More info about NEC 2490WUXi
I have had NEC 2490WUXi on my desk for about a year.
Here I found it listed in PHOTO EDITING/WEB DESIGN section as #1 and that is absolutely true. The only model to compete in this area is NEC 2190UXi which is 4:3 though.
But this remark: "somewhat suitable for multimedia as well" made me smile.
I see that trere are too little info of the NEC 2490WUXi available/
So I would like to share my knowledge of it with those interested.
This is not my impressions only.
I have tested this monitor with a colorimeter/software - actually this is NEC 2490WUXi-SV, a set of a monitor+colorimeter+SpectraView calibration software.
Full HD (1080p) support tested with stand alone HD-DVD player.
NEC 2490WUXi compared
side by side with: CRT monitor, Dell 2407-HC (24" WG PVA), Gateway 2485 (24" PVA), Dell 2707 (WG PVA), Sony 205 (20" IPS).
I use NEC 2490WUXi for intensive everyday office work, internet surfing, photo editing, video editing, 1080p playback, internet TV, playing games occasionally.
I will try to be as brief as possible.
To begin with: 2490WUXi is technically identical to 2690WUXi - same
H-IPS technology, same 1920x1200, same equipment in every aspect, same OSM controls, same detailed specification and the last - one manual for both of them.
The only difference: 2690 has 1.4" larger diagonal (larger dot pitch) and different chemical in backlight that provides wider color gamut.
This is to understand: whatever 2690 is capable of - 2490 does tha same (in regular color gamut).
We skip mechanics -
it has any known flexibility.
For detailed description of 2490WUXi look at
the NEC 2690 on prad.de.
Connectors.
I totally disagree with what is written about 2690: "Poor variety of multimedia inputs".
Same applicable to 2490 as they are twins? No.
Neither to 2690 nor to 2490.
2490 has
two digital inputs (DVI-I and DVI-D) and D-Sub.
What is let's say "good" variety of inputs? Component, composite, S-Video..
Extra digital input is worth all of them taken together. Why? We'll see soon.
Controls.
Amazingly convenient location and design of the OSD buttons. Any of them make OSD to appear. When you surf functions you don't have to click every time to make them active. As you reach a function - it's active - adjust and leave. No extra click.
Everething gets clear in comparison. Both Dells - endless clicking for every step.
Calibration and measurements.
The equipment provided with SV version calibrates monitor automatically - that's a different story. The result is superb.
This is an example for high brightness (the result is received as a part of calibration process):
Click here.
This
REAL contrast ratio is a record for IPS! It has never been that high.
Another fact: it is almost as announced by the manufacturer (800:1) - it's quite rare for any monitor! Usually contrast ratio that you find in official specs means nothing but advert.
The only way to find out what it really is - instrumental test.
Monitor calibrated to deltaE=0.25 - spectacular!
Measurements for different settings showed contrast ratio up to 797:1, for everyday work (brightness of white 160cd) black level - 0.21cd. Not every PVA is able to surpass that.
The NEC 2490WUXi has a new H-IPS panel which is free of violet tint of black at extreme diagonal angle.
On this photo you can see 2490 (front) next to Sony 205 with "old" IPS panel. You see the pedestal steps (dark brown on NEC) turning violet on 20" IPS:
Click here.
Violet tint may or may not appear a little if you look from one side only (the other side).
Are you sitting? Next photo is taken during the process of calibration. It shows 24" PVA Gateway 2485(on top) and NEC 2490WUXi (below).
Violet is on PVA. H-IPS is Black! At the same time you see some backlight uniformity problem with the Gateway 2485.
NEC 2490 uniformity is perfect.
Click here.
Want more? I have for you.
Again, NEC is closer to us:
Click here.
That's the end of legend: new IPS has less violet black at an angle than *VA!
OK, let's look from the other side. Next picture - we are watching a movie (from the
computer!) This time the NEC is distant, PVA Gateway is closer:
Click here.
The NEC 2490/2690WUXI unlike any other monitor have a UNIQUE control - a
true scaling ability. It's like a wizard - it makes any proportion of the picture, any you want.
Look at this:
Click here.
This is a regular DVD movie. Scale it at your convenience to a disired size or sharpness to please your eyes.
Why the background is not black? That's your choice. Many garadations between black and white are possible. Question. Is this for photo editing professionals?
This is for us! None of Dells or so are even close to that.
Next picture - playing games! Top left and top right - Gateway.
Left and right below - NEC 2490. With unique scaling ability of the NEC, you can adjust any unproportional game to fit your screen better.
Both left: 4:3 game does not fit the screen. Both right: the Gateway distorts the picture in a full width. With the NEC you can do the same OR adjust 4:3 to a full width without distortion - just slightly cut in vertical dimention:
Click here.
This is the NEC 2490WUXi in comparison with a CRT monitor.
You see it! 2490 does not yield even a grain to a CRT:
Click here.
After this test I used the NEC 2490WUXi as a reference monitor for all others.
I played FarCry on both NEC and CRT in clone mode. The 24" big is a bit slower, not critically. Input lag is about 1.5 frames - estimation. I used a camcorder for this test. It's not considered a perfect measurement tool but it gives more acceptable visual impression rather then cold digits of ms. Playing is very comfortable. No problem for a moderate gamer.
This is video! 2490 next to Dell 2407-HC - the NEC looks minimally faster in the live episode, then "frame by frame" is equal:
Click here.
What about ghousting? Next set of photos - moving square. The best one and the worst one for both monitors. Both best ones are close. That one on the Dell is slightly less "solid" and has a small tail of "smoke". The worst one on the NEC is way better than Dell's:
Click here.
Similar test to compare the NEC 2490WUXI with the Dell 2707 - 2707 is even worse than 2407 - "wings" on the square and "smoke" are more obvious:
Click here.
All these monitors have an overdrive. BUT! On the NEC, you can turn it off. Requirements of gamers are very individual. That's your choice.
Question. Why so called "monitor for professional use" demonstrates less ghosting and better flexibility for playing games then those so called "ideal for games"?
Watching movies!!
A couple more photos of movies from a
regular computer.
Again, how black is black on the NEC 2490WUXi when looking from it's "weaker" side (here with the Dell 2707):
Click here.
Another DVD playback (computer, with Dell 2407-HC):
Click here.
Stand alone DVD player.
Now it's time to talk about "variety of inputs".
Question. Is there any practical use of those component and so on video inputs in comparison with an additional digital video input of the NEC 2490? Let's see.
For this test a regular DVD player with HDMI and component outputs is connected with the NEC 2490WYXi (HDMI to DVI) and the Dell 2707 (component to component).
Next picture - 2490 demonstrates the whole picture with the right proportion.
Dell? Whatever mode you try - no acceptable result. The picture over component connection is either distorted or cut (or both!). Had the Dell which is "perfect for movies" that scaling what the NEC has - there would be a different result. So far - the component fails:
Click here.
The movie over component is spoiled proportionally AND it's color quality is inferior too.
Don't forget about poor viewing angles of PVA and violet black - My God!
Next photo - next DVD - distortion over component, no enough scaling on Dell 2707:
Click here.
Next - component - stretched faces, poor viewing angles on 2707:
Click here.
Same movie episode, Dell 2707-HC, component:
Click here.
What a garbage is that "variety of inputs"!
High Definition!
Attention! This is a rare test even for "professional" reviews. Many testers neglect to check 1080p support by the monitor and prefer to retell manufacturer's sweet advertisement.
This test was done with the use of stand alone HD-DVD player and 1080p movie.
On this picture HD player is in 720p mode. NEC 2490 vs Dell 2707:
Click here.
Are "viewing angles" just viewing angles? No, that's a quality of movie playback!
OK, it's time for 1080p!
Dell does not support 1080p over component. It still has DVI which MUST be for a computer.
OK, I disconnect the computer, disconnect the NEC2490 fron HDMI.
Then I connect HD Player with DVI Dell 2707, 1080p mode. Rezult?
Dell 2707 FAILED to support 1080p!!
How about NEC 2490WUXi for Full HD (1080p)? Perfect!
This monitor really does whatever you want it to do.
Next picture - NEC 2490WUXi reports about it's victory:
Click here.
Question. Why so called "for photo editing professionals" monitor playes movies in any possible mode way better then those "ideal for movie Full HD monitors"?
My monitor and my vision.
Minimal brightnes for the Dell 2407-HC I could achieve - 134cd
NEC 2490 has minimum - 46cd
Next video - both monitor set on the brightnes about 150-160cd.
Dell is blinking dramatically:
Click here.
The NEC 2490WUXi has autobrightness function - screen brightness is regulated according to ambient light. This is to protect my vision during a longer work.
Is it for "printing professionals"? No, it's for us!
Printing professinals would disable this function as it may interfere with their sterile color space.
Conclusion.
"NEC 2490WUXi is a monitor for professionals only" - FORGET THIS B......T!
This is (with 2690) the best all-purpose, all-around, universal... monitor on the market.
Is it suitable for professionals? O, yes! It's so good that it is suitable for them too - it has outstanding image quality, controls and electronics to be on top of professional market.
At the same time it beats any competitor as a perfect monitor home or office use.
Why it happened? I don't know. But it's a fact.
It's quite expensive ~$1100 - Yes, you get what you pay for.
Now relax a little and wach a short video (don't warry. some words in foreign language):
NEC 2490WUXi
1. Office work.
Large space - 1920x1200
High contrast at medium brightnes
The quality of brightness control - above any other monitor
Precise color temperature adjustment - friendly for eyes
High interpolation quality
Sharpness adjustment
Best viewing angles - if used for several workers
2.Multimedia.
Low response time
Best color/gamma curve reproduction and regulation
High contrast
Best available viewing angles
Unique/uncomparable scaling ability for better movies/gaming experience
Unique function -
instant black level adjustment from the first page of OSM
REALLY supports Full HD - 1080p
3.Photo editing/WEB design
Monitor #1 - it goes without saying.
Thank You for your patience!