Dell U2311H: E-IPS, Full Adjustments, and DisplayPort
by Chris Heinonen on September 27, 2011 12:20 AM ESTBrightness and Contrast
When pushed to its maximum brightness level with maximum contrast, the Dell U2311H can manage to put out over 300 cd/m2 of light from a pure white screen. This is far brighter than most of us would like (other than perhaps Brian), and it does result in very washed out highlights, mostly related to the contrast level. This isn’t a level you would work at often, but if you needed to because of direct sunlight, the Dell could manage that. When keeping the contrast a maximum but reducing the brightness down to 0, the light output drops down to just over 100 cd/m2 whichis much easier on the eyes.
At these same brightness and contrast levels, the light output of an all black screen is 0.303 nits with max brightness, and 0.098 with minimum brightness. I should note that these measurements were taken with an Xrite i1DisplayPro meter instead of the i1Display2, as it does much better reading lower levels of light output. Unfortunately ColorEyesPro does not support this meter at this point and so I couldn’t use it for the whole calibration.
Looking at the On/Off contrast ratio that this creates, we see that both of these produce right around 1,000:1, so you can choose your preferred light output and you will likely get a contrast ratio right around the same level.
Brightness Uniformity
With 200 nits of light output in the middle of the screen for a white image, the light output drops as low as 161 nits on the left edge of the screen, while staying close to 200 nits on the right side of the display. I’m not sure if it is the layout of the backlights or something else causing this, but the light output is clearly less on the left side of the panel.
With a black screen, we see the same results. Light output is again higher on the right side of the display and lower at the left, with the upper-right corner being the brightest in both cases.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
65 Comments
View All Comments
bennyg - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
I got a U2311H for $222 (AUD) bought online, picked up in metro Melbourne a couple of months ago.Nice monitor, superb viewing angles. Way ahead of the rest for its price bracket.
bigpow - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
If you need IPS for work or hobby, you probably won't care for compromises, e.g. this panel.If you don't need IPS, ditto above.
Sadly, it'll probably sell well, since clueless buyers usually go for the mid-priced item of a family.
Add to that, cheap buyers like to compromise and fool themselves believing they just bought a 'higher-end" product
Over time, the compromise will become the new high-end. Lowering market expectation and consumer knowledge with it.
People who couldn't afford nice things should just stick with what they can afford. Compromise only brings standards down for all
DaFox - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
"People who couldn't afford nice things should just stick with what they can afford."Classy.
jecs - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
It sounded bad for him I agree but I think his general idea, even if it looks negative on the words he picked, still has a merit.What we may have with this new Dell monitor IPS line is a superior consumer oriented line or a very low entry for prosumers. Still not competitive in price with TN LED matrices.
It's a higher low end monitor for a medium class not looking for the cheapest. It just sounds dumb in Simpson's words.
Slaanesh - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
> Sadly, it'll probably sell well, since clueless buyers usually go for the mid-priced item of > a family.> Add to that, cheap buyers like to compromise and fool themselves believing they just
> bought a 'higher-end" product
Well I'm looking to buy this monitor.
I want a gaming monitor but can't stand the horrible quality of a TN panel. So I want the best possible image quality still with acceptable input lag and pixel responsiveness.
If anyone else knows of a better, more suitable monitor for me, please tell.
fausto412 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
"People who couldn't afford nice things should just stick with what they can afford"umm...think. about. it.
They buy the mid range because THAT IS WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD!
tzhu07 - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
At the design agency I work at, our Art Director has to use one of these as a secondary monitor (next to an iMac screen), and it is plain awful. My boss, who didn't do much research, kinda bought it on a whim. Now even he says it's crap.jecs - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
um, are you using any calibration tool?orenlevy - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
Currently in israel the U2311H is last stocks... 235 US$and the U2312HM is stock for 2 weeks 245 US$
Better lag Better response time
Better contrast.
Slaanesh - Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - link
Are there any reviews yet for this year's U2312HM model?How does it compare to last year's U2311H?