Any Good 8 bit panel under $400?

[Lemodular]

I have read here and other places on the web about 8 bit panels producing 16.7 mil. colors (non-dithered). I am searching for a good 19" monitor with accurate colors for photo editing. Are there any good monitor in the market for less than $400? I do not game much so response time is not that important (I have an older 17" LCD w/ 25ms). I don't watch movies on it either so factor that out (unless that's a side benefit). From what I have read, I really like the Viewsonic VP930p or the Samsung 970p, but they are slightly out of my range right now. The new Samsung 940T seems interesting with a 1000:1 contrast ratio. Would that be a good substitute for an 8 bit panel? Please do not refer me to a CRT because I'm not considering one.

Thanks.

 

[xtknight]

The VP930 series are ridden with an electronics bug that causes some mild flicker/noise problems, and the 970P has been confirmed to use 6-bit and dithering, so I would not recommend them for photo editing anyway (otherwise they are actually pretty good). The 940T I'm afraid, uses the same panel as the 970P and has the same dithering but I can not be sure of that. Under $400 I'm not sure you'd find much, unfortunately. The Eizo L551 looks like a good choice if you can stand 17". 17" will have a finer dot pitch than 19" (at 1280x1024) so that will make it more suited. I'm really not sure how it stacks up to other LCDs, but Eizo is supposed to be suited toward photo editing/enthusiasts. It is also a 6-bit, so if you want an 8-bit, then unfortunately I think you're out of luck, for both 17" and 19" for under $400.

 

[xtknight]

I think I may have found what you have been looking for.

Samsung 920t: http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.a...UNG+920T-Silver+19%22+25ms+LCD+Monitor

Uses the panel below, supposedly true 8-bit. I can't guarantee it, but it looks good anyway.

LTM190E1-L01 19.0"-SXGA PVA 376.3 x 301.1 1280 (xRGB) x 1024 16.7M (True 8-bit) 20:01:00 250 85/85/85/85 2 Ch. LVDS <25ms +5.0V 22.0W 4 CCFLs 404.2 x 330.0 x 20.0 max. 2700g max. - Now

These also use the same thing:

Eizo L767 has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Eizo L768-AS has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Eizo L795 has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Mitsubishi SX98LCD has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

NEC LCD1980SX has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Samsung 191T has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1) panel.

Samsung 194T has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Samsung 910M has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Samsung 910N has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Samsung 910T has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Samsung 910TM has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

Samsung 920T has a 19 inch 25 ms PVA (Samsung LTM190E1-L03) panel.

 

[Lemodular]

xtknight, thank you very much for your opinion; I respect your opinion. The 920T looks pretty cool. I'll add that to my list of monitors to consider. However, Newegg is one of the last place I want to buy from. Any (objective) reviews on this monitor?

 

[xtknight]

Newegg? Really? I have had no problems whatsoever with them, including RMA of something I mistakingly ordered. Ordered two LCDs and both arrived with no dead pixels.

I edited my post above with a list of monitors that used the same 'true 8-bit' panel so you should be able to find one of them at a dealer you prefer. About reviews, I'm not sure. Not a whole lot of monitor reviews out there (lots for those low response time monitors). If by objective you mean theoretical, then this panel should deliver a very favorable image (it uses a high contrast VA panel with an 8-bit color driver). If you find a specific one that has a good price at a reputable dealer then let me know and I'll try to help you find a review on it.

But as luck has it I'm having trouble finding any of those monitors available anywhere at under $400. Try here though (most have the 910T for about $450): http://froogle.google.com/froogle_clust...Froogle&lmode=&addr=&scoring=mrd&hl=en

There is one problem: that if you spend under $400 you would be stuck with a 6-bit, so it's an all-or-nothing predicament. So I'd recommend you do yourself a favor and spend the $425 or $450 you need to get something such as the 910T.

 

[Lemodular]

When I say "objective" I mean measured lab test that are unbiased and "empirical"....and most of the time different from mfg's claims.

If all the listed monitors use the same panel, wouldn't the 920 be the best buy?

Newegg has the best price on the 920T BTW.

 

[xtknight]

Yeah, probably the 920T. I'd say get it from Newegg. Just curious what issues have you had with Newegg? (I have never heard anything but praise for them.) They don't have the best dead pixel policy or return policy (15% restocking fee) but their customer service is great and RMA process is very straightforward through my experience. They also have great prices. I may sound like a salesperson but they really are great... Anyway, it is out of stock at Newegg so I hope they'll have more of them in soon.

 

[kmmatney]

I could be wrong, but I thought the Dell 1905FP was an 8-bit, but maybe its just the older models.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.as...rodid=11040712&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

At one point they used this panel:

http://www.samsung.com/Products/TFTLCD/...ors_n_Industrial/LTM190E4/LTM190E4.htm

I believe this is 8-bit. I have heard that the 1905FP recently started using a different panel. Edit: The link above is to the latest generation of this panel, but the Dell used to use an older version with the same PVA -type panel.

 

[Lemodular]

I understand that the DELL 1905 uses both panels and one would not know which one until they get it and check the serrial no. , is that true or they both are 8 bit PVA? I have considered this monitor too but need to know for sure.

 

[xtknight]

The Dell 1905 uses S-PVA panel but it is not the true 8-bit one (same as 970P).

 

[BassBomb]

samsung 915N like i have

samsung 930V or something like that... is same version + dvi

 

[Lemodular]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
samsung 915N like i have

samsung 930V or something like that... is same version + dvi

A quick check shows the 915N to be a 6 bit panel with analog input only.

Can't find info on the "930V"