LCD Buyer's Guide

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
After much consideration I realised that I wanted a 4:3, 1600x1200 screen. The problem is though that the NEC 20WGX2 is absolutely brilliant as a quality LCD and trying to find something that will even match it I assume wil be difficult. I've drawn up a shortlist of contenders below.

DELL
Dell UltraSharp 2007FP 20.1" 16 ms S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201U04)/8 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM201U1) panel.

NEC
MultiSync® LCD2070NX 16 ms S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201U04) panel

Philips
200P7ES/G 20" 14/8ms GTG S-IPS LG Philips (Unsure about exact specs)
200P6IS/G 20" 16 ms S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201U04) panel

Samsung
204T 20.1" 16 ms S-PVA (Samsung LTM201U1) panel

Viewsonic
VP2030b 20" 8 ms (g2g) P-MVA (AUO M201UN02 V5) panel

I realise that the NEC 20WGX2 panel is probably superior to most of these, and there is mix of different panels there. Nevertheless I would really appreciate your advice (particularly xtknight!) on which is the best. I have already budgeted for the models above and simply want the best screen of them; preferably similar in properties to the NEC 20WGX2.

Thanks!

The NEC LCD2070NX is actually eerily close to the NEC 20WMGX2 (no glossy screen though). That would be the easy choice right there. S-IPS, true 8-bit, wide viewing angles. It must have fallen in price quite a bit since last time I've heard of it. I'm going to put that for general usage and photo editing recommendations.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: xtknight
The NEC LCD2070NX is actually eerily close to the NEC 20WMGX2 (no glossy screen though). That would be the easy choice right there. S-IPS, true 8-bit, wide viewing angles. It must have fallen in price quite a bit since last time I've heard of it. I'm going to put that for general usage and photo editing recommendations.

Humm, I was just looking at that one and about to ask the same question. Thanks, xtnight.

 

[apr]

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
4:3 20" Replacement for NEC 20WGX2

NEC
MultiSync® LCD2070NX 16 ms S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201U04) panel

I realise that the NEC 20WGX2 panel is probably superior to most of these, and there is mix of different panels there. Nevertheless I would really appreciate your advice (particularly xtknight!) on which is the best. I have already budgeted for the models above and simply want the best screen of them; preferably similar in properties to the NEC 20WGX2.

Thanks!

I "reviewed" the 2070NX back on page 66 of this thread. In short, it has input lag (mouse pointer moves with slight delay as you move your mouse around) and shows tearing when using the zoom function (ie, when you're not using native 1:1 pixel mapping) in fast games, so I wouldn't recommend you switch. I'm personally still looking for something to replace my CRT with, after returning the 2070NX.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: apr

Originally posted by: ThanatosGOD
4:3 20" Replacement for NEC 20WGX2

NEC
MultiSync® LCD2070NX 16 ms S-IPS (LG.Philips LM201U04) panel

I realise that the NEC 20WGX2 panel is probably superior to most of these, and there is mix of different panels there. Nevertheless I would really appreciate your advice (particularly xtknight!) on which is the best. I have already budgeted for the models above and simply want the best screen of them; preferably similar in properties to the NEC 20WGX2.

Thanks!

I "reviewed" the 2070NX back on page 66 of this thread. In short, it has input lag (mouse pointer moves with slight delay as you move your mouse around) and shows tearing when using the zoom function (ie, when you're not using native 1:1 pixel mapping) in fast games, so I wouldn't recommend you switch. I'm personally still looking for something to replace my CRT with, after returning the 2070NX.

Well I already ordered the 2070NX, so I guess I'll let everyone know how it turned out. But if xtknight says the specs look good for gaming, I trust him.

 

[xtknight]

The LCD2070NX is slightly slower than a regular TN (~22ms) for gaming, but not too bad. It's tops in every other category. I'm not sure about anyone else but I'd gladly game on it. Just to be on the safe side I haven't put it under gaming yet, but several reviews have reported minimal ghosting. That doesn't mean what apr is saying is false but almost all LCDs (all the overdrive ones) have input lag to my knowledge. He didn't mention ghosting as a problem though.

As for apr you'd probably be happy with the NEC 20WMGX2 unless widescreen isn't your thing.

 

[Hexerott]

Well since there is no concrete 1st hand information out there on the Samsung 931BF, I decided I would go buy one and give it a test so I could give some feedback on it.

Initial thoughts:

1) Wow it is bright. Coming from a CRT (at home), the brightness is a shocker but cranking down the setting seems to be working just fine for me. It even seems brighter than the Dell LCD I have at work.

2) Just a FYI for potential buyers, there is no DVI-D cable in the box. You will need to get one if you want to connect in that fashion. Pretty common.

3) The color is amazing. Very crisp and clear. Pictures look great. Zero dead pixels. The blacks are darker than I expected. If the monitor is desk level, I do notice some darker black at top than at bottom but if the monitor is centered with my eye level it is completely uniform.

4) Video: There is a bit of ghosting on DVDs but not too bad. If you are looking for a DVD monitor, I would look elsewhere. I AM CURRENTLY running an analog hookup. I will be getting a DVI-D cable in the next couple of days.

5) Gaming: So far I have only tried America's Army on it. Started with a pretty generic test here as far as I am concerned. I will move up in games as I go forward in the next week or two. So far in the different arenas, I have seen no ghosting at all.

6) Viewing angle: Not too bad. When I surf the net, I usually sit off to the right side of the monitor and have no issue in reading/seeing everything. The angle seems very normal to me. Even compared to over 6 or so LCDs I use at work.

So far, overall, I am impressed with the monitor. For $269.00us I am feeling I got a fair deal.

I hope this helps someone out and will update as I get more used to the screen. If it continues to perform well, I will keep this monitor, if not, it will go back.

Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will answer what I can. If anyone has any programs they want me to run on it, let me know and I can give feedback.

 

[xtknight]

Hexerott: Thanks for the thoughts. Supposedly the 931BF has dynamic contrast. Have you enabled it, played with it, or noticed it? Is the ghosting you're seeing worse than the LCDs you have at work? Or are you talking about analog connection signal ghosting?

 

[DoctorM]

Nice review.

For future use though anyone checking for ghosting really should try PixPerAn http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/pixperan.html.

It's a bunch of synthetic tests but will show any weakness in even the fastest panels.

 

[Turin39789]

Any chance of getting a POOR($) prosumer photo editing/graphic design recommendation? I'm looking for a 17" for $200 - $300. I realize that I'm a little underbudget, and would actually like to be able to get a 19, but thats life. What are my best options, poor though they may be, in that range?



*currently eyeing the samsung 940bf, but im concerned thats more of a gaming monitor, while this pc will be using onboard graphics and mostly doing photoshop/quark/indesign etc

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Any chance of getting a POOR($) prosumer photo editing/graphic design recommendation? I'm looking for a 17" for $200 - $300. I realize that I'm a little underbudget, and would actually like to be able to get a 19, but thats life. What are my best options, poor though they may be, in that range?



*currently eyeing the samsung 940bf, but im concerned thats more of a gaming monitor, while this pc will be using onboard graphics and mostly doing photoshop/quark/indesign etc

Why don't you check out the ViewSonic VP930b. It's $305 but worth it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116365

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Any chance of getting a POOR($) prosumer photo editing/graphic design recommendation? I'm looking for a 17" for $200 - $300. I realize that I'm a little underbudget, and would actually like to be able to get a 19, but thats life. What are my best options, poor though they may be, in that range?



*currently eyeing the samsung 940bf, but im concerned thats more of a gaming monitor, while this pc will be using onboard graphics and mostly doing photoshop/quark/indesign etc

Why don't you check out the ViewSonic VP930b. It's $305 but worth it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116365

Would I be better with a 1280 x 1024 17 inch? When I first saw the recommendations at the start of the thread I cried becuase of the price, until I noticed that they were all for 20 inch monitors. I'm, willing to give up some screen real estate for quality, but if you think the v930b is what I should go for I'll try to work it into the budget

 

[samduhman]

Is something really wrong with Viewsonics VX2025 20" lcd or are people just dumb like me?

Here's what happened. I recieved my lcd back from their repair center (they repaired the OSD buttons) but they forgot to send back my digital cable. So I used the analog cable with a dvi adapter for a few days. A friend of mine had a spare digital cable so he gave it to me. I hooked it up and nothing, blank screen. I went through a number of troubleshooting attempts for about 5 minutes without any luck. Finally I dug down in the OSD options and there is a setting for digital or analog. I simply changed it to digital and waa laaa! I seriously thought the dvi was now bad on my lcd but it was a simple setting.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Would I be better with a 1280 x 1024 17 inch? When I first saw the recommendations at the start of the thread I cried becuase of the price, until I noticed that they were all for 20 inch monitors. I'm, willing to give up some screen real estate for quality, but if you think the v930b is what I should go for I'll try to work it into the budget

There aren't any affordable 17" P-MVA (high contrast) LCDs. The VP930b is a "cheap" P-MVA screen and these only come in 19". Unless you're bothered by the pixel size I think you're better off with 19" by far.

 

[zoolap]

Ok ... feeling stupid because i can't seem to find my earlier post in this thread...

I was asking about the dell 2007 fp (non-widescreen) for gaming/general use, but it's close to £500 here in UK, so I may have to be more humble... what do you think of the Dell Untrasharp 1907FP for the same sort of use - general (e.g. web word processing etc) and gaming)?

Thanks.

Zoolap

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: zoolap
Ok ... feeling stupid because i can't seem to find my earlier post in this thread...

I was asking about the dell 2007 fp (non-widescreen) for gaming/general use, but it's close to £500 here in UK, so I may have to be more humble... what do you think of the Dell Untrasharp 1907FP for the same sort of use - general (e.g. web word processing etc) and gaming)?

Thanks.

Zoolap

The search here is a little screwy. I'm not a fan of the 1907FP so how expensive is the ViewSonic VP930b? Samsung 940BF? BenQ FP93GX? ViewSonic VX922? That kinda thing.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: samduhman
Is something really wrong with Viewsonics VX2025 20" lcd or are people just dumb like me?

Here's what happened. I recieved my lcd back from their repair center (they repaired the OSD buttons) but they forgot to send back my digital cable. So I used the analog cable with a dvi adapter for a few days. A friend of mine had a spare digital cable so he gave it to me. I hooked it up and nothing, blank screen. I went through a number of troubleshooting attempts for about 5 minutes without any luck. Finally I dug down in the OSD options and there is a setting for digital or analog. I simply changed it to digital and waa laaa! I seriously thought the dvi was now bad on my lcd but it was a simple setting.

I don't know. I assume they know about the input controls. Why do I only hear it about this monitor? Perhaps it just has a different default?

 

[Talcite]

I got my 70GX2 today! It's great, Although my only complaint is I can't quite calibrate it correctly. Its also got a bright stuck pixel close to the top right hand side ='(

Does anyone know the proper numbers for the 70GX2 or the 90GX2? It was quite bright out of the box.

 

[Talcite]

On further analysis, they're dead pixels, not stuck ones T_T. Oh well. This one's my friend's, mine's coming in 3 or 4 days. Poor guy. What's NEC's dead pixel replacement policy? I have 3 dead pixels i think. 1 by itself, and another 2 bunched together...

 

[Tifosi248F1]

I've been going thru this topic for quite a while now trying to decide which LCD to get, and it has only served to make things more difficult, but in a good way. I'm looking for at least a 20" NON-widescreen mainly for Photoshop/Illustrator/Flash and video editing. I have a 19" CRT I won't part with for the simple reason that it's easier for gaming. From what I read, either the Samsung 204T or the NEC 2070NX would be my best options, unless I have misinterpreted everything. So with color reproduction and 20" 4x3 aspect being my major requirements, with response time being not super important, what monitors should I consider besides the NEC and Samsung, or are those 2 the best of the best for this sort of usage. Money isn't much of a factor, I don't need something dirt cheap but if I had the $ I'd be going for one of the more professional imaging monitors. Anything around $600 or under is what I'm looking at.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Talcite
On further analysis, they're dead pixels, not stuck ones T_T. Oh well. This one's my friend's, mine's coming in 3 or 4 days. Poor guy. What's NEC's dead pixel replacement policy? I have 3 dead pixels i think. 1 by itself, and another 2 bunched together...

http://www.behardware.com/articles/519-7/lcd-screens-dead-pixels.html

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Tifosi248F1
I've been going thru this topic for quite a while now trying to decide which LCD to get, and it has only served to make things more difficult, but in a good way. I'm looking for at least a 20" NON-widescreen mainly for Photoshop/Illustrator/Flash and video editing. I have a 19" CRT I won't part with for the simple reason that it's easier for gaming. From what I read, either the Samsung 204T or the NEC 2070NX would be my best options, unless I have misinterpreted everything. So with color reproduction and 20" 4x3 aspect being my major requirements, with response time being not super important, what monitors should I consider besides the NEC and Samsung, or are those 2 the best of the best for this sort of usage. Money isn't much of a factor, I don't need something dirt cheap but if I had the $ I'd be going for one of the more professional imaging monitors. Anything around $600 or under is what I'm looking at.

Those are the two I'd suggest, the NEC being slightly better for true color reproduction and viewing angle.

 

[Hexerott]

Originally posted by: xtknight
Hexerott: Thanks for the thoughts. Supposedly the 931BF has dynamic contrast. Have you enabled it, played with it, or noticed it? Is the ghosting you're seeing worse than the LCDs you have at work? Or are you talking about analog connection signal ghosting?

I got my digital video cable and hooked it up. The DVDs now do not show any ghosting. With the analog cable it was the same as the LCDs at work. With the digital cable, I see no ghosting.

I have not yet messed with the dynamic contrast as of yet. Hopefully in the next few days I have more time to go through more motions with the monitor.

I am more impressed now with the monitor than I was in my first post. I would get it for DVDs but I would ensure I had a digital cable from the get go. Too bad the stores I went to the other day didn't have cables in stock.

 

[Hexerott]

Originally posted by: DoctorM
Nice review.

For future use though anyone checking for ghosting really should try PixPerAn http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/pixperan.html.

It's a bunch of synthetic tests but will show any weakness in even the fastest panels.

I will run this program this evening and let you know what I see. I glanced at it so far.

Any stat you are particularly interest in?

Out of curiosity, what are the results for you favorite monitor? You can post these after I post mine or before... doesn't matter.

 

[Tifosi248F1]

Ah thanks for the response xt. Now if I could just find a brick & mortar to compare the monitors first hand. Great job on all this, thanks for putting in your time to make things easier for people.

 

[Low Radiation]

Can someone with experience compare response times of 2080uxi and 2070nx?
Thanx guys...