[Retired] The LCD Thread

[Yikes2000]

I read on HardForum that Frys Electronic B&M has NEC 20WMGX2 for $499 with $100 rebate (final cost, including CA tax, is $437.67). I went to my local Frys tonight to check it out. They confirmed the rebate, but that specific store doesn't have it in stock anymore as the model is being "discontinued". I could drive 60 miles to another Frys which still has it instock.

Hm.... is it worth it?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Yikes2000
I read on HardForum that Frys Electronic B&M has NEC 20WMGX2 for $499 with $100 rebate (final cost, including CA tax, is $437.67). I went to my local Frys tonight to check it out. They confirmed the rebate, but that specific store doesn't have it in stock anymore as the model is being "discontinued". I could drive 60 miles to another Frys which still has it instock.

Hm.... is it worth it?

I hope he means it's only discontinued at Fry's. It still seems to be widely available elsewhere.

But yes it's worth it, especially if it's going to be a goner soon. Its original cost was $700 or so, and I even thought that was worth it. It's one of the few widescreen S-IPS screens left that is readily available and sold by a reputable vendor (if not the only).

 

[mikuto]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Yikes2000
I read on HardForum that Frys Electronic B&M has NEC 20WMGX2 for $499 with $100 rebate (final cost, including CA tax, is $437.67). I went to my local Frys tonight to check it out. They confirmed the rebate, but that specific store doesn't have it in stock anymore as the model is being "discontinued". I could drive 60 miles to another Frys which still has it instock.

Hm.... is it worth it?

I hope he means it's only discontinued at Fry's. It still seems to be widely available elsewhere.

But yes it's worth it, especially if it's going to be a goner soon. Its original cost was $700 or so, and I even thought that was worth it. It's one of the few widescreen S-IPS screens left that is readily available and sold by a reputable vendor (if not the only).

I suppose he could mean it's going to be replaced by the 'Pro' model, just like the 20WGX2. If that's the case, it means it's still going to be available, but you may not get the same price - after all, a three-letter sticker could be worth, say, 200$...

 

[Yikes2000]

What's the 'Pro' model?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Yikes2000
What's the 'Pro' model?

With the 20WMGX2, there's apparently no difference. The 70GX2 and 90GX2 have a slightly improved response time.

 

[Fadardo]

Sorry I haven't figured out how to post new messages, all i can see is how to reply to messages.
xknight, following your advice and the rave customer reviews I went and purchased a 20wmgx2. Every thing seem fine on the monitor except for one thing, it runs hot. when i put my hand on the top of the monitor its quite hot. It takes about 40min to get that hot. I phoned NEC and technicial support person said that he was using the same monitor i was using and that that type of heat is normal. I was suspicious that he was feeding me a line perhaps becasue they don't want to rma the monitor, so i went down to a local computer shop and checked out all the lcd monitors they had. None of the 30 monitors were hot let alone very warm, most were cool or slightly warm. If you could help me out i'd really appreciate it , thanx.

 

[Marchenoir]

Incredibly impressive work, xtknight.

Any comments or advice on my present research would be greatly appreciated.

I need a monitor for intensive home office use (intensive Internet surfing, Word, Excel, project management, database, several applications and documents open at the same time, etc). Since I don't have a TV, ability to watch a DVD from time to time with a decent quality would also be nice. No games. I want as much desktop real estate as possible and very legible text.

From what I have read, this means a non-wide monitor and an MVA panel. I understand anything from 22" and upwards is in wide format (not to mention seriously expensive).

This would seem to point to the 19" category, (the center of the market for office use right now?), with a model such as the ViewSonic VP 930.

However, I fear that limiting myself to the same 1280 x 1024 resolution as a 17" might be tight in desktop real-estate terms. So I researched 20". Their 1600 x 1200 resolution would make a very welcome difference. However, from what I have seen in a shop, Windows text is so small at that size x resolution combination that I have to be rather close to the screen (50-60 cm, which is at the low end of the 50-100 cm recommended distance). I fear that this might be too close, and that the small size of text would induce eye strain.

I have seen 21" non-wide monitors in a shop, and the extra inch they give with the same resolution seem to fit the ergonomic equation much better. However, the only products I can find in that category are professional LCDs with stratospheric prices (Eizo and the like) and the Samsung SyncMaster 214 T, which has a PVA panel.

So I thought: why not buy a 20" and increase the font size just a bit through software. However, the methods I found in Windows (select Large/Very Large fonts in the Display panel, change the PPP parameter) seem to work only in some parts of some software. Third-party skinning software I have found does not seem to adress that problem.

Any thoughts, hardware or software-wise?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Viewsonic VX2255

Now i was going to pull the trigger on the samsung 226bw, but now we have this. Anyone know just how good this monitor is? (Its abit silly since it wasnt launched not long ago)

I noticed that the viewing angles were 170°(H) / 160°(V)??

People at Hforums says (after contacting viewsonic i think) that has a contrast ratio of 1000:1 (instead of 700:1) and Brightness at 300instead of 280 cd/m2.

So how would this monitor fare against the other heavy weights in the 22inch arena?

 

[alins]

Originally posted by: Marchenoir

I need a monitor for intensive home office use (intensive Internet surfing, Word, Excel, project management, database, several applications and documents open at the same time, etc). Since I don't have a TV, ability to watch a DVD from time to time with a decent quality would also be nice. No games. I want as much desktop real estate as possible and very legible text

Have you looked into the Acer AL2051W? See reviews of it at newegg.com.

 

[Marchenoir]

Thank you, Alins.

I can see you are trying to make me change my anti-wide religion. I have read the reviews. Lots of happy people... Crisp text... Nice price... But there is the glossy screen and lack of height adjustment. That's a no-no for me. The search continues. Do you use yourself a wide format for office applications?

 

[alins]

Originally posted by: Marchenoir
Thank you, Alins.

I can see you are trying to make me change my anti-wide religion. I have read the reviews. Lots of happy people... Crisp text... Nice price... But there is the glossy screen and lack of height adjustment. That's a no-no for me. The search continues. Do you use yourself a wide format for office applications?

In the office I use a 23" HP LP2335 which is a 1920x1200 monitor. It's quite nice but font sizes can be on the small side as you point out. I also prefer non-wide monitors and am looking for one for home, but have been unable to find one with decent readable font sizing at the 1600x1200 resolution. So I am looking into either the famous NEC 20WMGX2 (1680x1050 at 20") or the BenQ FP241W (1920x1200 at 24", one inch more than my HP). 22" monitors seems to have the ideal size for 1600x1200 (in terms of readability), but they are all TN panels and I won't consider them.

 

[Fadardo]

xknight, following your advice and the rave customer reviews I went and purchased a 20wmgx2. Every thing seem fine on the monitor except for one thing, it runs hot. when i put my hand on the top of the monitor its quite hot. It takes about 40min to get that hot. I phoned NEC and technicial support person said that he was using the same monitor i was using and that that type of heat is normal. I was suspicious that he was feeding me a line perhaps becasue they don't want to rma the monitor, so i went down to a local computer shop and checked out all the lcd monitors they had. None of the 30 monitors were hot let alone very warm, most were cool or slightly warm. Is the 20wmgx2 supposed to get hot? If you could help me out i'd really appreciate it , thanx.

 

[adamsleath]

cant you adjust the text size within your programs????

i know i have upped the text sizes for windows and my browser programs for viewing text at 1600x1200...

adobe reader just zooms in

dont know about windows office or other app.s

i can view text at whatever size i want without changing text attributes and at whatever resolution.

 

[Fadardo]

Concerning my message above my monitor reaches 44 Celcius / 111 Fehrenheit, and I have adaquite ventilation as my monitor is 2 feet from a wall or any other obstruction. My room temperature is 22 Celcius / 72.5 Fehrenheit.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Fadardo
Sorry I haven't figured out how to post new messages, all i can see is how to reply to messages.
xknight, following your advice and the rave customer reviews I went and purchased a 20wmgx2. Every thing seem fine on the monitor except for one thing, it runs hot. when i put my hand on the top of the monitor its quite hot. It takes about 40min to get that hot. I phoned NEC and technicial support person said that he was using the same monitor i was using and that that type of heat is normal. I was suspicious that he was feeding me a line perhaps becasue they don't want to rma the monitor, so i went down to a local computer shop and checked out all the lcd monitors they had. None of the 30 monitors were hot let alone very warm, most were cool or slightly warm. If you could help me out i'd really appreciate it , thanx.

The NEC is one of the most power hungry LCDs out there, and it contains a fairly powerful backlight. I'm not sure what to tell you, but mine isn't so hot that it heats up the room or anything. Mine has always been pretty hot, but my VP930b doesn't seem that much cooler. Plus, it's no hazard to the LCD as far as I can tell. It's within operating temperatures. If it's heating up your room then you have a few options like using a fan or turning up the AC.

Originally posted by: Marchenoir
Incredibly impressive work, xtknight.

Any comments or advice on my present research would be greatly appreciated.

I need a monitor for intensive home office use (intensive Internet surfing, Word, Excel, project management, database, several applications and documents open at the same time, etc). Since I don't have a TV, ability to watch a DVD from time to time with a decent quality would also be nice. No games. I want as much desktop real estate as possible and very legible text.

From what I have read, this means a non-wide monitor and an MVA panel. I understand anything from 22" and upwards is in wide format (not to mention seriously expensive).

I'm not sure why widescreen would be out of the question.

This would seem to point to the 19" category, (the center of the market for office use right now?), with a model such as the ViewSonic VP 930.

Having used both the VP930b and 20WMGX2 I can tell you I'm far more productive on the NEC, despite it being widescreen. The widescreen is simply like an expanded version of a 19" LCD.

However, I fear that limiting myself to the same 1280 x 1024 resolution as a 17" might be tight in desktop real-estate terms. So I researched 20". Their 1600 x 1200 resolution would make a very welcome difference. However, from what I have seen in a shop, Windows text is so small at that size x resolution combination that I have to be rather close to the screen (50-60 cm, which is at the low end of the 50-100 cm recommended distance). I fear that this might be too close, and that the small size of text would induce eye strain.

I have seen 21" non-wide monitors in a shop, and the extra inch they give with the same resolution seem to fit the ergonomic equation much better. However, the only products I can find in that category are professional LCDs with stratospheric prices (Eizo and the like) and the Samsung SyncMaster 214 T, which has a PVA panel.

True, 21" LCDs are pretty much at a stand-still when it comes to price. They aren't the best option out there, especially when it comes to value.

So I thought: why not buy a 20" and increase the font size just a bit through software. However, the methods I found in Windows (select Large/Very Large fonts in the Display panel, change the PPP parameter) seem to work only in some parts of some software. Third-party skinning software I have found does not seem to adress that problem.

Any thoughts, hardware or software-wise?

I think a 22" LCD is a good choice for you (such as the LG L226WT). The font size won't be too small, but you'll have a nice quality LCD at the same time. If TNs bother you, then my alternative suggestion would be to get used to a 20" panel like the HP LP2065. Yet another option is to get a 24" or use two 19"s in dual-monitor mode. I'd highly recommend the 24" option over dual-monitor (for compatibility reasons, plus you don't have a bezel in the middle of your desktop), but that's just my preference.

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Viewsonic VX2255

Now i was going to pull the trigger on the samsung 226bw, but now we have this. Anyone know just how good this monitor is? (Its abit silly since it wasnt launched not long ago)

I noticed that the viewing angles were 170°(H) / 160°(V)??

Not sure, it's probably just a reiteration of their VX2235. It is a TN, that is for sure.

People at Hforums says (after contacting viewsonic i think) that has a contrast ratio of 1000:1 (instead of 700:1) and Brightness at 300instead of 280 cd/m2.

So how would this monitor fare against the other heavy weights in the 22inch arena?

I'm not counting my chickens...I believe the LG L226WT will still be top of its class for 22" displays.

Originally posted by: Fadardo
Concerning my message above my monitor reaches 44 Celcius / 111 Fehrenheit, and I have adaquite ventilation as my monitor is 2 feet from a wall or any other obstruction. My room temperature is 22 Celcius / 72.5 Fehrenheit.

Mine is probably about 110F too, but the volume of heat being put out is still fairly low.

 

[shilatoe]

Originally posted by: xtknight


I think a 22" LCD is a good choice for you (such as the LG L226WT). The font size won't be too small, but you'll have a nice quality LCD at the same time. If TNs bother you, then my alternative suggestion would be to get used to a 20" panel like the HP LP2065. Yet another option is to get a 24" or use two 19"s in dual-monitor mode. I'd highly recommend the 24" option over dual-monitor (for compatibility reasons, plus you don't have a bezel in the middle of your desktop), but that's just my preference.

I agree w/xtknight re getting a 24" LCD. He doesn't know it but he talked me into one after I inquired about possibly moving up to a 22" rather than buy a 20" wide screen. I have had the 24" for a couple of weeks and it is amazing. Re using it for office/documents this is the perfect size. I used to have to click back and forth between windows when working on several items at once. Now I have 4 or 5 visibly open with enough content showing in each to view them all simultaneously. What a treat. I'm so glad I did not get something smaller.

 

[puti]

Not much luck here in Australia when I comes to good monitors. I've got the choice of either the Samsung 226BW 'C' panel or the LG 226WTQ (possible ghosting)

This is a hard choice because both are inferior versions of the models. Any suggestions of which one I should go for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dedejean]

Originally posted by: xtknight
Samsung has removed this item from their service menu, and also from the packaging. So you can't, which sucks. And that reminds me, I'm wondering if I recommend the 226BW and offer color profiles, how are you going to know what freaking panel you've got? :\ I don't think that's going to work.

The VX2235WM is an AUO (or CMO?) panel. Is the LG L226WT not available in your area? That's by the far the best 22" out there. You'd be missing out with the CMO 22" panels although you could try the 22" CMO and AUO color profiles, they are supposed to help get it up to the Samsung panel's performance. Good luck whatever route you may take.

Thank you for that reply.

Some of my peers here (2 to be exact) bought S panel 226bw and managed to view the hidden menu. So they just implemented that removal on current C panels. What a drag.

So you finally un-recommend 226bw (to me specifically)?

There are lots of LG226WTQ available here, but not 226WT. I have been back reading trying to understand the difference on WT and WTQ but still cannot differentiate.

You'd be missing out with the CMO 22" panels although you could try the 22" CMO and AUO color profiles

what does this mean? i can get either CMO or AUO with 226WT?


Okay, so you recommend 226WT over 226bw (A/C) but not over 226bw (S). Am i right? Should I wait for 226cw?

Sorry for so many questions, i am very ignorant on this subject. And i thank you so much for sharing your infos and insights on these stuff. There are few here who know what im talking about, so i cant get appropriate help.

 

[xtknight]

I've gotten a couple reports that the latest revisions of the L226WTQ do not have the ghosting problems. I'll attempt to verify this and remove the note in the OP.

BTW please don't be afraid to post links of new LCD reviews or any other LCD info here.

 

[puti]

I'm also reading some very recent reports of the the new LG 226WTQ monitors not suffereing from ghosting. I'll probably go for it because I like the thin, simple bezel. Much better design.

I'm also looking at the the LG Flatron L245WP. Looks promising: 24" S-IPS panel. Not much on reviews but it looks promising.
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews...lg-flatron-l245wp.html

 

[BernardP]

Here is a review of the LG L226WTQ;

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2133304,00.asp

I don't undestand why the reviewer says:

A three-year warranty covers parts and labor, but LG chintzes out on the backlight, which is covered for only one year

I have not seen any other reference to one-year-only warranty on the backlight.

Also, the review doesn't mention RTC artifacts. So this might have been fixed.

There are a lot of monitor reviews on the PCMag web site

 

[BernardP]

A barrage of new monitors has appeared on the Samsung Canada web site. I am looking only at widescreens:

First, the long-awaited 226CW with expanded color gamut:

http://www.samsung.com/ca/prod...sp?page=Specifications

Then the unexpected 216BW 21.6 inch (not 22) monitor. I hoped briefly for a 215TW successor but no, it is a TN, without overdrive:

http://www.samsung.com/ca/prod...reen/ls22mevsfvxaa.asp

Looking at the 216BW Manual here:

http://downloadcenter.samsung...._BN59-00521T-00Eng.pdf

It appears the 216BW has a clone named 223BW, also a 21.6 inch monitor. Talk about a misleading nomenclature.

I am guessing the 216BW will be a price leader, with the size resulting from the no-loss utilization of the glass substrate.

Comparing 22-inch with 21.6-inch widescreens

The new 931CW 19-inch TN with wide color gamut and overdrive:

http://www.samsung.com/ca/prod...sp?page=Specifications

The new 225MS TN, no-overdrive, 22-inch multimedia monitor:

http://www.samsung.com/ca/prod...sp?page=Specifications

Two new 24-inch TN monitors: 245B and 245BW, which look identical:

http://www.samsung.com/ca/prod...reen/ls24hubcbqxaa.asp

http://www.samsung.com/ca/prod...reen/ls24hubcfvxaa.asp

 

[adamsleath]

LG L245WP 8ms G2G 24"WS AU Optronics P-MVA (M240UW01 V0)

LG L245WPM 8ms G2G 24"WS AU Optronics P-MVA (M240UW01 V0)
LG L246WP 8ms G2G 24"WS AU Optronics P-MVA (M240UW01 V0)

 

[dedejean]

Originally posted by: xtknight
I've gotten a couple reports that the latest revisions of the L226WTQ do not have the ghosting problems. I'll attempt to verify this and remove the note in the OP.

BTW please don't be afraid to post links of new LCD reviews or any other LCD info here.

yes... ive read the same issue too.... its got something to do with the new 1.14 firmware. But i cant find how to update it or does it come with the factory setup... If it can be updated manually, then great. if not, then sucks

 

[imported_mingus]

Originally posted by: puti
I'm also reading some very recent reports of the the new LG 226WTQ monitors not suffereing from ghosting. I'll probably go for it because I like the thin, simple bezel. Much better design.

I'm also looking at the the LG Flatron L245WP. Looks promising: 24" S-IPS panel. Not much on reviews but it looks promising.
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews...lg-flatron-l245wp.html

That 24" LG L245WP looks interesting. Anyone have one?