Which 24" Monitor?

[mkohman]

Hello,

If you were to check my previous thread you will see the problems I am having with my Brand New (5 days old) Dell 2408WFP...

I am seriously considering of sending it back for a refund.. and purchasing a new monitor..

I actually purchased a Spyder 3 Elite Calibrator to calibrate this thing but no joy..

My main aims of the monitor is clear crisp detail with accurate colour .. I will be using for editing in PhotoShop, LightRoom, Mainly picutres, internet browsing , office work and maybe watching some movies from time to time..

Here are the 2 I had in mind:

1 - NEC Spectraview 2690 (26" Monitor) or

2 - Eizo Color Edge CG241W (24" Monitor)

I know they are both very pricey but are these top rank monitors that will cater my need and also does anyone own any of these 2 monitors? please feedback.. ;)

If you recommend any other 24" monitors please feel kind to recommend.. many thanks.. :)

[Az2Africa]

I have the Eizo CG241W and love it. I Use the Spyder3 Studio. The Eizo Color Navigator calibration has the Spyder3 in it's software so no need to load the disc that came with the Spyder. The color look up tables are also in the monitor and does not use the video card for them. You will not regret getting it.

[OdiN1701]

Did not see your old thread....what issue is it that you are having?

I have the 3007WFP and two 2001FP's and they are all excellent monitors. I use the 30" for my photo editing.

Eizo makes excellent monitors, however.

But -

Eizo 24" = S-PVA (Samsung LTM240CS)
Dell 2408 = S-PVA (Samsung LTM240CS05)

Very similar panels in both of those. I found this:

http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=6&ma1=88&mo1=342&p1=3161&ma2=119&ph=8

I don't see how you could have much difference between the two monitors once calibrated.

So perhaps there is some other issue? I don't know what your problem is, but perhaps I could help.

[BluewookieJim]

Have you looked into the HP LP2475w? This 24" H-IPS panel can be had for roughly $650 US.

[mkohman]

Thanks for the input guys.. oDin 1701 please check my previous thread for details.. too complicated to explain.. and if you could save me keep thos monitor than I will much appreciate that as I really do like the Dell 2408WFP if it wasn't for the funny colours.... :)

[Bill Roberts]

I think if I were looking for the best right now I'd check out the LaCie 724. I doubt that you'll like the price though, but as monitors go it really does look superb.

The Eizo would be a great choice. I've used Eizo for a few years now and haven't had any problems at all.

[mkohman]

I have the Eizo CG241W and love it. I Use the Spyder3 Studio. The Eizo Color Navigator calibration has the Spyder3 in it's software so no need to load the disc that came with the Spyder. The color look up tables are also in the monitor and does not use the video card for them. You will not regret getting it.

thanks for the advise.. I wasn't sure to get this or the NEC SpectraView 2690.. When did the Eizo CG241W come out? Also does it really make a big difference in image and picture quality and colour? also If I were to watch movies in windows media player will it be a problem? What panel is this ? is it S-IPS > if not which one?

thank you and sorry for the 100 questions ;)

[René Damkot]

From here (http://www.flatpanels.dk/panels.php).

Eizo CG241W (widescreen) has a 24 inch 6 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM240CS) panel

NEC 2690 (widescreen) has a 26 inch 6 ms (g2g) AS-IPS panel.

I wouldn't know which is the better screen overall....

[OdiN1701]

Thanks for the input guys.. oDin 1701 please check my previous thread for details.. too complicated to explain.. and if you could save me keep thos monitor than I will much appreciate that as I really do like the Dell 2408WFP if it wasn't for the funny colours.... :)

Got a link? I didn't see your other thread.

[mkohman]

I am considering NEC 2690 over the Eizo CG241W what do you guys suggest? Which one is a better display in your opinion and why? Thanks..

[mkohman]

I am now thinking an Apple Cinema Display 30" may be what I will buy.. does anyone have this? Also how will this work with windows? Will it look good? image quality etc?
thanks

[Tony-S]

It'll work fine, provide you have dual-link DVI video card.

[OdiN1701]

I am now thinking an Apple Cinema Display 30" may be what I will buy.. does anyone have this? Also how will this work with windows? Will it look good? image quality etc?
thanks

Waste of money. Get the Dell 30" - same panel, or used to be. The 3007WFP-HC was $1200 last I saw.

[mkohman]

yes I have dual link video card.. I have the Nvidia Geforce 9800 GX2 .. but why does it need dual link?

[mkohman]

Waste of money. Get the Dell 30" - same panel, or used to be. The 3007WFP-HC was $1200 last I saw.

Initially I purchase the Dell 3008WFP latest 30" and the colours I was not happy with.. The screen was eye popingly bright .. changed it for the 2408WFP also colors are not good.. there is a green tint as you can see in my other thread..

I was thinking of the 3007WFP but I am afraid this may have the same issue?

[OdiN1701]

You can't run at the native resolution (2560x1600) without a dual-link video card.

[OdiN1701]

Initially I purchase the Dell 3008WFP latest 30" and the colours I was not happy with.. The screen was eye popingly bright .. changed it for the 2408WFP also colors are not good.. there is a green tint as you can see in my other thread..

I was thinking of the 3007WFP but I am afraid this may have the same issue?

I have the 3007WFP and it's an excellent monitor. I don't yet have it calibrated and still the prints I get back are spot-on.

Did you calibrate either monitor? Sometimes you may get lucky and get one that's good out of the box (I did) - but I would say that most of the time you need to calibrate.

[mkohman]

I have it .. I have a Nvidia Geforce 9800 GX2.. OdiN1701, I am thinking of the 3007WFP-HC .. what does HC mean? Also would you seriously reccomnd this ? As I said I got the 3008WFP .. was very bright and hurts eyes because it was so bright also the colours in photos were not that good.. The 2408WFP also has the similar problem.. I think Dell's latest tecnology with this wide gamut colour etc is just rubbish..

Would you really reccomend this screen? or woud you rather I buy a NEC or a Eizo ColorEdge? I am really confused..? I am definitly sending this 2408WFP tomorrow but I need to decide what I want and to be honest I am confused so much right now I never remember being so lost ;)

[mkohman]

I have the 3007WFP and it's an excellent monitor. I don't yet have it calibrated and still the prints I get back are spot-on.

Did you calibrate either monitor? Sometimes you may get lucky and get one that's good out of the box (I did) - but I would say that most of the time you need to calibrate.


I calibrated both and no good. I think I may go for The 3007WFP-HC .. how long have you had yours for.. are the colours nice and crisp? thanks..

[OdiN1701]

I've had mine about a year now. Colors look fine to me. I don't see how calibrating it wouldn't take care of any issues. I have an 8600 GTS.

If it was bright, why not turn down the brightness?

I don't see the 3007 being all that much different than the 3008 so maybe you would want to look into that Eizo. I think their 24" is running close to what the 30" is anyway.

[ssalulu]

I've heard a lot of great things about Eizo.

[mkohman]

Guys.... F**k it ;) I finally did it .. I bought the Eizo .. its either going to be a big mistake or a big success.. I am killing myself for spending this amount of money but .. if it is going to make the difference it will be worth it.. Dell 2408WFP going tomorrow.. :(

[Bill Roberts]

Nice one! I doubt that you'll regret it though.
It's always a shock spending that kind of money but you get over it in a few days. And on the other hand you'll get the pleasure of using a top class monitor for years...

cheers

[mkohman]

Nice one! I doubt that you'll regret it though.
It's always a shock spending that kind of money but you get over it in a few days. And on the other hand you'll get the pleasure of using a top class monitor for years...

cheers

thank you ... I am really looking forward to it.. I actually purchased a Spyder 3 Elite to calibrate the Dell 2408WFP a few days ago.. Will this work on the Eizo.. Because I think this has built in calibration or will the Eye One 2 be any better? What do you recommend? Or maybe I will not need to calibrate at all?

Thanks

[Bill Roberts]

I'd certainly recommend calibrating the Eizo, even with top end kit like that it's worth it. And I can't see why your spyder 3 wouldn't work ok. But I wouldn't like to say which is the better calibration tool between the two you mention. I use the spyder 2 and it's been fine. But as in everything, things tend to improve with later models. I'm sure someone out there will be able to give you a more useful answer on that one.

cheers

[Hermes]

The Eizo is the best of all the monitors discussed. Every single one is hand checked to ensure the colours are right straight out of the box and they have a five year warranty.

[mkohman]

The Eizo is the best of all the monitors discussed. Every single one is hand checked to ensure the colours are right straight out of the box and they have a five year warranty.

Hermes, I am assuming you have an Eizo too? Which model do you have? ;)

[mkohman]

I'd certainly recommend calibrating the Eizo, even with top end kit like that it's worth it. And I can't see why your spyder 3 wouldn't work ok. But I wouldn't like to say which is the better calibration tool between the two you mention. I use the spyder 2 and it's been fine. But as in everything, things tend to improve with later models. I'm sure someone out there will be able to give you a more useful answer on that one.

cheers

Bill,

Thanks for your help mate... Juist wanted to ask you a few more questions if you don't mind..

1 - would you have reccomended this over the NEC SpectraView 2690?

2 - does this monitor have usb ports? if so how many and where are they located?

3 - Is this screen really bright like the new Dells? I mean disturbingly bright or is it relaxing to view?

4 - whats the panel? s-pva or ips? I read somewhere that its a s-pva .. and are there big differences in those 2 models?

Sorry for all these questions but I wanted to hear from you since you aslready own this monitor..

Many thanks ;)

[Bill Roberts]

Well personally I like the Eizos in general, which I suppose makes me a bit biased, so I guess I would have recommended it over the NEC. I did see mention of the LaCie 700 series the other day although I haven't actually seen one yet... that really sounds something else again but it's even more expensive!
Two usb ports on the back I think (I don't use them and I'm at work so I can't actually check). Brighness is fine, you can adjust virtually anything to your taste.

the last question is a bit iffy though... I've seen it reported as both IPS (in a review by macuser.co.uk) and as a 24 inch 6 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM240CS) panel by http://www.flatpanels.dk/panels.php I can't find anything by Eizo to confirm or deny which. I'd tend to believe the flatpanels site myself, as they're generally pretty good. It's a useful link to bookmark.

Whatever it is in reality, I'd be amazed if you don't like it.

Let us know how you go with it once it arrives.

cheers

[mkohman]

Well personally I like the Eizos in general, which I suppose makes me a bit biased, so I guess I would have recommended it over the NEC. I did see mention of the LaCie 700 series the other day although I haven't actually seen one yet... that really sounds something else again but it's even more expensive!
Two usb ports on the back I think (I don't use them and I'm at work so I can't actually check). Brighness is fine, you can adjust virtually anything to your taste.

the last question is a bit iffy though... I've seen it reported as both IPS (in a review by macuser.co.uk) and as a 24 inch 6 ms (g2g) S-PVA (Samsung LTM240CS) panel by http://www.flatpanels.dk/panels.php I can't find anything by Eizo to confirm or deny which. I'd tend to believe the flatpanels site myself, as they're generally pretty good. It's a useful link to bookmark.

Whatever it is in reality, I'd be amazed if you don't like it.

Let us know how you go with it once it arrives.

cheers

Thanks Bill,

I will keep you informed once arrives..

[Hermes]

Hermes, I am assuming you have an Eizo too? Which model do you have? ;)

CG241W. It calibrates so much better than the 24" Samsung I had before it. I'm sure you'll be happy with yours - just prepare yourself for some strange colours if you're viewing sRGB images in a non colour-managed app.

[mkohman]

CG241W. It calibrates so much better than the 24" Samsung I had before it. I'm sure you'll be happy with yours - just prepare yourself for some strange colours if you're viewing sRGB images in a non colour-managed app.


Hmmmm.. how do you mean? because this is the reason I got rid of the Dell 2408WFP?

I take photographs as RAW and sRGB.. are you saying that if I wanted to show someone a slide show of my photos for example in windows photo gallery I will see wrong or weird colours? thanks..

[Colorblinded]

Have you looked into the HP LP2475w? This 24" H-IPS panel can be had for roughly $650 US.
I've heard good things about those, I'm tempted to get one myself since I can't afford these nicer NEC or Eizo displays :(

[Hermes]

Hmmmm.. how do you mean? because this is the reason I got rid of the Dell 2408WFP?

I take photographs as RAW and sRGB.. are you saying that if I wanted to show someone a slide show of my photos for example in windows photo gallery I will see wrong or weird colours? thanks..

Yes, it's a wide-gamut monitor like the Dell. If an image is saved in the sRGB colour space and viewed through an unmanaged application on a wide-gamut monitor the colours will not display correctly. If the image is saved in the AdobeRGB colour space and viewed through an unmanaged application it should display more or less OK. If viewed in a colour managed app, images saved in any colour space should display accurately.

If you are shooting in sRGB and viewing the images in non-colour managed applications then there is absolutely no need to waste money on a monitor this expensive. These monitors are designed for those working in large colour spaces wanting to soft-proof their images as accurately as possible before printing.

[OdiN1701]

Yes, it's a wide-gamut monitor like the Dell. If an image is saved in the sRGB colour space and viewed through an unmanaged application on a wide-gamut monitor the colours will not display correctly. If the image is saved in the AdobeRGB colour space and viewed through an unmanaged application it should display more or less OK. If viewed in a colour managed app, images saved in any colour space should display accurately.

If you are shooting in sRGB and viewing the images in non-colour managed applications then there is absolutely no need to waste money on a monitor this expensive. These monitors are designed for those working in large colour spaces wanting to soft-proof their images as accurately as possible before printing.

And FYI Internet Explorer isn't (or didn't used to be at least) a color managed app. Most of the quick-view type programs are not. You shouldn't be worried about those - what is important (IMO) is what they would look like in Lightroom/Photoshop, etc.

Maybe your initial issue was viewing web pages and other stuff in Internet Explorer produces odd colors?

Try using FireFox as it is color-aware with the latest version.

[mkohman]

And FYI Internet Explorer isn't (or didn't used to be at least) a color managed app. Most of the quick-view type programs are not. You shouldn't be worried about those - what is important (IMO) is what they would look like in Lightroom/Photoshop, etc.

Maybe your initial issue was viewing web pages and other stuff in Internet Explorer produces odd colors?

Try using FireFox as it is color-aware with the latest version.

Thanks for info.. but even with color managed apps.. like photoshop etc.. the DELL 2408WFP did not look good also after calibration was not right.. It had to be sent back there was no other alternative..

But my main concern is .. I appreciate the Eizo CG241W been accurate in color but will I have problems viewing photos in windows photo gallery?

My main work is with sRGB, so would you guys say this is a waste of money? please help? ..

[OdiN1701]

I wouldn't call it a waste of money. Why is viewing in windows photo gallery so important? Are you doing color correction in Photoshop? And wouldn't correct color be more important?

How were you calibrating? Are you in a room that has a lot of light coming in from outside? Sometimes, if your lighting conditions change, the colors will look different. Usually it is recommended to calibrate in the conditions that match what you edit in. So if you have lights on in the room and a window open and then calibrate...but then start to do editing with lights out at night...things will be a bit off.

I just don't understand how it couldn't look good after calibration? Can you post a photo and let someone else take a look? Maybe your photos are off because you've done correction without a calibrated monitor, and now that calibrated they don't look right? Have you tried to do correction on an image that doesn't look right after calibration?

[Mike55]

Mko sounds like you had a color profile issue, not a monitor issue.

[BluewookieJim]

Regarding the HP LP2475w, 24" H-IPS display...

I've heard good things about those, I'm tempted to get one myself since I can't afford these nicer NEC or Eizo displays :(

Maybe I'll have to start specific thread for owners of this display to share their experiences, answer questions, etc... I've had the display for about 2 weeks now.

In the meantime, here is a link to a long running, in-depth thread about this display on HardForum (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1326971).

[Colorblinded]

Yeah I skimmed a bit of that monstrous thread. It seems to be some people have trouble with it, but the few actual reviews I've read of it say it's superb when calibrated and I do have a Spyder to calibrate it with.

this review praises the HP though: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hp_lp2475w.htm

[BluewookieJim]

I've got the Spyder 2, which I calibrated this display with. Most of the information I've read leads me to believe that I cannot get an accurate calibration on this display with that colorimeter (sp?) due to the wide-gamut color spectrum of the display.

I've only had the Spyder 2 for a few months, and I don't have the $$$ to buy another, better, calibrator at this point, so I'm going to have to make do with what I have for the time being.

In terms of working in lightroom, I absolutely love this display. Clarity, uniform color no matter the viewing angle, and the sheer size of the workspace make me very happy. The only complaint I have thus far is viewing video over the web, ie netflix watch now, hulu, etc... Something just seems off when I watch video that way.

[Colorblinded]

I haven't read in to it enough, that's interesting that a Spyder 2 might be insufficient to calibrate the display.

[René Damkot]

due to the wide-gamut color spectrum of the display.
I've read more about problems with the spyder 2 and wide gamut screens.
No personal experience however...

viewing video over the web, ie netflix watch now, hulu, etc... Something just seems off when I watch video that way.

As in: oversaturated colors? That should fit, if the players aren't color managed.
(no experience either ;))

[BluewookieJim]

I've read more about problems with the spyder 2 and wide gamut screens.
No personal experience however...

That is what I said, I think.



As in: oversaturated colors? That should fit, if the players aren't color managed.
(no experience either ;))

I'd imagine that none of the video players are color managed. But it's not just colors, it's sharpness too. I have to take into account that this display is a much greater resolution 1900x1200, vs the 19" (1280 x 1024) I was previously using, so any sketchiness would be more apparent.

[mkohman]

Well... This morning the Dell 2408WFP got picked up and earlier my Eizo CG241W arived ;)

I won't be finishing work until later tonight so I may open the box this evening or tomorrow afternoon.. I really do hope this is the one for me...

If not I have 7 days to exchange... and I may do for an Apple 30" Cinema Display.. I am not sure .. first need to see what is going to be like.. I guess I should have stayed away from the wide gamut monitors but I only figured out all about the gamut issue after ordering the eizo .. I believe the Apple 30" is not a wide gamut is this true? thanks...

[OdiN1701]

I believe that the Apple 30" is similar panel to the Dell 30", which is also a wide gamut panel.

[mkohman]

I believe that the Apple 30" is similar panel to the Dell 30", which is also a wide gamut panel.


hmm thanks .. so you saying the apple is a wide gamut or the dell? or both ? ;)

[OdiN1701]

hmm thanks .. so you saying the apple is a wide gamut or the dell? or both ? ;)

I believe both would be. If that's how the panel is - I don't think it is something that Dell is doing itself - they would have to get a supported panel. There are slight model differences on the panels between the two, but they are LG.Philips panels. Couldn't tell you exactly what the difference is, you'd have to probably look some spec sheet up with LG.

[mkohman]

hmm thanks for prompt reply.. much appreciated..

[mkohman]

Guys,

just needed to ask a quick question .. for example on Dell monitors I read in forums people say "if its a REV 02" than its ok.. etc..

My question is what does the REV 02 mean and whats the difference.. Second question is how could you tell what revision it is ? Device manager? or does it say it on the monitor or box?

Many Thanks..

[mkohman]

Received my Dell 3008WFP .. I am very happy with it .. After calibrating with Spyder 3 Elite.. I have a great colour configuration.. touch wood "knock knock" ;) .. I am pleased with this monitor.. 4th time lucky LOL ;)

Thanks for all your help guys..

[PM01]

Apple uses LG Phillips LCD screen. The backlighting control is by Hee Sung Electronics. I don't like Apples very short warranty of only 1 year. Mine gave up after 2 years, surprisingly not the inverter board or the lighting, but the logic board! Apple wants over 400 dollars just to "look at it".

Here's an interesting site.

http://shop.colourconfidence.com/section.php?xSec=10314