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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  • IceWindius - Sunday, January 30, 2005 - link

    I"ll wait for SED displays to come out, it will kick OLED's ass
  • MrEMan - Sunday, January 30, 2005 - link

    Are there people here who actually believe Dell manufactures any components (monitors, drives, motherboards, video cards, etc) in their systems?

    I would really be surprised if they actually do.

    My guess is that the specify which OEM products they want, and then, have them tweaked to make them proprietary.
  • avijay - Sunday, January 30, 2005 - link

    Great review!

    #31, that lady might get a few extra bucks based on her ratings, and to be honest, those guys try to get as much info as possible, but it doesn't quite work out all the time. I should know, I used to work in a place like that.

    BTW, any chance of reviewing the Sony SDM-P234/B 23". I've been trying to find a good review on that LCD for quite a while, but unable to do so. I'd really appreciate it if kristopher can review one and let everyone know the good and the bad about that monitor. Thanks.
  • najames - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    I agree with TwistyKat. I have had enough Dell for a lifetime and I have never even technically ordered from them. I put in a Viewsonic monitor order 1/5 to ship on 1/28, the system was so screwed up my account had somebody elses name attached. After 10 emails, one long call to Mumbai, and another call where the guy basically just sat there didn't answer questions, and said nothing, then cut me off, I gave up and canceled my order on 1/26. They never did get the account fixed so the account linked with the order. It was always my responsibility to fix their problems, including filling out forms for the "webmaster", even though Dell reps could see it was hosed. When I called to cancel the US staff told me my VIEWSONIC monitor was in production at DELL (WTF?), requiring yet another call to Mumbai. The lady in Mumbai did tell me that she wanted me to give her a good rating on service, 1 being poor and 9 being excellent.
  • HeatMiser - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    Link to Samsung's panel here: http://www.samsung.com/Products/TFTLCD/Monitors_n_...
  • pxc - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    The 1905FP's LCD is 376mm x 301mm, a 5:4 aspect ratio. That fits perfectly with the 5:4 native resolution (1280x1024).

    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/monitors/r83...
  • reactor - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    good review, good timing too, was looking at getting a 19" lcd.

    would like to see a review of the Philips 190S5FB, or an updated roundup, as people on newegg are raving about it.
  • MAME - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    "Fast motion was on par with what we expected for this game; we certainly didn't notice any motion blur, but if the Dell 1905FP is your first LCD, then you will notice a difference immediately."

    What do you mean by "difference"? Not as good as a CRT?
  • MadAd - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    As well as reviews of other popular models (like the 2005FPW, the HP L2335) are we going to one day get at least *one* set of reliable benchmarks at resolutions up and above 1600x1200 please please!!!!

    Just a quick roundup of available dx9 cards with mid-high range amd/intel at resolutions up to 1920x1200 - is that too much to ask from your favourite hardware site? :)

    Wide screen gaming seems to be taking off and Id really like to know what kind of performance im going to need to run at good frame rates if I do get say the dell, or the hp. Will my 9700pro cut it? Probably not but do I need as much as an xt850?

    Go on, I know youd love to do them :)

    Thanks
  • robl - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link

    Great article, thanks! Any chance of reviewing the Apple 30" HD display? I'd love to see how it compares, especially with which video cards support it on a pc. most sites I've seen only talk about it on the apple platform.

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