[adifrank]

Hi. I'm looking for budget LCD monitor which and need some tips. I've been searching the web and reading reviews and such. Let me post here my requirements and what I've found so far.



WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:



* 22-24 inch

* either 9:16 or 10:16

* main usage: web graphics and animation, HD video editing, photo editing, watching movies, normal internet browsing and office work. I'm not into games at all.

* pivot ability, height adjustment would be a plus too

* looking to spend under $400





THE MODELS I'M CURRENTLY CONSIDERING:



DELL UltraSharp U2311H

(This would be the monitor I would get for sure if it weren't for some pink and green tinting issues I've been reading about)

http://www.testfreaks.com/monitors/dell-...rp-u2311h/

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2311h.htm

http://hubpages.com/hub/Dell-U2410-U2311...ing-Issues



DELL UltraSharp 2209WA

(Read many good things about this monitor. Although it didn't get so much criticism regarding tinting issues as did the Dell 2311 and 2410, it seems this model also suffers from this problem for some units. I can't tell what the chances are of getting a good unit or one with tint problems. I actually think I'd prefer its 10:16 ratio for graphics and office work but it has less resolution. Not full HD)

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/20...209wa.html

http://www.testfreaks.com/monitors/dell-...rp-2209wa/

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1435597



NEC EA231WMI-BK

(I've heard NEC and DELL both get their cheaper new generation ISP panels from LG and it seems the tinting and back light leaking occurs with this budget ISP monitor as well)

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/20...mi-bk.html



Samsung F2380

(The only PVA panel monitor of the bunch. Read good reviews. Apparently good contrast, but colors are not as accurate compared to the Dell models. Also I've read that contrast is very good with this model, but less levels of black compared to the Dells)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6824001332



If you have any suggestions, comments or recommendations I'd really love to hear them.





Thanks!

[janez]

Look also for HP ZR22w and ZR24w. Nice evening.

[Sylvain]

[quote name='janez' timestamp='1292265738' post='4967']

Look also for HP ZR22w and ZR24w. Nice evening.

[/quote]



I'd top that with the HP LP2475W, supposedly higher specced and MSRP 600$+ but now at 412$ at amazon

http://www.amazon.com/HP-LP2475w-24-inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B001FS1LLI



I have it and I'm very happy with it. I bought it when looking for a screen able to cover adobergb fully (although I don't really need it so much). Lots of connectors, even backlighting, punchy colours, lots of very nice aspect ratio options (upscaling, no upscaling, you decide). Actually, I haven't found any flaw on it, despite it being an HP product <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />. At 411$, certainly a bargain.



detailed review at prad, that you already know :

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2008/review-hp-lp2475w.html



A friend bought the same and both his and mine don't suffer from any tint shifting (green to pink), as usual, QC...



Hope it helps,

Sylvain

[wojtt]

Nec P 221 W might be an option as well.. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[adifrank]

Hi and thanks for the replies!

Look also for HP ZR22w and ZR24w. Nice evening.

I'm located in Israel. Unfortunately, it seems these HP models aren't available in this area. :/

I'd top that with the HP LP2475W

It does seem like a great monitor, but a bit over my budget.

Nec P 221 W might be an option as well.

Also a model I would definitely consider, but for now its out of my price range. At least for how it is priced here where I am.



...



After further research, I've pretty much narrowed it down to the two Dell models. They seem to be the best option for me, even though I realize that they are not full gamut and from what I've been reading Dell has some QC issues.



Summing up what I know, it boils down to:



DELL 2209WA

PROS:

* proven model with many satisfied users

* 16:10 (as apposed to 16:9) which I prefer

* just a bit cheaper (about US$80)

CONS:

* 22" (or 21.5" rather)

* not full HD (1680x1050)



DELL U2311H

PROS:

* 23" rather than 22"(21.5")

* it seems default color presets are better out of the box

* full HD

CONS:

* the feeling i get from what i've been reading is that there's a significant number of QC issues with this model. maybe because it recently came out. issues include: uneaven backlighting, pink tint on one side and green tint on other side and backlight leaking. the degree of these issues on different units seem to vary from 'very noticeable' to 'barely noticeable' to 'i don't see any problems at all'.

* watching a [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM9SbBB2ng0"]youtube video of both monitors side by side[/url] it seems the 16:9 would be really cool for watching movies, but a bit too short for everyday photo & graphic work



...



If anyone has any experience with either or both of these models, I'd really like to get an opinion of someone who has photo and graphic work in mind rather than gaming, for example. i'm not into games at all. but i do expect to watch movies on this screen and of course normal internet browsing, emailing and MS office stuff.



Thanks!

[Sylvain]

[quote name='adifrank' timestamp='1292415219' post='5003']

It does seem like a great monitor, but a bit over my budget.

[/quote]



Ah I thought you lived in the states, for some reason. In that case, I'm sure you could have found an extra 20$ to get it "within your budget" :/. Sorry.

[adifrank]

Yes, it seems prices are a bit higher here in the mid-east. :|

... and some models are not even available, it all depends on the importers.



I will be moving back to the states in a couple of years, that is another reason why i don't feel like investing too much into this monitor. This is why the cheaper Dell IPS models caught my eye.



I have been receiving mixed recommendations between the older but proven 2209wa model and the newer, larger but somewhat risk u2311h.



I can't decide. In the end I'll just flip a coin. <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[adifrank]

Ended up getting the DELL U2311H.

I received a revision a01 October 2010 unit, made in Czech Republic.

There was a very visible pink tint on the right side of the screen and yellowish white tint coming from the left side of the screen - when viewing dark/black image on screen. The tinting is visible even during daylight.

Also there seems to be a backlight leak on bottom left corner.

<img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Contacted Dell... they should have a replacement unit ready for me to pick up in another day or two.

[adifrank]

I just received the replacement unit. They sent me a refurbished unit. It came straight from the manufacturers in the Czech Republic just a few days ago. I saw the shipping forms on the box. It says revision A01, made in Czech Republic and it has a Refurbished sticker on the bottom of the monitor.



The previous unit was manufactured in October 2010. This one says July 2010.



The results:

- no dead pixels

- when viewing the screen with black image and slightly from the left(about 15 degree angle) there is a visible pinkish-purplish tint on the right side of the screen (mostly coming from the bottom corner), although it is less noticeable compared to the unit I sent back.

- when viewing black image from ever so slightly to the right (even just 5-10 degree angle) there is a very visible pale yellowish light on the left bottom corner of the screen. it is much stronger than the tinting on the right side and I believe that although the pink tinting on the right side of the screen is better with the replacement unit, the pale light on the left side is definitely worse.



<img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



...What to do? Send it back again?

[Guest]

[quote name='adifrank' timestamp='1293532554' post='5235']

I just received the replacement unit. They sent me a refurbished unit.

[/quote]



There no need to worry about the fact that it is a refurbished one. It really should be "as good as new". I am still (after 3 years) happily using the refurbished mainboard Dell put into my laptop when the original one went belly up.



[quote name='adifrank' timestamp='1293532554' post='5235']

- when viewing the screen with black image and slightly from the left(about 15 degree angle) there is a visible pinkish-purplish tint on the right side of the screen (mostly coming from the bottom corner), although it is less noticeable compared to the unit I sent back.

- when viewing black image from ever so slightly to the right (even just 5-10 degree angle) there is a very visible pale yellowish light on the left bottom corner of the screen. it is much stronger than the tinting on the right side and I believe that although the pink tinting on the right side of the screen is better with the replacement unit, the pale light on the left side is definitely worse.

[/quote]



That sucks. You should definitely contact Dell and see if you can send it back again. If you don't, you will constantly be looking at the monitor's shortcomings, instead of at your photo's...





Has anybody else had (similar or other) problems with Dell monitors? They often show good results in tests, but if there is a "quality issue", that would make them a lot less attractive... Or does adifrank just have a lot of bad luck?



Thomas