Widescreen LCD: ViewSonic vs. Benq

i've been looking at them for a while, but i have no knowledge in the area of lcds so ive come here for some help

what im trying to decide between are:
BenQ FP202W Black 20.1" DVI 8ms and ViewSonic VX2025WM Black-Silver 20.1" DVI 8ms

ill be getting a neo-flex stand so i was going to see if anyone could verify that both of the monitors support it, from the pictures i can see that the viewsonic does, i don't know if the benq does

can anyone vouch for one lcd over the other? is the feature-heavy viewsonic better than the simple benq monitor?
i really don't care for the speakers in the viewsonic, so that doesn't give it preference over the benq. i acutally like that the benq doesn't have speakers and i love its simplistic look.

but what about the other features of the viewsonic, are they necessary?
can anyone explain what some of them are?

viewsonic's features
•OptiSync digital/analog inputs expand your connectivity
•Ultra high brightness and contrast
•XtremeView ultra-wide viewing angles extend your view
•Amplified Impulse™ technology

benq's features
•Senseye Image Enhancement Technology
•"A" Grade Quality
•i Key Auto Adjustment

and does the contrast ratio have much of a significance?
viewsonic - 800:1
benq - 600:1


any help would be much appreciated
thanks

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I have a friend who owns the Viewsonic, and it's a stunning monitor. I've had bad luck with BenQ in the past.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I'd say go for Dell's 20.1" widescreen, honestly, the new 2007WFP. It's 1680 x 1050, 12ms, supports HDCP over its DVI port (so you can use it for HD-DVD/Blu-Ray/PS3/whatever else requires HDCP), no backlight bleeding... Overall it's a great monitor. My friends Ed and Sean just got one each, and I've seen then in person—nicer than my old 2005, and with the deals, just as affordable.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I agree with killmoms, Dell definitely has the *best* LCD's for PC available. If you plan on keeping this screen for a loooooong time, I would highly recommend HDCP compliance, because with Windows Vista (crap) and all the other DRM running around, you will want it.

But if you do go with the none Dell monitors, either choice is very good. They really are practically the same. Viewsonic has speakers, a slightly higher contrast ratio, but is more expensive.

Honestly, make sure the shape is something you like. You don't want a eye-sore for a monitor.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

The Viewsonic monitor is probably the best choice, per nice comparison review. It's not that much more expensive than the BenQ, anyways, though they're both great displays.

The Dell 2007 is a good monitor, too, but suffers from nasty color banding issues. Dell has updated the display's firmware to fix the problem, though, so if you're willing to wait for the older monitors to clear out of the channel (or are willing to send the monitor back to Dell for updates), that'd probably be your best bet.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Dell makes good monitors, but not the BEST monitors. Most of their LCDs are just rebranded Samsung and Viewsonic screens anyway. Their only advantage is that they occasionally give insane coupons which push their monitors down to stunning deals for the price. I've got a 2001FP myself. For $300, I couldn't resist the glory that is 1600x1200.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Do make sure and go widescreen though. It's the wave that everyone is riding and it is WELL worth it.

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Eh, only go widescreen if it's a usable resolution. None of this 1440x900 BS. NOTHING works in that resolution, and most monitors with it can't rescale other resolutions for crap.

How ya doing, buddy?

I would say get a Dell 2007FPW as well. Try to wait for the coupon and free shipping. Last time I got it at $375, pretty sweet deal.

Most amazing jew boots

how do i keep an eye out for these dell coupons? is there a good site?
its on sale (15% off) for $390 ($422 taxed) free shipping right now, should i jump on that or wait?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I own a Dell 2007FPW and it is the best looking LCD I've ever seen in regards to color, brightness, contrast and especially viewing angle and believe me I've personally seen a lot of LCD monitors firsthand including the ones you mentioned. However, there a major known problem with the monitor known as color banding:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportfor...ssage.id=56619


Dell has troubleshooted at fixed the problem, however those currently with 2007FWPs are waiting on the fixed monitors to be shipped so they can trade it in for a replacement. If you do go with the Dells, I would wait until the new revision of the 2007FWPs start to ship which is expected to begin any week now.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

If you want cheap, then I'd go with Dell. But if I'm looking for quality, then I'll look elsewhere. The color production on a Dell is hopeless. I've gotten a 2005FPW which I had to return due to excessive backlighting. They just cranked that up so they could score a higher contrast ratio, while burning my eyes.

I'd go the viewsonic in this case when compared to the benq. I have a vp930b and am very happy with it.

Having said that I do own a 24" Dell monitor, the 2405FPW. This is very nice, BUT I'd never use it as a monitor. It still suffers from the same brightness issues that I hate. I'm using it as a TV for my PS2 and movie watching at HD resolutions. For $1000AU (they were getting rid of their old stock for the new model), you can't do much better and since I'm not sitting half a metre away (2 metres or more now) my eyes arn't getting burnt.

Oh and those monitor prices make me cry on newegg. I'd so get another one for a dual screen setup but the price here in Australia is like 2.5x that for the same vp930b ;_;

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Quote:

If you want cheap, then I'd go with Dell. But if I'm looking for quality, then I'll look elsewhere. The color production on a Dell is hopeless. I've gotten a 2005FPW which I had to return due to excessive backlighting. They just cranked that up so they could score a higher contrast ratio, while burning my eyes.

The 2007WFPs are above and beyond the quality of the 2005FPWs. Other than the banding issue (which is being fixed) most agree it is the best looking 20 inch monitor on the market.

http://www.widescreengamingforum.com...pic.php?t=4203 has a nice side-by-side comparison of the monitor. And after you see an S-IPS panel in action, you'll never want to go back to a standard LCD.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I got myself a widescreen 20.1" Viewsonic VX2025wm for USD 400 just last week, and I'm loving it so far. Exceptional display quality, though the structural design has some flaws: there's no height adjustment, and the swivel radius is way too confined. Not much of a problem for normal usage, luckily.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

im pretty much set on the dell now, ill just have to wait until those problems are solved and they begin shipping out the updated firmware, im sure if i ordered one now i would just be placed on the waiting list for the updated firmware like all those people requesting replacements...

FELIPE NO

I usually go here to check the coupon.

Also, you can find infomation about good deal at Anandtechforum, and fatwallet forum, under hot deal section. That's how I find that out how to stack couples coupons together to get lower price, hee.

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FYI, my replacement 2007WFP showed up on my doorstep from DHL today. It looks like quite a few others have received theirs as well so it looks like they are safe to order once again. Be sure if you order one that they ship you a Rev.A02. If you get an A00 by chance, set Chris the Dell forum admin the information he needs and Dell will eventually send you an A02 and you just have to stick your A00 back in the box it comes with and ship it back at no cost to you.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

yeah i messaged Chris and he said that the updated versions should be ready to ship today, but he told me to wait until the 15th just to be sure, which is fine, my paycheck isn't in anyway...

by the way, hows the updated one? it really get fixed?

also, is $390+tax shipped a good price or should i wait for something better maybe?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by brndtsnFN

yeah i messaged Chris and he said that the updated versions should be ready to ship today, but he told me to wait until the 15th just to be sure, which is fine, my paycheck isn't in anyway...

by the way, hows the updated one? it really get fixed?

also, is $390+tax shipped a good price or should i wait for something better maybe?

$390 is a good price. And yes it really did get fixed. My friends' displays show no sign of the banding issues.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by brndtsnFN

yeah i messaged Chris and he said that the updated versions should be ready to ship today, but he told me to wait until the 15th just to be sure, which is fine, my paycheck isn't in anyway...

by the way, hows the updated one? it really get fixed?

also, is $390+tax shipped a good price or should i wait for something better maybe?

Yap, it's a good price. I would say get it if it below $400.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Sorry for the late replay. Yes the banding is very minimal in both Gaming and Multimedia mode (can only really see it in green gradients, and even then it is hardly noticeable) and banding in Desktop mode is non-existent where they have disabled the Faroudja video processing feature. From what I understand, the left Faroudja enabled for the other two modes because it offers scaling features though the S-Video and composite inputs so users can switch to either if need be. I'm very pleased with the monitor now.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I didn't wanted to create another topic for monitor but I need some advice ^^

I'm getting a new computer next week, I know nothing about LCD screen, all I know is that they have a native resolution and you have to check the ms if you are a gamer (I think it's less than 12ms is good no?)

so all post the spec of the computer I'm getting:

athlon 64 x2 dual core 4200+
2g ram (2x1024) ddr-2
nvidia 7900gt 256mb

I think that's all you need to know XD

so yeah it's a pretty good computer and lately I change every thing but my monitor and this monitor is like 5-6year old (it'S a crt). I don't have any problem with it, it work perfectly, but after changing my keyboard, mice, speaker and now my computer, I thought that I should go for a new screen too XD

so I look and wanted to go for a 19" or 20" and where I buy my computer they have this screen in stock (they are selling it less then the price on that website)

so like I said I really don't know if it's good or not, but want I know more is if it's good for gaming, like there this native resolution of 1680x1050 which seem pretty big to me (I never got higher then 1280x1024 XD) and there's like two ms, so I'm not sure.

and is a widescreen monitor good for gaming? like what happen if the game doesn't support widescreen resolution? will it strech the screen or will they add black border left and right of the screen to simulate the 4:3??

and if there's other monitor you want to suggest me, I'll take those suggestion too XD

thanks ^^

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

just little bump for my last post...

FELIPE NO

Widescreen is the way to go. Most modern games support a widescreen mode, but not everyone. One's that don't will display differently depending on your monitor and how you hook it up (VGA/DVI). Usually monitors have the option to stretch, zoom, or standard. Any LCD/TV will have these types of options, so if you by any kind of monitor that has composite/component/svideo connections, it should give you options on how to view non-widescreen content. If you connect DVI, you won't necessarily have the option of stretching because DVI is made for 1:1 pixel matching. So if you play a game set to 1280x1024 on a 1680x1050 display, it will have black along the sides as well as the bottom. With a VGA connection, most all displays will stretch or give the option to stretch.

Living with widescreen in a old 4:3 world can be difficult, but it is worth it. Gaming like say in Oblivion at 16:10 is amazingly better than at 4:3. Hard to explain why, but it's just the truth. Also, Windows seems to have so much more space with a widescreen.

The biggest thing to consider when buying an LCD is it's native resolution. Generally speaking, you want everything to match your LCD's native resolution (i.e. Windows, games, etc.). If you don't match your LCD's native resolution in Windows or in a game, things can look very odd, especially text. So when you pick a LCD, pick a resolution that you will be comfortable with. Also pick a resolution that matches your video card (or what you would spend on a card). For instance, if you have a 6600 to play games and choose a 1920x1200 monitor, FEAR, HL2 or WoW at native resolution is impossible. My widescreen monitor is 1360x768, so I can play most games with full eye-candy on a X800 at native resolution.

1680x1050 will feel like 1280x1024 but with more space on the sides. 1360x768 feels like 1024x768 but with more space. 1920x1200 feels like 1600x1200 with more space. So check out these different resolutions in Windows and find what feels best for you. Then choose your monitor based on the native resolution.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

ok thanks ^^

and about the screen I posted, is it a good monitor or should I look for other one?

Jam it back in, in the dark.