[Retired] The LCD Thread

[Blue Shift]

Hi, I'm also considering these monitors. LG has another one that's very similar: LG IPS236V-PN (basically the same as that 231P above).

Amazon has the E2370 right now for $231 - it's the highest on my list of considerations.

What I like/don't like:

- All of the LED backed monitors are edge-lit. From what I've read, the CCFL's actually give you a better color gamut, but will dim with age. Ugh.
- All of these are 6-bit IPS panels, not 8-bit.
- All or 1920x1080 and not 1920x1200

A few upcoming monitors:
- A U2311 replacement is coming out any week now. It will be LED lit vs. CCFL lit, so it will probably be just like the E2370/IP231/IP236/etc.
- A U2411 is coming out, but seems worse all around - worse color gamut, 1080px height, etc. Gotta love how technology is going backwards.

For me, the biggest problem with LCD's is the poor black levels. Am I better off going CCFL backlit or LED edge-lit?

Judging from pictures taken of the LED versions of monitors, it's very obvious that they're edge-lit, and they frequently have uneven lighting and backlight bleed issues. I have a TN panel that's seven or eight years old with only minor dimming of the CCFL backlight, so they seem to last a pretty long while. By the time it dims, you'll probably be in the market for a larger screen.

Unless heat, thickness, and power usage are very important to you, CCFL is probably the way to go if you can afford it.

 

[boozie]

Unless heat, thickness, and power usage are very important to you, CCFL is probably the way to go if you can afford it.

Isn't LED more expensive than CCFL???

I think I need to just go to a store and see them for myself, but I am having the same dilemma on whether or not I want LED or CCFL (for gaming mostly, just TN though not spending the big bucks).

I am also unsure as to whether or not a screen can be too big for me for gaming. I tend to sit pretty close to the monitor (just a bad habit). Like 18-24" away. I have no complaint on my old 5:4 19" LCD.

I was currently considering these monitors:

Newegg Monitor Comparison

Along with the ASUS VH238H which I couldn't fit there.

I'm not terribly fond of the border on any of the ASUS ones, but barring that I really need to decide if 24" is too big (also if 23" is too big) and LED vs LCD.

 

[drizek]

The U2311h uses very little power, about 30W or so when calibrated to 120cd brightness. CCFL isn't necessarily bad, although LED is more environmentally friendly.

 

[Blue Shift]

Hi, I'm also considering these monitors. LG has another one that's very similar: LG IPS236V-PN (basically the same as that 231P above).
...

For me, the biggest problem with LCD's is the poor black levels. Am I better off going CCFL backlit or LED edge-lit?

I just purchased a U2311H "new" (supposedly used for about 20 hours, all original packaging, not yet registered, no dead pixels) for about $250 after shipping via Ebay. I'll give you my impression of it once it arrives.



@Boozie: For TN panels, see http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ccfl-led-backlight,2930.html. As far as panel size goes, with your usage habits you're probably better off going with a display that has a smaller pixel pitch. A 23" 1920x1080 (or 24" 1920x1200) screen would probably suit you well. Also, we have some LED IPS panels linked on the previous page that are in the same price range as their TN counterparts. I think it's safe to say that even an edge-lit IPS panel is a better buy than a TN at the same price.

 

[dawp]

I have samsung syncmaster 191t+ that I want to upgrade and it been a looong time since I've looked at monitors and was wondering what are some good ones for around $200-300 in the 22-24 inch size I could check out. the samsung has served me well but I think it's time to replace it.use is mostly gaming, vids and surfing.

how is this one?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360134

 

[boozie]

I just bought it at newegg over the weekend it was $220 w/ a promo code. People will say to get IPS for $250+ but in reality a TN is still better if gaming is your priority. I haven't received the monitor yet, the only thing I am a little offput by is how the front screen is pronounced from the rest of the monitor.

I can't describe it much better than that but this picture might help: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageG...0LCD%20Monitor

I think the monitor performance will be a great match for gaming. Just be aware it doesn't have a DVI output and it doesn't come with an HDMI cable so you will need some extra accessories depending on your GPU.

 

[dawp]

that one at newegg seems to be slightly different than the microcenter one, they have somewhat different model #s. looks like the one at microcenter does have dvi input

 

[drizek]

Just go with the Dell U2311h (or the NEC version, whichever is cheaper).

It's a really great monitor. Over the years I've put up with so much crap with bad viewing angles, humming backlights, uneven lighting, etc. This one is just perfect and for around $250 it is an amazing value. I purchased two TN panels and they were boht just garbage. Manufacturers stuff them full of pointless features(like dynamic contrast, or excessively bright backlights, or artificially high response times) that just look good on a spec sheet but are in reality not only useless, but harmful.

Keep in mind that the Dell is slightly overdriven to get a faster response time than the NEC. It is better for gaming that way, and it is conservative, so I haven't ever noticed any artifacting with it. Good trade off IMO, and I think overall the Dell is better unless the NEC is more than $15 or so cheaper.

 

[drizek]

Here is the NEC for $240 at newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ons-_-24002578

It is a newer model than the one that I had looked at before. It uses LED backlighting instead of CCFL. Not sure if it is better, the same, or worse. Might want to read a review or two first to make sure. The old model was EA231WMi and this one is EA232WMi.

This review isn't completely positive about the changes, http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=showfull&id=1295618278

 

[dawp]

I was picking up the s24a350h by the time you posted your response. just go done swapping out my sons case that I pick up at the same time.

 

[Ramses]

Well two hours of reading about LCD's and I have a headache, lol.

Tell me something, if I buy a $200-ish TN LCD off the shelf at best buy or the like, such as
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+S...=1218293491009

or

http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...LED/#reviewTab

am I going to end up disappointed having used a 21" SUN/Trinatron CRT for the last decade? I love my 70lb heater, and my silly reason for finally buying an LCD is my "new" 5770 kicks it out of scan range booting linux, and linux, and occasionally windows (VNC in to re-set, it's goofy I know). I'm not annoyed enough to spend more than $200 or so and I'd really like to pick one up local this weekend, opinions?

Oh, my other requirement is the thing has to do letterbox with older lower resolutions, 1280x1024 for example. I see the viewsonic does, unknown on the acer though I'd hope so.

 

[alkemyst]

Chances are that Trinitron wasn't looking it's best. As far at TN, most people are really happy with them.

I run a NEC 2490WUXi, I had a Sony G500 21" I upgraded from, I had debated going FW900 and I am one of the few people that really have a desk big enough for it (my desk is 3' deep, had I gone dor the 24" CRT I would have made it 4' deep.)

I calibrated both the Trinitron and currently my LCD with an X-Rite Eye One display. I also did a lot of photowork for production at the time. Now it's more a hobby and in reality without any work from camera to print or screen things still look great.

The whole off-axis thing and the like is usually a wash as well. Most are sitting their happy ass right in front of it. Smaller screens are going to have more issues than just off-axis viewing if you are watching from across the room.

I have a TN on my ThinkPad T60 that's old tech. Still looks good but compared to a newer TN panel it's much less vibrant.

Personally head down to a Best Buy and check them out. If YOU are OK with it, let it be.

At the $200 price point most are neck and neck. HannsG/phree/etc offer a more bang for buck setup at times.

I have had hit or miss luck with Acers. I bought them for 300+ users based on price and features. A lot of times they were great, other times they really sucked (washed out, not so crisp focus, TERRIBLE speakers to the point you couldn't hear anything really...I don't get that approach most that are running powered outputs are going separates).

I'd definitely look at both in action.

 

[Ramses]

Yeah the Sun is showing it's age, finally. Though I still use it daily, money well spent this thing was. I appreciate the advice, I'll go window shop some this weekend. Leaning toward the S232HL Acer from aesthetics and specs and such online. At least it's cheap.

 

[Blue Shift]

I just received my U2311H a few days ago, and while I haven't had much time to test it yet, it seems to be a major side-grade from my current TN panel.

It definitely displays some colors better (reds, yellows, oranges), and extremely dark/light colors are more easily distinguishable from one another... But at the same time also has far worse black levels, the "IPS glow", and similar viewing angles.

There's definitely no noticeable IQ improvement while gaming. Then again, I've only spent about 15 minutes so far calibrating it. I'll have time to fool around with it a lot more next week, and will report back.

 

[Oric]

What is your recommendation for a > 1920x1200 lcd preferably 27" (budget is not an issue)

 

[drizek]

I just received my U2311H a few days ago, and while I haven't had much time to test it yet, it seems to be a major side-grade from my current TN panel.

It definitely displays some colors better (reds, yellows, oranges), and extremely dark/light colors are more easily distinguishable from one another... But at the same time also has far worse black levels, the "IPS glow", and similar viewing angles.

There's definitely no noticeable IQ improvement while gaming. Then again, I've only spent about 15 minutes so far calibrating it. I'll have time to fool around with it a lot more next week, and will report back.

You should turn down the brightness to 33% before calibrating anything else or assessing black levles. I find that the black levels are really good, and there is no back light bleed.

 

[alkemyst]

What is your recommendation for a > 1920x1200 lcd preferably 27" (budget is not an issue)

For what purpose? Everyone has a budget BTW

 

[Ramses]

Well I bought that 23" acer from BB out of as much apathy as anything. It's.... Ok. It isn't my old Sun, but it did let me boot Linux finally.

Sent from my Evo 4G

 

[Germonicus]

Going from a 21" (or is it 20.1"? I forget now tbh) NEC Multisync20WGX2 to a 24" BenQ G2420HDBL.I'll be using the NEC as secondary monitor.

Now I've been happy with most things on the NEC apart from a "cascade" of shadows (burn?) that's been creeping down and along from the very top right corner.It's not terrible but you can see where my MMORPG buff boxes are when I'm browsing etc.
Now this was NOT a cheap monitor (£450'ish back 5years ago or so) but I kinda expected more from NEC considering how much research and effort I put into choosing my monitor.

Sorry,rambling....Question is,should I spend a bit extra and get a "better" monitor than the BenQ as I did 5 years ago or is good enough for my MMORPG,surfing,movies etc?
Also,will I be able to use the 2 different size monitors for running games in SLI (WC'ed 2 x GTX580's)? Or keep my NEC running on my old system for surfing etc and just buy another BenQ to dual display games in SLI fullscreen?

 

[PUNKem733]

Well two hours of reading about LCD's and I have a headache, lol.

Tell me something, if I buy a $200-ish TN LCD off the shelf at best buy or the like, such as
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+S...=1218293491009

or

http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...LED/#reviewTab

am I going to end up disappointed having used a 21" SUN/Trinatron CRT for the last decade? I love my 70lb heater, and my silly reason for finally buying an LCD is my "new" 5770 kicks it out of scan range booting linux, and linux, and occasionally windows (VNC in to re-set, it's goofy I know). I'm not annoyed enough to spend more than $200 or so and I'd really like to pick one up local this weekend, opinions?

Oh, my other requirement is the thing has to do letterbox with older lower resolutions, 1280x1024 for example. I see the viewsonic does, unknown on the acer though I'd hope so.

Look into the Asus VW246. I'm still stunned at how good it looks after I calibrated it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236049

It's 199, but if you wait, they usually have them for around 179. I got mine at 169. I've had mine for about 7 months and use it 12-15 hours a day everyday, and it's still perfect.

 

[RobberBaron]

I am looking for a possible replacement for my planar PX2611W. Great monitor, still going strong, but 'slow' for the gaming I am doing.

Basically want a 1920x1200 with a low response time.

 

[cardshark828]

Can anyone vouch for the LG W2363D monitor for use a gaming monitor? I've decided I'm ready for a 3D monitor and that's the model I'm leaning towards right now. What makes it particularly attractive to me is how cheap it is compared to other 23 inch 3D monitors. Are there any negatives about this model that I should consider before buying it?

 

[WMD]

I just received my U2311H a few days ago, and while I haven't had much time to test it yet, it seems to be a major side-grade from my current TN panel.

It definitely displays some colors better (reds, yellows, oranges), and extremely dark/light colors are more easily distinguishable from one another... But at the same time also has far worse black levels, the "IPS glow", and similar viewing angles.

There's definitely no noticeable IQ improvement while gaming. Then again, I've only spent about 15 minutes so far calibrating it. I'll have time to fool around with it a lot more next week, and will report back.

On paper the U2311 is great. IPS, viewing angles, color accuracy, you name it. But I tested it in the store (defaulted all settings) and it actually looks worse than some other TN panels beside it. It also has a poor quality anti glare coating that makes the image grainy and dull. Like what you say the viewing angles are not great either. There is noticeable contrast lost viewing off center from the sides. I actually prefer the LG W2442PA TN panel for image quality even though vertical view angles are inferior.

 

[Setijoso]

Hello,
I have big issues of AOC 22inch LCD.
After 1 hour warm up time, it is starts to blurred/ghosting. If I wait 1 hour after switch off, it will blur/ghosting 10 minutes after switch on. I have tested the monitor with two different PC and laptop, but the problem still occurred the same way.
Could someone help me to solve the problem?

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/y91DOvikNEAPbU8lQKCbiA?feat=directlink

 

[danielajurcevice]

When it comes to 24" IPS monitors, I get the impression that the offerings are not increasing anymore.

There is the
Dell u2401
NEC
HP ZR24w
HP LP2475w

Is there anything new since the launch of those or is that market pretty much dead?