and I'm pretty good, but I don't mind playing on this monitor. The ghosting is slight, but it's definately there, and it made me a little dizzy before I got used to it. Movies, etc, look great.

All in all I just wish I didn't get the stuck pixel and that I could try out DVI right now. Still happy I went with Samsung.

 

[imported_Psykosis]

ThanatosGOD: something I've learned after months of read reviews of many models is that there is impossible to get an idea of how the product looks just reading. You have done well to try to look to some screens to get an idea of how the product might look. Anyway, I've take a sight to the DarkPic Comparison and LightPic Comparison screens, and I can asure you that the Nec has more accurate better (un)saturated colors, while the Viewsonic looks a bit yellowish. Show this picture to your family and friends and ask them for advice, that's the better way

BTW: xtknight I asked on Overclockers UK and they show me that the Acer AL1923 has indeed the same P-MVA pannel as the VP930. The monitor has the same ergonomy, its a bit cheaper, comes with integrated speakers and can be ordered with or without glossy pannel. Perhaps it worth to be mentioned in your guide.

 

[ThanatosGOD]

Once again I can't thank you enough xtknight, and also Psykosis. I think anymore deliberation and confirmation of the NEC's superiority would be futile, so I will definitely be ordering it on Monday.

I must say though that although the NEC is better than the Viewsonic 2025wm; a difference of £100, or about $185 is quite substantial, and perhaps does not reflect the true difference between the models. There?s no doubt that the Viewsonic is good value and probably 2nd best.

Something that does concern me with the NEC is Backlight Bleeding. Many owners have complained of this-is it really going to be a major issue? Also what sort of tests or calibration should I do upon receipt of the NEC? (Exactly what is colour calibration, and how can one do it?)

Thanks again

 

[drwho9437]

I agree, 600 is a lot. I have been looking for an IPS panel for sometime under 400 but it seems tricky as sometimes different panels are used in the same model. The 2007WFP was IPS for awhile, but when they fixed the banding issue they went over to an PVA panel from samsung from what I have read.

Really I probably want a 20.1" (or a 17 inch as most 19s have the same resolution as 17) panel, but I'm trying to stay well under 600 that is for sure.

I think LG's L2000C is IPS, some of the NX NECs but yeah. NEC is pricy and I'd rather avoid glossy I think. Thanks for adding the section I'm sure there a handful of us non-gamer's out there.

 

[drwho9437]

The NEC 2070-NX claims to be IPS its 540 though (at newegg). http://www.nec.co.th/html/download/Brochure/2070NX.pdf
Though I'm warry of spec sheets at this point. So many lies and typos.

 

[drwho9437]

But then the US site says MVA. So who knows I'm frustrated.

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: Kalessian
Got a Samsung 940BF.

Some comments:

I'm using it with analog right now (laptop doesn't have DVI) and the colors seem fine already. The text is sharp too. It's stylish and sturdy.

What I didn't like is the viewing angles. They're great all around, but the colors distort too fast. As in if you aren't looking at it straight on one side of the monitor will look different than the other. There's a stuck pixel in the center of the screen that's bright red. I might be able to make it go away. I play fast paced games and I'm pretty good, but I don't mind playing on this monitor. The ghosting is slight, but it's definately there, and it made me a little dizzy before I got used to it. Movies, etc, look great.

All in all I just wish I didn't get the stuck pixel and that I could try out DVI right now. Still happy I went with Samsung.

I just ordered this when I saw it for $199.95 after $55.00 MIR. Can't wait to get it.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
I must say though that although the NEC is better than the Viewsonic 2025wm; a difference of £100, or about $185 is quite substantial, and perhaps does not reflect the true difference between the models. There?s no doubt that the Viewsonic is good value and probably 2nd best.

In the US that would be debatable as the NEC 20WMGX2 has the advantage of having lots of multimedia inputs.

Something that does concern me with the NEC is Backlight Bleeding. Many owners have complained of this-is it really going to be a major issue? Also what sort of tests or calibration should I do upon receipt of the NEC? (Exactly what is colour calibration, and how can one do it?)

I'm not convinced that the backlight bleeding is more prevalent in the NEC than other models. But yes, you may get it, and it may bother you (you will only know if you try it). There's no guarantee that one monitor will have less backlight bleeding than the other. Calibration will not fix backlight bleeding, but it can help adjust the perceived contrast between colors on the screen. The idea is that you want your monitor to display the darkest black and brightest white while maintaining an even grayscale.

 

[Kalessian]

I just ordered this when I saw it for $199.95 after $55.00 MIR. Can't wait to get it.

I would buy another if I could afford it