Dell SP2208WFP

[Kharohz]

Sorry for not putting this in the LCD thread, but ...

I have been looking around for the "perfect" monitor, obviously such a thing does not exist. But the specs following the SP2208WFP are pretty damn close to fitting my category.

My expectations are retarded being how I am one of those stubborn CRT fans. But I wanted a monitor with HDCP support (The Acer X241WSD is a perfect example of non-working HDCP, being how 1080p has horrible banding issues), good image quality, HDMI, DVI, VGA, the works. I can live with the viewing angle. Oh and it has to have very little input lag.... That is a must.

Nevermind all of that useless filler, my question is this, although this monitor supports up to a resolution of 1680x1050, people said to have used 1080p with a ps3/360.

Any truth to this? I am one click away from buying this, whether it supports 1080p or not is the selling point.

Thanks.

 

[MustISO]

It can't support that resolution natively since it doesn't have enough pixels. 1080 is 1920 x 1080. What it will do is scale the image to it's native resolution.

 

[Kharohz]

So in a nutshell, it would be fake 1080p.

So hypothetically, fake 1080p > 720p? (with the scaling and all)

Thanks.

 

[krunt]

1920×1080 = 1080p
1280 x 720 = 720p

with anything else it has to scale. As long as it is 16:9 it should scale just fine for your monitor (so 1680 x 945 would work but doesn't exist) but if it doesn't scale exactly something has to think, whether that be the video card or something else. How well it upscales (or downscales) depends on the hardware.

Desktop wide-screen monitors are almost universally 16:10
As you put it, fake 1080p may be better than 720p, depending on how well the hardware/software fakes it. It is far easier to fake it when the ratio is the same to what they are trying to achieve. That being said, there aren't that many out there. 1680 x 1050 (16:10) is common for the 20-22 inch range. A 24 inch monitor typically comes in 1920 x 1200 which is 16:10 as well. However the 1920x1200 monitors are smart enough to just not display 60 lines on each side, giving you 1920x1080. The smaller monitors would have to not display an odd number of lines, like the 1080x1050 would have to get rid of 105 lines. Not smart enough to go 53 and 52, it just fails to pull it off well. so there ya go.
If 1080p is highly important to you then you need to spend the cash to buy a 24 inch monitor or larger. If it isn't import, well any monitor can display it, just some better then others, and allot depends on the other components in your system

edit: typo, its 1080, not 180

 

[Kharohz]

Thanks for the info. 1080p does mean alot (Fake or no), but as for 24", the current tech isn't quite there yet IMO. (Larger monitors get affected more by the TN's lack of viewing angle ect, and VA panels are out of the question.... and IPS is a dream at best)

And there is the fact of huge difference in cost.

The two el cheapos in the realm of 24" would be the Soyo, which doesn't support HDCP and is VA, and the best buy AcerX241WSD, which has half broken redundant HDCP. (But other than that I liked it )

So sadly 22" is the last option. Too bad there are no S-IPS 22" panels.

 

[s44]

The question is, DOES the monitor correctly render 16:9?

I know the Gateway HD2200 does. Not sure about any other 22".

 

[Kharohz]

And an excellent question that is

 

[Kharohz]

Ok I bought this monitor, so I figured I would give it a review for the sake of others.

Granted I come from a CRT world. (And I have a natural hate for LCDs) But with this monitor, the pros easily outweigh the cons.

I am highly recommending this monitor for those who are looking for the perfect: Console/PC use monitor.

This monitor supports up to 1080p (Scales down to 1680x1050), and does a great job at it. 720p is excellent as well. Scaling options are the following: 1:1 ratio, 4:3 ratio, 16:9 ratio, and Full. So if you are incredibly anal and want your 16:9, you can have your 16:9.

The SP2208WFP comes with (4) USB ports, Webcam (Meh), DVI, VGA, and HDMI. HDMI can passthrough the audio to the audio out port, so no dealing with excessive audio jury rigs. There is an input button that allows you switch which input on the fly, so computer to PS3, no problem.

While a TN, I find the colors to be quite vibrant, the picture to be sharp, and my particular monitor came with zero dead pixels. I have no issues with the viewing angle being how I sit right in front of it.

The only con I have notice is slight light bleeding from top and bottom of monitor, but this isn't that noticeable.

Any questions and I shall answer.....

 

[NYFan]

I'm looking at buying the SP2208WFP because it seems like a great deal. 2000:1 contrast ratio, HDMI are all selling points for me. I was comparing it to the ultra sharp version 2208WFP and it seems to me that the SP2208WFP is better. The ultrasharp 2208WFP comes with a much better stand but comes with a lower contrast ratio 1000:1 and does not come with HDMI. The ultra sharp is also more money so i am leaning toward the SP2208WFP.

Couple of questions about the SP2208WFP
1) This displays in 720p correct?
2) How do you get the HDMI audio to your sound card if you don't use the monitor speakers

Thanks

 

[skillyho]

Originally posted by: NYFan
I'm looking at buying the SP2208WFP because it seems like a great deal. 2000:1 contrast ratio, HDMI are all selling points for me. I was comparing it to the ultra sharp version 2208WFP and it seems to me that the SP2208WFP is better. The ultrasharp 2208WFP comes with a much better stand but comes with a lower contrast ratio 1000:1 and does not come with HDMI. The ultra sharp is also more money so i am leaning toward the SP2208WFP.

Couple of questions about the SP2208WFP
1) This displays in 720p correct?
2) How do you get the HDMI audio to your sound card if you don't use the monitor speakers

Thanks

1) Yep...no probs on my 360.
2) There is a "line out" port on the back...just get a male/male stereo cable and run it from here to the "Line-In" on the PC and you're good to go.

I love mine......had it about 3 days. Zero dead pixels, XBOX looks great too!

 

[TM2 Rampage]

So with the Dell SP2208WFP, you can play Xbox 360 and PS3 games in correct 16:9 (not stretched to 16:10)? Which connections are you guys using for the 360 and PS3, by the way?

 

[TM2 Rampage]

Also, I hear that some people are having issues with blurry text on the Dell SP2208WFP?

And one more thing... Dell's page for the monitor http://accessories.us.dell.com...dhs&cs=19&sku=320-6252 lists a 2 ms (grey to grey) response time. Hmmm.... does this monitor use RTC/overdrive, then?

 

[coreyb]

For the money you are far better off getting the BenQ G2400W. It does everything the Dell does except better and can natively support 1080p.

 

[TM2 Rampage]

So uh, how does 720p material look like enlarged out to fit a 1680x1050 LCD screen (while still maintaining aspect ratio)

VS.

720p material on a natively 720p LCD TV (if those even exist... if there are those other than 13something x 768 or something...)??


EDIT: Well you see I'm planning on playing Metal Gear Solid 4 for Playstation 3 and I think that game renders natively at 720p.

 

[mezr]

Originally posted by: Kharohz
Ok I bought this monitor, so I figured I would give it a review for the sake of others.

... Any questions and I shall answer.....

Everything I hear about this monitor talks about how good it is with movies, games, pictures, etc. How about the more mundane things like word processing, spreadsheets, text on web pages, etc.? Also, does anyone know if it performs better or worse with certain video cards? I've got an NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT.

Thanks.