[Retired] The LCD Thread

[Paladin]

Looper, a 280 is plenty for gaming on a 24". see my rig.

 

[PurdueRy]

I just wanted to make readers of this thread aware that Xbitlabs colorimeter is not capable of accurately measuring wide gamut displays. This is mainly true in the green portion of their measurements. The green point measured shows these displays never covering the yellow-green potions of the color gamut. This is not true and is unfortunately an inaccurate measurement likely due to their sensor not being capable of measuring these new displays.

I can confirm for you that this point, at least on most of these monitors, covers all of sRGB and sometimes even a bit more.

Just thought everyone here should be aware.

 

[Hadsus]

Originally posted by: maax
I'm looking for a LCD with CRT like gaming performance.
My aim is a 1920x1200 24" screen.
I have bin looking at the Benq G2400WD.
But I don't know if a want to use TN again.

My current LCD is a Syncmaster 204B.
I really like my new LCD to be a upgrade in all aspects.

I review my new LG w2452t a few posts up.....got it from BB at a closeout deal. I also own the Sammy LCD and NEC CRT mentioned in my sig. I've been playing lots of TF2 the past week and have dabbled in CoD4 and this is a very quick, responsive monitor. Certainly worlds better than my Sammy. I haven't used the NEC for awhile so I can't make a direct comparison but I'm well satisfied with the LG......I'm gonna keep it after using it for a week. Good colors, flesh tones are natural (this compared to the s-pva panel in my Sammy).....of course, you get a little bit of contrast shift as you move your head but it is not something noticeable unless you are looking for it. After spending time calibrating the color/brightness I think the imaging is better than what I conveyed in my earlier impressions. TNs can't compete with the s-pva in imaging but it is closer than what I initially thought. Gaming wise, there is no contest.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: legend4life
Looking for some advice on a unique monitor setup, this thread seems to be one of the most knowledgeable places on the net for monitor info. So I have 2 separate applications I need screens for.

1.
The first (and probably easier decision) is for my office, we only get laptops to work on, and I know I could be more productive with more screen real estate and using a larger screen in conjunction with my 15" laptop screen.

For a single screen, as multiple screens plus laptop would probably look too strange for the office, I would assume bigger is better here....but obviously price becomes an issue above 22" it seems, and I don't know much about quality. If it will be a better setup though I am not strongly opposed to doing multiple screens, but I think it may be overkill.

Primary use is Word, Excel, Lotus Notes, database queries, usually have 8-10+ programs running, and actively working with the same amount of Excel application instances. I have poor eyesight and my eyes often get over stressed (tired/sore/blurry/stressed to the point of getting styes/hordeolum, etc at times), so considering I will be looking at this screen from 8-5 everyday, something easy on the eyes would help and be worth it.

The BenQ G2400WD is quite easy on the eyes.

This seems to be the best deal on the net for value right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824236051 with mostly good reviews for a 22" 1080p at 160 shipped, and ($5 cheaper at ZZF but haven't dealt with them http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10009786 ), but I'm not sure how good these screens really are. I've bought a cheap 19" LCD before for $400 about 5 yrs ago, and it lasted 3 years or so. I don't think its worth spending money for the top of the line, as the prices continue to drop so fast on bigger and better screens, so I am looking for something that will suit me well, for a good deal so I won't waste so much money tossing it/upgrading in a few years. Any recommendations/suggestions/advice?

I'm not sure LCDs are evolving much at this point. I would suggest plopping down the money for something that you like now instead of reserving money for something that may not exist in the future.

2.
The second application gets a bit more complicated and interesting=D. This is for my home office, I'm an FX (foreign exchange/currency) trader, and I need to be able to view at least 12+ charts at once, plus my execution platform, some chat windows, videos, and some other programs.

I will be spending a LOT of time in front of these screens, probably a solid 4-8 hours at home every day AFTER work, so anything that can help my poor eyes will be great. With all the stuff I want to be able to view, and maximize productivity, it sounds to me like multiple screens is the way to go here. I am thinking anywhere from 2-6 screens, ranging in size from 19s to 30s, whatever will give the maximum screen real estate, usability, comfort, productivity, and value. I don't need to buy them all at once, I can start with 1, 2, and build up from there.

Now I have seen that sometimes if using fewer large monitors it can be a pain to re-size all the windows you want to view on each one to all fit together how you want them, and you lose a lot of space between the borders of all the stacked windows on one screen. And it also may be easier to have more smaller screens for organiziation purposes as you can dedicate each screen for a specific task and maximize it, to quickly just look to that screen for what you want to do, without having to worry about re-sizing/stacking windows, etc.

19's are only $110 shipped now, so could pretty cheapy get 6-8 of them for the price of one or less than the price of 2 big 30" screens. Of course then the mounting and video card setups get a big more complex too though. The same 22" for $160 shipped above, in 2-4 seems like a good setup also. Please share your thoughts/advice/suggestions. Thanks!!

For this I'm thinking maybe a bunch of 20" screens like the LP2065. But you could go for maybe three cheap 24" panels as well? I'm not sure how big your charts are.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: maax
I'm looking for a LCD with CRT like gaming performance.
My aim is a 1920x1200 24" screen.
I have bin looking at the Benq G2400WD.
But I don't know if a want to use TN again.

My current LCD is a Syncmaster 204B.
I really like my new LCD to be a upgrade in all aspects.

Have you considered the Dell 2209WA or HP LP2475w?

Originally posted by: ChipT
Ok, so I'm building a new system because me current one just isn't cutting it. Ever since I began using Photoshop and Vegas Video, my system has been chugging. As long as I'm optimizing for photo and video editing, I figured I should get a monitor that would make it all worthwhile.

I would like some advice on what to look for in a quality monitor. In addition, do you have any specific suggestions? And what type of calibration tool would you recommend (or can I get by just using a site like this: http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/)?

My budget is about $500 for both the monitor and the calibration tool (if needed), but the cheaper the better (within reason). I think that I'd prefer to avoid a wide-gamut display if possible. I'm slowly changing my allegiance to Google's Chrome, and Google's Picasa is already my main photo database. Both of these are not color managed.

Yeah, I was going to suggest the LP2475w, but this is wide gamut. I don't know of any 24" VA-based standard gamut panels at your price range. The L2410NM is a possibility, but I thought I heard rumors about this being TN at times. The LG L246WP is mostly unavailable, and the LCD2490WUXi is very expensive. Actually AFAIK all standard gamut 24" panels around that price range are refurb only.

I would look at the Dell 2209WA along with a calibrator. You can't really just calibrate on the web well enough. I would suggest the i1 Display 2 personally. The improvement from calibration may not be earth shattering but it definitely will improve certain parts of the image.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Machinus
My monitor resets the contrast setting every time I restart. How do I fix it?

Maybe you're using some type of software/driver control? Sometimes the gamma won't be loaded on startup due to bugs. I would use only the monitor itself to control contrast if that's not what you're doing.

Originally posted by: Reaph
Is there any info on when Samsung will release SyncMaster P2370L?
Last I checked it was Q1 2009 but we are in Q2 now..

No clue... if it ever is available, it probably won't be in the US.

Originally posted by: looper
This is the gaming computer for son and me...


And whether I get the... HP2475w, the BenQ G2400WD, the Dell 2408WFP, or the Samsung 2493HM, will I be able to do the 1900x1200 if we have a EVGA nVidia GTX280 video card? See rest of rig specs below...

Thx...

You should look at benchmarks for game performance readings but I'd say you're fine with most modern games. I highly suggest the HP2475w due to its IPS panel although as I'm sure you may have heard, you run a risk of having uniformity problems with it.

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I just wanted to make readers of this thread aware that Xbitlabs colorimeter is not capable of accurately measuring wide gamut displays. This is mainly true in the green portion of their measurements. The green point measured shows these displays never covering the yellow-green potions of the color gamut. This is not true and is unfortunately an inaccurate measurement likely due to their sensor not being capable of measuring these new displays.

I can confirm for you that this point, at least on most of these monitors, covers all of sRGB and sometimes even a bit more.

Just thought everyone here should be aware.

That's interesting. I would have thought they would have a more advanced spectrophotometer or something like that.

 

[Saiyajin]

Originally posted by: xtknight
You should look at benchmarks for game performance readings but I'd say you're fine with most modern games. I highly suggest the HP2475w due to its IPS panel although as I'm sure you may have heard, you run a risk of having uniformity problems with it.

What kind of uniformity problems? I don?t get it. Seems to be something I did missed out.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Saiyajin

Originally posted by: xtknight
You should look at benchmarks for game performance readings but I'd say you're fine with most modern games. I highly suggest the HP2475w due to its IPS panel although as I'm sure you may have heard, you run a risk of having uniformity problems with it.

What kind of uniformity problems? I don?t get it. Seems to be something I did missed out.

Not everyone has them but a lot of people have had a pink tint on the right side of the screen.

 

[NTB]

quick update: my HP w2207h just bit the dust was sitting here at my desk when all of a sudden the screen just went white. At first I thought it might be my new video card, but I disconnected the cable, and the screen stayed white - without a video signal. Didn't get the 'no signal' message, either.

update #2: it's toast. Hooked the w2207h up to another computer to test it, and still got the all-white screen. Guess I'll have to send it in under warranty, seeing as I only bought it this past February. It's gonna hurt having to use just 1 monitor again

Nathan

 

[1ManArmY]

yikes, how long have you had HP W2207h? I was just looking at 24' HP's for an upgrade.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: 1ManArmY
yikes, how long have you had HP W2207h? I was just looking at 24' HP's for an upgrade.

3 months. That said, I've had 2 others - another w2207h at work, and a smaller w2007 here at home - since before Christmas, and haven't had any problems with either one. So I'm not quite ready to write HP displays off.

Nathan

 

[coreyb]

Any opinions on the new LG W2442PA-BF?

 

[chilledinsanity]

Hey I found some more user reviews on monitors:

http://wiki.dandascalescu.com/reviews/displays

Looks like this guy had the exact same color problems that I did with the HP LP2475w. I'm amazed this monitor is recommended so highly in light of this.

 

[Agonyjr]

Ok, I have been shopping and reading nearly everything on the web , and this lcd thread, etc...I am looking for a 22-24 in display ( yeah, I know...so is everyone else..lol), I currently have a Viewsonic vx910,...so yeah I want to go wide.

I play WoW and am in a raiding guild so I play alot .This is for games of all kinds, but mostly warcraft.

I am about to pull the trigger on either a BenQ G2400WD (tn panel)(best gaming TN i can find), Or the Dell 22in Ultra Sharp 2209wa. ( eips ). ( cheapest non-tn panel I can find that is good for gaming).


I just wanna be happy with the purchase, for gaming. Advise on what I have chosen? Thanks a ton. I can order right now, I am just worried ordering a display sight un-seen...

 

[GTaudiophile]

I am still struggling here, mainly between the DELL 2408 WFP for $480.00 or the HP L2475W for $550.00.

Unless something newer and better has come out in the past few weeks that I don't know about?

 

[GTaudiophile]

DP

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I am still struggling here, mainly between the DELL 2408 WFP for $480.00 or the HP L2475W for $550.00.

Unless something newer and better has come out in the past few weeks that I don't know about?

Are you going to be calibrating the monitor? If so with what device and software?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I am still struggling here, mainly between the DELL 2408 WFP for $480.00 or the HP L2475W for $550.00.

Unless something newer and better has come out in the past few weeks that I don't know about?

Are you going to be calibrating the monitor? If so with what device and software?

I have a Spyder2Pro that I can use.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I am still struggling here, mainly between the DELL 2408 WFP for $480.00 or the HP L2475W for $550.00.

Unless something newer and better has come out in the past few weeks that I don't know about?

Are you going to be calibrating the monitor? If so with what device and software?

I have a Spyder2Pro that I can use.

Do you care about wide gamut color space of these monitors?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I am still struggling here, mainly between the DELL 2408 WFP for $480.00 or the HP L2475W for $550.00.

Unless something newer and better has come out in the past few weeks that I don't know about?

Are you going to be calibrating the monitor? If so with what device and software?

I have a Spyder2Pro that I can use.

Do you care about wide gamut color space of these monitors?

I am into photo editing. So I want something accurate in the end.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I am still struggling here, mainly between the DELL 2408 WFP for $480.00 or the HP L2475W for $550.00.

Unless something newer and better has come out in the past few weeks that I don't know about?

Are you going to be calibrating the monitor? If so with what device and software?

I have a Spyder2Pro that I can use.

Do you care about wide gamut color space of these monitors?

I am into photo editing. So I want something accurate in the end.

Provided you take the steps necessary and have a editing program capable of ICC profiles you will have no problems. If you don't already make sure you use Firefox 3.0.10(don't use the beta) and either go into the config settings or install the add-on for color management. If you use Vista, the "Preview" option on images is also .icc compatible(this surprised me).

Your spyder2pro isn't great at wide gamuts so you may want to use it only for calibrating the gamma curve and use the manufacturer's color profile file for the gamut.

Also note that video card LUT calibration can be tricky in Vista. Vista has a tendency to "dump" the curve in certain situations. The most common is when the UAC screen comes up but that can be disabled.

When I was research new monitors I was considering the two you are debating over. Overall I would say I was leaning toward the HP more but sounds like you sometimes play the lottery with either. Buy from a vendor that has a good return policy.

 

[legend4life]

Originally posted by: xtknight

1.

The BenQ G2400WD is quite easy on the eyes.

I'm not sure LCDs are evolving much at this point. I would suggest plopping down the money for something that you like now instead of reserving money for something that may not exist in the future.

What is it about the G2400WD that makes it easy on the eyes? I would love to hear the detailed reasoning behind your suggestion. This item seems to be deactivated at Newegg, is it an older/discontinued model? Where would I find a new one/with warranty/support or something comparable?

I was thinkin an IPS based screen may be easier on the eyes, but you would probably know much better than me.

2.

For this I'm thinking maybe a bunch of 20" screens like the LP2065. But you could go for maybe three cheap 24" panels as well? I'm not sure how big your charts are.

I think two or three 20-22s would be enough for me for now, and possibly add two or three more later if needed. I heard TN based viewing angle may not work well in a multi screen setup so was thinking IPS based again. I have the same questions as above again here, if you could explain the reasoning behind your selection, why the item seems to be deactivated, and where can I find one comparable. Also for both of these setups, I would prefer not to get something that is a bait and switch panel/bs lottery game.

Thanks!

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: legend4life

Originally posted by: xtknight

1.

The BenQ G2400WD is quite easy on the eyes.

I'm not sure LCDs are evolving much at this point. I would suggest plopping down the money for something that you like now instead of reserving money for something that may not exist in the future.

What is it about the G2400WD that makes it easy on the eyes? I would love to hear the detailed reasoning behind your suggestion. This item seems to be deactivated at Newegg, is it an older/discontinued model? Where would I find a new one/with warranty/support or something comparable?

It's available at several other retailers (see Google Product Search).

The BenQ is easy on the eyes due to its TN panel and lower max brightness. It is also standard gamut, meaning normal material will be displayed faithfully and nothing will be oversaturated or have "eye-piercing" brightness. It uses a standard anti-glare coating. I've also heard from a couple user comments that it was easy on the eyes, and I believe there was a fellow on HardForum who evaluated several and recommended the BenQ specifically for an "easy on the eyes" monitor (it may have been the G2400WD or V2400W, two very similar BenQ LCDs he was speaking of).

Take a look at Snowdog's post here: best monitor to minimize eye strain - text based work

I was thinkin an IPS based screen may be easier on the eyes, but you would probably know much better than me.

I don't know. I mean, it mostly depends on the brightness. Sometimes IPS monitors can cause people to see screen door effect (SDE). What I wrote in the OP about what's easiest on the eyes is unclear and by now I've realized that panel type doesn't matter that much when it comes to what's easiest on the eyes. I just haven't had a chance to rewrite that part.

I do say IPS panels are good for non-white-background material. So it even depends on what kind of text environment you're in. Perhaps a panel not exhibiting SDE is best for text work on a white background.

I think two or three 20-22s would be enough for me for now, and possibly add two or three more later if needed. I heard TN based viewing angle may not work well in a multi screen setup so was thinking IPS based again. I have the same questions as above again here, if you could explain the reasoning behind your selection, why the item seems to be deactivated, and where can I find one comparable. Also for both of these setups, I would prefer not to get something that is a bait and switch panel/bs lottery game.

Thanks!

The Dell 2209WA would be a perfect economical choice for a non-TN panel.

As for the BenQ 24", try other retailers or BenQ's store itself. There's a whole smorgasbord of merchants here selling it for an acceptable price: http://www.google.com/products...17&sa=title#ps-sellers

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: chilledinsanity
Hey I found some more user reviews on monitors:

http://wiki.dandascalescu.com/reviews/displays

Looks like this guy had the exact same color problems that I did with the HP LP2475w. I'm amazed this monitor is recommended so highly in light of this.

The LP2475w is a mixed blessing. On one hand, some don't have problems with it and it works great. On the other, you can get a mess of exchanges just to end up with a decent LCD. There's nothing really comparable (IPS + overall feature set) in its price range, thus its continued recommendation, and the possibility of issues is well-noted. Those who want an exceptional monitor must go through exceptional pains to get one, and surprisingly many are willing. Should the uniformity issues scare you away there are some other 24" recommendations.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I dunno. I just might throw in the towel on this one...and wait another 6 months and see what comes out.

I would say the DELL 2408 is the most tempting at its current sale price, but I would prefer to buy something without second thoughts...