Viewsonic VP171B now available in 8ms model?

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: vmsrules

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: vmsrules
I ordered the vp171b-2 from Dell for $368.96 with free shipping.
Dell is having the 10% of monitors sale again!

I just received mine from Dell. Got it for 10% off plus a $40 coupon. I also have a 16ms VP171B and will use them together with my dual DVI and put a video on each and compare.

Mine was shipped today. How's the vertical and horizontal viewing angles?

Horizontal is excellent. Vertical isn't so much, but it's so adjustable, that you should have no problem getting it just right.

Also, if anybody can tell the difference betweent he 16ms and 8ms, they must have extrasensory perception. If it's noticeale at all, it's ever so barely. But you ccan game all day and not see a thing unless you're looking specifically for it. Awesome monitor. I have one stuck blue pixel in the bottom right that can only be seen with a dark red or black background....not even white.

 

[junvi]

So how much was the total for the Dell deal after all the coupons and tax etc.?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: junvi
So how much was the total for the Dell deal after all the coupons and tax etc.?

It was around $360. I went with Dell because of the superior return policy in case I got some annoying stuck pixels.

 

[junvi]

You really can't notice a difference between the 8ms and the 16ms model? That makes me worry about the actual response time of this new model.

Also, what refresh rates is the screen capable of? Thanks.

 

[Tremulant]

Originally posted by: junvi
You really can't notice a difference between the 8ms and the 16ms model? That makes me worry about the actual response time of this new model.

Also, what refresh rates is the screen capable of? Thanks.

60hz and 70hz after you install the drivers from the CD. Before that it read 60, 70 and 75hz.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: junvi
You really can't notice a difference between the 8ms and the 16ms model? That makes me worry about the actual response time of this new model.

Also, what refresh rates is the screen capable of? Thanks.

I think all it means is they nailed it with the 16ms model. I'll watch two videos and compare as all I've done so far as pull up solitaire on each screen and move around the cards.

Trust me, you would have been ecstatic with the 16ms model.....I forgot long ago that I was playing on an LCD as every game is perfect. I've even tried 12ms Samsung LCDs and the 16ms VP171B was better. I just don't have any videos on my computer or I'd have run a side by side comparison already.

And you always set the "refresh rate" with LCDs to 60.

 

[Trizzay]

Ok, I'm gonna claim ignorance here...but what are the advantages/disadvantages to setting the screen to 60hz instead of 70? Which gives the better performance in games?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Trizzay
Ok, I'm gonna claim ignorance here...but what are the advantages/disadvantages to setting the screen to 60hz instead of 70? Which gives the better performance in games?

Refresh rate does not pertain to LCDs....they are measured alltogether differently. You will see zero difference between 60, 75, and 100 refresh rate as it's meaningless. The rare system will, however, sometimes get graphical errors when it's set to anything but 60 with an LCD connected to the analog plug.

 

[JP215]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: Trizzay
Ok, I'm gonna claim ignorance here...but what are the advantages/disadvantages to setting the screen to 60hz instead of 70? Which gives the better performance in games?

Refresh rate does not pertain to LCDs....they are measured alltogether differently. You will see zero difference between 60, 75, and 100 refresh rate as it's meaningless. The rare system will, however, sometimes get graphical errors when it's set to anything but 60 with an LCD connected to the analog plug.

Are you sure the refresh rate is meaningless? I mean if your max refresh rate is 60hz, you won't be able to have your fps faster than 60 right?

 

[coolted]

I'm going to be moving from a 21" crt to an lcd and wanted to know if I should get a 17" w/8ms response or should I get a 19" w/12ms. I have also heard that a 19" w/8ms response should be comming out some time in
05??

 

[forcedsquint]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor


Trust me, you would have been ecstatic with the 16ms model.....I forgot long ago that I was playing on an LCD as every game is perfect. I've even tried 12ms Samsung LCDs and the 16ms VP171B was better. I just don't have any videos on my computer or I'd have run a side by side comparison already.

And you always set the "refresh rate" with LCDs to 60.

Can you elaborate on your statement that the VP171B was "better" than the 12ms Samsung LCDs? In what way? The 710T seems to be hightly regarded and recommended, what should pursuade someone to take a closer look at the VP171B?


Thanks.

 

[junvi]

I still notice refresh rates on LCDs. There's no flickering at 60 hz like on CRTs, but I notice the smoothness of the mouse, etc. and especially in games.

 

[Pete]

With vsync on, your framerate is capped to the refresh rate. Quite a few games that place a premium on high framerates default to vsync off, tho, in which case the refresh rate will have no affect on the framerate.

I don't think vsync affects the mouse update rate, either--unless vsync is enabled and you're navigating a 3D GUI, in which case the lower framerate will make the mouse feel more sluggish. (AFAIK, USB mice update at 120Hz irregardless of what you're navigating. But if you're mousing around a 3D GUI in which your CPU+GPU can only manage 30fps, obviously the system is holding the mouse back.)

8ms response time means that--very roughly--the highest framerate the LCD can display will be 1 frame/8ms, or 125fps. So I guess bumping the refresh rate up to 70 or 75Hz, as the LCD allows, can actually display higher framerates. Otherwise, 16ms panels are physically limited to 1 frame/16ms = 62.5fps, in which case a higher refresh rate shouldn't make a difference (assuming vsync is disabled).

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: forcedsquint

Can you elaborate on your statement that the VP171B was "better" than the 12ms Samsung LCDs? In what way? The 710T seems to be hightly regarded and recommended, what should pursuade someone to take a closer look at the VP171B?

Thanks.

I only saw the first 12ms Samsung that came out a while ago.

Ergonomically, the VP171B raises and lowers and twists and pivots so you can get it positioned exactly for you.

Visually, I, like anybody else, have no epirical data...just my impressions. What I thought I saw was the VP171B handling gray to gray color changing way faster than the Samsung. Playing UT2004 I couldn't see any ghosting no matter how hard I looked for it with the Samsung. In Counter-strike, however there was enough ghosting to impede gameplay for me. The Viewsonic had no weak games like that. The Samsung was worse on the solitaire test too.

I watched part of Matrix:Revolutions on my VP171Bs this morning and there wasn't the slightest twinge of ghosting or bleeding. I've played WoW, HL2, RT:W, and CS:S on the 16ms panel and I've honestly forgotten that I'm not on a CRT.

I would strongly urge you to at least consider the Viewsonic.

Also, produciton quality on the Viewsonics is better. My Samsung had about 5 annoying stuck pixels in the middle of the screen. From what I've read (reviews), that's not uncommon....or wasn't. Two Viewsonics now and 1 stuck pixel between them.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: junvi
So how much was the total for the Dell deal after all the coupons and tax etc.?

$409.95
-$41 10% off
-$16 free shipping
-$40 coupon code
--------
$312.96
+$33.49 tax
+$8 State Environment Fee (??:roll
--------
$362.45

 

[vmsrules]

I received the monitor today. Very nice, but too bright. I have been trying to adjust it.
The "Auto Image Adjust" and "Manual Image Adjust" are greyed in the OSD. Is this because I am using
the DVI connector?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: vmsrules
I received the monitor today. Very nice, but too bright. I have been trying to adjust it.
The "Auto Image Adjust" and "Manual Image Adjust" are greyed in the OSD. Is this because I am using
the DVI connector?

Yes (as a search might have told you, or the ol' RTFM trick ). With DVI, it's a digital signal going to a digital display -- so no contrast or position/geometry adjustments are necessary (or possible).

 

[forcedsquint]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: forcedsquint

Can you elaborate on your statement that the VP171B was "better" than the 12ms Samsung LCDs? In what way? The 710T seems to be hightly regarded and recommended, what should pursuade someone to take a closer look at the VP171B?

Thanks.

I only saw the first 12ms Samsung that came out a while ago.

Ergonomically, the VP171B raises and lowers and twists and pivots so you can get it positioned exactly for you.

Visually, I, like anybody else, have no epirical data...just my impressions. What I thought I saw was the VP171B handling gray to gray color changing way faster than the Samsung. Playing UT2004 I couldn't see any ghosting no matter how hard I looked for it with the Samsung. In Counter-strike, however there was enough ghosting to impede gameplay for me. The Viewsonic had no weak games like that. The Samsung was worse on the solitaire test too.

I watched part of Matrix:Revolutions on my VP171Bs this morning and there wasn't the slightest twinge of ghosting or bleeding. I've played WoW, HL2, RT:W, and CS:S on the 16ms panel and I've honestly forgotten that I'm not on a CRT.

I would strongly urge you to at least consider the Viewsonic.

Also, produciton quality on the Viewsonics is better. My Samsung had about 5 annoying stuck pixels in the middle of the screen. From what I've read (reviews), that's not uncommon....or wasn't. Two Viewsonics now and 1 stuck pixel between them.

Thank you for a well composed response. I appreciate that you understood I was not "questioning you", but only asking a question of you based on your experience with both LCDs. I wish there was a mortar store where I could see the VP171B. Seems that the typical stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Staples, etc. don't carry it in-store. I play CS:S a lot and also do a lot of digital photogrphy touch-up and editing. So I'm guess I'm looking for that happy medium between game performance (response time) and color reproduction.

One thing that does confuse me about ViewSonics site is that they don't specify 6-bit (18-bit) or 8-bit (24-bit) color. Or perhaps I'm just not digging around enough.

One last note. I've tested the LG 1720P and it's also a great LCD, but all of the LG 17" LCDs are 6-bit, I've confirmed this with their tech support people via the phone.

Thanks.

 

[sandpj]

One thing that does confuse me about ViewSonics site is that they don't specify 6-bit (18-bit) or 8-bit (24-bit) color. Or perhaps I'm just not digging around enough.

One last note. I've tested the LG 1720P and it's also a great LCD, but all of the LG 17" LCDs are 6-bit, I've confirmed this with their tech support people via the phone.

Thanks.[/quote]

You may want to read the article (page 11 particularly) on xbitlabs referenced in this thread. (Check the 1/6 post)

link

It looks like the Viewsonics "support" 16.7 million colors through interperlation.

 

[forcedsquint]

Originally posted by: sandpj


One thing that does confuse me about ViewSonics site is that they don't specify 6-bit (18-bit) or 8-bit (24-bit) color. Or perhaps I'm just not digging around enough.

One last note. I've tested the LG 1720P and it's also a great LCD, but all of the LG 17" LCDs are 6-bit, I've confirmed this with their tech support people via the phone.

Thanks.

You may want to read the article (page 11 particularly) on xbitlabs referenced in this thread. (Check the 1/6 post)

link

It looks like the Viewsonics "support" 16.7 million colors through interperlation.[/quote]


This would explain why they don't publish the exact specification. If they use interperlation then they are 6-bit. Ahem.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: coolted
I'm going to be moving from a 21" crt to an lcd and wanted to know if I should get a 17" w/8ms response or should I get a 19" w/12ms. I have also heard that a 19" w/8ms response should be comming out some time in
05??

Keep your CRT, and wait for better LCD technology to emerge.

 

[hugekebab]

hi

*first post on anandtech *

do Dell stick one of their awful logos on the monitor if you buy it from then.

also will the dell in the uk let me return it because of a dead pixel (i have a zero tolerance policy on dead pixels!

i think im gonna to get it this week if dell dont stick a a logo on and also if i can send it back if its fubar. Ill stick a full review of it on here once i do so.

 

[sep]

Originally posted by: JeremiahTheGreatIt simply was not able to get the same richness as my old monitor and in games, it was difficult to detect colour differences especially in dark games (HL2 and Doom3 !) without resorting to upping the gamma to rediculous levels and thus giving a very washed out look.

I've seen this on three different models.


I have the Viewsonic VP171B. It's an outstanding monitor. When I first purchased it I was amazed and didn't think I was missing anything from my CRT. To this day I'm still happy with my transition and purchase. The only problem I've found is the washboard effect that was mentioned above. I play all the FPS (HL2, DOOM, CSS, ET, COD, ETC.) and get great framerates, vibrant colors, a bright screen and so much more. I've watched DVD's and watching the sample HD Video's online from Microsoft for MediaPlayer (don't see a big difference on my PC).

I will tell you that I've seen about a dozen flat panels (Dell, Benq, Samsung, LG, Planar) at our LAN Parties and my Viewsonic stands out!

I forget who was mentioned that a b/m store would have one on display. I say open up your profile and ask someone in your area to show you it. I'm in New Brighton, PA and wouldn't mind showing my Viewsonic off to anyone. If you want you could even come to are LAN Party on March 26.

Good info in this post.
-JC
TeamSNA

 

[Trizzay]

Originally posted by: forcedsquint
I wish there was a mortar store where I could see the VP171B. Seems that the typical stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Staples, etc. don't carry it in-store.

CompUSA does carry the VP171S in-store, which has a silver bezel and is the 16ms panel.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: hugekebab
hi

*first post on anandtech *

do Dell stick one of their awful logos on the monitor if you buy it from then.

also will the dell in the uk let me return it because of a dead pixel (i have a zero tolerance policy on dead pixels!

i think im gonna to get it this week if dell dont stick a a logo on and also if i can send it back if its fubar. Ill stick a full review of it on here once i do so.

No, Dell does not stick their logo on it.

I'm not sure about the Dell in the UK, but people return them in the US all the time for things like that. I'm debating whether to or not.