New monitor?

[adam*]

Hi,

With my birthday coming up i'm thinking of spending some money and getting myself a new monitor. It will be used for editing photos (my laptop is only 15"), watching dvds and a little gaming. I'd spend £200 at the most. At the minute i'm looking at this one which seems to get great reviews:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125099/show_product_reviews

If anyone has any advice / suggestions please go ahead and say.

Adam

[Mork350D]

I got a new monitor in January and I was torn between that one you are looking at and the Dell 22", I ended up getting the Dell because of the reviews I read refering to different panel types which scared me off, It might have been nothing but it was enough for me to go for the Dell, not sure about now but at the time they were almost the same price.

[adam*]

I got a new monitor in January and I was torn between that one you are looking at and the Dell 22", I ended up getting the Dell because of the reviews I read refering to different panel types which scared me off, It might have been nothing but it was enough for me to go for the Dell, not sure about now but at the time they were almost the same price.

Ok cheers, i'll have a look. Reading the reviews on ebuyer it sounds like the different panel type issue has gone now.

Also if I go for the Samsung I could be tempted to upgrade to the Pebble style for just £20 more:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130925/show_product_specifications#specifications

[Mork350D]

At the time it just put a doubt in my mind, it seemed like they were using different panels from when the monitor was originally getting great reviews and some people were claiming they were inferior.
One thing though, I did see a Samsung in PC World and it did look very nice as well, if I didnt read the reviews I would probably have bought one and been perfectly happy with it.

[René Damkot]

A lot of info and recommendations (post 2) here (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y)

[adam*]

At the time it just put a doubt in my mind, it seemed like they were using different panels from when the monitor was originally getting great reviews and some people were claiming they were inferior.
One thing though, I did see a Samsung in PC World and it did look very nice as well, if I didnt read the reviews I would probably have bought one and been perfectly happy with it.

Cheers for the info. I'm not sure yet but will read more into the panel issue. Quite alot of the last reviews dismiss the issue though.

A lot of info and recommendations (post 2) here (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y)

Cheers Rene.

[SuzyView]

i think you can get the Samsung or LG I bought for around that much in the US now $300. The 22 inch monitor works great with my 17 inch laptop screen. I use both most of the time.

[bohdank]

Being a TN panel, it is the worst of the panel types for photo editing. IPS and variations of MVA are better, with IPS being the best. It doesn't mean that all TN panels are horrible, just not ideal for photo editing.

Unfortunately nobody makes 22" IPS panels.

[adam*]

Being a TN panel, it is the worst of the panel types for photo editing. IPS and variations of MVA are better, with IPS being the best. It doesn't mean that all TN panels are horrible, just not ideal for photo editing.

Unfortunately nobody makes 22" IPS panels.

Officially it seems so from what i've read, although people like Suzy find them fine. Problem with the proper photo editing monitors is that they are very expensive.

[Celestron]

You cannot go wrong with a SamSung monitor . I have the SyncMaster 932BW (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS19PEWSFV/XAA) and i love it !! Paid $220. @ BestBuy sale . Actually SamSung is #1 in TVs' , monitors at the moment .

[adam*]

You cannot go wrong with a SamSung monitor . I have the SyncMaster 932BW (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS19PEWSFV/XAA) and i love it !! Paid $220. @ BestBuy sale . Actually SamSung is #1 in TVs' , monitors at the moment .

Good to hear. Do you find it colour accurate for photo editing?

[René Damkot]

You cannot go wrong with a SamSung monitor . I have the SyncMaster 932BW (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS19PEWSFV/XAA) .

Has a TN screen as well.

You get what you pay for still applies...

If budget is limited, why not look into a used CRT. I did, and bought a used LaCie 22".
Way better then any TN panel and cheaper as well ;)

[adam*]

Has a TN screen as well.

You get what you pay for still applies...

If budget is limited, why not look into a used CRT. I did, and bought a used LaCie 22".
Way better then any TN panel and cheaper as well ;)

Yeah seems that they are alot better. I'm not sure about a CRT as it will take up alot of space. Need to decide how much it's geared towards photography editing as well as being used for films etc.

[René Damkot]

That's a consideration you'd have to make... The LaCie I mentioned is about 30kgs :p

[SuzyView]

I have the SyncMaster 226BW Samsung, beautiful and no matter which monitor you buy, have to calibrate.

[bohdank]

Officially it seems so from what i've read, although people like Suzy find them fine. Problem with the proper photo editing monitors is that they are very expensive.

You can get the HP LP2065 for around $350.

[ef2]

Officially it seems so from what i've read, although people like Suzy find them fine. Problem with the proper photo editing monitors is that they are very expensive.

From my research, most 22" TN panels are really fast but the tradeoff is that they're blah with color and contrast. I like my Dell 22" (a TN) but it does leave me wanting for something better.

[adam*]

The monitor Suzy recommended sounds quite good, doesn't look i'll be getting any flat panel monitors with IPS etc as theyre too expensive. MIGHT look into a bigger monitor.

[Celestron]

Sorry so long replying . As mentioned above you still need to calibrate any monitor but the SamSungs are pretty close on spot as they are unless you get one thats not which would be rare . A CRT monitor i will admit will give the best , clear , crisp image over any monitor providing it's calibrated correctly . I've had 3 before my Sumsung and all were great but all were HP also . Best way to calibrate for imaging tho is to use the Spider Calibration Sytem (http://www.calibration-direct.com/products.html?gclid=CPqov_GDwpQCFQgfswodngbyTw) . I've never used one but i have understood this is the best way for Pros when doing alot of printing .

[condyk]

Personally, if photo editing is gonna be a big part of your usage then I would look for a S-IPS panel as advocated above. Dell do one that I got, probably replaced it now, and Dell's are available via a number of routes that will be cheaper, like eBay or some of the discontinued gear sellers. You'd have to do a search. Mine is the Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP 20.1". I would actually like to get a second one, or a larger S-IPS panel. I paid around £200 for it via eBay new when it had just been discontinued. I'd probably research recommended photo-editing monitors and then shop around hard to find the best deal on those most recommended.

[René Damkot]

the SamSungs are pretty close on spot as they are

Right. :rolleyes:

From the specs:
Brightness : 300 cd/m² :shock:

Recommended is about 120Cd/m^2.

Also, as I stated, it is a TN screen. (6 bit)

[adam*]

Sorry so long replying . As mentioned above you still need to calibrate any monitor but the SamSungs are pretty close on spot as they are unless you get one thats not which would be rare . A CRT monitor i will admit will give the best , clear , crisp image over any monitor providing it's calibrated correctly . I've had 3 before my Sumsung and all were great but all were HP also . Best way to calibrate for imaging tho is to use the Spider Calibration Sytem (http://www.calibration-direct.com/products.html?gclid=CPqov_GDwpQCFQgfswodngbyTw) . I've never used one but i have understood this is the best way for Pros when doing alot of printing .

Thanks for the advice. The Samsungs look great but not sure if they are what i'm looking for now.

Personally, if photo editing is gonna be a big part of your usage then I would look for a S-IPS panel as advocated above. Dell do one that I got, probably replaced it now, and Dell's are available via a number of routes that will be cheaper, like eBay or some of the discontinued gear sellers. You'd have to do a search. Mine is the Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP 20.1". I would actually like to get a second one, or a larger S-IPS panel. I paid around £200 for it via eBay new when it had just been discontinued. I'd probably research recommended photo-editing monitors and then shop around hard to find the best deal on those most recommended.

I'm guessing this is the same one: http://www.europc.co.uk/pages/ProductPage.aspx?PID=104946&refId=cagbase

Looks good, it's S-IPS yes? It is 300Cd/m^2 though, is that a problem?

Right. :rolleyes:

From the specs:
:shock:

Recommended is about 120Cd/m^2.

Also, as I stated, it is a TN screen. (6 bit)

Cheers Rene, so i'm guessing you wouldn't recommend the one above?

[condyk]

I'm guessing this is the same one: http://www.europc.co.uk/pages/ProductPage.aspx?PID=104946&refId=cagbase

Looks good, it's S-IPS yes? It is 300Cd/m^2 though, is that a problem?


Mine is a S-IPS but apparently there are a number that were not when Dell ran out of S-IPS panels and sought supplies elsewhere. It should be a S-IPS as that was the default panel for this model, but I guess there is a small risk.

I have actually just ordered a second one from there as the price is amazing. Good lookin' monitor too. Thanks for the tip, In return, if you add the code CP26243EPC at checkout you save delivery, which is about £11.00. So at £163.33 it is a great bargain. Just make sure as the cart goes through the checkout process the discount remains. Mine did no problem.

These are probably last remaining stock or customer return or refurbs or something ... not sure. My current one was a customer return but is perfect.

[adam*]

I might get one quick then and hope that it's S-IPS. Let me know how yours is.

[jmik26]

I just bought a Samsung 245t from B&H. Its higher then what you want to pay but I can vouch for Samsung being a good product...Jeff

[René Damkot]

Cheers Rene, so i'm guessing you wouldn't recommend the one above?

I wouldn't recommend a TN screen for photo-editing.
The 300 Cd/m^2 can probably be brought down by calibrating, but the 6 bit cannot be brought up ;)

That being said; a lot of people seem to be perfectly happy with a TN screen.

A good laptop screen is also usable for editing, but it does have limitations. The user should know them, and then maybe can work around them.

[adam*]

I just bought a Samsung 245t from B&H. Its higher then what you want to pay but I can vouch for Samsung being a good product...Jeff

Thanks for the info.

I wouldn't recommend a TN screen for photo-editing.
The 300 Cd/m^2 can probably be brought down by calibrating, but the 6 bit cannot be brought up ;)

That being said; a lot of people seem to be perfectly happy with a TN screen.

A good laptop screen is also usable for editing, but it does have limitations. The user should know them, and then maybe can work around them.

Yeah, I'm sick of using my laptop really. The changing brightness is the biggest problem and contrast / sharpness can be an issue. 20"+ would be a nice improvement on 15" too! Think i'll go for the monitor that condy recommended, it's a great price and seems to be a good bet as long as I get an S-IPS panel.

[condyk]

Yeah, I'm sick of using my laptop really. The changing brightness is the biggest problem and contrast / sharpness can be an issue. 20"+ would be a nice improvement on 15" too! Think i'll go for the monitor that condy recommended, it's a great price and seems to be a good bet as long as I get an S-IPS panel.

Don't forget the discount code man ;-) and if you need to borrow a calibrator let me know and I'll lend you mine for P&P.

[adam*]

Cheers mate, I won't. Thanks for the offer. Laptop probably needs a reformat, after that i'll probably ask in a few weeks.

[adam*]

Just ordered the Dell, will let you all know what it's like when I get it :)

[Sfordphoto]

once you go s-ips you wont go back :)

[adam*]

once you go s-ips you wont go back :)

Well hopefully it's an S-IPS panel as it should be :)

[ed rader]

once you go s-ips you wont go back :)

that's true. i bought an NEC multisync 20wmgx2 and the difference between it and what i was using is like CD compared to cassette tapes.

ed rader

[futura]

I'm guessing this is the same one: http://www.europc.co.uk/pages/ProductPage.aspx?PID=104946&refId=cagbase

Looks good, it's S-IPS yes? It is 300Cd/m^2 though, is that a problem?


Really tempted to take the plunge with this one as well (only 6 left at the moment) - any chance of letting us know if its S-IPS when it arrives?

[adam*]

Really tempted to take the plunge with this one as well (only 6 left at the moment) - any chance of letting us know if its S-IPS when it arrives?

Best ask condy if it is, mine probably won't be here till Wednesday and it might be sold out then!

[condyk]

Really tempted to take the plunge with this one as well (only 6 left at the moment) - any chance of letting us know if its S-IPS when it arrives?

My second one looks identical to the one I bought a while back when I first got it, but I haven't calibrated it yet so is over-bright and lacks the contrast of the first one. But as I say the first was the same when I first got it. It just needs careful calibration. I can't be sure it is S-IPS as I forgot how you tell what panel they have in them now, but my first one is S-IPS and nothing about the second one leads me to believe that it isn't too. Having both side by side you see the impact of a calibrated monitor. My shots from today on the calibrated one have great punch and colour but on the uncalibrated one just not the same.

[adam*]

My second one looks identical to the one I bought a while back when I first got it, but I haven't calibrated it yet so is over-bright and lacks the contrast of the first one. But as I say the first was the same when I first got it. It just needs careful calibration. I can't be sure it is S-IPS as I forgot how you tell what panel they have in them now, but my first one is S-IPS and nothing about the second one leads me to believe that it isn't too. Having both side by side you see the impact of a calibrated monitor. My shots from today on the calibrated one have great punch and colour but on the uncalibrated one just not the same.

Got the monitor today, it's officially a birthday present for thursday but had to open it incase it was damaged :) Just writing on it now, my first experience of a widescreen monitor.. wow.

One thing is that I can see lines running up the screen, I think it might be the refresh rate. Is there anyway of eliminating it? It might be because my video card isn't good enough on my laptop, not sure (geforce go 7300).

Just needs calibrating now!

[bohdank]

The best source for panel recommendations depending on the use.

Everything you've ever wanted to know.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206

[adam*]

Got the monitor today, it's officially a birthday present for thursday but had to open it incase it was damaged :) Just writing on it now, my first experience of a widescreen monitor.. wow.

One thing is that I can see lines running up the screen, I think it might be the refresh rate. Is there anyway of eliminating it? It might be because my video card isn't good enough on my laptop, not sure (geforce go 7300).

Just needs calibrating now!

Anybody have any ideas?

[futura]

Anybody have any ideas?

Adam - have a look at this link - it might shed some light

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&thread.id=62942&view=by_date_ascending&page=9

[adam*]

Adam - have a look at this link - it might shed some light

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&thread.id=62942&view=by_date_ascending&page=9

Thanks for that link, it shows the same problem that I have. Not looking good as it seems unfixable, probably going to have to send it back.

[ekie]

i got 3 of those dell 2005wfp/20.1" with S-IPS (supposedly). any ideas how to check if it does or not? id like to get a 24" though as my main editing LCD, but finding one with S-IPS thats not too expensive is tough :evil:

[adam*]

i got 3 of those dell 2005wfp/20.1" with S-IPS (supposedly). any ideas how to check if it does or not? id like to get a 24" though as my main editing LCD, but finding one with S-IPS thats not too expensive is tough :evil:

Do you mean if it flickers? It's just very obvious when on.

[ekie]

Do you mean if it flickers? It's just very obvious when on.

no i meant if it has an S-IPS panel ... since it was shipped later with other panels, i thought?

[condyk]

no i meant if it has an S-IPS panel ... since it was shipped later with other panels, i thought?

I don't think that is correct. When I bought my first I discovered at different times different panels had been substituted when supplies where exhausted but the default is a S-IPS panel.

Adam, if you have access to a better card and a PC then try that.

[adam*]

I don't think that is correct. When I bought my first I discovered at different times different panels had been substituted when supplies where exhausted but the default is a S-IPS panel.

Adam, if you have access to a better card and a PC then try that.

I don't sadly but i'm pretty sure it's not that after reading that link. I tested it at lower resolutions and higher hz and no difference so it can't be.

[adam*]

It appears to have been a power issue. When my laptop is plugged in I get the flickering, as soon as it isn't it goes. Tried a housemates laptop and no problem.. guess it's something i'll put up with until I eventually buy an editing rig.

[elysium]

As I have seen and fell in love with

IIyama E2202WS - £140-£180 online price. Its awesome.