[Retired] The LCD Thread

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: sulanebouxi
I'm very tempted to get one of the open box models for the 20wmgx2. I never did like dealing with rebates...I just hope it doesn't die on me or something =/. I'm a bit hesitant too since I've heard some things about the screen being difficult to see in fairly well lit environments. I hate second guessing myself...

Why do you think it is open box?

Chances are it was returned because it has defects, probably dead pixels.

I would only buy open box from a B&M store with a bulletproof return policy.

 

[acegazda]

I had posted earlier about which 19" full screen monitor to get and had decided upon the NEC 90gx2. Unfortunatly, I didn't act quick enough and it went out of stock @ directron. Now, I am able to get a monitor at either best buy or circuit city with their cards. Should I go for the LG L1970HR or the LG L1960HT? (the latter is from bb and the former is from cc) or is there another one that I should get from either one of these retailers? neither carry the NEC anymore...

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: wittangamo

Just picked up a LG226WTQ for $280 at Best Buy. The sale price happened to coincide with a no sales-tax weekend here in VA.

So far so good, I'm still getting acquainted with it. But I can say that with xtknight's profile it looks gorgeous playing HD DVDs and HDTV.

I was all set to buy another Sammy until I stumbled on this thread and saw all the good feedback on the LG. Then I saw the price drop in the Sunday paper and raced for the door.

Keep up the good work.

Thats a great find! Congrats! Is yours a BF model or something else?

 

[wittangamo]

Originally posted by: Skott

Originally posted by: wittangamo

Just picked up a LG226WTQ for $280 at Best Buy. The sale price happened to coincide with a no sales-tax weekend here in VA.

So far so good, I'm still getting acquainted with it. But I can say that with xtknight's profile it looks gorgeous playing HD DVDs and HDTV.

I was all set to buy another Sammy until I stumbled on this thread and saw all the good feedback on the LG. Then I saw the price drop in the Sunday paper and raced for the door.

Keep up the good work.

Thats a great find! Congrats! Is yours a BF model or something else?

It is a LG226WTQ_BF. The Best Buy sale price is good through Oct. 13.

The first store I hit was sold out. The second had eight left.

The one I brought home has no dead pixels and is a real treat for these tired old eyes. I moved up from a Samsung 913t, a decent 19" 4:3 unit. The new LG is crisper, more vibrant, and a much better fit for the HD DVDs I watch and create on it.

It has the 1.14 firmware, so no ghosting. Passes the eyeball test, but I'm still trying to get the settings exactly right. xtknight's recommended settings are a big head start and a definite improvement over the defaults, but some of the online test screens don't look the way I expect them to. (Plus I need an excuse to play with the new display.)

Honestly the only drawback I see is the top-to-bottom brightness and color uniformity issues common to TN panels. But it's not a big deal for a casual multimedia or game monitor.

I'm delighted with it.

 

[oface]

I'm looking for a 20" not widescreen LCD. It will be used primarily for web development and coding/text reading. Right now at work I have a 2001fp, and I like it. I looked at your recommendations for the VP2030b, but it doesn't support HDCP. That isn't a deal breaker for me, but my monitor purchases seem to last a while, so I'd love to get HDCP if I can. Any suggestions? I'm willing to spend up to about $450. Thanks for all of the info!

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: acegazda
I had posted earlier about which 19" full screen monitor to get and had decided upon the NEC 90gx2. Unfortunatly, I didn't act quick enough and it went out of stock @ directron. Now, I am able to get a monitor at either best buy or circuit city with their cards. Should I go for the LG L1970HR or the LG L1960HT? (the latter is from bb and the former is from cc) or is there another one that I should get from either one of these retailers? neither carry the NEC anymore...

I am more confident recommending the L1970HR. Haven't really heard of the L1960HT.

Originally posted by: oface
I'm looking for a 20" not widescreen LCD. It will be used primarily for web development and coding/text reading. Right now at work I have a 2001fp, and I like it. I looked at your recommendations for the VP2030b, but it doesn't support HDCP. That isn't a deal breaker for me, but my monitor purchases seem to last a while, so I'd love to get HDCP if I can. Any suggestions? I'm willing to spend up to about $450. Thanks for all of the info!

Well, you've stumped me. The VP2030b, LP2065, 2007FP, and Planar PL2010M all lack HDCP.

The only ~20" monitor I can find that supports HDCP is the Samsung 214T. It's not so bad, but it doesn't have the best response time. And I'm only seeing it for ~$600.

Not that I think you're missing much. Make sure you know what HDCP is for and that you'll be using it before making it a factor. The Samsung 204B actually doesn't support HDCP, either.

 

[musicetime101]

Great post , it is helpful to me .

 

[Butterbean]

Originally posted by: Butterbean
Just for giggles I made a quick vid of issues using still cameras video function (Canon S3). You can see the backbleed and how sensitive to pressure it is on left. At end you can see stuck pixel. The monitor was at 50% brightness/contrast using Eizo tests blackout function.
The NEC's are great and my first one was perfect in every way. This one is a real stinker for backbleed (equal to any Dell I had) but I consider it just part of the random poo so much a part of trying to score a good monitor.

Vid
http://video.google.com/videop...id=2158141964693972540

I'm not pushing as hard as it looks in vid.

NEC sent me a second new monitor. The new one also had intense areas of backbleeding but it stabilised over a couple days(the first one didn't). I don't have any "stuck pixels" this time either but I do have some sort of mark in lower right corner. I'm guessing its a patch of dead pixels. I don't mine dead pixels scattered around but this mark shows up a enough so that its obstrusive if not critical to anything. Is this mark a dead pixel patch? Any idead how many it takes to make a mark that size?

here is pic of lower right corner:
http://img159.imageshack.us/my...image=img2291ersv6.jpg

 

[j0j081]

Originally posted by: Pithlit
Just ordered Acer X221Wsd. I hope I made a smart choice of taking it instead of 226BW [which is $250 now].

where is it $250?

 

[Caly]

My CRT went on strike. I'm thinking of replacing it with an LCD.

I do a lot of Photoshop/Digital Photography that eventually gets printed.
I do web graphics.
I do a lil 3D animation.

My main concern is reliable color.

I don't need a huge monitor, I sit close enough to it.
I'd really be happier spending less than $500.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Butterbean

Originally posted by: Butterbean
Just for giggles I made a quick vid of issues using still cameras video function (Canon S3). You can see the backbleed and how sensitive to pressure it is on left. At end you can see stuck pixel. The monitor was at 50% brightness/contrast using Eizo tests blackout function.
The NEC's are great and my first one was perfect in every way. This one is a real stinker for backbleed (equal to any Dell I had) but I consider it just part of the random poo so much a part of trying to score a good monitor.

Vid
http://video.google.com/videop...id=2158141964693972540

I'm not pushing as hard as it looks in vid.

NEC sent me a second new monitor. The new one also had intense areas of backbleeding but it stabilised over a couple days(the first one didn't). I don't have any "stuck pixels" this time either but I do have some sort of mark in lower right corner. I'm guessing its a patch of dead pixels. I don't mine dead pixels scattered around but this mark shows up a enough so that its obstrusive if not critical to anything. Is this mark a dead pixel patch? Any idead how many it takes to make a mark that size?

here is pic of lower right corner:
http://img159.imageshack.us/my...image=img2291ersv6.jpg

Doesn't look like a dead pixel to me. Probably a scratch or protrusion. Should be fair game for an exchange.

Originally posted by: Caly
My CRT went on strike. I'm thinking of replacing it with an LCD.

I do a lot of Photoshop/Digital Photography that eventually gets printed.
I do web graphics.
I do a lil 3D animation.

My main concern is reliable color.

I don't need a huge monitor, I sit close enough to it.
I'd really be happier spending less than $500.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

The NEC 20WMGX2 and HP LP2065 are some pretty good options.

I usually hate telling people this but you may want to wait. $500 is by no means unreasonable to expect a wide gamut monitor, and I can't help but think [a good] one will appear for about that price range in the near future, even if it's under 24".

Though, there's always something to wait for so the NEC (always AS-IPS) would be my first choice for you. The HP is a good secondary choice. You might end up with an AMVA or S-IPS w/ that one but it is full aspect. Keep in mind the NEC is glossy although personally I don't think it makes a difference for matching prints. I think a glossy screen is closer to paper, well, at least glossy paper.

 

[Pithlit]

j0j081:

frys.com and they give free printer AR

And I paid tax on my Acer , so $218 instead of 200.

 

[Caly]

Hmm thanks. I don't have a problem waiting a lil.
I don't usually do glossy photos, I'm quite fond of matte.

 

[dark2phoenix]

Do I wait or not?

I'm looking to trade up from a ultra-reliable P70 CRT from IBM. Have two of them for about 6 years and they are good. I've been really nervous about flat panels. I'm in the "Hardcore gaming" category. I'd like to go WideScreen since I play most games now in 1600x1200. I ordered a BenQ FP241WZ from Amazon on August 2nd after reading the information in this thread and some other sources. Today I got my 3rd automated "sorry for the delay, expected delivery +1 month." I've traded about 5 emails with Amazon.com (who I ordered it from) and can't get a straight answer about whether or not they will actually ever acquire any.

Is there a good 1600x1200+ widescreen hardcore gaming LCD in the class of FP241WZ in it's price range (~$800)? Should I continue to hold out hope to get this monitor for a month longer or get something else? I can't find FP241WZ's for sale anywhere in the USA except Amazon.

This will be my first LCD purchase (aside from laptops) so I'm really nervous.

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Got a VX2025vm for 200USD used

Anyone have colour profiles up for dl for it?

 

[FireChicken]

Originally posted by: dark2phoenix
Do I wait or not?

I'm looking to trade up from a ultra-reliable P70 CRT from IBM. Have two of them for about 6 years and they are good. I've been really nervous about flat panels. I'm in the "Hardcore gaming" category. I'd like to go WideScreen since I play most games now in 1600x1200. I ordered a BenQ FP241WZ from Amazon on August 2nd after reading the information in this thread and some other sources. Today I got my 3rd automated "sorry for the delay, expected delivery +1 month." I've traded about 5 emails with Amazon.com (who I ordered it from) and can't get a straight answer about whether or not they will actually ever acquire any.

Is there a good 1600x1200+ widescreen hardcore gaming LCD in the class of FP241WZ in it's price range (~$800)? Should I continue to hold out hope to get this monitor for a month longer or get something else? I can't find FP241WZ's for sale anywhere in the USA except Amazon.

This will be my first LCD purchase (aside from laptops) so I'm really nervous.

I also consider myself a hardcore gamer. I try and squeeze out every ms i can to get the best advantage i can. IMHO I would stick with an CRT. The benq you are looking at can have up to 2 frames of input lag. FP241WZ input lag
(in step3 scroll down to delay compared with CRT) plus the limitations on FPS have also drove me back to playing on a CRT. If the games you play are less than 60fps then you can find some LCD with very little input lag but I believe that they will all have some.

 

[imported_trajan]

Just a quick note on the BenQ FP241WZ. After much neurotic worrying I finally bought one, goaded in part by the rapidly degrading quality of my 5 year old CRT. But getting it was hard. This model is confirmed to be discontinued, and 6 of the 9 sellers I contacted, who had it listed, told me they were sold out.

Of the three remaining, one had 10 left and was selling them at a huge markup (~$950 US). Another was Amazon, which said it would take 3-5 weeks to ship. When I called them, they said they didn't actually have any, but if I ordered they would get one. (I doubt it.). The last place swore they have them and was luckily the lowest priced offering of the 10.

All this is to say... if you want one, go buy it right now, and be prepared to search around a lot. And this monitor should probably be delisted.


I'm hesitant to ask, given that I just paid for one, but does anyone have another/better suggestion for a 24-27" gaming screen? Something under $1000?

 

[Scalarscience]

(edit: updated this in a post below....)

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Caly
Hmm thanks. I don't have a problem waiting a lil.
I don't usually do glossy photos, I'm quite fond of matte.

Well, that opens up many more future options for you then (most new displays will be matte).

Originally posted by: dark2phoenix
Do I wait or not?

I'm looking to trade up from a ultra-reliable P70 CRT from IBM. Have two of them for about 6 years and they are good. I've been really nervous about flat panels. I'm in the "Hardcore gaming" category. I'd like to go WideScreen since I play most games now in 1600x1200. I ordered a BenQ FP241WZ from Amazon on August 2nd after reading the information in this thread and some other sources. Today I got my 3rd automated "sorry for the delay, expected delivery +1 month." I've traded about 5 emails with Amazon.com (who I ordered it from) and can't get a straight answer about whether or not they will actually ever acquire any.

Is there a good 1600x1200+ widescreen hardcore gaming LCD in the class of FP241WZ in it's price range (~$800)? Should I continue to hold out hope to get this monitor for a month longer or get something else? I can't find FP241WZ's for sale anywhere in the USA except Amazon.

This will be my first LCD purchase (aside from laptops) so I'm really nervous.

Give the BenQ FP241W (regular) a shot. Most people don't use the features of the Z anyway (60Hz+BFI=flickering). I think the Z is going out of stock. Unless 1:1 is important to you, I wouldn't bother trying to get the Z. Even some regular FP241Ws come with a firmware update so they support 1:1 display mode.

 

[xtknight]

Some good-sized changes for 3Q 2007 (long overdue, tbh):

- removed discontinued/unavailable monitors like L1952TX, AL2051W, FP241WZ, 940BF.
- new gaming monitors discovered/added.
- 226BW recommended: simply because it's better than the other panels even w/ the panel lottery. How the L226WT compares is debatable but it's hard to go wrong with a 226BW these days, esp. with the price. You can't worry about negligible differences.
- LP2065 re-recommended: many S-IPS panels are still going out, and the AMVA panel is better than other 20" monitors out there like older P-MVAs and TNs.
- There's still some work to do, extra verification and error corrections, filling in exact panel IDs, etc. Maybe expounding on A/S/C panel diffs. Groundwork is laid for now.

 

[imported_Filbert]

Question. Does anyone know off the top of their heads what kind of panel this Compaq LCD Monitor has?

My cousin bought one, and over paid for it judging by the Newegg price, and wondered.

 

[Skott]

xtknight,
Do you know anything about the Dell UltraSharp 1708FP 17 LCD? I got a special project that requires a 17" LCD for gaming and movies/multimedia. I'm wondering how it would be. Or do you know of a better 17" LCD for such use? Looking to keep it below $300 in cost. Adjustable stand is a plus and/or if the LCD detaches easily from stand a bigger plus but not totally crucial. Looking to be able to place the monitor in a gym locker. Yeah, I know it sounds funny but thats where its going to be secured in at night.

 

[rxblitzrx]

I have a question about "repolarizing" a laptop LCD. Does anyone know about this? and is it worth it? I'm getting a new Thinkpad and wanted to know how much of an improvement I could get by doing this.

 

[Skott]

From what little I know of it its rather expensive plus you have to send it in to be done. Most people just get a new lcd. How badly is yours scratched?

 

[Scalarscience]

Finally getting around to looking at spending some $ on a monitor (started this a month ago or so but have been busy). I was fairly convinced by xtknight's previous replies to get the Samsung 275t. However I had also considered the BenQ 24" WZ model that is now discontinued because of its better timings and better support for sRGB (photoshop etc have color correction for when I do CMYK of course, versus having to use color correction with the samsung to do sRGB as well). I see the PLANAR PX2611W as a relative option, and am curious how it compares for my needs which I'll restate:

primary use: Graphic design - print/CMYK+process color, web design, some 3D animation/tv work
secondary use: Audio production (hobby, and really anything would be suitable here I think at this size)
third use: gaming (I don't play every game but I am a diehard UT fan and UT3 is about to come out)

The Planar seems to fall between a 24" and the 27" samsung on dot pitch and I'm wondering how it compares otherwise? Any comments on the PLANAR PX2611W versus the SAMSUNG 275T for cmyk, sRGB and gaming?