[Retired] The LCD Thread

[alkemyst]

I mentioned Colormunki Design. They are found for under $75 on ebay and I was recommended them by quite a few people. They don't talk to my NEC's LUTs and they are very basic. So if that's the calibrator you are looking at then you are short changing yourself.

You never mentioned your source for the prints so this is a bit why I am more critical. Everyone seems to want the best and in the end never really picks up all the pieces to make it work.

What is your workflow for this? Who is going to be the consumer? Sounds like you are just shopping specs and features and that's a bad way to go. The best is what you are looking to do with it.

I sometimes wonder if picking up the 2690WUXi would have been better with Windows 7 and browsers now handling wide gamut better. At the time I had the option to buy both at a $200 spread. I choose to stick to the more common gamut. Times change though....so I don't know if in the end I short changed myself doing this. If the 2690 offered more than 19x12 resolution that would have made it a no-brainer.

Right now it's hard to imagine I am looking at anything but a top-notch CRT with better anti-glare and text rendering properties. In the games I play (which is a minor use of my time and the latest is Call of Juarez I picked up for under $10) I have no performance issues. I don't see ghosting or other 'LCD' issues.

Movies look great, pictures look great, my screen to print looks great.

The U2711 looks very promising. Packing 25x14 resolution in a smaller package. I ran 1600x1200 on my 21". 1920x1200 on my 24" seems large to me. I could probably deal with 25x14 on my 24" sized screen and be happy while most would find that too tight esp those my age (39 this year).

I don't think the 30" NEC is worth it over the U2711 to probably 99% of those out there.

However, if you are truly going to do a full calibration and looking at doing major screen to print work the NEC's offer the ability to do hardware-level LUT calibration. That Dell doesn't as far as I know and that can lead to banding and other image issues.

The whole IPS thing is a marketing swing right now. The consumers have bought into it and the manufacturers are looking to reel them in.

 

[Leroy Brown]

I mentioned Colormunki Design. They are found for under $75 on ebay and I was recommended them by quite a few people. They don't talk to my NEC's LUTs and they are very basic. So if that's the calibrator you are looking at then you are short changing yourself.

You never mentioned your source for the prints so this is a bit why I am more critical. Everyone seems to want the best and in the end never really picks up all the pieces to make it work.

What is your workflow for this? Who is going to be the consumer? Sounds like you are just shopping specs and features and that's a bad way to go. The best is what you are looking to do with it.

I was referring to the "Colormunki Photo". The latest version. I know the X-rite i1 Extreme is better but a lot more expensive at $1800 CAD. Overkill for a photography hobbyist like myself. The Colormunki Photo is $560 CAD.

The source for my prints? They would be photos taken from my DSLR. So why I'll be buying the wide gamut monitor is mainly for photo editing (no gaming, watch bluray/dvd 1-2% of the time and other typical computing...this monitor will be used with my new Dell desktop as my "main computer").

How does one shop for a monitor without looking at the specs? Sort of unavoidable I think. But having said that of course we must also know what the intended purpose is.

 

[alkemyst]

Ahh I see you are just putting stuff together on paper now.

I'd try to test some of this gear in person.

 

[Leroy Brown]

Ahh I see you are just putting stuff together on paper now.

I'd try to test some of this gear in person.

No. I've known why I was looking for wide gamut monitors a while ago. I guess I just didn't make it clear on this thread.

As for testing the Dell or NEC...while I'd love to...I highly doubt any one has them sitting around for demo. And even if they did have maybe a NEC Spectra series I guessing it won't be calibrated. Plus, being hi-end monitors, I'd venture to bet that they are "order only". That most shops don't even stock them. Not even specialty computer or photography shops.

Besides, I'm sure i'd be happy with either the Dell or NEC. And would be safe just relying on reviews and comments from owners on threads like this. I was just wondering if any one thought the NEC Spectra would be/is significantly/noticeably better than the Dell U2711 (based on looking at the specs or on actual experience with both).

 

[darkG]

Anyone have suggestions for a 24 inch gaming monitor less than 200? I would prefer HP.

 

[alkemyst]

pretty much take what you can find at that price point in a TN panel offering whatever resolution you prefer...they'd all be pretty much the same.

 

[PUNKem733]

What are some thoughts on the I-Inc iH-282HPB?

It's only $249 on tiger direct.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0-_-tigeremail

No gaming just a lot of movie watching, and online surfing.

Thanks.

 

[zzmaster]

Hi all.... Im currently in a predicament. I have done my fair share of research and have arrived at the Dell 2311 ultra sharp monitor.

Now i really need some recommendations here as i know no one who has this and i cant view it in a store. Also if you guy have any monitors that would suite me please let me know....

Im going to be using this mostly to watch movies and hook my xbox up to. Was originally shooting for a 24" but cant get good quality at the price i want.


Also my budget for this is $300...

thank you in advance!


... hdmi is a plus

 

[alkemyst]

The I-Inc/Hanns-G monitors are good bang for buck...at $249 that 27.5" is a steal. People rant and rave about it so chances are it will be a great choice for you and most. I really believe too many put too much effort into getting the most 'accurate' displays and then don't even do screen to media calibrations anyway.

IRT Dell monitors. Call Dell and see if you have a local dealer in your area. Their LCDS are usually on display. I haven't checked recently but all our malls here had at least one Dell kiosk setup usually outside where the Apple store was.

 

[PUNKem733]

Thanks man, I figured for that price, and size, and it's a 1920 x 1200, it's a great deal.

 

[GullyFoyle]

What's the skinny on LED back-lighting vs. flourescent back-lighting? Which one is "better"?

My 19" Trinitron CRT is giving up the ghost. My main concern is gaming.

TigerDirect has the Viewsonic VX2250wm on sale for $179. How similar is this to the ViewSonic VX2260wm, which is listed as #9 on the recommended for gamers list at the beginning of this thread?

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Good luck as the 2007WFP is a damn good monitor.

I actually ended up receiving the U2311H on July 23rd, way before expected. I have been using it for the past 6 days and I definitely love it.

My first reaction of course was the typical 'not CRT-quality blacks' but apparently this monitor has some of the best blacks in this price range. I've gotten used to it now and it's only really apparent in a completely dark room. With regular lighting on, it looks pretty damn awesome. I'd totally recommend it to someone but I haven't really looked at the competition. (It's hard to find stores around here where you can do side-by-side comparisons with the stuff you're really interested in)

 

[zzmaster]

This is the same problem i have. Can't seem to pull the trigger on a monitor i havent seen. I want to know how this stacks up with the hp zr24w. Starting to warm up to that monitor. 24" ips panel for 355 is not bad at all.

 

[GullyFoyle]

Anyone here have personal experience with the ViewSonic VX2268WM, another 120Hz model, similar to the Samsung 2233RZ listed as the #1 pick in the Hardcore Gaming list in this thread?

Xbit labs has a review where they say it is the equal of the Samsung.
The difference is, the Viewsonic is actually in stock, available for purchase. $283 at buy.com, ATM.

Thanks!

 

[alkemyst]

xbit is pretty accurate IMHO when they say something like that.

I was under the impression that the 2233RZ had been discontinued, not just out of stock.

 

[GullyFoyle]

xbit is pretty accurate IMHO when they say something like that.

I was under the impression that the 2233RZ had been discontinued, not just out of stock.

I believe you are right about the 2233RZ. Yet strangely enough, the VX2268WM reportedly uses the same Samsung panel.

Well, besides the whole 120Hz thing, a number of factors lead to me ordering the VX2268WM today. The size is just right to fit in my existing desk hutch (20.5" wide space, monitor = 20.2"). The resolution is not much higher (1680x1050) than what I run currently (1280x1024), so perhaps a video card upgrade is not necessary ATM. And my 8800GT supports dual-link DVI.

Hopefully I can provide impressions next week!

 

[mphartzheim]

I'm debating whether I want to spend the money for an Apple Cinema Display (either a 24" now or the 27" when it comes out) or if I'd be happy with a Dell U2410 (which I admit is still quite expensive). I know both are very good displays, and to be honest I wouldn't even be using them for their true purpose... I'd be using them for gaming. (I'm not an enthusiast gamer, so I'm not too concerned with response time, I just want the best looking picture.)

The games I mostly play are Starcraft II and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

My current setup is 2x Sceptre 20.1" X20g Naga III's. They're decent monitors, but I recently played a couple rounds of MW2 on my Macbook Pro and the color and quality differences were astounding. The Apple display really popped.

What I want to do is go to a 24" (maybe larger, but I really think 24" will be large enough) main monitor and keep one of the Sceptre's as a second monitor.

With the ratings on the first page not being updated for awhile, have better choices come out since then? For my purposes, do you think I'm a fool to spend $550+ on a monitor when it'll be for gaming mostly? What recommendations would you make for a 24+" monitor with quality colors that would serve well for gaming?

(My goal is to, for once, buy a quality monitor that will last me a long time. Both of my Sceptre's have shoddy craftmanship and the DVI ports are loose. Bump the monitor and the screen goes green. You have to adjust the cable to get full color back.)

 

[alkemyst]

Depends on what you can afford really. It makes no sense to spend $200 if your budget is $500 nor blow your budget and spend $1000+.

Apple display popping is more than likely it's glossy surface. Unless you can A/B them side by side it's a hard call. Being an IPS over TN will give it some more color too.

I don't have any experience with the U2410. The beginning reviews weren't so great and I have heard bad results from banding when trying to calibrate some of the Dell monitors. For most calibration is a non-issue.

I went with a refurb NEC 2490 at the same time the 2410 came out. I am happy with my screen.

 

[mphartzheim]

The only cost I'm concerned about is paying for more than I need.

Reading this thread it also looks like I should consider the HP ZR24w.

The glossy aspect of the Apple display is actually something I don't like. Pretty much anywhere I can put my computer in my house will have a window at my back. Glossy just means I'll be fighting a glare 90% of the time.

The Apple displays are just extremely crisp and the colors really pop. I don't know if that's just because they are S-IPS panels rather than the TN I'm used to, or if the display that Apple builds is just that superior.

I've also read the horror stories that come along with both the U2410 and the ZR24w. I've not heard any horror stories of the Cinema Displays.

But, like I said, the cost concern I have is paying too much when I can get something that will be just as suitable for my unrefined palette as the more expensive option. I'm willing to spend the $800 for the 24" Cinema Display, but would rather spend the $400 for the ZR24w if it's going to be a high quality display.

Then again, if all 3 of these options are more than I really need (I just want my games to *look* good, tired of having high end computers with low end monitors), then I'll consider something less expensive (but still in the 24" and up range).

 

[C1]

Yep, the issue with buying an LCD without seeing/trying it first is potential for one or more annoying attributes such as dead/hot pixel(s), color cast, backlight bleed/non-uniformity, wake up from standby or some weird interaction issue with your particular system/video card (eg, doesnt scale 1080p correctly). And it seems that maybe 1 out of 10 HP monitor purchaser report ins experiences one of the aforementioned issues. No problem getting a ZR24w that'll piss you off.

Wondering if when buying a monitor (such as an HP) if it is just better to order it direct from the manufacturer. Usually the price is only slightly more (like $10), but there seems to be less chance of receiving an open box or something left over from a monitor swap deal or even poor shipping packaging as reported on Newegg more frequently than one would think/suspect.

 

[alkemyst]

The only cost I'm concerned about is paying for more than I need.

Reading this thread it also looks like I should consider the HP ZR24w.

The glossy aspect of the Apple display is actually something I don't like. Pretty much anywhere I can put my computer in my house will have a window at my back. Glossy just means I'll be fighting a glare 90% of the time.

The Apple displays are just extremely crisp and the colors really pop. I don't know if that's just because they are S-IPS panels rather than the TN I'm used to, or if the display that Apple builds is just that superior.

I've also read the horror stories that come along with both the U2410 and the ZR24w. I've not heard any horror stories of the Cinema Displays.

But, like I said, the cost concern I have is paying too much when I can get something that will be just as suitable for my unrefined palette as the more expensive option. I'm willing to spend the $800 for the 24" Cinema Display, but would rather spend the $400 for the ZR24w if it's going to be a high quality display.

Then again, if all 3 of these options are more than I really need (I just want my games to *look* good, tired of having high end computers with low end monitors), then I'll consider something less expensive (but still in the 24" and up range).

what do you have now? I don't get multiple rooms though for this need. A 24"+ monitor is going to sit somewhere in your house along with where you do it.

IPS > TN for color.

 

[mphartzheim]

I have two of these: http://www.sceptre.com/products/lcd/Specifications/spec_x20g_NagaIII.htm

I only mentioned the multiple rooms to state that I will have a window at my back where my computer is now (and anywhere I may move it in the future).

 

[palladium]

I just picked up a Dell U2711, just wondering if anyone here knows how to enable 10-bit output...? Do I really need a workstation vid card for that....?

 

[alkemyst]

It's enabled. The thing is your video card, the OS and video drivers have to support it. Most even argue that most 8 bit setups are a bit wasted in many things. What are you looking to accomplish or just concerned on specs?

 

[trueimage]

Can someone link me to the "best for gaming" list? I'm looking to get a new monitor for a new gaming build. I was thinking 1080p+ resolution... I haven't kept up so any recommendations will be great.

Budget is probably 400 ish i don't know