Dell UltraSharp 2001FP Preview: Gaming LCDs for the Masses
by Kristopher Kubicki on November 10, 2003 12:36 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
LG.Philips LCD LM201U04
Several months ago, we looked at Hitachi's 16ms response time LCD. This monitor was based off the first commercial 16ms panel, AUO's M170EN05. While this panel is good, it has a few adherent flaws to it. The first flaw is, of course, the 262,000 color limitation. Even though 16M colors can be achieved by dithering the pixels (emulated 24-bit), the evidence was clear when comparing our Samsung 172T and the Hitachi CML174 that Samsung had a dominate edge on color reproduction. Granted, AUO is working to fix that, but the limitations of the TN display mode will probably hinder their progress.Dell's 2001FP is particularly interesting because it uses a 16ms panel that is not manufactured by AUO, the LG.Philips LM201U04. First of all, this panel dramatically increases the pixels on the screen from 1.3M to 1.9M. The second major accomplishment is that LG was able to achieve 16.7M color reproduction as well. Put in simpler terms, this means that each subpixel on the Dell 2001FP can reproduce all 256 shades where as each subpixel on the Hitachi CML174 could only do 64. Ergo the Dell 2001FP reproduces 24-bit color, while the Hitachi CML174 does 18-bit.
The pie gets sweeter the deeper you dig. As we mentioned earlier, the AUO 16ms panel uses a tweaked version of the TN display mode. While this worked great to keep the electric modulation down (that's how it achieves 16ms response times), it does not provide the best characteristics for viewing angle. Due to the orientation of the liquid crystals in the substrate, the IPS mode can tweak a few additional degrees out of the panel. On smaller 15" and 17" panels, this is not completely necessary, but once you start getting up into the 20”+ range, off angle viewing occurs more frequently.
Click to enlarge.
Above is a rough illustration of how the IPS, VA and TN display modes stack up against each other. Special thanks to our friends at LG.Philips for providing the graphics.
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airjrdn - Friday, April 9, 2004 - link
I'm getting conflicting feelings about this monitor as well. I guess I'm summing it up to some people being pickier than others.Is there ANY ghosting at all in UT2K3/4?
labelreader - Saturday, April 3, 2004 - link
Yep. I have one of these monitors at work and that's exactly what I did; the "insulator" actually helps with the movement problems when it's on top of the cable hook because it gives you some slack in the cable between the hook and the display. By the way, there are no flaws on mine or my coworkers' displays...I want one for home!HermosaBeach - Saturday, February 7, 2004 - link
Hi, I own an ATI 9800 Pro and a Samsung 210T (Digital 1600x1200 via DVI).The ATI 9800 Pro defintely supports 1600x1200 via DVI (digital). Not only does it support it, but I only play games at 1600x1200, I never reduce the resolution, unless the game does not allow this resolution. Furthermore, it most games, I turn 6xAA and 16xAF on as well. The odd game is too slow (frames per second are too slow) and I reduce the AA and AF, but I never reduce the resolution.
You want to use the LCD in its native resolution when-ever possible.
Dave
StripPokeHer - Saturday, December 27, 2003 - link
Owners of 2001FP:Do any of you guys have the same problem with the "grainyness" of this screen.
Here are different posts from others that I have found:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/mess...
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/mess...
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/mess...
I have the same problem. My eyes are used to LCD screens because I use my laptop for half of the day at least (1400x1040 14") I have also used both the 1800FP and 1900FP without issue. But this thing is bugging the sh*t out of me, and i will probably send it back. Waited a long time to get this (primarily based on this review), and the quality of this monitor turns out to be like crap.
Anyone seen/know what the cause of this is? FYI: I'm running a 9800XT 256MB on DVI @ 1600x1200. Running latest cats + the monitor driver provided by dell. I had the same problem on both DVI and Analog, but truth be told, they were both ATI controllers (9800XT & a Radeon 9000)
Any input to those who are owners are appreciated! :) TIA
MorbentFell - Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - link
Hmm... will check that out. Thnx for the reply.Singletary - Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - link
Folks on the Dell Community forum are saying that the screen is LG Phillips, but the monitor is assembled/manufactured by BenQ.MorbentFell - Saturday, December 20, 2003 - link
I just received this monitor a couple days ago. I've been having some strange problems with green & red horizontal diagnol pixel lines that resolve when I turn the power off and on again. As I was looking on the back, one thing I noticed is that it says 'BenQ Corporation'. I may be showing my ignorance here, but I was under the impression these are LG Phillips screens. Are they the same thing? If not, are the specs/quality equivalent? Any input would be appreciated.Singletary - Thursday, December 18, 2003 - link
I like the monitor very much, but don't think I have it adjusted correctly. I know room lighting is different, but where are you folks setting the contrast and brightness? Anyone found a profile to ensure color correctness? Please share Kristopher!Spirex - Wednesday, December 17, 2003 - link
FYI...go to Dell Business to order, they are currently selling it for $749.00 plus tax. Mine came out to a total of $794.00 to ship to NJ. I am not sure how long this promotion will last.Spirex - Wednesday, December 17, 2003 - link
I just got mine yesterday. Hooked it up via the DVI port to my ATI 9700 pro AIW. This thing is kicks my previous monitor to the curb(Viewsonic p813 21"). At first, I was having difficulty reading text because I wasn't used to the sharpness @ 1600x1200. I had also played in a UT2k3 ladder match that night. To sum it up....AMAZING. No ghosting at 1024x768-60hz full screen. The image quality was as good or better than my CRT. I didn't lose any skill points with this monitor. Maybe I try some real work on it today.