Do the Sony Xbrites and the Viewsonic 912 share the same panel?

[Error Macro]

Today I saw a Sony HS94P Xbrite 19" LCD monitor and wow... It looked amazing! I couldn't believe how vibrant the colors were! They were honestly better than my Mitsubishi Diamond Pro. The black level looked good for an LCD, but I couldn't test it out with any games (it was in Sam's Club... no games installed).

I was wondering if the Viewsonic 912 uses the same panel, because they are both 19" screens with 12ms response times, and both use that shiny, glass like coating. If they are the same... I am jumping on getting a Viewsonic 912B, because the Sony looked that dang good. The reasons I won't get a Sony are, 1) it's a Sony and 2) I don't like the stand/color combination. I just love the way the Viewsonic is all black and it's stand.

This Sony made me seriously want to get an LCD, which is something I never thought I would say. I am a die-hard aperture grille CRT user, but man, did that monitor ever look sweet in the store today.

 

[sellmen]

Yes, the HS94P and the VP912B use the same panel. Both of them have a similar glasslike coating - Sony calls it "Xbrite", Viewsonic calls it "Glare, 2H". I'm not sure if there are any differences between the coatings. The monitors have nearly identical specs, I'd imagine image quality is very similar on both.

 

[Error Macro]

Thanks for posting, sellmen.

That's really awesome. I read that the Sony uses two backlights, and I figure that the Viewsonic uses only one. But maybe that would improve the black level on the Viewsonic. Either way, those are some nice looking LCD's. It actually shocked me to see that they've come so far in a couple of years.

 

[sellmen]

Originally posted by: Error Macro
Thanks for posting, sellmen.

That's really awesome. I read that the Sony uses two backlights, and I figure that the Viewsonic uses only one. But maybe that would improve the black level on the Viewsonic. Either way, those are some nice looking LCD's. It actually shocked me to see that they've come so far in a couple of years.

I totally agree. I was pro-CRT for the longest time, until I saw the HS94P (which I own now). The screen is awesome - bright, sharp, and no ghosting whatsoever.

 

[Error Macro]

I've got a question, since you're the proud owner of an HS94P and all: How are the black levels on it? It was hard to tell in the store, and I didn't adjust the contrast/brightness, but it seemed like it couldn't make a true black like a CRT. I think the black level is the biggest hurdle for me in making the switch over to LCD. I just want to be sure that it can produce an acceptable black, not dark grey like some panels I've seen. I play a lot of games, and LCD's I've tried in the past have completely washed out the shadow details, making some levels or games nearly impossible to play. I can only imagine what trying to play a game like Doom 3 on some of those LCD monitors would look like.

 

[sellmen]

Originally posted by: Error Macro
I've got a question, since you're the proud owner of an HS94P and all: How are the black levels on it? It was hard to tell in the store, and I didn't adjust the contrast/brightness, but it seemed like it couldn't make a true black like a CRT. I think the black level is the biggest hurdle for me in making the switch over to LCD. I just want to be sure that it can produce an acceptable black, not dark grey like some panels I've seen. I play a lot of games, and LCD's I've tried in the past have completely washed out the shadow details, making some levels or games nearly impossible to play. I can only imagine what trying to play a game like Doom 3 on some of those LCD monitors would look like.

The black level isn't perfect. I think the reason for this is because it is so damn bright - the same insane brightness that makes the colors so vibrant, tends to fade the black a little. I wouldn't say it's grey, it just seems to "bright", if that makes sense. Lowering the brightness (which I do anyway, because on high this thing is just too bright) makes the blacks more true, but it never becomes a perfect, CRT like black.

That being said, I don't think I've ever been bothered by the black level; the only time I noticed it was at the store, when it was side by side with some CRTs. This is a very nice gaming monitor. My experience has been that washed out shadows on LCDs tends to more a result of the poor color reproduction of 6-bit panels, rather than the black levels. This monitor does colors very well, I haven't noticed any washed out shadows. Some reviews of this monitor have in particular noted how nice Doom 3 looks on it, like this one.

Before you drop $600+ on an LCD, I'd definately go to store that carries it, and ask if you can test it out on one of their systems.

edit - I found one review of the Viewsonic VP912B that reviewed its gaming performance, among other things. It even has a Doom 3 screenshot - you can find the review here.

 

[whistleclient]

anyone know which stores carry the viewsonic, so i can go see it in person?