S-IPS or PVA 19"?

[lemmy999]

I am having a hard time deciding between an S-IPS (L1930B, L1910SK/BK) or a PVA (Dell 1905FP, Samsung 940T). At work I currently have the 1905FP and I really like it, but I do no gaming at all. I will be using this monitor for just about everything (moderate gaming, video editing, photo editing, sometimes in bright light, sometimes in dark, etc). I was looking at some of the fast TN monitors, but when I went to CompUSA to look at some of them (like the Viewsonic VA902B) and I really did not like them at all. Compared to my 1905FP it looked very washed out and the colors all seemed flat. So I have decided I probably do not want a TN monitor (especially since I will be doing photo editing and colors are important). I would just ge the 1905FP or 940T, but I am worried about them for gaming since the PVA monitors are much slower for small pixel changes than what they are speced at and the S-IPS monitors have a more constanst speed. However, since I really hated the washed out look of the VA902B, I am worried about the low contrast on S-IPS monitors. I know the manufacturers stretch the truth on the contrast numbers, so how much more washed out would a L1930B look compared to the 1905FP? I can't find any S-IPS panels to look at locally, so I can't actually go see one. Also, I can get the L1930B for $300 shipped and the Dell (unless I get a refurb) is nearly $400 + tax + s/h. Has the Dell increased in price in the past year? I have read numerous reviews of people getting it under $300.

 

[yhelothar]

Just get a CRT.. problem solved

 

[lemmy999]

Already have two of those!

 

[xtknight]

I say get the Dell 1905FP. It's most likely overvoltaged so the PVA problems are essentially solved.

P.S. Dell uses two different panels in the 1905FP, a 20 ms Samsung S-PVA and a 8 ms AUO P-MVA so it's no telling which you'll get.

 

[lemmy999]

Thanks. I had read the Dell uses two different panels. Isn't the Samsung a 20ms Black-White-Black and the AUO is 8ms gray-gray? Without opening up the 1905FP I have at work, is there a way to tell which panel I have in those? Also, how is everyone getting the 1905FP so cheap? Are they just being refurbs?

 

[xtknight]

They go to dell.com and do rebates. Look in the hot deals thread perhaps for coupons.

Yeah, I think you're right about the panels. Unfortunately there is no way to tell without opening it, unless you find out the service menu code (like some did for the 2001FP). Sometimes it's in there. Well I can't remember if they found it for the Dell 2001FP, 2005FPW, or 2405FPW. You'll have to search here. Maybe try that same service menu code for the 1905FP.

Oh, here it is. It was for the 2405FPW.

USEFUL INFO / LINKS:
To get into the service/factory menu on this display:

1) Hold menu and '+' buttons (3rd and 5th buttons from left) while powering on the unit. 2) Press menu button (5th button from left) and select "Factory Reset" 3) Select "Factory" at the bottom of the menu.

* Same method works for Dell 2001FP
Be sure to ALWAYS write down all information before touching anything on a service menu. These settings are different on each monitor and you don't want to lose them!

Actually I think the 8 ms might not be gray-to-gray but AUO doesn't offer specs on that panel anymore so who knows. It's gotta be faster though. It probably uses the same one as in the VP930b.

 

[lemmy999]

That worked for the service menu. Thanks. I have the Samsung.

I will likely get either the 940T or the 1905FP (the one I can get cheapest). I just can't take the chance on the S-IPS low contrast ratio panel when I have never even seen one. Are they really that much worse than the PVA screens? I know manufactuers have a funny way of measuring things (like the way a 25ms S-IPS is probably better for gaming than a 16ms PVA).

 

[xtknight]

The S-IPS aren't any worse than TNs when it comes to contrast, and the S-IPS are used in professional photography LCDs, so they probably aren't that bad. The 940T is most likely too slow for gaming (I've never heard of it being a gaming LCD), so I'd recommend you do not get it. However, it would be interesting if you could check it out in a store and report back. It says 20 ms black-to-white-to-black which is the same as my VP930b, which is 8 ms gray-to-gray, very acceptable. The AU Optronics panel is probably a bit faster so I doubt you'll be disappointed with the 1905FP.

 

[lemmy999]

I thought the 940T and the 1905FP had the same panel (at least the 1905FP I have at work, which has the Samsung LTM190E4). If Dell is now putting the 8ms AUO panel in the 1905FP, why have they not revised the specs to be "8ms"? I think the AUO panel in that Dell is the same that is in the VP191B-2 and it is listed as 16ms 700:1, but on http://www.flatpanels.dk/panels.php that panel is listed as 8ms g2g.

 

[xtknight]

Oh, I guess you're right. It's just funny I never hear about the 940T.

 

[Nextman916]

My guess is the 20ms S-PVA 1905FP panels are given away in sales, like you buy a dimension xxxx and receive a free 19" flat panel upgrade type thing and the AU optronics panel are the ones your actually buy separate, just my guess though im probably wrong. Your really taking a chance by buying one so its really up to you.