Which 24" + Monitor? I'll pay for quality...

[Sczee]

Hi all,

I know there have been quite a few of these kind of threads recently but none of them really answer exactly what I want to know.

I'm looking for a 24" or larger widescreen LCD which I will use mainly for gaming, coding, web browsing and some movie watching on my PC and I also would like to use the display for my Xbox 360 preferably in 1080p (although I hear 1080i apparently is pretty damn similar quality the majority of the time).

My first choice was the Dell 2407WFP-HC which seemed perfect until I found out about the inverse ghosting which from all accounts sounds like it would annoy the hell out of me so I canceled my order.

I then (and this is still my choice at the moment) changed the previous order to the 27" 2707WFP Dell monitor. It costs a bit more but I am willing to pay extra if its going to suit my needs well. The one negative thing I have heard about this monitor is that it does not display a 1080i signal in 1:1 aspect ratio properly (in VGA or Component). Apparently it compresses the image and adds black bars down the sides as well as above and below. This of course would only affect my Xbox 360 usage but I would still like to know the extent of this problem and if other users find it annoying enough to suggest not purchasing the monitor.

I am planing on using DVI for the PC and VGA or Component (which ever works/looks better) for the 360. I am not worried too much about the large pixel pitch of the 27" either since I use a 19" monitor which has only slightly smaller pitch at the moment and I have no problem with it.

If anyone can confirm the 2707WFP is a good choice for my needs or if not recommend a better alternative that would be great (I live in New Zealand though so my choices are slightly limited, no LGs for instance). If you don't think the 27" would suit could you please say in which ways it would not be a good choice.

Thanks a lot to anyone who answers

 

[Balwyn]

I chose the Samsung 244T specifically for ghost free gaming and video editing. so pleased, i bought 2 of them. zero pixel defects. accurate color, no color banding and even scaling from low resolutions looks great.

 

[Sczee]

Originally posted by: Balwyn
I chose the Samsung 244T specifically for ghost free gaming and video editing. so pleased, i bought 2 of them. zero pixel defects. accurate color, no color banding and even scaling from low resolutions looks great.

Ok I can buy that monitor here but how well does its vga/component inputs work? And does it have 1:1 pixel mapping e.g. for using a 1080p/i signal and not stretching it vertically?

 

[NitroTurtle]

This sounds very similar to the position I was in a few months ago. I actually purchased a 2407WFP-HC, and it was awesome other than the ghosting. I ended up sending it back, because the ghosting was bothering me. I then realized there's a very limited number of options in the 24"-37" range.

I looked around for a Westinghouse 37" for awhile, but decided I didn't want to screw around getting a refurb and 37" seemed a bit bigger than I wanted. I then purchased a Sharp Aquos 32" LC32D62U which was pretty disappointing. Not only does it have a dynamic contrast 'feature' but also very bad shimmering on dark backgrounds. I also didn't really care for the pixel size, and really felt like I was sacrificing picture quality for size.

I reluctantly ordered a 2707WFP, worried that it would have the same issue as my previous Dell, but I felt confident I could return it if I wasn't completely happy (after just dealing with Dell on my previous return, top notch CS). I actually still had the Sharp when the Dell got here, so I set them up side by side to compare. I can't even describe how much better the Dell looked. I was so happy I hadn't settled for the Sharp. I tested thoroughly for the ghosting issue and saw no issues. The next day I returned the Sharp, and I've been using this Dell since.

I have an old Hyundai L90D+ I'm using as a second screen, and it's rotated 90 degrees. The silver bezel matches perfectly and it's almost exactly the same height. I've actually had people ask me if I bought them as a set, because they go together so well. I have a 4 way component switch box feeding the component input on the Dell, with my ps2 and Wii hooked up for now. I don't have anything hooked up yet that can do a 1080p signal, so I can't help regarding the scaling issue. But, if you end up getting one please post back with your results because I'm actually planning on buying an Xbox 360 eventually.

 

[Sczee]

Hey thanks for the reply, exactly the sort of answer I was looking for. How do your ps2/wii look on the screen? Do you use 1:1 pixel mapping and if so does it keep the aspect ratio correct? (I heard that it compresses the image or something).

 

[NitroTurtle]

Yeah I'm using 1:1 pixel mapping, and the picture takes up the entire screen. Both the Wii and the PS2 look great running through component. Both are set to 480p I believe.

 

[Sczee]

Hmm so if the image takes up the entire screen is it stretched (either vertically or horizontally) or is it full screen but letterboxed? But I'm pretty sure I'll get this monitor now so I'll be able to tell you how the 360 goes with it. Thanks for your help

 

[NitroTurtle]

Actually, I just loaded it up again to check. With the PS2 it has vertical bars on each side, only about 1/2 inch thick. With the Wii, it takes up the entire screen. I guess if these are supposed to be 16:9, it would make sense that it's stretching the picture, but it's not noticeable to me. Both systems look great to me, but I'm not sure if it might make a difference with a DVD player hooked up. I have tried playing DVDs through my computer, and I know that came up letterboxed.

Regardless, I think you'll be very happy with this LCD. Post back after you get it and let me know.

 

[Wuzup101]

I've been using a Dell 2407 rev A02 since I purchased it in the summer of 2006. I have been more than pleased with it as a computer monitor, and despite not having 1:1 pixel mapping at higher resolutions for my 360, I did use it to play 360 for quite some time. I currently use it as a secondary monitor for my apple powerbook.

In any case, I just bought a samsung LN-T4065F and I have been more than pleased with it as a computer monitor (hooked up to my PC running vista). I'm hooked on the big monitor thing now. Being able to sit 4' back and just relax and type is awesome. Obviously, not the best choice to mount 1.5' from your face like a normal computer monitor... but man it definitely gets the job done

Sad to hear that there are problems with some of the new Dell monitors. While I'm not a fan of their PCs, they have put out very nice LCDs for quite some time!

 

[Puffnstuff]

I was monitor hunting not so long ago and considered the dell and samsung 24" units however in the end settled on the LG 246WP. When I made my purchase bb had it marked down to $500 and I jumped on it. It has height, tilt and swivel adjustments plus a built in power saving feature however that can get annoying upon cold boot as you don't get to see the bios information unless you hit the pause button or just go ahead and hit delete to enter bios without seeing anything on the screen.

 

[undeclared]

I have heard that the BenQ FP2941W Z is the best 24" for gaming. It has a technology that only exists on one other LCD monitor, which is roughly equivilent to the 120hz technology on televisions.

It has a wealth of inputs including HDMI-HDCP, it is very good with consoles and what not..

The tough thing is finding one.

http://www.bexox.com/showdown.htm