About my new Dell 20" widescreen display.

c2poon

Just set-up my new Dell 20" widescreen display. The text is not as clear and sharp as I would like. I am also using a VGA connection rather than a Digital. Like many others, I am waiting for the new Power Mac to come out. So do you think what I view now will be much sharper once I have a digital connection? Even when I scroll up and down on a webpage, the text becomes a little blurry.



I was just at a store with Apple computers, and the iMac 20" was easier on my eyes. I thought this new Dell display I have would be a better image quality since the iMac is an all-in-one puppy. Maybe it's this old PC I have.



The resolution is now set at 1680x1050. My video card is an NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro Ver. 6.14. My PC is also laughable - P3 450, 128MB RAM.



Prior to this I had a 17" trinitron Viewsonic.



In terms of the image quality, is there really a difference between the Dell and the Apple Cinema?



People's thoughts and opinions would be great!

existence

It's your video card.

gon

Quote:

Originally posted by Existence

It's your video card.

The Dell 20" screens should never be ran on the VGA or the composite, not only because those connectors suck compared to DVI and SVHS, but because they suck exceptionally much on the Dells. The screens are fine when you use the best connectors.



There isn't a difference in the panel and the Apple panel, it's the same. Have you tried testing a black or almost-black screen in a dark room for backlight evenness?

c2poon

Quote:

Originally posted by Gon

The Dell 20" screens should never be ran on the VGA or the composite, not only because those connectors suck compared to DVI and SVHS, but because they suck exceptionally much on the Dells. The screens are fine when you use the best connectors.



There isn't a difference in the panel, it's the same. Have you tried testing a black or almost-black screen in a dark room for backlight evenness?

Okay I'm gonna continue to use my old monitor until I buy my first Apple computer with a nice vid. card and a digital connection. The Dell was on sale that's why I bought it earlier.



Gon, what black screen are you referring to? I'm under the impresssion that you mean turning on the Dell display in a dark room, but I'm sure that's not quite what you mean.

gon

Quote:

Originally posted by c2poon

Gon, what black screen are you referring to? I'm under the impresssion that you mean turning on the Dell display in a dark room, but I'm sure that's not quite what you mean.

By "black screen" I mean you need to set the content of the screen to black, or almost black, whatever way you think easiest..



I would take VLC Player, load a movie, stop it right in the beginning where it's pitch black, and go fullscreen.



Then step far back and look at the screen from afar to see if some regions leak light. You also see the black level: how black the screen's idea of "black" actually is.



edit: and yes, you do this in a dark room.

c2poon

Quote:

Originally posted by Gon

By "black screen" I mean you need to set the content of the screen to black, or almost black, whatever way you think easiest..



I would take VLC Player, load a movie, stop it right in the beginning where it's pitch black, and go fullscreen.



Then step far back and look at the screen from afar to see if some regions leak light. You also see the black level: how black the screen's idea of "black" actually is.



edit: and yes, you do this in a dark room.

I just did the test. Wow that's really neat! Some light did leak in a couple spots at the top edge, but also near the bottom left. Oh boy... so what does this all mean? Although not signifcant, there was some uneveness.

pyrix

Quote:

Originally posted by c2poon

I just did the test. Wow that's really neat! Some light did leak in a couple spots at the top edge, but also near the bottom left. Oh boy... so what does this all mean? Although not signifcant, there was some uneveness.

It means it's an LCD. I have heard that some LCD's can get 'true' black, but I find the best for getting 'true' black are CRT's. Nevertheless, given the option I would go for an LCD everytime, becuase the difference is neglible, and the LCD's re much easier on the eyes.

toadie

I bought this same 20 inch Dell monitor two weeks ago when it was on sale for $560 with free shipping. It replaced my 17 inch cinema display. I can't even tell you how much brighter this screen is!!! Seriously, for the price, it's a fantastic monitor. Of course, my students are now making fun of me because I have a monitor that says "Dell" on it. Ugh. I need a sticker.



I too have light leakage on the upper right and lower left corners. I wonder- does the Apple 20 incher do this in the dark? It's hard to get them to turn off the lights in the Apple Store. If you compare the specs of the Dell to the Apple- the Dell is supposed to be brighter, have a faster pixel response time, and has 4 video connectors and 4 USB2. I couldn't resist this monitor.

ibook911

Toadie,



I seriously considered that display, before going with Apples. I think either is a great choice, and I guess I gave into the looks of the cinema display, and that I'm mad at Dell right now, for a problem one of my systems have. haha



To the point, yes, on my cinema display, there is some pink in the corners, when the display is all black, particularly the bottom corners. If you're at the correct angle, it is minor, but still there somewhat.

c2poon

Hey guys thanks for your comments. I have heard the ACDs are "professionally colour calibrated". So although the DELL may have better stats, the ACD may be easier on the eyes. But when I buy an Apple computer, I'm sure I can colour calibrate the monitor myself.



A note about my DELL display: I have noticed a pink hue when I view the screen from certain angles. Horizontal angles are find, but once I go vertical it's not very nice! But I'll reserve final judgement until I have my new computer with a digital plug. I bought the display early because it was on sale here in Canada. $599 Canadian. Plus there's apparently a 3 year warranty, so I should be good if I discover a problem.



Hmmm... for those who have the same DELL monitor, 2005FPW, how have you adjusted the colour settings? The screen is so bright, I'm all the way down around 35 to 40 for all three colours.

aftershock

I use SuperCal to calibrate my monitors. I really like it.

ibook911

Quote:

Originally posted by c2poon

Horizontal angles are find, but once I go vertical it's not very nice!

Same with my ACD.

satchmo

Quote:

Originally posted by c2poon

I bought the display early because it was on sale here in Canada. $599 Canadian.

Hey c2poon, can you tell me where you got this monitor at that price? I'm also in Ontario (Toronto to be specific).

thanks.

gon

Quote:

Originally posted by c2poon

So although the DELL may have better stats, the ACD may be easier on the eyes.

Well, no. Color correctness is just that, color correctness. If you don't see the exactly correct colors, that does nothing to strain your eyes.

webmail

It's the Dell LCD. I've used/own plenty of these and they all suck on the VGA connection. Once you connect to the digital connection you will notice a huge difference.

c2poon

Quote:

Originally posted by satchmo

Hey c2poon, can you tell me where you got this monitor at that price? I'm also in Ontario (Toronto to be specific).

thanks.

Hi Satchmo,



DELL had a "10 days of deals" about 3 weeks ago. If you're not familiar with this, it's when DELL offers a very good deal on one product for each of those 10 days. So unfortunately the deal is long gone, but I'm positive the deal will come around again in a few months. You can keep checking their site, I spotted it while surfing www.redflagdeals.com



Cheers!

israces

What about refurbs? I thought I saw that Dell had quite a few of these monitors on their outlet web page for under $500. Anyone ever risk a Dell refurb monitor?



EDIT: Here's the link. Dell Outlet (Monitors) Are these the same ones you guys got?

toadie

Quote:

Originally posted by israces

What about refurbs? I thought I saw that Dell had quite a few of these monitors on their outlet web page for under $500. Anyone ever risk a Dell refurb monitor?



EDIT: Here's the link. Dell Outlet (Monitors) Are these the same ones you guys got?

Yep, that's the one... 2005FPW for $458. wOw.

corvette

just like to pass on the info.



[QUOTE]

Dell 2005FPW 20.1-inch LCD Flat Panel, 1680x1050, 600:1 contrast ratio , 12ms response, DVI, Svideo, Composite Video $749 - 25% off code GFLFCL2FDNH8S2 (Exp 4/13 5:59am CT) - $90 off $750 Coupon

Code: S$0BW75H54S60M (Exp 4/13) = $471.75, $14 shipping. Add any item to pass $750 before discounts.



Tax in CA, FL, ID, IL, KY, MI, MN, MS, MO, NV, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WA, VA, WI.



makes me really upset that we ordered ours for $550 couple weeks ago



oh well, when the 24" goes down, maybe i'll replace it with this and move this to another computer

cheapfrag

The vga output on my iMac G5 produces a very poor image on my 2005FPW. But on my PC the vga output uses a DVI-to-VGA adapter (its dual-DVI card) and the picture looks outstanding. I have my mini hooked up through the DVI and it looks great, but I havent tried using the VGA adapter and pushing ti to the flat panel yet though.

spcms

I recently bought the Dell 19". How much leaking is actually 'acceptable'? When i watch a dvd it's almost like 4 spotlights are shining from the corners of my screen. Also the general brightness is a bit much for my taste (when i turn brightness down, the leaking is less also).