Gateway FPD2185W or NEC 20WMGX2

[Nox1]

I've been reading up on both of these and can't decide which to purchase. I know the strengths and weaknesses, but still... I guess I just need to think aloud.

Both are very simular: Widescreen 1680x1050, HDCP, DVI-D, RGB, component inputs, speakers (avilable), USB ports, true 8-bit color, <12 ms (8ms Gateway, 6 ms NEC)...etc.

For me it comes down to a few things....

1.) The LCD panel: The NEC edges out the Gateway by using the S-ISP panel compared to the P-MVA and it has a 2ms response time edge as well. BUT the Gateway is 21" compared to the NEC at 20". The NEC also has a slightly wider viewing angle (178°) then the Gateway (176°).

2.) Price: The Gateway is $200 cheaper at $599 compared to NEC at $799.

3.) Faroudja DCDi: This is a definate plus in my book.

I still can't decide, but I think I'm leaning towards the the Gateway mainly because of the price and that it's a local buy and if there is any problems, I can return it easier.

Has anyone had the opportunity to view both these monitors for a comparison?

 

[xtknight]

NEC 20WMGX2.

The Gateway's viewing angles are quite overrated (the NEC will edge it out easily). The only things I'd be worried about are the recent reports of backlight bleeding in the NEC (reported in the Wide Screen Gaming Forums user review section). The Gateway also has some grayscale problems which will translate into less detail and contrast in scenes. That doesn't mean color won't be vibrant, but detail will suffer because of the color fringing/banding in the grayscale reported in so many reviews of the FPD2185W.

Yes, I believe the Gateway is one of the Samsung Super PVA panels meaning 8-bit (PVA alone is just 6-bit). The NEC is indefinitely an 8-bit monitor. The 20WMGX2 also has a smaller dot pitch so pictures will look finer but text will be smaller than on the Gateway. Response time on the NEC is the best of any desktop LCD, so the Gateway will also have trouble keeping up with it on that aspect. However it's still probably super fast.

Disclaimer: I haven't seen either of these monitors in person. I'm going off of user and professional reviews, plus panel specifics.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Samsung 215tw

I had these two compared at best buy and found the samsung to be superior for 50 dollars less.

http://www.prad.de/en/guide/screen2778.html

 

[Nox1]

Samsung 215TW... I'm assuming the Gateway uses a Samsung panel too, so the 215TW would definately be worth checking out.

If the NEC wasn't so expensive, I'd most likely be all over it. I like the idea of a TRUE 8-bit, though. What I've read about the NEC, people are saying it's definately worth the hefty price tag. But for $800, I could get a 26" LCD HDTV, if a sale is right, even a 32".

I had a chance to play with the Gateway today at Bestbuy and Circuit City. It was quite nice, but I had thought it would have "WOWed" me more. It seemed very good, but it didn't pop out at me. There was an LG L1932TQ ($329) sitting next to it . I hooked it up to the computer the Gateway was on and THAT wowed me. Too bad it's a 6-bit, non-HDCP, 4:3 LCD with no video inputs (component, composite etc..). For gaming, I'd take it though.

 

[n7]

The Gateway is nice, but it's not great.

Frankly, i find the 1680x1050 rez it runs at looking to low for its size.

I haven't actually used the NEC like i have the Gateway, but i already know i'd much prefer the NEC.

 

[hans007]

i would take the nec any day of the week.

i mean you are already spending $600, might as well spend $750 or so (which is aroudn what it goes for) for a monitor that will last 5 years.

then again, there are a few more features that you left out. the nec has a much higher contrast ratio and opticlear.


i am not sure you care about opticlear, but i have an nec lcd1770gx and well it does make a difference as far as black levels and such . things look well "richer".

i think if i was upgrading to a monitor i'd get the nec, even though the $200 extra sucks. honestly i wish the nec were in the $650 range, and it would be a no brainer.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

nox1 if you are considering the gateway go to bestbuy they should have both monitors the 215tw just came out last week i got it before they even put it out on the shelf. Its a brad new monitor. As far ar performance though i dont think it is on par with the nec.
I dont need a super fast monitor though cause i dont suffer from ghosting i guess cause i never saw it and the worst monitor i games on was the walmart 19ws proview

 

[SniperGuy]

I have had the gateway for about two weeks, and have played many high paced games, and never noticed any ghosting. The response time is fantastic, and the monitor is gorgeous. I dunno about the NEC, but the Gateway is absolutely fantastic.

 

[Navid]

I do have this Gateway model and am happy with it. But, I have never seen the NEC.

Another thing you may need to know is that even though Gateway advertises this model to offer 75Hz refresh rate on the web site, it only runs at 60Hz at its native resolution. This is even noted in the user's guide (60Hz only at 1680X1050).

Almost all of them have a buzzing sound a little bit, some more some less.

I would not go with any smaller than 21" (16X10) with this native resolution. Text is already small for me.

 

[Nox1]

I went to CompUSA today and behold, they had the 215TW. They were nice enough to take it out of the box, hook it to a computer (Dell Duel Core...intel graphics) and let me test it out. I had my thumb drive with me that has grey scales, color gradients and other forms of LCD test pictures on it.

I have to admit, I was impressed. It's a pretty nice monitor. A quick window drag showed me its fast response time. It's the same as the Gateway, but the Gateway seemed to have a tad more ghosting to it, but again, the Gateway wasn't bad at all either. It just seemed as if the Samsung was quicker.

Pulling up a 100% RED screen reveiled a DEAD PIXEL! It was just above the center of the desktop. Ugh! Ther was also a grey circle to the lower right side of the desktop. It was about the size of the tip of a pencil eraser. It looked like a water spot, but it was inside the screen and permanent. Of all things to harp on a $600 purchase is the thought of getting a dead pixel and a strange defect.

Blue and green pictures came up great (besides that grey area).

The Grey scale seemed good too. There was some stepping in the gradients, but comparing it with my current LCD (15" S-ISP), it looks the same.

So in all, I like the 215TW, though that dead pixel and grey area makes me hesitate. The Gateway is still a better multi-media monitor with the Faroudja DCDi, and the USB ports. It's too bad the NEC isn't around to compare. Personally, I like the OptiClear of the NEC. If it's anything like the Sony monitors, I feel it adds to the image of the LCD.

I read back in Jan last year, that Samsung has a Zero Dead Pixel policy. Is this true? Their website states different (unless it's never been updated): http://erms.samsungusa.com/customer/sea...1&AT_ID=5608&PROD_SUB_ID=28&PROD_ID=28

I'm still undecided.

--
Ctrackstar... I have some questions for you:

After the drivers are installed for the Samsung, does it scale resolutions by 1:1 pixel mapping? I noticed the Gateway does, and I like that! Switch to 1280x1024 and the sides go black (like switching to a 4:3 mode).

Also, have you hooked a Xbox, Playstation to it? How did the image scale (hopefully like any 16:9 TV...4:3 in the middle of the screen)?

Last, have you tried a stand alone DVD player with it? Progressive scan?

 

[adaddy]

The Samsung is more flexible in terms of height adjustment and the rotation capability. But it also uses Samsung's older 8ms PVA panel rather than the newer 6ms panels like in the 970p and 244t. I would imagine that they will be releasing an update to the 215tw with the faster panel, but who knows when.

Anyway, I have the NEC and although it's great, it's incredibly bright and has a dead pixel (a pretty pink color). The weird thing about the dead pixel is that it showed up on the 3rd or 4th day. Also the lower left corner is brighter than the rest of the screen and it's noticeable on any dark image. I'm just pointing these things out because you'll probably want to buy it locally at a place that has an easy return/exchange policy, as you would any LCD.

As a side note, part of the reason the contrast ratio is so high (1400:1 w/DVM, 700:1 without) is due to the anti-glare coating and high brightness (470cd). The Samsung on the other hand achieves its 1000:1 contrast ratio the "traditional" way with no coating, deeper blacks, and a more reasonable 300cd brightness level. Staring at 400cd+ is like staring at a lamp so you'll almost definitely wind up reducing it. Images lose some of their vividness when doing so and I'm assuming the contrast ratio also goes down.