Monitor advice for matte painting..

#1

Hi guys,
Im looking into a new monitor (or actually I am planning on getting a couple and having dual screen), and have narrowed it down to these 3 options that fit my price range and are a good size, but would like some opinions as to what to go for. I don’t have too much tech knowledge, so I don’t want to overlook anything that may be important.
Here are the 3, and the specs of them. Any advice or opinions would be great. Thanks guys!

Iiyama ProLite B2409HDS 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor [PLB2409HDS-1]

  • Screen Size: 24" Widescreen
  • Resolution: 1920x1080
  • Contrast Ratio: 20000:1
  • Brightness: 300cd/m²
  • Response Time: 2ms
  • Viewing Angles (H/V): 170°/160°
  • Colours: 16.7 Million
  • Inputs: 1x Analogue, 1x DVI-D & 1x HDMI
  • VESA Compliant
  • Adjustable Stand
  • Dimensions: 561.0mm x 413.5mm - 523.5mm x 249.0mm
  • Weight: 7.7kg
  • Warranty: 3 Years On-Site
    [i]

BenQ G2420HDBL 24" Widescreen LED Monitor [9H.L3XLB.QBE][/i]

  • LED Backlit
  • Screen Size: 24" Widescreen
  • Resolution: 1920x1080
  • Contrast Ratio: 5000000:1
  • Brightness: 250cd/m²
  • Response Time: 5ms
  • Viewing Angles (H/V): 170°/160°
  • Colours: 16.7 Million
  • Inputs: 1x Analogue & 1x DVI-D
  • VESA Compliant
  • Dimensions: 570.0mm x 412.6mm x 183.9mm
  • Weight: 4.4kg
  • Warranty: 3 Years On-Site

Iiyama ProLite E2407HDSD 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor [PLE2407HDSD-B]

  • Screen Size: 24" Widescreen
  • Resolution: 1920x1080
  • Contrast Ratio: 60000:1
  • Brightness: 300cd/m²
  • Response Time: 2ms
  • Viewing Angles (H/V): 170°/160°
  • Colours: 16.7 Million
  • Inputs: 1x Analogue & 1x DVI-D
  • Dimensions: 560.0mm x 404.5mm x 220.0mm
  • Weight: 5.0kg
  • Warranty: 3 Years On-Site

Look forward to hearing what you guys think!

Nick

#2

You know that those are TN matrix type monitors, do you ?

Check this_thread and think twice before you buy TN.

#3

Thanks for the advice SwannCG, have the LCD’s come along in the last year since that exchange? Also, the BenQ is an LED, will that have much bearing on graphics work? I am getting mixed opinions from different reviews and explanations on the web…

Thanks again!

Nick

#4

Thanks for the advice SwannCG, have the LCD’s come along in the last year since that exchange?

Panel technology is pretty mutch the same than it was some years a go, if not worse for graphics work - manufacturers have gone strongly for faster responce times and better contrasts and imho that has made other flaws mutch more visible. Usually TN-panels are considered worst for graphics work, that darkening when looking from low angle is quite characteristic. S/e-ips/ips panels are probably the best for color reproduction, but those are quite rare and they might also have some magentas at shadows and they might also be slow for some applications of moving images. Variations of pva panels are considered somekind compromice between fast and good colors, but they have own flaws as well (contrast might change a litte if you move your head from side to side). I’m very happy with mine though.

BUT - for TN panels (and probably for others too) I have to say that build quality also makes a difference (even if someone claims something else, panels only set limits how good a display can be, usually displays arent build that good). There are horrible ones with so uneven baclights it’s hard to believe - and light bleeding and faked 8 bits colors (some actually 6 bits and rest of the colors are made by blinking nearby colors) - like my laptops tn-panel. And there are pretty decent ones - bought Eizo with tn-panel for my parents just for office use and it is in differend world, pretty capable also for graphics when you know the weaknesses. And thats always the case, what ever you choose, knowing own displays weaknesses makes it easier to compensate.:slight_smile:

I think that LEDs biggest advantages currently are energy saving (or more light) and possibly dynamic contrast (if it is preferred). Don’t know but it might give also some other advantages like more even backlight with less light bleed. Anyway, it is still quite new tech and opinnios vary. You can get a good display with both techs.

Unfortunately don’t know just about those displays, benq had some success with color reproductions couple of years back. Tried to google a minute, but didn’t find fast answers how accurately these displays produce color or how even greys there are. It might also be one possibility to buy two different displays for dual display setup, spend some money on primary display and other just something decent for chatting, tools and whatever.

Hope this helps a little. Good luck. :thumbsup:

#5

Nope, it’s TN. LED means that it uses LEDs for backlighting instead of fluorescent lights.

Don’t compare it on clear colors like red, green and blue from standard monitor test because they don’t show you this but take screenshot of something with dark interface like Zbrush, Fusion and see youself how it will look. Top will be dark and bottom will be light. Even better, compare it with monitor on IPS matrix side by side and you will change your mind quickly,

TEST before you buy it.

Especialy something like monitor. You will spend couple years with it so chose wise. It’s your eyes.

ONE major thing: This darkering is not because screen is bad backlighted, It’s just that TN angle views changes so dramatically. And the bigger monitor the more apparent it is. My was 22 and it was really baaad.

#6

Thanks guys, some good advice there.

SwannCG - you are totally right about ensuring that a monitor is not going to be hard on the eyes, I have seen for myself the difference that it can make, so I will make sure I look very carefully at what I am buying into before I drop any money on a purchase. Thanks!

halen - Lots of info there, cheers buddy! I use an Eizo at work and many of our compositors, even senior and lead compers are switching to them now, as they display very accurately. They are nice and sharp, and there are slight colour differences even between the CRT’s… I will look into the info about colour testing on the BenQ’s.

Many thanks again guys, thats some great info to move forward with!

Nick

#7

why no samsung? From many brands I’ve tried, I find Samsung to have the best displays for it’s price range…they also have the lowest dead pixel rate

#8

Check this http://www.nec-display-solutions.pl/?c=15&l=1&id=1517&tab=main . It uses S-PVA matrix.

Definetely something that I would consider if my monitors light will leave this planet leaving me scared in the dark :).

#9

Nick, I’m sorta in the same boat as you. I’m currently working on a 13" macbook, and I feel that I’m in desperate need of a larger monitor and something easier to calibrate. I’m going to need the monitor next week, so I’m going to run to Costco and pick up a $160 version of this monitor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001311
(wierd that Newegg is charging 319. Cuz I can’t find any major diffferences between it and the Costco version)

So in everyone’s opinion, is this a good step-up for me? I figure anything is better than my 13 inch macbook screen.

#10

(wierd that Newegg is charging 319. Cuz I can’t find any major diffferences between it and the Costco version)

Didn't find that Costco -version (costco search didn't find it, and found only one monitor at their webshop), but that Newegg-version has at least some 3d gaming -thingie, which imho not probably needed for mattepainting and minght add another 50-100$to the price...

So in everyone’s opinion, is this a good step-up for me? I figure anything is better than my 13 inch macbook screen.

edit: Not commenting on other qualities atn this price range, but imho it would be nice if monitor can show full-hd without scaling, this is only 1680 x 1050, so it can’t, and the price difference to 24" 1900*1200 monitors isn’t that big. Otherwise this is hard to tell. Best would be if you could go and see yourself, even better if it is possible to view some of your own images with monitors you thinking to by (it is easier to tell the differences when you are familiar with every inch of your image).

When I was updating my monitor couple of years ago from my ancient 17" TN-film (the only ones available back then) monitor, my logic was something like this: I'm am doing visual stuff so plays monitor quite an important part on what I see. I do mostly stills, but also some moving stuff and gaming so I would like to have full-hd possibility, color accuracy and some speed. I'm also looking at my monitor almost every (work)day, half of my wake-up -time and usually monitors outlive other computer stuff, so it will be years from now. So I decided to spend as mutch as possible (couple of freelance gigs) to it, got and haven't had any regrets (got Eizo CG241W). It was _possible_ to work with even that ancient and small tn-film monotor, I knew that it has limited ability to show darks, it showed too mutch reds at midrange and cut-off highlights, so I could compensate, BUT I rellay enjoy when I can actually see those things. :cool: And you guys seem to do amazing stuff no matter what, but seeing it just makes that easier.

Unfortunately I dit also look for Eizo flagship model, and it was jaw-dropping-awesome, but it also came with equally awesome ~5k pricetag…:argh:

edit2: this might be usefull too: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/

#11

Halen, thanks for your input. Found the actual monitor (it’s 1920x1080), on Samsung’s site and on Amazon

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/monitors/essential/LS22CMZKFV/ZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001QVLD8A/ref=nosim/6580890-20

#12

Some more great info there fellas, cheers! I think ill keep looking based on the advice here, and try and make a purchase in a couple of weeks when im sure I have found the right purchase…

#13

Now I use Samsung F2380 (full HD) which has C-PVA panel. It is better than TN panels but not as expensive as the professional S-PVA monitors. Only the response time (8 ms) is slow for gaming but the colors are really great.
(amazon link)

#14

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