[Retired] The LCD Thread

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: rwinte
I bought an Acer 19" widescreen and an AOC 19" Widescreen recently not realizing that widescreen isn't as good for programming and web surfing as a normal screen. I'm looking at selling them and purchasing regular 19" lcd screens. My college has 17" BenQ monitors and they seem pretty good on the eyes. My AOC isn't very nice on the eyes and my ACER isn't wonderful. What brands would you recommend? I'd like to spend under $250 if possible since I am a college student. I'm looking at purchasing two since I have a dual monitor configuration for my programming. Every once in a while I'll play games, but I wouldn't consider myself a hardcore gamer. Is BenQ a good brand? If so what models are decent for looking at a lot of text? What other brands would be better than Acer and AOC but not too far out of my price range? Thanks.

If $250 total, then it's understandable but I just don't know what to suggest. You can't get 2 LCDs for that price these days (save for some cheap 15"s).

For $250 each, you ought to give a good look at the 20.1" widescreen HP L2045w for ~$250. It has more res both ways than a full 19" aspect screen.

The L1952TX and L1970HR are great choices too if you want a 19" screen. Honestly I'd recommend a couple L2045ws.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...16824176073&Tpk=l2045w

It would be $230 + $260 assuming the rebate isn't valid for the 2nd one.

 

[rwinte]

Sorry for the confusion. I meant $250 each, not total. I'll take a look at those. Thanks.

Also, what are the options for just a full 20" aspect lcd? Would they be cheaper than a widescreen? $230 is pretty good, although.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: rwinte
Sorry for the confusion. I meant $250 each, not total. I'll take a look at those. Thanks.

Also, what are the options for just a full 20" aspect lcd? Would they be cheaper than a widescreen? $230 is pretty good, although.

Nope, the 20.1" full aspect HP LP2065 is $350. Widescreens are cheaper.

 

[rwinte]

Why are full aspect monitors so much more expensive? Are they better in someway? Am I losing something by having a widescreen rather than a full aspect?

 

[ponchoboy]

I've been using my (white) 20WMGX2 for about a week now and I absolutely love it. I bought it from Newegg with a $100 MIR making it $399, but I also got a $39.99 4GB flash drive for free (with a $5 MIR). The brightness, contrast, color reproduction are all phenomenal! Zero dead/stuck pixels (that I've noticed so far), and I haven't even noticed any image retention at all (been running with brightness at about 50% since this thing is like a spotting scope at full brightness). I would have gotten the black/silver to match my case, but they didn't offer the combo with the flash drive.

One silly complaint: the built in USB hub turns off when the monitor turns off! I could understand when you cut power with the switch on the back, but with the button on the front? Come on people! Oh well.

Thanks for all the advice, xtknight, on this purchase!

 

[rv65]

My NEC 20WMGX2-BK seems to not work with DVI when it's not used for a while. It likes doing that. I wonder whats wrong with it. Are there any good 8 bit LCD widescreens that arent the 20WMGX2. The beancounters are making these TN panels that aren't as good imo.

I have a nvidia geforce 8800 GTS. Could something be wrong with it.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Re 2407WFP-HC ghosting

I find that hard to believe. Perhaps they are just covering their rear ends right now but I honestly believe they will release a revision in the future that will fix the problem as they always have, maybe if just to surprise people.

Agree they will surely fix the issue, maybe with a model revision, but I would bet on a new model number, such as 2409WFP-HC. But their policy regarding the 2407WFP-HC means that they will not allow people to exchange a 2407WFP-HC for a revised or new model. As I find the ghosting to be minor and rarely noticeable, I am keeping mine without hesitation.

 

[imported_mackintire]

Sorry Dell responded directly to that question. There will not be a new firmware version of the 2407WFP-HC.


All bets are off on the 2408WFP-HC......

Its either going to be the S-MVP samsung panel with the overdrive issue fixed or its going to use LG's new H-IPS panel.

I'm better they are going to just fix the current panel and re-release it as the 2408WFP-HC

 

[bambooshoot]

just want to share this, in the remote chance someone may be interested in getting the new 19' 2ms viewsonic, vx1932wm. Don't get one! it has bad rtc overshoot. i've written viewsonic about it. it appears they're not even aware of the problem. lots of people here in asia have reported problems with it.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: rv65
My NEC 20WMGX2-BK seems to not work with DVI when it's not used for a while. It likes doing that. I wonder whats wrong with it. Are there any good 8 bit LCD widescreens that arent the 20WMGX2. The beancounters are making these TN panels that aren't as good imo.

I have a nvidia geforce 8800 GTS. Could something be wrong with it.

I don't understand your issue. Do you mean it goes into standby? If so that is normal.

If that's not the case, I would RMA it. Surely a unit-specific issue (or it could be your video card).

Right now there are no 8-bit widescreens as good as the 20WMGX2, IMO. But there are some bigger VA panels that come close. The 3007WFP-HC which is S-IPS may be a possible competitor but it's expensive.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: rwinte
Why are full aspect monitors so much more expensive? Are they better in someway? Am I losing something by having a widescreen rather than a full aspect?

Different glass sizes. Plus widescreen is actually less area than full aspect w/ the same sizes.

19" widescreen: 1440x900=1296000
19" full: 1280x1024=1310720

20.1" widescreen: 1680x1050=1764000
20.1" full: 1600x1200=1920000

Same goes for physical size too, I believe. Other than that, just demand for widescreen makes it cheaper, perhaps? Don't ask me I'm not in economics.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: bambooshoot
just want to share this, in the remote chance someone may be interested in getting the new 19' 2ms viewsonic, vx1932wm. Don't get one! it has bad rtc overshoot. i've written viewsonic about it. it appears they're not even aware of the problem. lots of people here in asia have reported problems with it.

Thanks. I've added it to the problems list in the OP.

 

[xxTurbonium]

I just picked up an LG L206W

It seems alright, but the stand really sucks! It seems to be slightly tilted to the left. It may just be the table surface that's uneven, but I doubt it.

EDIT: yep, the stand is screwed. I even measured it... it's like 2-3mm lower on the left side of the screen. If I forcefully "tilt" it repeatedly, it will fix itself temporarily to only a 1mm difference, but it eventually settles back to it's faulty level.

Sucks. Gonna have to take it back.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: databird
I just picked up an LG L206W

It seems alright, but the stand really sucks! It seems to be slightly tilted to the left. It may just be the table surface that's uneven, but I doubt it.

EDIT: yep, the stand is screwed. I even measured it... it's like 2-3mm lower on the left side of the screen. If I forcefully "tilt" it repeatedly, it will fix itself temporarily to only a 1mm difference, but it eventually settles back to it's faulty level.

Sucks. Gonna have to take it back.

Odd.

I suggest you try the Samsung 206BW or HP L2045w. Maybe you'll have better luck with their stands, although Samsung has had some bad stands before (971P).

 

[LightningRider]

I just got the Samsung 245BW yesterday. It was either this or an L226WA. At first I thought the 245BW would be too big for a computer so I bought the L226WA but then while paying I saw the 245BW actually in use and I realised it didn't look so bad...

So I exchanged it and got the 245BW. I'm happy I did too. I found the frame on the L226WA looked a little awkward, as did the button shapes and positions. But on the 245BW... the colors are nice and the screen is very bright. I'm sure the other types of panels of the more expensive 24" are nicer but I'm pretty satisfied with this, especially for the price. It's also a 5ms monitor too which is great for games. I haven't noticed any ghosting in the quick tests I did yesterday nor did I notice any significant slowdowns on STALKER or BioShock at 1920x1200 resolutions... Maybe I haven't played enough yet. Viewing angles look fine to me though again I have never had a non TN panel in an LCD so maybe I'm just extremely ignorant but the viewing angles on this monitor do not bother me. I also haven't really noticed any back light bleeding though maybe it's there but again I can't notice.

Anyways, even though this monitor has a TN panel, I think unless you're overly critical of your monitor, this will suit most users fine, I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: xtknight
I suggest you try the Samsung 206BW or HP L2045w. Maybe you'll have better luck with their stands, although Samsung has had some bad stands before (971P).

I may just return it with no exchange and wait out another model. I don't want to get the 206BW since it has a glossy screen, and will likely not be an S panel.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: databird

Originally posted by: xtknight
I suggest you try the Samsung 206BW or HP L2045w. Maybe you'll have better luck with their stands, although Samsung has had some bad stands before (971P).

I may just return it with no exchange and wait out another model. I don't want to get the 206BW since it has a glossy screen, and will likely not be an S panel.

The 206BW only has a glossy bezel, actually.

But you're right about the panel lottery. The HP is actually a great alternative though.

 

[ponchoboy]

The silver 20WMGX2 at Newegg is down to $359.99 after $100 MIR... pretty awesome deal. They also have some open box deals.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...=0&Description=20WMGX2

 

[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...

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: xtknight
The 206BW only has a glossy bezel, actually.

But you're right about the panel lottery. The HP is actually a great alternative though.

Wow I didn't know. However, that's bad enough.

Actually, I would exchange this monitor for the same one, but the issue is transportation... I'm a whole hour from the Future Shop that carries this, and don't want to risk coming home with an exchange that has another problem (dead pixel, etc.).

If I had a car, I'd for sure try an exchange.

 

[j0j081]

Originally posted by: databird

Originally posted by: xtknight
I suggest you try the Samsung 206BW or HP L2045w. Maybe you'll have better luck with their stands, although Samsung has had some bad stands before (971P).

I may just return it with no exchange and wait out another model. I don't want to get the 206BW since it has a glossy screen, and will likely not be an S panel.

all 206bws come with the same Chunghwa panel now and it is calibrated almost as good as an S panel with the most recent revision. I know because I've been testing several and have a 931BW S panel to compare them to.

 

[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.

 

[jmclouse]

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.

Could you point me to the particular profile you are using?

 

[wittangamo]

You'll find it in the settings thread in this forum:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2002685&enterthread=y

 

[Pithlit]

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