how far away are we from (AM?)OLED computer monitors?

[taltamir]

Their greatest strength is their ability to accurately display absolutely nothing (black). If AMOLED displays became mainstream, games and movies would become so dark (to take advantage of this new "feature") that by comparison, Doom3 without the duct-tape mod would appear to be set in broad daylight.

Games and movies aren't concerned about battery life.
Main menus however switched from "black on white background" to "gray on black background" in all OLED devices to maximize battery life.

In addition to perfect blacks, OLEDs have the following benefits over RGB LED Backlit LCD:
1. 1/3 the power consumption
2. much thinner (0.1mm vs half an inch to 2 inches)
3. much ligher (as a result of thinner)
4. theoretically cheaper to manufacture (once tech stabilizes)
5. Much much Better viewing angles (no polarizing)
6. Work properly with sunglasses (no polarizing)
7. Much much better response times & max refresh rate.

 

[MrK6]

As Far as I know, Grooveriding and MRK6 have IPS panels, they are both 30" though. They can tell you how good they are for gaming.

If you want an 27" IPS, there's the Dell U2711H.

Glad to offer my experience :thumbsup:.

Considering my Dell 3007WFP-HC is a four-year-old display, I think it holds its own. I like it for many reasons, the size, the dot pitch, the enormous amount of real estate with which to work. Speaking specifically of the panel's attributes, I don't think I can go back to a TN panel. The colors are amazing, especially once calibrated, so are the view angles, and so, too, is the IQ due to the dot-pitch and how far one sits back. The lack of a scaler in this particular model makes it a good gaming monitor as it has really low input lag for such a high quality display.

Nvidiaguy07, when you bought your new monitor, you returned it because you were disappointed and thought your current 21" looked "better." How so? The monitor you purchased was very different in terms of screen size, quality, resolution, and options. What were you disappointed with? Beyond discussing future display technology and the hypothetical, if you want to upgrade your screen, tell us what you don't like or would like to improve about your current monitor and hopefully we can help you find something :thumbsup:.

 

[JRW]

Ive been messing around with a friends oled based android phone lately and must admit oled is pretty amazing, the black levels are PITCH BLACK without a hint of glow and the colors are rich & vibrant. motion blur isnt perfect but not bad at all based on the games ive tried.

 

[endlessmike133]

Not sure I would pay a premium for an AMOLED display.

Their greatest strength is their ability to accurately display absolutely nothing (black). If AMOLED displays became mainstream, games and movies would become so dark (to take advantage of this new "feature") that by comparison, Doom3 without the duct-tape mod would appear to be set in broad daylight.

Ridiculous, are movie/game-makers now making movies more bright because LCD black levels suck ass? No.

Movie/Game-makers aren't optimizing their media on screens with poor color reproduction to account for the masses with LCDs; they're optimizing them on screens with superbly amazing color reproduction.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Nvidiaguy07, when you bought your new monitor, you returned it because you were disappointed and thought your current 21" looked "better." How so? The monitor you purchased was very different in terms of screen size, quality, resolution, and options. What were you disappointed with? Beyond discussing future display technology and the hypothetical, if you want to upgrade your screen, tell us what you don't like or would like to improve about your current monitor and hopefully we can help you find something :thumbsup:.

Well I had many problems with the monitor I ordered, which was this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

I plugged my computer in via DVI, and right off the bat it was wayy too bright, and looked terrible. After playing around with the settings, I got it to where it looked pretty good. The color wasn't as warm as my current LCD, but I thought it looked ok. It didn't look as sharp as my old LCD (and not just because the DPI is higher). I decided to hook them both up at the same time to see how they looked next to each other, to see why I liked my old one better. It was much easier on the eyes, and colors looked richer, and not washed out. The contrast levels were also much better when playing black ops on my old one.

HDMI out of the box was horrible, I had to change the name of the input to DVI for it to work for some reason. Once i did that it looked a bit better, but still did not look as sharp as DVI, which wasn't that great anyway.

I also had problems with the VGA port, as i could never get it to adjust to the right size of the screen. and it had a dead pixel dead center.

I think my biggest complaint is that it just didnt look like a monitor. the picture was the same as if you hooked a computer up to a 42" 1080p tv screen. I dont know what the actual difference is, but monitors always look better than TV's. Maybe it was too sharp?

Either way, I can say my old Acer H213H looked much better picture wise. I may give another one a shot, but hate having to go through the aggravation of returning it again if it sucks. I'd like to try IPS, but I don't really consider myself that into having perfect colors. (i was fine with my last 2 LCD's, don't know why i cant find a decent one now.)

 

[Obsoleet]

Hey Obsoleet, are you saying you use a plasma as a display for your PC? Do you use it for gaming, work, browsing? I'm considering getting a 3d monitor (120hz input) to improve motion resolution, but I've heard that plasma does an excellent job with that kind of thing as well, and since I'm not intererested in 3d, just the motion resolution, maybe I'd be just as happy with a plasma?

I'd be very interested in your opinion. I mostly (75&#37 play games on my pc, and very occationally work and browse. Besides image retention/burn in, is there anything *else* I should be concerned with using a plasma as a pc display? I was thinking of getting a 32/37 inch plasma, but is there one you recommend? I'm not going to be watchin movies or tv on this thing, so the featuers that matter to me are:

- motion resolution
- input lag
- sharp text (for when I do browse etc

Thanks, I guess I could research this, but I'm interested in your (anyone's) first-hand knowledge.

Sorry to de-rail this, if that's what I'm doing.

I use my plasma for gaming only, it's in my living room and I have a 50ft HDMI cable ran from my Radeon to it. I use that and Xbox 360 gamepads + a Logitech Dinovo Mini to control it remotely (30ft range on both those devices).

You can use a web browser on it, but from that range it's not very nice. I do not worry about burn in with my plasma, it's not an issue. I guess it's possible, but most new plasmas have automatic protections built in if you accidentally leave it on a static image, as I have. It retains it for a while, but goes away, and there are tools built in that make it go away faster (minutes).

The IQ is so far beyond LCD that for a TV or gaming, it's worth it. I don't know if I'd utilize a plasma as a main display at a desk though, simply because while burn in is not a problem, reading webpages and the like will give you retention issues (temporary) that might be annoying.

For me, television is a plasma must-have affair. But with all the 360 gamepad games out there, there's no reason you can't have the best of both worlds. It's very cool and "saves money" as you have the best PC experience and and best "console" experience money can buy with true 1080 res like the PS3 and Xbox cannot handle in most games.

Up to 4 players can hook up to a single PC 360 receiver, so if you're into emulators, there's even more classic gaming to be had, beyond all the great new games.

Input lag and motion lag are ~0.002MS, or similar, it's extremely low and puts LCD to shame for movies and gaming. I'd recommend plasma whole heartedly, but LCD still has a minor place in the market for smaller screen sizes, and a desktop.

 

[Kalessian]

I have almost the same sentiments as Obsoleet. Plasma is great. Besides the 360 pads, I also have a bluetooth adapter and use the Dualshock3 on my PC based on the games I'm playing (PS1/2 emulation). Mario Kart 64 played with wireless controllers rendered in 1080p is great. It's like someone remade the game. Try dolphin to play Wii games in 1080p, also cool.

But my 2010 samsung (and my friend's) does have very noticable input lag, sadly, even on game mode.

I think my next big display is going to be OLED. Between my IPS and *VA panels and Plasma, I don't think I can do much better until OLED.

 

[Dark Shroud]

The problem is that no one is doing large OLED screens. Probably not for several more years.

 

[exar333]

The problem is that no one is doing large OLED screens. Probably not for several more years.

This.

Get a good LCD display (PVA/IPS) now and enjoy great quality. OLEDs are WAY ahead of cheap TN panels, but there are much superior alternatives to TN panels that already exist.

Even a 30 inch IPS for $1500 or so will NOT be replaced for > 5 years at the same price point from OLED. Even if they have a 20inch OLED for the same price, I would take a 30inch IPS any day.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Up to 4 players can hook up to a single PC 360 receiver, so if you're into emulators, there's even more classic gaming to be had, beyond all the great new games.

Input lag and motion lag are ~0.002MS, or similar, it's extremely low and puts LCD to shame for movies and gaming. I'd recommend plasma whole heartedly, but LCD still has a minor place in the market for smaller screen sizes, and a desktop.

hmmm, so is plasma lag better or worse than LCD. the post below you makes me think otherwise.

and also, where did you buy your PC adapter for the 360 controllers? I only found one and it came with a controller. The others I found I guess werent official microsoft adapters.

This.

Get a good LCD display (PVA/IPS) now and enjoy great quality. OLEDs are WAY ahead of cheap TN panels, but there are much superior alternatives to TN panels that already exist.

Even a 30 inch IPS for $1500 or so will NOT be replaced for > 5 years at the same price point from OLED. Even if they have a 20inch OLED for the same price, I would take a 30inch IPS any day.

I am considering spending 500-1000 for a really nice IPS, but im wondering how games are going to look on it. I play a lot of FPS games, and worry about lag.

I may just order one and try it out. Worst case scenario is ill have to send it back.

So it looks like for a gaming IPS it comes down to the Dell UltraSharp U2410 or the HP LP2475w. Which would you prefer for games?

 

[Dark Shroud]

Just keep an eye on the Dell Outlet store and you should be able to snag a Ultrasharp (IPS) screen on sale for under $400. They just recently had a 23" on sale for $250.

I have a Dell SP2309w running at the native res of 2048 x 1152.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Just keep an eye on the Dell Outlet store and you should be able to snag a Ultrasharp (IPS) screen on sale for under $400. They just recently had a 23" on sale for $250.

I have a Dell SP2309w running at the native res of 2048 x 1152.

how are games on it?

I was actually just considering getting this based on reviews: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824002524

I would gladly spend the extra $$$ if i knew I was definitely getting something that had awesome picture quality, great gaming specs, and wouldnt degrade over time.

 

[taltamir]

The problem is that no one is doing large OLED screens. Probably not for several more years.

Several years? On april 2nd 2011 sony will begin sale of of 25" OLED (for 30,000$).

 

[Winterpool]

No one should wait for OLED. Unless they're young and poor. Life is short. The expected period till affordable OLED TVs/monitors is about the lifespan of a typical monitor anyhow.

I too hunted for the perfect screen, but there is none. IPS panels are probably best overall, but very few have acceptable blacks. For computer usage, this isn't too much of an issue, but it disqualifies IPS from serious cinematic usage.

So like many others, I have multiple screens. For serious telly and movie viewing, I've one of the last Pioneer plasmas. Those are deep ('inky') blacks! For desktop computer usage, I've IPS (iMac 27", LED-backlit; HP ZR24w; Dell 2209WA). For notebooks, TN -- because I've no other choice, though the quality amongst my Apple & Gateway mobile devices is still quite wide-ranging.

Putting aside the Pioneer (plasma isn't really suited for computer use), I'd say the best overall screen is the iMac. I understand now why everyone pushes glossy displays. The iMac sits in an office with only one window, so glare is not an issue. And of course it boasts both size and pixel density. I don't game on the iMac so speed isn't an issue either.

Whilst waiting for OLED, I wish manufacturers would release higher-density displays. I'd like desktop equivalents of the iPad. Hell, I'd like a MacBook Pro with comparable display. Come on, Steve!

We've 11 megapixel pr0n, but no displays worthy of them.

 

[aigomorla]

You have burnt through how many cpus and cant splurge on a monitor once, hell they can be had for like $1k now?

i wouldnt be happy with 1.

I would need at least 2, and on top the gpu's required to drive a resolution that large.

The total cost in a project like that would net almost as much as my entire LC system.
(umm i mean only the watercooling portion and not the core system.)

Big difference is I built my LC system slowly, so it was only at the end i noticed WTF i spent that much.

The monitors and gpu would need to be bought in almost 1 go, and that would kill me.. :hmm:

I too hunted for the perfect screen, but there is none. IPS panels are probably best overall, but very few have acceptable blacks. For computer usage, this isn't too much of an issue, but it disqualifies IPS from serious cinematic usage.

yeah when i went out monitor shopping, i realized S-PVA's had better blacks, so movies looked better on them.

But IPS has the best vivid colors.. when you see one with a really nice picture displayed, all you can say is OMFG why is this so much better them my POS.

But i do agree with you on the true blacks.
I can only find them on S-PVA's.

 

[taltamir]

No one should wait for OLED. Unless they're young and poor. Life is short. The expected period till affordable OLED TVs/monitors is about the lifespan of a typical monitor anyhow.

So true.

I too hunted for the perfect screen, but there is none.

An allegory for life? eh, I agree and did the same thing. there is no perfect monitor, only trade-offs between highly imperfect technologies.

 

[punch]

I know this is pricey and probably cant be found anymore but there are newer plasmas that are good enough - a Plasma really is a great gaming display because its got a 0ms refresh time and some can accept 72Hz signals but most are 60Hz - you should look for a Pioneer Elite display of the last generation they make if you can still find one

or get a good panasonic or samsung plasma they are pretty good, and calibrate it your self or hire an ISF engineer to do it, which I am one but I am not selling services

I have a Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD 50" Plasma and when it came out it was "the worlds best tv" all the reviews said so and still more then 2 years latter its still the standard that most reviewers compare displays to - still nothing has been released that has a better contrast ratio and more accurate colors across all color ranges and brightness ranges - nothing other then some $15,000+ plasma panels from runco and others like that even compare, this was $5000 at the time I got it

I am a ISF engineer (google it if you dont know) and I can say that I have not seen a LCD that comes close to the color accuracy of this display - there are some LCD's that have led back lighting that is in segments but you get non uninformed brightness and it looks like crap when there are really dark scenes with small bright spots

I have gamed on this for 2 years so far and I have some burn-in not a problem for me really I mostly turn off huds in games if I can do that when I need to and I run colored slides from time to time to wear level the screen use

I must say that I have had people over that have watched movies and thought that I had a TV that was 2.35:1 aspect because the black bars on top and bottom of the movie were not visible at all



last option and this is a strange one and can be cheep considering what you get - a small screen projector is really bright, and if you have a grey or black screen you will have great black levels

a small really bright pico projector and make a rear projection display box - or get a sub $1500 projector and a black screen, thats the key a dark grey or black screen and a really small screen for a projector like 20" or so if you can get a lens to make it that small, but most projectors can only go down to like 42" but they are really bright at that size because they are designed to go up to like 92" or more

 

[Modelworks]

One of the problems with OLED on the technical side is there are not any controller chips that can handle large OLED displays. Currently the way it would have to be done is for multiple chips to be used for a single display and that gets expensive considering that the cost for a single chip for a smaller display is about $25, one for a 50" would need about 20 chips and then add the cost of $74 for a chip to be the master of those and dividing the workload. So about $600 just in chips.

 

[RussianSensation]

If I were to purchase a monitor today, I'd go straight for a 42 inch Panasonic / Samsung plasma for PC gaming. To browse the internet, I'd probably grab an iPad 2 or a cheap $500 laptop for office work. Then again I prefer gaming on a larger screen over higher resolutions. Just a personal preference. I couldn't go back to gaming on anything smaller than a 30 inch display. To combat 1920x1080 resolution inadequacy, you can just sit farther away form the TV. Of course, a good Plasma TV will still cost $900-1000+. So the 30 inch IPS panel becomes a real alternative, on which you can also perform office work.

Then again, spending $1000 on a PC monitor sounds like a lot, but if you use it for 5+ years, that's 5 years out of your life for something you use almost daily. I definitely think in this instance a $1000-1200 PC monitor (whether a 32-42 inch LCD/Plasma or a 30 inch 2560x1600 LCD panel) is totally worth the investment. Over the years I have seen my friends upgrade from 17 inch to 19 inch to 22 inch to 24 inch LCD panels. During the same period of time they could have simply purchased a 30 inch 2560x1600 display and enjoyed it since say 2007. Also, that nice 30 inch LCD panel will still have decent resale value in 3-4 years from now. I am sure you can still sell a Dell 3007 for $400+ today. The total cost of ownership isn't as bad as it sounds at first, especially when amortized over the useful life of the product.

 

[lol123]

At the rate things are going, we could well see affordable FED monitors before OLED. Until then, CRT will be the best monitor technology for gaming.

 

[Avalon]

I bought a monitor recently, and wasn't impressed at all.

I am returning it, but when I look around for a new one, I feel like I'm probably just better off waiting, it seems like a really bad time to buy a monitor for gaming.

TN panels are OK, but none really have deep blacks, and companies are focused more on 3D now, which i dont really care about.

IPS displays are still kind of expensive, and arent great for gaming. Every one i looked up was lacking in one area of another.

Right now I have a 21" Acer TN panel, and I'm probably just gonna stick with it, as every other monitor is barely an upgrade. My Acer H213H looked way better than this that I just bought and returned for 290 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001392

I was going to give this a shot, but I doubt its gonna be any better than the last one I had http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001431

How far away are we from have OLED computer monitors? I have a SAMOLED screen on my captivate, and the blacks are almost indistinguishable from when the screen is off. If not what do I have to look forward to? Better IPS displays?

I've got a 22" Dell e-IPS that performs excellently in games. Not quite as nice looking as an AS-IPS or the like, but miles better than any TN I've ever used. I know they have other LCDs using similar panels, and they don't break the bank.

 

[epidemis]

Not sure I would pay a premium for an AMOLED display.

Their greatest strength is their ability to accurately display absolutely nothing (black). If AMOLED displays became mainstream, games and movies would become so dark (to take advantage of this new "feature") that by comparison, Doom3 without the duct-tape mod would appear to be set in broad daylight.

Eh... what?