Review: Dell 2007WFP 20" LCD Monitor.

[NickSimcheck]

Mods please move if this thread is in the wrong area.

After much deliberation, I settled on a 2007WFP due to a couple of reasons.

A: Forum members recommendation
B: Decent reviews
C: S-IPS panel at a good price

Upon receiving my 2007WFP I immediately and immaturely ran into my computer room cut the box open at set it up. After gawking, oooohhhhhhing and aaaaaahhhhhhhhing over my dual displays I noticed something... Way to bright of reds, skin tones are off and color checker images look bright red no matter what.

No big deal, a little calibration and I'll be good to go. But them I noticed something else... Banding...NO! BANDING! Lucky me, I got the first revision A00. Huge banding problem, gradient checkers look like bars at a zoo.

So after some research I found out who I needed to talk to at Dell to get an exchange and he'll make sure I get the newest version, A03. His name is Chris M. and you can find him on Dell's forum. Nice guy I get an exchange setup and he next day(!) airmails another one, meanwhile I say bye-bye to the one I originally had.

Same thing, scream and giggle into my computer room and I open up the package YES! A03 revision, no more banding, ROCK! So I hook it up... Green cast to it, but it isn't bad and I'm not worried. I do however get into the hidden menu only to find out that my panel is an PM330... what does that mean?

It's not an S-IPS. It's a S-PVA. That's bad. It does not have the same panel as the Apple version, S-PVA's change color when at different angles, their just nowhere near the quality of an S-IPS panel which is the whole reason for me buying the monitor in the first place.

Why? Because it's cheap. Dell sent out all the old 2007WFP's with S-IPS'es to get good reviews, then switched to S-PVA panels hoping nobody would know the difference.

Well, at least the bandin issue was solved. Well... not really. The banding was reduced quite a bit, but was still there. Much worse then a cheap old HP f1905 and much much worse then a Samsung 205BW (which is a TFT panel!) sitting right next to it. Dells fix to the banding issue was to shut off their image processor when using VGA and DVI inputs, but retaining it for S-Video and HDMI. It's some junk to speed up the processing for gamers.

So I'm sending the second one back. After hours of reading I'm found out that you're basicly playing the Dell Lotto. You might get a good panel, you might not.

Here's what I've found to help you know which panel you have:

Turn the monitor off.
Hold down the Menu and "+" buttons while you turn it back on.
After it's been on for approx 5-7 seconds release those buttons and press the "-" button.
That should bring you into the hidden menu, look at the top for your panel number.

2007 WFP A03 - Panel code RT803: S-IPS LG.Philips LM201W01

2007 WFP A03 - Panel code PM330: S-PVA Samsung LTM201M1



So for me the whole deal was a waste of time and I won't get my money back for another 30 days they tell me.

However, if you wish to play the Dell Lotto you can decent monitor for cheap. I on the other hand will be shopping for either an Ezio, NEC or LaCie.

[Coco-Puffs]

i always heard good things about Eizo Nanaos.
and sorry to hear about your Dell. I was planning on buying a 21" widescreen Dell next year...maybe I should do some more research.

[Dorman]

I was planning on getting one of these very soon, I had finally convinced myself to make the jump to LCD, this has turned me off once again.

[blonde]

i just checked mine and it is the S-IPS (i bought it 2-3 months ago)

sorry to hear about your experience and i hope that it all works out for you.

[Rumjungle]

Mine turned out to be a LM201W01 as well. I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you, Nick. I understand how you feel as the LG panel was the only reason I got the Dell. I don't think you'll have any such problems with Eizo or NEC.

[Dorman]

I have another thread on the go about a viewsonic lcd monitor in the processing forum, just thought I'd mention the monitor here as it seems like a viable alternative to the dell.

Viewsonic VX2025WM 20" Widescreen
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/lcddisplays/xseries/vx2025wm/#specs

[sapearl]

Is that thread here in the forum?

I have another thread on the go about a viewsonic lcd monitor in the processing forum, just thought I'd mention the monitor here as it seems like a viable alternative to the dell.

Viewsonic VX2025WM 20" Widescreen
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/lcddisplays/xseries/vx2025wm/#specs

[Dorman]

Is that thread here in the forum?

It's in another section of this forum, here's the link:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=257397

[sapearl]

Thank you Brad - guess I didn't use the right search criteria.:rolleyes: Is your thought then to run two monitors side by side, or just use the new one?

BTW - terrific work in your PBase gallery. - Stu

It's in another section of this forum, here's the link:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=257397

[Dorman]

Thank you Brad - guess I didn't use the right search criteria.:rolleyes: Is your thought then to run two monitors side by side, or just use the new one?

BTW - terrific work in your PBase gallery. - Stu

Stu, thanks for the comments on my work, much appreciated. I'm planning to only run one monitor, right now I'm using an old phillips CRT w/ a curved screen :oops:, anything will be an improvement. I've been looking at the Dell 2007FPW and the Viewsonic VX2025WM and for 20" widescreens at a reasonable price they seem to be the two to get. Earlier in the evening I've had a change of thought and I might just pick up a 4:3 aspect ratio 19" Dell Ultrasharp, it'd be a vast improvement for me, there's a great deal on at dell.ca right now, and it'd leave me money left over to get a calibration kit and the tamron 28-75 that's been calling my name.

[treeshugger]

The friend got the display and its gorgeous, but has very noticeable color banding

[Dorman]

The friend got the display and its gorgeous, but has very noticeable color banding

Is the banding only present when using a DVI connection? I'd be using VGA...

[nadtz]

Interesting, one of my bosses was just talking to a HP rep (or something) and they mentioned dell going to different screens on newer monitors. Guess he was right. I lucked out and got the phillips and I bought mine a couple months ago.

[Steve Beck]

I am using a 2007 since the frist couple weeks they came out and have no issues with it. I have edited thopusands of photos and sepnd many hours in photoshop and playing a few games, could not be happier.

I think people get caught up in the net dwelling of negatives so to speak. There is not a lcd on the face of the planet that does not have soem sort of issue such as banding, color issues, ghosting etc. The fact is Dell sells thousands of LCD's a day, something is right.....

[Skrim17]

I just bought one and notice an occasional 'flicker' in my screen, is this banding? Either way I am not pleased and am contacting Dell.

[Dorman]

Is anybody using the 1907FP for editing on? There's a great deal on it right now and I thought it'd be a good buy since I don't absolutely need widescreen (though it'd be nice). They are both Dell ultrasharps, would there be a difference in IQ?

[Seamless]

The fact is Dell sells thousands of LCD's a day, something is right.....

Steve, your conclusion doesn't follow from the premise.

Sony sold millions of batteries, all recalled due to overheating risk based on a relatively few instances of failure, caused by design defect.
Ford sold many thousands of Pintos, also utimately recalled due to risk of overheating upon rear impact, another design defect.

This may be a matter of defective design (manufacturing defect sounds not as likely), or perhaps simple deceptive marketing practices if the OP's suspicion of intentional deception is accurate:

I do however get into the hidden menu only to find out that my panel is an PM330... what does that mean?

It's not an S-IPS. It's a S-PVA. That's bad. It does not have the same panel as the Apple version, S-PVA's change color when at different angles, their just nowhere near the quality of an S-IPS panel which is the whole reason for me buying the monitor in the first place.

Why? Because it's cheap. Dell sent out all the old 2007WFP's with S-IPS'es to get good reviews, then switched to S-PVA panels hoping nobody would know the difference.

[sunshinemom]

Yikes, I just ordered a 2007WFP today! I really don't want to deal with banding issues or S-PVA/S-IPS issues. It sounds like you were more likely to get a good one if you ordered a few months ago. I'm not sure of what to do as I'm really anxious to start working on a new monitor, but not at the cost of the issues stated here.

[Dorman]

Let's hope that your unit is fine from the get-go sunshine. I actually took the chance myself and ordered one, it should be here in about a week.

[treeshugger]

crt displays are the way to go
may i reccomend the viewsonic p225f-5
its an older one but i refuse to use another

[sapearl]

I've heard that from a number of people.... although your pricier LCD's are pretty top notch in their own right and hard to beat. I think if you do the research and spend the right kind of money you won't be disappointed in an LCD.

Plus there's always the issue of desktop real estate. I've gone through plenty of tubes in the past 20 years and was delighted with minimal footprint of my current LCD monitor.

crt displays are the way to go
may i reccomend the viewsonic p225f-5
its an older one but i refuse to use another

[sunshinemom]

Thanks Brad. I'm hoping you get a good one, too!

I wouldn't wish Dell's customer service on my worst enemy. I had a taste of their service this week as I tried to inquire about this, and boy was I stunned. I got nowhere, but it took me a long time to get there. (Insert smily face).

[Dorman]

Thanks Brad. I'm hoping you get a good one, too!

I wouldn't wish Dell's customer service on my worst enemy. I had a taste of their service this week as I tried to inquire about this, and boy was I stunned. I got nowhere, but it took me a long time to get there. (Insert smily face).

As someone who makes their living from sales and after sales service I can attest to the fact that most companies rate very poorly for customer service when compared to my standards! :)

[jcw122]

Most Dells are extremely good monitors, especially their high end gaming monitors...sorry to hear about that.


Although, when it comes to gaming, the CRT can't be beat :D

[Dorman]

It can be beat on workspace real estate. ;)

[NickSimcheck]

Just an update, they still haven't told me exactly when I should receive my refund.

And I didn't start this thread to downplay this monitor or Dell, my reason is so that other people know what their getting into and possible problems that might occur.

[NickSimcheck]

I just bought one and notice an occasional 'flicker' in my screen, is this banding? Either way I am not pleased and am contacting Dell.


No, that's not banding.

This is a CRT free from banding (http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/8886/2007fpvgacrt6mv.jpg)

This is a 2007WFP with banding (http://members.iinet.net.au/~json/stuff/blue-grey.jpg)

Notice how instead of having a smooth transition from light to dark the 2007WFP displays notches.

Link to Dell Forum where images are from, and more discussion. (http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&message.id=54714&view=by_date_ascending&page=7)

[Skrim17]

The term flicker is inappropriate, it is more a subtle change in color that runs across the screen ina strip, either way my new monitor is on its way.

[sunshinemom]

My 2007WFP arrived today. Dell made errors with part of the shipping address and my name so the delivery was almost delayed another few days. Luckliy I was able to intercept the package and pick it up myself from DHL.

Well, the monitor looks great, from first glance. I need to update my video card to support the new aspect ratio, but it doesn't seem to be changing color when looking at it from different angles. YEAH!

I could not, though, find the hidden menu that reveals if it's a PM330 or a RT803. I followed the OPs instructions, but couldn't get any hidden menu to come up. Does anyone know if Dell changed the menu, or if there's a new way to get to it. I'm just curious.

[Skrim17]

It worked for me, are you holding the buttons while you turn it on and again for at least 5 seconds after that?

[Skrim17]

I received my replacement monitor today, haven't hooked it up yet but I am hopeful.

[NickSimcheck]

My 2007WFP arrived today. Dell made errors with part of the shipping address and my name so the delivery was almost delayed another few days. Luckliy I was able to intercept the package and pick it up myself from DHL.

Well, the monitor looks great, from first glance. I need to update my video card to support the new aspect ratio, but it doesn't seem to be changing color when looking at it from different angles. YEAH!

I could not, though, find the hidden menu that reveals if it's a PM330 or a RT803. I followed the OPs instructions, but couldn't get any hidden menu to come up. Does anyone know if Dell changed the menu, or if there's a new way to get to it. I'm just curious.


The menu I doubt has changed. Hold "Menu" and "+" down while the monitor is off, with a third finger (pick one) turn the monitor on. keep holding these two buttons down! See the little 'thing' in the upper left hand corner the shows how you are connected? (It'll either say VGA or DVI) after that disappears release both "Menu" and "+" and quickly press "-".

[Dorman]

Mine arrives tomorrow, can't wait to check it out.

[Dorman]

Just got it, been using it for about 30 minutes so far. Anyone have any recommended settings for contrast/brightness etc?

Using VGA am I able to adjust sharpness or is that features only available when using DVI?

[Tsmith]

Just got it, been using it for about 30 minutes so far. Anyone have any recommended settings for contrast/brightness etc?

Using VGA am I able to adjust sharpness or is that features only available when using DVI?

I'd suggest investing in a calibration kit.

[Dorman]

Yes that's definitely in the works, all I have to go on right now is adobe gamma and I'm not getting great results.

[sunshinemom]

I got my 2007WFP monitor on Friday. It took some work, as my graphics card wouldn't support this monitor's resolution through the Digital input, but we got it working after purchasing a new graphics card--and it looks great. There are no viewing angle problems. Yeah!

When I saw how good the viewing angle was, I was sure it was the better panel type (S-IPS), but I checked to make sure. In the begining, I had trouble figuring out how to get the monitor to display the panel type, but it turned out to be my lack of patience. Thanks, guys, for your help.

Brad, as for the settings, I calibrated it yesterday. I will let you know my settings tomorrow. I know I had to bring the brightness down quite a bit, but I can't look at the monitor until tomorrow to confirm the settings.

[Dorman]

Well I've got some pretty satisfactory results so far, still want to get an actual calibration tool & software but so far I'm impressed.

[sunshinemom]

In case you are still interested, my settings are:
brightness 18
Under custom color:
Red 100
Green 96
Blue 92

I'm going to calibrate again tomorrow just for good measure. I thought there was a contrast setting, but I can't seem to find it now. Also, it might be good to know that I'm using the Digital Input, not the Analog input. The setting choices are different depending on which input you use.

[Dorman]

I'm running analog for now so we won't be much help to each other. ;)

[treeshugger]

A lot of decentl lcds get noticeably (from my eyes) less detailed images when not run digital (the 2007WFP is one). I think its because they dont have native support and the built in converters arent the highest grade.

[NickSimcheck]

Just an update.

I've emailed Dell a couple of times regarding the refund, and each time they keep saying their sorry for the delay and to expect a refund shortly.

Still no refund in my Pay Pal account...

[wannasmaxx]

I'm happy with mine... I was thinking about getting another one....

[NickSimcheck]

Another update, now they have denied my refund because apparently they thought I only send the original back. So now I'm trying to straighten it out with them, the 2nd must have gotten lost at their warehouse.

[NickSimcheck]

Another update, dell has said in poorly sentenced English that I'm not getting a refund because... I have no refund coming. I have explained to them 2-3 times of what happened then they acknowledge it but when I email again later then say that they don't see that I should have a refund. Don't understand what they are talking about? Neither do I.

Now Dell won't return my emails now so I'll have to call them and explain the problem.

I really dislike calling their customer service because I can't understand most of their foreign workers, but I have to do what I have to do.

[Rumjungle]

Man, Dell can be such a pain sometimes. I really hope this works out for you, Nick.

[blonde]

Another update, dell has said in poorly sentenced English that I'm not getting a refund because... I have no refund coming. I have explained to them 2-3 times of what happened then they acknowledge it but when I email again later then say that they don't see that I should have a refund. Don't understand what they are talking about? Neither do I.

Now Dell won't return my emails now so I'll have to call them and explain the problem.

I really dislike calling their customer service because I can't understand most of their foreign workers, but I have to do what I have to do.

i have had a similar experience with them and i did something i am not really proud of but it worked. i called them and everytime i got a person that spoke broken english or did not understand what i was talking about, i just told him/her that i want to speak to their higher up or to someone that was located in america. i ended up talking to a manager of some sort and had the refund in a day or so.. again, i am not proud of what i did (especially since i am also not an american and have a thick accent) but i was very frustrated and just wanted to get a result.

[Tsmith]

After days of reviewing specs and seeing way less negative input on the Apple Cinema series I ordered a 20" from B&H for $599 + free shipping. The DELL looks nice but it sure seems a crap shot at getting a good one, one I didn't won't to take.

[Rumjungle]

Tsmith? When did you change your name? Anyway, congrats on a nice screen!

As for the Dell, perhaps those who are interested but worried can buy from Costco. They still offer a 90-day money back guarantee which is a good amount of time to determine if you like it or not.

[Tsmith]

Tsmith? When did you change your name? Anyway, congrats on a nice screen!

As for the Dell, perhaps those who are interested but worried can buy from Costco. They still offer a 90-day money back guarantee which is a good amount of time to determine if you like it or not.

Its been a few weeks now as I was wanting to shed the XT tag. I really wanted to give the DELL a try but after reading lots of frustrated experiences in the process of receiving a good one and DHells customer service I'll gladly take the Apple at the discount price.

[NickSimcheck]

Another update.

I was going to go the route that Blonde suggested, but I guess I got lucky this time. They said if I could provide the tacking numbers then they could process the return. I said I'd need a day to find them, so they arranged for a callback the next day. Well, 2 weeks went by and no conformation/case number email and no callback.


Soo... I got kinda foaming at the mouth this time and give the customer service rep every email (about 8 or 10) from them with tracking numbers and return conformations and EVERYTHING and he said the problem was the delivery date and the return date were the same day.

Basicly, some flaw in Dell's system caused this entire "error". So he said he could see that I was right and that he was very sorry and that I'd have a return within 10 days.


Now HOPEFULLY I will have a return in 10 days (this is the third time they have told me they would return the money!) but at least this time I told the guy I'm not goin' no where without a return conformation number and a case number. I got both, so I think I'm on solid ground now.



All in all, I'm not saying don't buy from Dell. But in my experience, I know I'll never buy from them again. It's just not worth it.

[blonde]

Another update.

I was going to go the route that Blonde suggested, but I guess I got lucky this time. They said if I could provide the tacking numbers then they could process the return. I said I'd need a day to find them, so they arranged for a callback the next day. Well, 2 weeks went by and no conformation/case number email and no callback.


Soo... I got kinda foaming at the mouth this time and give the customer service rep every email (about 8 or 10) from them with tracking numbers and return conformations and EVERYTHING and he said the problem was the delivery date and the return date were the same day.

Basicly, some flaw in Dell's system caused this entire "error". So he said he could see that I was right and that he was very sorry and that I'd have a return within 10 days.


Now HOPEFULLY I will have a return in 10 days (this is the third time they have told me they would return the money!) but at least this time I told the guy I'm not goin' no where without a return conformation number and a case number. I got both, so I think I'm on solid ground now.



All in all, I'm not saying don't buy from Dell. But in my experience, I know I'll never buy from them again. It's just not worth it.

hopefully you will get your money back soon Nick. i can't say that i blame you for not wanting to buy from them again. on a side note, i was at a friend's house and he just picked up a 22" samsung and it is a really nice screen if you are looking for another option...