Ready to make the widescreen LCD plunge, but could use some suggestions

[chizow]

After reading that review and some other user inputs here, I think your best bet would be the BenQ. There is a bit of a price premium along with the riskier return/warranty policy, however, the big difference imo is that you know what you're going to get out of the box. Performance on par or better than the other 24" options as well as 1:1 fixed aspect. I paid $636 and change for my 2407 but if you get an A03 a lot of that "value" is going to get eaten up in return shipping fees and return shipping downtime. BenQ is a pretty innovative Taiwanese firm that has made a name for themselves recently. I'm sure their warranty/RMA policy is up to industry standards, there's just the lack of B&M/retail arm that makes it less appealing.

There seem to be a lot of votes for the 20" NEC, and I'm sure they're deserving, but honestly, I couldn't see myself going back to a 19" or 20" monitor after experiencing a 24" panel. That's the main reason I don't want to exchange this A03, because a week or even a few days of 19" @4:3 would be like amputating a limb. There's just that much of a difference in my computing/gaming experience.

This thread and another on Hardforums has made me reconsider keeping the A03. I've only had it for a week so I'm well within the return window, I just think the prospects of getting an A04 are slim to none given Dell's oblivious attitude towards different revisions and consumer needs. I don't have a major need for 1:1 now, but I buy monitors to last me 2-3 years and there's certainly a vast array of products/inputs I may use within that time frame to make "filled" aspect ratios an unacceptable viewing experience.

 

[dennilfloss]

Supposedly a few new models of 24" LCDs are gonna be released in February and March if you feel like waiting. That may also lower the price of the BenQ.

 

[Painman]

I did go ahead and pick up a Gateway 24" yesterday (as you may have gathered from reading my posts of yesterday) and played a bunch of HL2:E1 on it. It didn't do anything incredibly obnoxious, at least not what I'd consider obnoxious.

Input lag: I got the sense that there was very little or none from the panel. Others may be more perceptive to this than me.

Ghosting: Yes, it exhibits some ghosting if there are high color contrasts combined with fast movements; though if I'm sufficiently immersed in what's happening in the game, I forget that it's there. Again, up to the user whether this is really going to kill the experience or not.

I don't intend for this to be a "go get the Gateway" post; I just want to share my impressions for the OP on these 2 issues that relate to almost any S-PVA in gaming. It has its shortcomings like any panel tech does, but the performance level combined with the real estate to $ ratio is decent. Brand choice should come down to individual maker and model pros/cons as they relate to the buyer's concerns.

 

[Starbuck1975]

This thread and another on Hardforums has made me reconsider keeping the A03. I've only had it for a week so I'm well within the return window, I just think the prospects of getting an A04 are slim to none given Dell's oblivious attitude towards different revisions and consumer needs. I don't have a major need for 1:1 now, but I buy monitors to last me 2-3 years and there's certainly a vast array of products/inputs I may use within that time frame to make "filled" aspect ratios an unacceptable viewing experience.

I actually posted on the Dell forums yesterday in parallel to this post. Apparently there is one guy on there who is a Dell employee and has been the one sympathetic ear to the angered masses respective to Dell LCDs. I asked him about panel types, response times and such, and this is what he posted:

2007WFP
Response time: 16ms (black to white)
Panel type: S-IPS, S-PVA
Current revision: A03

2407WFP
Response time: 6ms (grey to grey) 16ms (black to white)
Panel type: S-IPS, S-PVA
Current revision: A04

If I can assure delivery of an A04, and assuming it is an S-IPS panel, then I think my decision is made.

Supposedly a few new models of 24" LCDs are gonna be released in February and March if you feel like waiting. That may also lower the price of the BenQ.

Any indication of what those models will be, and who is releasing them...one of two things will happen if this is the case...these new models may alleviate the performance discrepancies of current models, and drive the prices of current models down.

don't intend for this to be a "go get the Gateway" post; I just want to share my impressions for the OP on these 2 issues that relate to almost any S-PVA in gaming. It has its shortcomings like any panel tech does, but the performance level combined with the real estate to $ ratio is decent. Brand choice should come down to individual maker and model pros/cons as they relate to the buyer's concerns.

Hey...user opinions from the field are always useful...keep em coming.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975

I actually posted on the Dell forums yesterday in parallel to this post. Apparently there is one guy on there who is a Dell employee and has been the one sympathetic ear to the angered masses respective to Dell LCDs. I asked him about panel types, response times and such, and this is what he posted:

2407WFP
Response time: 6ms (grey to grey) 16ms (black to white)
Panel type: S-IPS, S-PVA
Current revision: A04

If I can assure delivery of an A04, and assuming it is an S-IPS panel, then I think my decision is made.

First time ever that I read that an S-IPS panel is available in the Dell 2407. I think this is simply not true. LG-Phillips currently has a 23-inch S-IPS panel and has announced a 24-inch which will be soon available in their own monitor.

Dell 2407 uses Samsung S-PVA panel exclusively AFAIK

Still, if you can get your hands on an A04 2407 during a Dell sale, it would be a great buy. S-PVA is good enough.

 

[Starbuck1975]

Still, if you can get your hands on an A04 2407 during a Dell sale, it would be a great buy. S-PVA is good enough.

Hence the dilemma. The 2407 is currently on sale for 15% off, and I have a coupon for an additional 8% off through a corporate discount...which puts the monitor, with sales tax and free shipping, at around $670...enticing to say the least.

I did receive a response from Dell, and it confirms what others have said about how they handle monitor sales.

If I were to pull the trigger today, it is possible that I would receive an A03 or A04 revision model.

Similarly, I received confirmation that they are using both S-IPS and S-PVA panels on the A04 revision.

So best case scenario, were I to make a purchase, is that I would receive an S-IPS AO4 revision...for the price, a very desireable outcome.

Of course, I could receive the A03 instead.

Gotta love Dell monitor bingo...although given the price of their LCDs compared to comperable 24" LCDs, and their return policy for defects...guess that is the tradeoff.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
If I were to pull the trigger today, it is possible that I would receive an A03 or A04 revision model.

Similarly, I received confirmation that they are using both S-IPS and S-PVA panels on the A04 revision.

I am very anxious to get user confirmation of the S-IPS availability in the 2407. This changes the whole ball game for this monitor. The safe choice would be to wait a little bit until there is confirmation that there are only A04 in the channel, then order and hope for S-IPS. The selling price can't go anywhere but down during the meantime.

Dell should have distinct models numbers for 2007W and 2407W with S-IPS panel. I would gladly pay $ 50 more to make sure I get an S-IPS.

 

[Starbuck1975]

I am very anxious to get user confirmation of the S-IPS availability in the 2407.

I receieved confirmation from a Dell representative that the 2407 is using S-ISP panels on their revision A04. However, he also said there is no way to select or ensure that you receive that panel when placing an order.

I may call their sales number today, and see if there is a way to confirm or request a particular panel type...my gut reaction, given their supply chain, is that the answer is no...but worth a shot.

 

[Painman]

S-IPS? Interersting. I just combed through this and didn't see any mention of new panel type, just the fixed 1:1 scaling. But I reckon no one actually has an A04 on their desk yet, so it's a wait and see game.

I got 13 more days to get rid of this Gateway if this is true with the A04, but meh... I'm not sure if I want to play the lottery. I hate going through all that, personally, but some folks don't mind.

 

[imported_Equinox]

If you are planning on getting an ATI card, I highly recommend that you research carefully before buying a monitor (and you are, so good job). Since you play RPGs, I am making the assumption that you also play Diablo II or Sacred, or at least one game that doesn't support widescreen resolutions. The ATI drivers or hardware (not sure which) will not do fixed aspect ratio scaling - it depends on the monitor. If you play a game like Diablo II, that only plays in 800x600, you will have the choice of 4 black bars and a centered 800x600 (4:3), or a full screen that is stretched to the full width of you monitor at 16:10. That makes everything "fat" and distorted - like if you are watching a regular broadcast on an HDTV and don't have it set to provide the pillar bars.

I have seen reports specifically of the Dell you listed having this issue, and a few of the Viewsonics.

nVidia cards/drivers work correctly regardless of the monitor. Keep that in mind when planning monitor or video card purchases.

EDIT: My apologies, I am new to the forum and didn't see the second page where this has already been brought.

 

[n7]

Dell's panel lottery is f*ckin' retarded.

I am going to pretty much echo the responses thus far.

BenQ or Gateway.

Dell is a crapshoot; Samsung is overpriced.

The NEC is an absolutely heavenly LCD, but 1680x1050 for the price it commands is a tad high.

Overall, i actually quite like the Gateway, but i know it's not perfect, & for those who are extremely picky, the BenQ is likely slightly better.

I got myself the 3007WFP, & OMG it's about as close to perfect as one can get IMO
It also scales incredibly well for displaying lower resolution video, & runs lower resolutions centered just beautifully.

Granted, a $1500+ CND S-IPS had better for that kinda money