6-bit vs 8-bit display panels

yayotters

Junior Member
Aug 20, 2006
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Hello, I'm currently looking into a LCD monitor and I've noticed that numerous monitors (19in) use 6 bit color display panels. I game and occasionally do work in Photoshop, on photographs and other pictures. Will using a 6bit display cause me any problems? Also, will viewing images that use gradients look weird? Due to dithering.

Also, I'm currently looking into the Viewsonic VX922. I've reader reviews and such, and it seems like a good monitor for the current price. Any personal opinions/reviews? A few people noted that there was backlight bleeding, anyone have that? Thanks!
 

xtknight

Elite Member
Oct 15, 2004
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I'd say it is noticeable to most people in the dark/midtones. But I would say contrast is more noticeable (TN vs P-MVA and such).

19" monitors really aren't good for doing photo work. You have to pay a ton to get a good 19" (LaCie 319). On the other hand, there are many affordable 20" 8-bit panels. That's why I'm really trying to veer people away from the low quality 19" ones out there if they can possibly afford a 20" (like I say, 20" are cheap now anyways).
 

LittleNemoNES

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2005
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Super noticeable IMO. Peach colors look weird as crap. I had a TN panel briefly and man, I can't believe how terrible the colors were.
 

xtknight

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Oct 15, 2004
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Originally posted by: yayotters
Ah, good thing I asked. Any suggestions on which 20/20.1/21 inch to buy?

The ViewSonic VX2025WM (~$330) is pretty good. Unfortunately lots of people have had DVI problems with it but there are plenty that don't have the problem. The Samsung 215TW is great for everything and you can get it for $470 at Newegg. How much are you willing to spend?
 

M0RPH

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Dec 7, 2003
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Anyone who tells you that it's a very noticebale difference is exaggerating. I have a 6-bit TN panel and the colors look fine. The colors are just as good as on my old CRT when I had them side-by-side. Yes, there is some slight banding on gradients, but it's not all the noticeable unless you're looking for it.
 

coldpower27

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Jul 18, 2004
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Originally posted by: M0RPH
Anyone who tells you that it's a very noticebale difference is exaggerating. I have a 6-bit TN panel and the colors look fine. The colors are just as good as on my old CRT when I had them side-by-side. Yes, there is some slight banding on gradients, but it's not all the noticeable unless you're looking for it.

Well that is the thing with image quality since it is a subjective value "how noticable" it is will vary from individual to individual.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
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6-bit is basically TN.

And TN = crap except for those with Opticlear IMHO.
 

M0RPH

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Dec 7, 2003
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Originally posted by: n7
6-bit is basically TN.

And TN = crap except for those with Opticlear IMHO.

More exaggeration. Lots of us here are using TN panels and are perfectly happy with them. You can pay hundreds of dollars more for a slightly better image if you want, but the TN panels are certainly not "crap" and they are affordable.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
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Sorry, yes, that was a bit exaggerated.

But do something for me.

Tilt your 6-bit TN back & look at how the picture becomes completely off.

I dislike the poor viewing angles more than anything else about them TBH.
 

Griswold

Senior member
Dec 24, 2004
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Originally posted by: M0RPH
Anyone who tells you that it's a very noticebale difference is exaggerating. I have a 6-bit TN panel and the colors look fine. The colors are just as good as on my old CRT when I had them side-by-side. Yes, there is some slight banding on gradients, but it's not all the noticeable unless you're looking for it.

And once you've looked for it, you'll always notice it. No thanks.
 

RampantAndroid

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2004
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Originally posted by: xtknight
Originally posted by: yayotters
Ah, good thing I asked. Any suggestions on which 20/20.1/21 inch to buy?

The ViewSonic VX2025WM (~$330) is pretty good. Unfortunately lots of people have had DVI problems with it but there are plenty that don't have the problem. The Samsung 215TW is great for everything and you can get it for $470 at Newegg. How much are you willing to spend?

I have the vx2025 - I've had it for well over a month, no DVI issues. I think a lot of people who have DVI issues are using ATi cards? That makes me think Viewsonic went checp somewhere, in addition to ATi messing up somewhere.
 

LittleNemoNES

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Oct 7, 2005
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Your non-exaggeration is an exaggeration , IMO.

They look teh craps. Blue and weird color combinations. Not to mention terrible blacks.
 

Extelleron

Diamond Member
Dec 26, 2005
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Originally posted by: xtknight
Originally posted by: yayotters
Ah, good thing I asked. Any suggestions on which 20/20.1/21 inch to buy?

The ViewSonic VX2025WM (~$330) is pretty good. Unfortunately lots of people have had DVI problems with it but there are plenty that don't have the problem. The Samsung 215TW is great for everything and you can get it for $470 at Newegg. How much are you willing to spend?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001081

That could be another option, I'm wondering how it compares to the Viewsonic though. I'm also in the market for a $300-400 LCD.
 

Roy2001

Senior member
Jun 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: M0RPH
Originally posted by: n7
6-bit is basically TN.

And TN = crap except for those with Opticlear IMHO.

More exaggeration. Lots of us here are using TN panels and are perfectly happy with them. You can pay hundreds of dollars more for a slightly better image if you want, but the TN panels are certainly not "crap" and they are affordable.

Don't mislead people, 6bit is terrible.

 

VooDooAddict

Golden Member
Jun 4, 2004
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If doing any amature/profesional photowork for others then take the time and $$ to find an 8-bit display.

If you just use photoshop to touchup personal photos or make sprays for Counter-Strike or forum Avatars then save some $$ and go with a 6-bit display.
 

AngryRedneck

Junior Member
Aug 17, 2006
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As someone who owns both a 6-bit TN panel and an 8-bit MVA, I can honestly say that I cannot tell a difference in colors. They both look fine to me. Viewing angles on the other hand, clearly go to the MVA.
 

xtknight

Elite Member
Oct 15, 2004
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TN panels are still the best for gaming unless you can afford the NEC 20GX2. Immediate horizontal viewing angles are better than the MVA monitors, all image elements still exist at a perpendicular angle (unlike MVA), and they also have a faster response time. I don't know anyone who plays games with their head under the LCD. A decent TN panel will have a black level as good as an IPS and many of the affordable MVA monitors <20" still use dithering anyway. Most TNs have less input lag, and are still very fast in dark transitions unlike MVAs. Just some food for thought. I still personally prefer MVAs but TNs definitely have their advantages, mainly for gaming. Full color without dithering may not be as important to some people as all the other advantages TN has, especially if they can't even notice the dithering. They may not notice it if they don't know what to look for. If they do see it, they might decide it's not even that bothersome (like ghosting). I have an MVA and while I can see it in some rare cases (more so on smooth transitions), I can't say it's hindered my use. Anyway...I'm just saying MVAs are hardly god either. And not everyone can afford an IPS.

I'd get the VX2025WM if you do lots of Photoshop and chances are you'll find it great for gaming too. The Samsung 205BW doesn't really look like that fast of a TN to me from these images. So if that TN's advantages aren't in gaming I wouldn't bother.

http://www.lesnumeriques.com/duels.php?ty=6&ma1=36&mo1=120&p1=1287&ma2=41&ph=1

Now, a TN that is good at gaming is the LG L204WT (and many people were thrilled with the color too). Several have preferred that to MVA panels. The LG is definitely one to consider. If you game more or are afraid of VX2025WM DVI issues then get the LG. The VX2025WM is pretty great at everything, but the LG should be better for gaming, and you may prefer the TN/dynamic contrast. I would disable dynamic contrast for photo work.

Originally posted by: VooDooAddict
If doing any amature/profesional photowork for others then take the time and $$ to find an 8-bit display.

If you just use photoshop to touchup personal photos or make sprays for Counter-Strike or forum Avatars then save some $$ and go with a 6-bit display.

That's a great way of putting it. If you do serious photo work where you need a calibration path you'd probably already know you'd need an 8-bit anyway. I don't think you'd be able to tell with the high contrast LG screen vs. the ViewSonic. It's really hard to say which one you'd like better. Gamma on the ViewSonics is pretty high (unless you have pro calibration tools) which kind of destroys part of its advantage.