Dell UltraSharp 1905FP: Setting the Bar for New 19" LCDs

Genesis gm5321

At the heart of every good LCD monitor revolves around a great signal processor – and our Dell 1905FP is no exception. The Genesis gm5321 found in the Dell 1905FP acts as the unified analog and digital controller for everything on the monitor except sound and USB. According to the technical documentation, the Genesis gm5321 is HDCP capable – so you should be able to hook up a DVI-HDCP receiver or DVD player to the monitor without worries.

Our monitor did not come with any sound capability, so that controller does not exist on the PCB. In the upper left corner of the board, you can see the SMC USB controller.

Click to enlarge.

The ribbon connector just below the Genesis DSP provides the input for the LCD panel while power from the separate inverter comes across the plug along the right side of the board.

Samsung LTM190E4

The cornerstone of our Dell 1905FP is the superb Samsung LTM190E4 panel.

Interestingly enough, after opening the monitor, some of the modulation PCB from the panel was directly exposed, but sheathed in a protective film. The components of an LCD panel are almost always sheathed behind metal EMI shields.

Click to enlarge.

The Samsung website currently advertises a 1000:1 contrast ratio for the panel, which is probably a little too inflated. The original Samsung 193P used the same panel, but only advertised an 800:1 contrast ratio, and Dell advertises the 1905FP with an 800:1 contrast ratio as well. Given the liberal techniques that manufacturers use to measure contrast ratios, we are surprised that panel manufacturers haven't inflated ratios more since abominable plasma displays claim 2000:1 ratios.

But contrast ratio aside, the thing that sets this panel apart from most is that it's a lower response time component utilizing a genuine 8-bit panel with a PVA display mode. We always recommend 8-bit LCD panels over 6-bit LCD panels whenever possible, so immediately, the panel appeals to us. The PVA display mode is proprietary to Samsung, but it also appeals to us more than the prevalent TN display mode in use on most 6-bit panels today; the viewing angle is wider and the gray-to-gray transient is actually lower in many cases.

Our panel came with zero pixel or subpixel defects.