[Retired] The LCD Thread

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: QuantumPion
Now that Sony has come out with a micro laptop using an LED backlit LCD, how long until we see desktop 20-24" LED LCD's?

Counting out the extremely expensive ones ($2000+), probably at least a year from now, still. At least until all the kinks are worked out.

 

[continuum]

Samsung's XL20 and NEC have had a few LED-backlit 20" LCDs for over 6 months now, but the price is... scary.

 

[hindereduseless]

None of the "Hardcore" gaming monitors are over 20". Are there any 24" that will match this kind of performance. Ive been looking at This Link, in particular. Any help is appreciated.

 

[kreidel]

I want to run some games that I have 1:1 so I don't stretch it. Does the game determine if it can run like that or is it my monitor? I remember doing something like that, maybe I ran the game windowed with my HP L2335 but I own a Dell 2007FPW now. Any ideas?

 

[Aversion]

Originally posted by: hindereduseless
None of the "Hardcore" gaming monitors are over 20". Are there any 24" that will match this kind of performance. Ive been looking at This Link, in particular. Any help is appreciated.

I have no idea how good it is but the 24" BenQ FP241VW is supposed to be 'the ultimate gaming monitor'...

 

[DRavisher]

Just a general question about S-IPS improvements over the years. I've currently got a HP F2304 23" 8-bit S(?)-IPS (LG.Philips, if memory serves), which I believe was released in 1H 2004. Has the black level/contrast of S-IPS panels improved much over the 2-3 years since this monitor was released? I'm wondering weather I should wait for the comming 30" panel from LG.Philips with dynamic contrast, which from what I can gather works pretty well for movies (any comments on that?), or just go ahead and buy the 3007WFP-HC or the HP LP3065. I certainly wouldn't mind a bit better blacks, but if they have been steadily improving over the years I think I'd be pretty happy with the current generation of panels, even without dynamic contrast.

Thanks for any input

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: hindereduseless
None of the "Hardcore" gaming monitors are over 20". Are there any 24" that will match this kind of performance. Ive been looking at This Link, in particular. Any help is appreciated.

The Samsung 244t is probably slower than the BenQ FP241W or Dell 2407WFP for the same price, so I don't really recommend it. It doesn't really stand out. No, there are no 24" LCDs that match the performance of those (<21") listed in the hardcore gaming section.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: kreidel
I want to run some games that I have 1:1 so I don't stretch it. Does the game determine if it can run like that or is it my monitor?

I remember doing something like that, maybe I ran the game windowed with my HP L2335 but I own a Dell 2007FPW now. Any ideas?

Technically, it could be either, but I haven't seen too many games that do it.

The graphics card or monitor can determine it. Please read the OP section on "Native Resolution" for more info.

Yes, running windowed is another option too.

Originally posted by: Aversion

Originally posted by: hindereduseless
None of the "Hardcore" gaming monitors are over 20". Are there any 24" that will match this kind of performance. Ive been looking at This Link, in particular. Any help is appreciated.

I have no idea how good it is but the 24" BenQ FP241VW is supposed to be 'the ultimate gaming monitor'...

The VW version actually has exceedingly large amounts of input lag.

http://www.digitalversus.com/d...&mo2=141&p2=1562&ph=12

The original (FP241W) is a little better. The Dell 2407WFP is better yet in input lag but its uniformity or grayscale reproduction isn't as good.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: DRavisher
Just a general question about S-IPS improvements over the years. I've currently got a HP F2304 23" 8-bit S(?)-IPS (LG.Philips, if memory serves), which I believe was released in 1H 2004. Has the black level/contrast of S-IPS panels improved much over the 2-3 years since this monitor was released?

Not much. The AS-IPS and IPS Pro panels implemented in the NEC 20WMGX2 and bigger IPS TVs use improved technology, but there isn't much if any improvement in the 23" area.

I'm wondering weather I should wait for the comming 30" panel from LG.Philips with dynamic contrast, which from what I can gather works pretty well for movies (any comments on that?), or just go ahead and buy the 3007WFP-HC or the HP LP3065. I certainly wouldn't mind a bit better blacks, but if they have been steadily improving over the years I think I'd be pretty happy with the current generation of panels, even without dynamic contrast.

Thanks for any input

I don't like dynamic contrast that much. I generally leave it off.

I wouldn't expect improved black levels (less light leaking), if I were you. But the 30" S-IPS panels are still beautiful wonders of LCD tech. They are probably brighter than your 23", thus perhaps higher contrast. Your eyes judge the level of black by an image's surrounding elements, so although technically the black level hasn't improved any, your eyes will think it has. On a totally black screen however, there will still be quite a bit of backlight bleeding (0.20-0.30 nits at least) relative to a CRT or plasma. At this point a 30" S-IPS is a wise investment and I'm considering adding one or two to the recommendations. I haven't for awhile because I expected controls and resolution scaling features to improve over time, but they haven't. Connectivity is often sacrificed for the same reason (they can't make DSPs that support WQXGA yet). They are still great LCDs for the features they do have.

 

[kreidel]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Yes, running windowed is another option too.

Can every game be run in windowed mode?

 

[bryanvlo]

Originally posted by: kreidel

Originally posted by: xtknight

Yes, running windowed is another option too.

Can every game be run in windowed mode?

No, not every game has that option.

 

[lowboyee]

Anyone got any suggestions on a SXGA+ or WSXGA+ notebook based on screen quality? No notebook forum seems to care about the quality of the screen when making suggestions.

I'm going to be getting a decent monitor for at-the-desk work, but since I travel and also since I do design and photography, I'd like a laptop with a decent screen.

If only IBM/Lenovo had a Flexview in a current model and widescreen. Le sigh...

 

[anders128]

I'm looking for a poker and gaming monitor. It has to have a resolution of at least 1600x1200 so I can multitable poker. I've been looking at the Dell 2007FP, Samsung 204b and Sony SDM-S205F. Which one is best of these? Any other tips?

 

[JPHILL]

I got a LG l226wtq two days ago and according to the service manual it has CMO panel and settings for LPL and CPL. when i change between them it makes no difference. the firmware is version 1.14 and the service manual says date of 03/2007 and the date of manufacture is june 2007. if you all want i can ran tests on it and confirm if the problems have been fixed and you can send me links were i can download test software and process. Let me know if you need any other info from it and can confirm any problems or points?

Thanks in advance

 

[JPHILL]

I got a LG l226wtq two days ago and according to the service manual it has CMO panel and settings for LPL and CPL. when i change between them it makes no difference. the firmware is version 1.14 and the service manual says date of 03/2007 and the date of manufacture is june 2007. if you all want i can ran tests on it and confirm if the problems have been fixed and you can send me links were i can download test software and process. Let me know if you need any other info from it and can confirm any problems or points?

Thanks in advance

 

[JPHILL]

I got a LG l226wtq two days ago and according to the service manual it has CMO panel and settings for LPL and CPL. when i change between them it makes no difference. the firmware is version 1.14 and the service manual says date of 03/2007 and the date of manufacture is june 2007. if you all want i can ran tests on it and confirm if the problems have been fixed and you can send me links were i can download test software and process. Let me know if you need any other info from it and can confirm any problems or points?

Thanks in advance

 

[Skott]

I picked up a LG L226WTQBF on Monday evening from Circuit City. I havent had time to get it out of the box yet to see how it is. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Bonesdad]

Just to let everyone know, the Acer AL2051W is now $189.99 + shipping at Newegg! It was $199.99 last week. This seems to me to be a heckuva deal.

dam...price is back up to $199.99...musta been a 1 day thing. I checked my order, still in at $189.99

 

[paulney]

I'm looking at getting a decent monitor for home use. Either 22 or better 24 inch (wide, not a square one).
Dell currently has Samsung Syncmaster 245BW for $479 and the famous Dell 2407 for $679.
Is the difference between the two really worth $200?

Am I better off just buying some 22" monitor (because of the same resolution on a bigger real estate)?
Which 22" would you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[Fecal]

Need some recommendations on a LCD monitor. (I currently use a 17 inch CRT)

My uses for this monitor are:

1) Primarily audio/music editing. (SoundForge, Reason, FruityLoops)
2) Basic Desktop Publishing (Making PDF's and user documentation and photo/graphics editing creation)
3) JAVA, FLASH, C++ programming.
4) Occasional video editing.

Don't watch movies on it, or play many games.....

Looking in the 19-22" monitor range with a budget of around $500.

Thank You

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: lowboyee
Anyone got any suggestions on a SXGA+ or WSXGA+ notebook based on screen quality? No notebook forum seems to care about the quality of the screen when making suggestions.

I'm going to be getting a decent monitor for at-the-desk work, but since I travel and also since I do design and photography, I'd like a laptop with a decent screen.

If only IBM/Lenovo had a Flexview in a current model and widescreen. Le sigh...

Hmm..sorry, I don't know much about laptop LCDs. I knew IBM had some IPS ones in some of their Thinkpads, but that's about it. Laptop LCDs are almost never tested, although AnandTech had one small round-up ending in disappointing results.

Originally posted by: anders128
I'm looking for a poker and gaming monitor. It has to have a resolution of at least 1600x1200 so I can multitable poker. I've been looking at the Dell 2007FP, Samsung 204b and Sony SDM-S205F. Which one is best of these? Any other tips?

The SDM-S205F sounds like a steal if that's available where you live. 20.1" S-IPS!

Otherwise, I would go for the Dell 2007FP. You have a chance of getting an S-IPS panel, and the S-PVA one is probably better than the 204B. The LP2065 is another possibility (S-IPS or AMVA).

Originally posted by: JPHILL
I got a LG l226wtq two days ago and according to the service manual it has CMO panel and settings for LPL and CPL. when i change between them it makes no difference. the firmware is version 1.14 and the service manual says date of 03/2007 and the date of manufacture is june 2007. if you all want i can ran tests on it and confirm if the problems have been fixed and you can send me links were i can download test software and process. Let me know if you need any other info from it and can confirm any problems or points?

Thanks in advance

Welcome to the forums. You should probably visit this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2038000&enterthread=y

Originally posted by: Bonesdad
Just to let everyone know, the Acer AL2051W is now $189.99 + shipping at Newegg! It was $199.99 last week. This seems to me to be a heckuva deal.

dam...price is back up to $199.99...musta been a 1 day thing. I checked my order, still in at $189.99

Great deal indeed. I've had it at the top of the OP for awhile.

Originally posted by: paulney
I'm looking at getting a decent monitor for home use. Either 22 or better 24 inch (wide, not a square one).
Dell currently has Samsung Syncmaster 245BW for $479 and the famous Dell 2407 for $679.
Is the difference between the two really worth $200?[/l]

Yes, it really is. That's like asking if a $20,000 Ferrari is worth it over a $18,000 Kia... (yes, horrible analogy, sorry, I'm not a car guy. )

Am I better off just buying some 22" monitor (because of the same resolution on a bigger real estate)?
Which 22" would you recommend?

Thanks.

I would get a 24" now. It's by far the "sweet spot" for price/performance.

Originally posted by: Fecal

Need some recommendations on a LCD monitor. (I currently use a 17 inch CRT)

My uses for this monitor are:

1) Primarily audio/music editing. (SoundForge, Reason, FruityLoops)
2) Basic Desktop Publishing (Making PDF's and user documentation and photo/graphics editing creation)
3) JAVA, FLASH, C++ programming.
4) Occasional video editing.

Don't watch movies on it, or play many games.....

Looking in the 19-22" monitor range with a budget of around $500.

Thank You

Well, I was going to suggest the Samsung 214T but it might make audio editing more difficult if the rather large amount of input lag affects you.

The L2000C is a secondary option. It sports an S-IPS panel, although it is 6-bit and has some banding it's probably better than your alternatives. http://www.sparco.com/cgi-bin/wfind2?spn=A63J482

The Philips 200W6CB is also a true 8-bit S-IPS panel. http://www.superwarehouse.com/...617990&CMP=KAC-Froogle

Here's a video on the Philips 200W6CB.

I'd get the L2000C if in doubt. It has some pretty good test results but I can't find much on the 200W6CB. It's probably more adjustable than the Philips, too.

It's hard to believe but there are no other LCDs around $500 I can think of that are worth it over similarly priced <$350 ones.

Edit: fixed disastrous quote formatting. sorry 'bout that.

 

[paulney]

Thank you, xtknight!

 

[Fecal]

Thank you very much for your recommendations.
Very much appreciated !

 

[BernardP]

Samsung 215TW is discontinued:

Confirmed by Samsung

and this retailer

 

[lowboyee]

Originally posted by: xtknight
Hmm..sorry, I don't know much about laptop LCDs. I knew IBM had some IPS ones in some of their Thinkpads, but that's about it. Laptop LCDs are almost never tested, although AnandTech had one small round-up ending in disappointing results.

The IPS was marketed as the Flexview, which was widely regarded as a great screen. It's a shame that it was only a 4:3 panel and they discontinued offering it in the last generation of laptops. It's a sad state of affairs in the laptop screen world...

In better news, I need a monitor for development, design, and photo editing. From what I've read (this guide and otherwise), I'm leaning towards the Samsung 215TW or NEC 20WMG, but the glossy screen on the NEC is somewhat worrying.