Monitors.

[Mr Bump]

Originally Posted by wavemachine

It does annoy me that monitors seem to be all pretty much 1920 x 1080 these days no matter what size you buy HDTV has a lot to answer for grrrr.

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I suppose it's understandable that 16:9 is popular in the lower end monitor market for video and gaming but I don't really understand why some IPS and PVA monitors, which are not suited to that use, are also offered as 16:9. 1920x1200 (16:10) is far more useful for graphics use and general office applications.

Bump

[littlebro]

Right first impression out of the box excellent, have set it to my liking toned down the brightness but not as far as the one in the review you posted gone more towards 40 from 90, in brightness towards thirty is too dark, that could be different monitors though. the only noticable thing with I.E. open the grey bars at the top tend to vary from left to right very very slightly. Overall I'm really pleased with it, just need to get a Spyder 2 now, handy having two screens as well.

[Mr Bump]

Originally Posted by littlebro

........... the only noticable thing with I.E. open the grey bars at the top tend to vary from left to right very very slightly.

I assume you mean the luminance of the grey bar littlebro. If it is a very slight variation I'm afraid that is to be expected. The reviews of the Dell U2311H and the similar Viewsonic monitor that uses the same e-IPS panel show a variation in luminance across the width of the screen (See 'panel uniformity' in the TFT Central review for example). In fact, even if you had paid twice as much for a monitor you would have experienced some variations in luminance. Completely even luminance across the whole screen is the preserve of expensive pro monitors.

Once you have your Spyder 2 and calibrate your monitor just also check that there are no obvious colour tints across the screen or intrusive backlight leakage. At this price level the performance will vary a little between examples of the same model so make sure you are happy with the one you have received. Your Dell model does not seem to have many adverse comments in the various user forums whereas there have been rather more than might be expected for Dell's more expensive U2410. At least you bought yours from PCbuyit, who are more likely to be helpful than Dell Direct if you did have any problems. Hopefully yours should be fine.

Bump

[littlebro]

Thanks Mr Bump, that was really what I meant.

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by wavemachine

............. but they are bot calibrated with a Spyder 3 Pro which was well worth the investment

Would you say the results were strikingly improved? Did having the Spyder assist with getting better prints in any way? Just considering buying one but read conflicting reports on benefits v Windows Calibration.
Thanks
Dagwood

[wavemachine]

Originally Posted by Dagwood

Would you say the results were strikingly improved? Did having the Spyder assist with getting better prints in any way? Just considering buying one but read conflicting reports on benefits v Windows Calibration.
Thanks
Dagwood

In my case yes, I find that what I get on screen pretty much matches what I print the only exception to that is B & W but that is more to do with my printer (Canon MP610).

There is a shocking difference between the calibrated output and the original output, you do though still need to make sure you set your printer with the colour profile for the paper and fiddle with photoshop settings also.

[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by littlebro

Right first impression out of the box excellent, have set it to my liking toned down the brightness but not as far as the one in the review you posted gone more towards 40 from 90, in brightness towards thirty is too dark, that could be different monitors though. the only noticable thing with I.E. open the grey bars at the top tend to vary from left to right very very slightly. Overall I'm really pleased with it, just need to get a Spyder 2 now, handy having two screens as well.

Hi littlebro,
I have just had a look at the Dell monitor you mentioned, as the Viewsonic one that uses the same IPS panel seems to be permanently out of stock everywhere.

I have to admit the Dell does look good, but one thing I noticed in the specification is that it comes with a fixed VGA cable? I have used DVI for years and was intending to continue to do so. But I'm not sure I like the idea of having the fixed VGA cable just lying around cluttering up the desktop.

Anyway have you found this fixed cable to be a nuisance? Or do you use the VGA in preference to DVI?

[littlebro]

Just took the VGA cable off, used it to connect my other monitor.
.

[littlebro]

I just disconnected the VGA cable used it with my other monitor, better mention the superb service from PcBuy even City Link who were knocking us up at 8.10 am though I did pay the extra four quid for delivery before 10. 30.

[Ashleyj]

Originally Posted by littlebro

I just disconnected the VGA cable used it with my other monitor, better mention the superb service from PcBuy even City Link who were knocking us up at 8.10 am though I did pay the extra four quid for delivery before 10. 30.

Thanks for the information.

I got the impression from the Dell website that it was a fixed VGA cable. I had a monitor years ago with a fixed cable, not that it mattered in those days as VGA was the only option.

I was a little surprised to read that this monitor had an attached VGA cable, but it seems from what you have said this is not so.