LCD Buyer's Guide

[niggles]

so ages back there was the whole thing about DRM issues with the new monitors. XTKnight pointed out that it is "Image Constraint Token" that will stop one from watching this media but the rules won't be turned on for a couple of years. I recall that there was this thing that the hardware on the monitor would have to have some kind of internal serial number along with the GPU and that is what the Image Constraint Token would verify against. What I am wondering is are the monitors that are coming out now being released with these embeded serial numbers or are we all going to have to go out and buy new monitors if we want to download legit movies?

 

[AMDZen]

A question about the guide if someone can help.

I'm looking for an LCD panel for my sister for Christmas. The guide lists some "Photo Editing" recommendations, but says right after that "nonprofessional photo editing". Well what about professional photo editing? What recommendations should I look at? Maybe the publishing panels?

 

[Mystiqq]

Im just curious about this whole Dell lottery. I dont understand how they can even do what they are doing right now. Selling displays and switching panels, the most important part of the whole display, at random and the consumer has absolutely no way of knowing they are going to get. Im amazing if it doesnt break some (consumer related) laws or regulations.

Ive also been looking for a decent LCD that i might invest my money to and its clear that S-IPS is the way to go. Especially since it would be used for graphics use but also suitable for other things like watching videos and such, but with clear emphasis on graphics editing and 3d modeling. Theres very few alternatives, and less since i dont live in or near USA.

Lately ive been thinking of HP LP2065 that has S-IPS and doesnt cost billions, price ranging aroundfrom 450? to 470?. Comparing the everyones favorite NEC 20WGX2 (non-"M" version) which is 600? or more.

Anyone know newer S-IPS type displays, or better, that preferably costs 500? or less?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: AMDZen
A question about the guide if someone can help.

I'm looking for an LCD panel for my sister for Christmas. The guide lists some "Photo Editing" recommendations, but says right after that "nonprofessional photo editing". Well what about professional photo editing? What recommendations should I look at? Maybe the publishing panels?

There isn't enough information out there for me to make a reliable recommendation for professional photo editing. I do know that the Eizo ColorEdge and NEC SpectraView series are decent for photo editing, but I'm not sure which of them is best.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Bonesdad
It's the very reason I chose not to consider the Dell. If I knew I would have gotten the IPS panel, I would have chosen it for sure. I took the 2025 instead of getting a sloppy PVA panel from Dell. I personally would have been very unhappy to have to return a monitor I just got. Anyway, I hope I will be happy with the 2025, just coming off an 8 year old 19" CRT, the LCD will seem "dreamy" to me.

edit: IF I get it...this is confirmed in an email I got today from Viewsonic:

the VX2025WM is a discontinuted model.

so maybe u want to put the Dell back on the list...

I'll leave the VX up until it's completely out of the market. I am not putting the Dell back up because of the PVA issues.

Originally posted by: Baloonsquad
Are there any standard aspect ratio monitors above 19" that you would highly reccomend for mostly gaming, but also typical websurfing and application use?

I'm not aware of any that are below 20 ms. in actuality, but the HP LP2065 is very close.

Edit: Also, is there any particular reason why only 19" are on the main list of reccomended monitors under gaming? Is there something I should know about that, like do they just happen to be of particularly good quality or something?

19" screens have the biggest dot pitch of current sizes, and thus the fastest response time. They are smaller and tend to have less input lag too.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Baloonsquad
I'm still having trouble making a decision on what kind of monitor to go after here. Picking CRTs was so much easier! I'm getting the impression that I either have to sacrifice alot in one area to have a monitor that's decent in another area, or keep mailing Dell monitors back until I finally get one that doesn't have a bargain basement panel.

I do game alot, but I also do homework and read forums quite a bit, so I guess not only is a decent response time important to me, but also crisp, readable text and good picture quality. I'm wary about getting a widescreen monitor, because I don't really want to have to deal with games that don't support it, or don't support it well.

What kind of monitor should I even be looking for? Any suggestions of particular models and why would be appreciated. I'd really like to try out an LCD monitor this time around, but I'm not really sure what to go for.

Like for example: the HP LP2065 looks like a nice huge screen with a high native resolution, and it seems to have that S-IPS panel that everyone says made the one particular type of Dell 2007FWPs so good, although, it says it has 8ms to 16ms response time depending on where you look, does that really make it so bad for gaming? I was under the impression that <20ms was acceptable in that regard, but its not even listed under Gaming or Multimedia use on the original post.

The HP LP2065 doesn't reach under 20 ms. measured (it's a 20" S-IPS), but it still may be perfectly acceptable for some people for gaming. I would say the ViewSonic VX2025WM (if you can find one) and LG L204WT are good choices for gaming/general usage.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: niggles
so ages back there was the whole thing about DRM issues with the new monitors. XTKnight pointed out that it is "Image Constraint Token" that will stop one from watching this media but the rules won't be turned on for a couple of years. I recall that there was this thing that the hardware on the monitor would have to have some kind of internal serial number along with the GPU and that is what the Image Constraint Token would verify against. What I am wondering is are the monitors that are coming out now being released with these embeded serial numbers or are we all going to have to go out and buy new monitors if we want to download legit movies?

You are speaking of HDCP. It is described in the OP. Monitors that support HDCP will be able to play Blu-Ray/HD-DVD/HDCP-encrypted content, while those that don't won't be able to (over DVI). You can play them full-res over VGA (and without HDCP) until the ICT is implemented (few years yet for most content producers).

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Mystiqq
Im just curious about this whole Dell lottery. I dont understand how they can even do what they are doing right now. Selling displays and switching panels, the most important part of the whole display, at random and the consumer has absolutely no way of knowing they are going to get. Im amazing if it doesnt break some (consumer related) laws or regulations.

Ive also been looking for a decent LCD that i might invest my money to and its clear that S-IPS is the way to go. Especially since it would be used for graphics use but also suitable for other things like watching videos and such, but with clear emphasis on graphics editing and 3d modeling. Theres very few alternatives, and less since i dont live in or near USA.

Lately ive been thinking of HP LP2065 that has S-IPS and doesnt cost billions, price ranging aroundfrom 450? to 470?. Comparing the everyones favorite NEC 20WGX2 (non-"M" version) which is 600? or more.

Anyone know newer S-IPS type displays, or better, that preferably costs 500? or less?

The NEC LCD2070NX perhaps? I am not sure of exchange rates. The HP LP2065 contains a newer panel than the 2070NX, and it's as new as you can get for the normal aspect 20".

 

[BassBomb]

Did the 20WMGX2 ever have a different panel? I see Bestbuy lists it as a 16ms response time,

From what I know this monitor has HDCP is that true?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
Did the 20WMGX2 ever have a different panel? I see Bestbuy lists it as a 16ms response time,

From what I know this monitor has HDCP is that true?

Nope, the 20WMGX2 has always used an AS-IPS and very likely always will.

It actually has a 6 ms. response time (g2g). I'm sure it is just a typo.

Yes, the 20WMGX2 does support HDCP.

 

[jaz50y]

I got the Gateway FPD2485W at Best Buy ($30 off for quoting J&R's price). Only problem so far is that Quake Online now runs really slowly. I have a Radeon 9600 in a Dell 8100 rechipped to 2.6ghz. Any suggestions?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: jaz50y
I got the Gateway FPD2485W at Best Buy ($30 off for quoting J&R's price). Only problem so far is that Quake Online now runs really slowly. I have a Radeon 9600 in a Dell 8100 rechipped to 2.6ghz. Any suggestions?

Quake 4 online? Unfortunately a Radeon 9600 will struggle at 1920x1200 (the FPD2485W's native resolution). I believe the FPD2485W has 1:1 pixel mapping, meaning it can center a smaller resolution into its native one, making your video card render far less pixels. The image will be surrounded by black/non-drawing area though. Smart choice on the Gateway BTW, I am just looking for a few more reviews before I recommend it wide-scale. It looks like a great value. You may want to upgrade your card (you will unfortunately have to upgrade your mobo too to support the PCI Express x8/x16 bus).

 

[jaz50y]

edit: as strage as it sounds: Quake 1 online. What can I say its a classic! The only resolution that will cover the entire screen is 400x640 - processor wise this should be a snap, however I can only eek out about 58 FPS, no matter which resolution used: including those that become surrounded, as you mentioned, by the black negative space. 58 FPS I've found is totally unplayable.
Thanks!

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: jaz50y
edit: as strage as it sounds: Quake 1 online. What can I say its a classic! The only resolution that will cover the entire screen is 400x640 - processor wise this should be a snap, however I can only eek out about 58 FPS, no matter which resolution used: including those that become surrounded, as you mentioned, by the black negative space. 58 FPS I've found is totally unplayable.
Thanks!

Hmm. Well, have you tried using one of the various varieties (redundant redundancy) of Quake 1 (like GLQuake, FuhQuake, Tenebrae, etc...)? They implement newer game engines that may be able to support higher resolutions better. GLQuake is actually still quite old however. What exactly is happening? What Quake variety are you using now (software, GLQuake, ..?), what resolution are you requesting, and what is appearing?

That reminds me, I've got to try Tenebrae sometime at 1680x1050. Ahh the memories, which for me date back to no earlier than Quake 2, but I'm still in love with Quake.

 

[jaz50y]

lol = good call. i got 1800 fps with glpro! haha
ahh... now i'll have to rewrite my config but hey... 1.8k fps ... time to gib

 

[Mystiqq]

I spent a good hour and half, at least, session with LCD sites and forums yesterday which i do every once in a while to keep up whats new. I came a cross one person who had to choose between NEC LCD2070NX and HP LP2065. In the end it took the HP since the NEC seems to have some noise issues and has older panel, but he recommended both.

Personally the HP seems quite attractive and i know it wont probably be the best of the best.

Main thing is that im not in a huge hurry to buy a LCD but im constantly looking to see if theres something thats really worth it. I have pretty decent 19" CRT with diamontron tube which is pretty awesome and probably will be my "gaming monitor" for a long time.

Anyone know if there will be any new LCDs around the corner? Something with the AS-IPS panel perhaps?

Also seems to be good idea to remind people who dont live in the USA that the NEC 20WMGX2 is USA only. So no DHCP for non-US... :/

BTW. anyone know any czech? Found this pretty decent looking review but reading it is another thing.
http://www.svethardware.cz/art_doc-C6AA8C2A40181EACC125719E005B3561.html

 

[zizo]

I'm thinking of upgrading my 19" CRT and just found this monitor(Acer AL2616Wd ). Seems to be a good deal, but I don't know about acer. What do you guys think?

 

[Jodiuh]

Guy on Hardforum just got his 3rd PVA via Dell...

 

[mike3uz]

It's either the 2007WFP (S-IPS version) or the 20WMGX2. I like the 20WMGX2 but dont like the persistence problem. The Dell is nice and affordable but the S-IPS one is the one to get but I cant be guaranteed one.

 

[Ataneruo]

It seems that more and more people are getting PVA and not IPS in their new 2007WFP panels from Dell. I'm not sure how much of a lottery this is anymore. I am now inclined to believe that if you buy a Dell 2007WFP, expect a PVA, and if you want an IPS, don't order the Dell.

 

[Jodiuh]

So what other option is there for someone that wants a non glossy S-IPS?

 

[tornadog]

any opinions on the Soyo 19" DYLM 1998 LCD, 8 ms, 600:1, black?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Mystiqq
I spent a good hour and half, at least, session with LCD sites and forums yesterday which i do every once in a while to keep up whats new. I came a cross one person who had to choose between NEC LCD2070NX and HP LP2065. In the end it took the HP since the NEC seems to have some noise issues and has older panel, but he recommended both.

Personally the HP seems quite attractive and i know it wont probably be the best of the best.

Main thing is that im not in a huge hurry to buy a LCD but im constantly looking to see if theres something thats really worth it. I have pretty decent 19" CRT with diamontron tube which is pretty awesome and probably will be my "gaming monitor" for a long time.

Anyone know if there will be any new LCDs around the corner? Something with the AS-IPS panel perhaps?

Also seems to be good idea to remind people who dont live in the USA that the NEC 20WMGX2 is USA only. So no DHCP for non-US... :/

BTW. anyone know any czech? Found this pretty decent looking review but reading it is another thing.
http://www.svethardware.cz/art_doc-C6AA8C2A40181EACC125719E005B3561.html

I don't know of any more AS-IPS (or new S-IPS) panels coming out. In which areas are you looking for improvement over current S-IPS panels?

Response of >25 ms doesn't look too good for multimedia use. I'm pretty sure the Dell 2007FP (same panel) isn't that bad.

Thanks. I will note the NEC thing.

Edit: sorry. didn't catch it, but I assume you are not in the US?

Originally posted by: mike3uz
It's either the 2007WFP (S-IPS version) or the 20WMGX2. I like the 20WMGX2 but dont like the persistence problem. The Dell is nice and affordable but the S-IPS one is the one to get but I cant be guaranteed one.

Are you talking about the guy on Newegg reviews who spoke of it? That is the first time I've heard of an image persistence problem with the 20WMGX2. He may have gotten a bad batch. I leave stuff up for hours and have no issue.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Jodiuh
So what other option is there for someone that wants a non glossy S-IPS?

Not much else. Dell is still switching panels in their 2007FP (non-widescreen) too.

Originally posted by: tornadog
any opinions on the Soyo 19" DYLM 1998 LCD, 8 ms, 600:1, black?

Nope, I have heard nothing of it. Is there a reason you're considering it over other 19" value models?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: zizo
I'm thinking of upgrading my 19" CRT and just found this monitor(Acer AL2616Wd ). Seems to be a good deal, but I don't know about acer. What do you guys think?

Interesting, although I know nothing about it. Wait for reviews before purchasing it, or look into the 24" BenQ FP241W.