Subjective Analysis

For this portion of the benchmark, we will pit the UltraSharp 1905FP against the other monitors benchmarked in our 19" LCD roundup. This is a subjective test that relies on our overall experience with the monitor after several hours of casual and thorough use. We also use test patterns and guidelines from the VESA FPDM to rate each unit as fairly as possible.

Here is generally how we rate a category:

5 - Outstanding; we have not seen anything to date that could rival our impression of this monitor's performance.
4 - Good, but room for improvement. There are units on the market that perform better.
3 - Average; this monitor performs well enough to maintain the status quo, but does not excel.
2 - Improvement needed; this monitor performs poorly in performance of this category.
1 - Unacceptable; this product does not pass even basic performance requirements.

 DisplayMate / CheckScreen / VESA FPDM 2.0
   BenQ FP931  NuTech L921G  Planar PE191M  Samsung 193P  Samsung 910V  Sony SDM-S94  ViewSonic Q190MB  Dell 1905FP
Intensity Range Check 4.5 4 4 5 4 4 4 5
Black Level Adjustment 4.5 5 4.5 5 4.5 5 5 5
Defocusing, Blooming, Halos 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 5
Screen Uniformity and Color Purity 4.5 5 - 5 4 4 5 5
Dark Screen Glare Test 3 4 4 4.5 4 4 4 4
Primary Colors 3 4 4 4 3 3.5 4 4.5
Color Scales 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
16 Color Intensity Levels 3 4.5 4.5 4.5 3.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
Screen Regulation 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Streaking, Ghosting 5 5 5 5 2 4 5 5
Note: the streaking/ghosting mentioned in this portion of the analysis refers to interference, not a byproduct of poor response time.

Notes From the Lab

Not surprisingly, almost all of our reactions about the 1905FP lined up with our reactions about the Samsung 193P. We gave the 1905FP a slightly lower rating concerning the dark screen glare test, although the two monitors were very close. We have been using a SyncMaster 193P around the lab for several months now, and going from one monitor to the other gives us virtually the same experience.

We also gave the 1905FP a slightly higher rating on the color scales. Unlike the Samsung 193P, this monitor gave us the capability to adjust the color temperature of the screen manually (remember that the Samsung 193P required software for all modifications, since it has no buttons).

DVI and analog cables were included with the monitor, so we tried both inputs during the course of this review. During the analysis, we noticed some considerably poor interference on the 15-pin D-sub connector. Even after swapping the factory-included cable with one of our own, we saw similar artifacts. Perhaps this was an isolated case, but we always recommend using digital inputs instead.


Subective Analyses A Special Note About Gaming, Final Thoughts
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  • Golfxcellence - Friday, February 25, 2005 - link

    I bought this monitor based on the review. This is my first LCD. My photos look wonderful, text is very readable, but any sort of mpg video is very very poor compared to my crt. Is this normal? if it is, it may have to go back.

    Thanks for any comments or suggestions to fixing the problem.

    Garry
  • oasked - Monday, February 21, 2005 - link

    *******
    This monitor has serious ghosting issues.
    Get something else instead.

    Even the cursor blurs. I bought one based on this review - BIG MISTAKE.

    Even my mates 25ms monitor has less ghosting than this.

    It does look good, but its deceptive.
    ******
  • ahc11 - Friday, February 4, 2005 - link

    I am having a problem with this monitor that I cnanot solve:
    Basically, what happens is that the monitor goes into power save mode and turns orange. When I click the OSD button on it, it says "please move mouse/keyboard".

    If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know
  • neurocyb - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link

    NEC makes an 18 and 20" display
    why have these not been included in reviews??
  • TheDotProduct - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link

    rivethead:
    #########################################
    Arrrgh! It shouldn't be this difficult. All I want is a 17" 8-bit panel from a good manufacturer with a response time of 16ms or less.
    #########################################

    Dam straight you are thinking along the exact same lines as me!

    Well common Samsung/Sony/Viewsonic/Benq/Dell give us what we want! We will even pay you for your bother ;-p
  • rivethead - Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - link

    Good luck in your search for information on the UltraSharp 1704FPV.

    I've tried to get information from every source I can think of (I even tried re-sellers on e-bay).

    I've come to the following conclusion:

    1) No one at Dell knows if their LCDs are 6 or 8-bit.(at least the CSRs and Tech Support people who I've talked to)

    2) If it's this hard to get a simple question answered, I'm not sure I want to buy any Dell product.

    I know that Dell makes a 17" LCD they call the "173". I'm betting it's the same panel that's in the Samsung 173. So after reading this review, now I'm wondering what panel is in the 1704FPV and 1704FPT? Another Samsung product? Which panel?

    Arrrgh! It shouldn't be this difficult. All I want is a 17" 8-bit panel from a good manufacturer with a response time of 16ms or less.

    I will say this: having these Anandtech reviews certainly is a help. Thanks!
  • rivethead - Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - link

  • Benmohr - Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - link

    Enjoyed reading the article and all the comments. However, having recently bought a new Sony A Series VAIO Laptop with an X Black screen, all I can say is WOW!!!!!! The Dell, and for that matter, most screens dont even come close. Why????

  • Thresher - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    Time for a review of the 2005, don't ya think?
  • TheDotProduct - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    I too want to know about the 1704FPV. Is it 8 or 6 bit? (sorry about the empty posts by the way)

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