Author Topic: Advice/Help Thread  (Read 14163 times)

NCX

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #45 on: November 15, 2018, 10:08:50 pm »
Any chance you've got a review of the HP Z27 coming up? Wirecutter just named it their top pick (https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-4k-monitors/) and generally I'm aligned with the criteria they consider important.

No (it's not available here and is just a generic matte 4K re-skin which doesn't interest me), and I don't use that site since they don't provide enough information to know if a display is good or not since they ignore the preset RGB level accuracy, gamma, PWM, overdrive performance, input lag, ect.

Quote from: rroonnbno
mention of the LG 27UK850 which would be another option I'm strongly considering.
 

Best Monitors section of my Best Reviewed Flicker Free 27" 4-5K AHVA/IPS/PLS buying guide.

I don't recommend the 27UK850 since it offers the same image quality as the cheaper LG models which are less accurate than the 850's similarly priced competition like the Asus PB27UQ (Australia & Europe), Viewsonic XG2700-4K and Viewsonic VP2780-4K which lack USB-C, but are significantly more accurate than the 850.  The Dell P2715Q (360-420$ in the US) and Monoprice RTD2795 (low glow AHVA panel) are also better values since they're cheaper and offer better performance than the 850, but no USB-C.

If after USB-C you'll have to pay a premium for monitors with worse performance than the models suggested above.  If it's a must then get the 27UK850 since the Dell U2718Q is less accurate and uses PWM.
« Last Edit: November 15, 2018, 10:12:01 pm by NCX »

chrischiang

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #46 on: November 16, 2018, 11:13:14 am »
Hello ncx,

I'm looking for dual monitors to replace my current old viewsonic vx2336s..  Looking for 144hz 24inch monitors..

i'm eyeing on Viewsonic Vx2458-c-mhd.. although is a VA panel, but it advertise to have 85% ntsc.. so the color should be comparable to IPS panel?

Another option would be Acer xf240h..both having the similar spec 144hz, 1ms response, full hd... although xf240h is 2015 model..but it shall still do fine right?

Which would you recommend me to get on black friday? If you have any other suggestion that fall within the same budget, please share with me.. Appreciate and thanks!!

NCX

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #47 on: November 17, 2018, 08:42:42 pm »
it advertise to have 85% ntsc.. so the color should be comparable to IPS panel?


All VA panels suffer from horizontal gamma shift and black crush in the center which reduces color evenness, vibrancy, and the ability to see detail in dark scenes unless viewing the VA panel at a slight off-center angle.  The 85% indicates that the panel has a semi-wide gamut panel with an extended color space which causes some over-saturation.  Some colors can look more vibrant compared to a non-wide gamut panel, but overall a good AHVA/IPS/PLS panel will still look better due to lack of gamma shift and center crush.

Quote from: chrischiang
but it shall still do fine right?

It's good* (I reviewed it and the Viewsonic XG2402 here) once the gamma settings are changed at 144hz, but the 24" panels suffer from obvious banding in dark scenes while the newer 24.5" panels do not, but suffer from signifcant contrast and color accuracy inconsistency between the same tested panels.

*Good by TN panel standards

Quote from: chrischiang
Which would you recommend me to get on black friday? If you have any other suggestion that fall within the same budget, please share with me.. Appreciate and thanks!!

Acer=TN panel with very restrictive viewing angles, vertical gamma shift (dull and uneven colors), and obvious banding in dark scenes (normal for 24" TN panels)

Viewsonic=VA panel with horizontal gamma shift, center crush, slower pixel response times and slight text blur which I provide two links about in the Best Monitors section of my Best Reviewed Flicker Free 144hz 1080p Monitors buying guide.

The Viewsonic theoretically (untested) has better image quality (wider viewing angles and more vibrant and even color) at the expense of pixel response items (more ghosting) and slightly less sharp test.  This isn't a simple matter of picking which is better or not, but I suggest trying the Viewsonic if it can be purchased from a retailer with a hassle free exchange and return policy. 
« Last Edit: November 17, 2018, 08:45:17 pm by NCX »

chrischiang

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #48 on: November 17, 2018, 09:48:04 pm »
it advertise to have 85% ntsc.. so the color should be comparable to IPS panel?


All VA panels suffer from horizontal gamma shift and black crush in the center which reduces color evenness, vibrancy, and the ability to see detail in dark scenes unless viewing the VA panel at a slight off-center angle.  The 85% indicates that the panel has a semi-wide gamut panel with an extended color space which causes some over-saturation.  Some colors can look more vibrant compared to a non-wide gamut panel, but overall a good AHVA/IPS/PLS panel will still look better due to lack of gamma shift and center crush.

Quote from: chrischiang
but it shall still do fine right?

It's good* (I reviewed it and the Viewsonic XG2402 here) once the gamma settings are changed at 144hz, but the 24" panels suffer from obvious banding in dark scenes while the newer 24.5" panels do not, but suffer from signifcant contrast and color accuracy inconsistency between the same tested panels.

*Good by TN panel standards

Quote from: chrischiang
Which would you recommend me to get on black friday? If you have any other suggestion that fall within the same budget, please share with me.. Appreciate and thanks!!

Acer=TN panel with very restrictive viewing angles, vertical gamma shift (dull and uneven colors), and obvious banding in dark scenes (normal for 24" TN panels)

Viewsonic=VA panel with horizontal gamma shift, center crush, slower pixel response times and slight text blur which I provide two links about in the Best Monitors section of my Best Reviewed Flicker Free 144hz 1080p Monitors buying guide.

The Viewsonic theoretically (untested) has better image quality (wider viewing angles and more vibrant and even color) at the expense of pixel response items (more ghosting) and slightly less sharp test.  This isn't a simple matter of picking which is better or not, but I suggest trying the Viewsonic if it can be purchased from a retailer with a hassle free exchange and return policy.

Thanks for your detail explanation!! i will try to find a local store that have viewsonic set to try it out 1st.. if i couldnt find 1.. i shall go with acer!! thank you very much

chrischiang

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #49 on: November 20, 2018, 07:35:49 pm »
hello, is me again... i went to my local shop, they only have viewsonic vx2458-c-mhd and viewsonic xg2401 for 144hz.. but they do not have display unit for both.. i cant actually see the screen display myself..

I have hard time choosing better this 2. I understand xg2401 will be able to adjust height, but that not my concern..

my concern is i read a lot, TN panel would have poorer color comparing to VN and IPS.. For my usage, 30% movies, 40% work & surfing, 30% games, which would be a better go in my case??

NCX

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #50 on: November 21, 2018, 03:29:09 am »
which would be a better go in my case??

I can't determine this for you since it comes down to personal preference or willingness to accept each panel types flaws, such as TN panels dull and vertically uneven colors and very restrictive viewing angles versus the curved VA panels slightly less sharp text and VA panel gamma shift and center crush.  If reading text is not a priority then the VA panel would easily be the better choice, assuming you're fine with VA panel gamma shift and center crush.  Also, buying a monitor isn't a big deal if you have access to retailers with hassle free exchange and return policies.

Perhaps you should forget about 144hz and get a 75hz 1080p or 1440p AHVA/IPS/PLS panel instead since they're more suitable for you uses, especially since almost all of the TN panels made in the past few years are awful for watching content due to the banding in dark scenes. 

1080p 75hz: The Dell SE2717H and Philips 276E9 (Europe only; it's my top 1080p choice).  Some of the 1080p & 1440p 75hz panels only support up to 73-74hz and must also be manually overclocked when connected to Nvidia graphics cards.

Best Reviewed Flicker Free 27" 1080p IPS/PLS Monitors

The Asus VZ27AQ, Dell S2719DM, iiyama XUB2792QSU-B1 and Samsung S27H850QFU are the best of the non-wide gamut 2560x1440 IPS/PLS 60-75hz monitors for casual (non 144hz+) gaming and preset color accuracy wise they support 73-74* (overclocked with Nvidia gpu) to 75hz (native with AMD cards) and AMD Free-Sync.  The Dell lacks a height adjustable stand and is not VESA compliant, and the Samsung uses a PLS panel and LED PWM Dimming or Flicker when the brightness is set below 31% or 31/100 in the menu.

Best Reviewed Flicker Free 27" 1440p AHVA/IPS/PLS
« Last Edit: November 21, 2018, 03:37:55 am by NCX »

chrischiang

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #51 on: November 21, 2018, 07:41:53 pm »
which would be a better go in my case??

I can't determine this for you since it comes down to personal preference or willingness to accept each panel types flaws, such as TN panels dull and vertically uneven colors and very restrictive viewing angles versus the curved VA panels slightly less sharp text and VA panel gamma shift and center crush.  If reading text is not a priority then the VA panel would easily be the better choice, assuming you're fine with VA panel gamma shift and center crush.  Also, buying a monitor isn't a big deal if you have access to retailers with hassle free exchange and return policies.

Perhaps you should forget about 144hz and get a 75hz 1080p or 1440p AHVA/IPS/PLS panel instead since they're more suitable for you uses, especially since almost all of the TN panels made in the past few years are awful for watching content due to the banding in dark scenes. 

1080p 75hz: The Dell SE2717H and Philips 276E9 (Europe only; it's my top 1080p choice).  Some of the 1080p & 1440p 75hz panels only support up to 73-74hz and must also be manually overclocked when connected to Nvidia graphics cards.

Best Reviewed Flicker Free 27" 1080p IPS/PLS Monitors

The Asus VZ27AQ, Dell S2719DM, iiyama XUB2792QSU-B1 and Samsung S27H850QFU are the best of the non-wide gamut 2560x1440 IPS/PLS 60-75hz monitors for casual (non 144hz+) gaming and preset color accuracy wise they support 73-74* (overclocked with Nvidia gpu) to 75hz (native with AMD cards) and AMD Free-Sync.  The Dell lacks a height adjustable stand and is not VESA compliant, and the Samsung uses a PLS panel and LED PWM Dimming or Flicker when the brightness is set below 31% or 31/100 in the menu.

Best Reviewed Flicker Free 27" 1440p AHVA/IPS/PLS

Hmm, thanks for the suggestion, but any recommendation for good 75hz ips screen 24inch monitor? Im setting up dual monitor, 27inch would not be so suitable in my case..  Dell S2417H?

NCX

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #52 on: November 21, 2018, 09:47:41 pm »
Hmm, thanks for the suggestion, but any recommendation for good 75hz ips screen 24inch monitor? Im setting up dual monitor, 27inch would not be so suitable in my case..  Dell S2417H?

Best Reviewed Flicker Free 24-25" 1080p IPS/PLS Monitors

Read the Best Glossy and Matte sections, as well as view the almost-glossy/Low Haze vs semi-glossy comparisons.  Half of my responses consist of re-posted content from my buying guides, and the matte 27" 1080p 75hz monitors are higher quality than the 24-25" panels.

Pactor

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #53 on: November 25, 2018, 06:06:48 pm »
Hello, thank you very much for all your work.
I ask you after having researched everything I know and having seen your post of better monitors, but I am saturated with information and I have no reference to know how drastic are the characteristics that you say about each monitor.

I'm looking for a 24 "monitor, at 75Hz +, 1080p, I want it for gaming and watch movies, so I'm more worried about not having ghosting (since it makes me dizzy) but not losing a lot of color / image quality. A medium response time is fine for me, I will not play competitive professional.
I want to spend between 200/300€.
Could you recommend me a couple of monitors?
« Last Edit: November 25, 2018, 06:22:42 pm by Pactor »

NCX

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #54 on: November 27, 2018, 07:57:21 pm »
I want to spend between 200/300€.  Could you recommend me a couple of monitors?

The answer to your question is in my reply above your post to chrischiang who asked a very similar question...

There's only a few top tier options which are all mentioned in the Best Glossy and Matte sections of my Best Reviewed Flicker Free 24-25" 1080p IPS/PLS Monitors.   Also your budget may allow for a 75hz 1440p IPS panels: Best Reviewed Flicker Free 27" 1440p AHVA/IPS/PLS

There's a number of extremely similar 75hz 1080p and 1440p IPS panels, many of which are only available in Europe at various prices which is why it's best if you spend the time looking and comparing prices, and store exchange and return policies.  The white version of the 1440p 75hz iiyama, the iiyama ProLite XUB2792QSU-W1, is 314 euros which makes it the most competitively priced since it comes with a height adjustable stand while it's main top tier competitor, the Asus VZ27AQ does not yet is the same price, and the Samsung S27H850QFU costs significantly more (looked at Amazon Germany prices).
« Last Edit: November 27, 2018, 07:58:55 pm by NCX »

peat moss

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #55 on: December 02, 2018, 05:19:39 am »
Hi NCX,

I would like to get a separate screen just for watching movies. I have a 21" computer monitor that I use for all my computer work, but watching movies on it is less than optimal.  I will be watching movies at my desk so I don't want anything too big (no bigger than 32" at least). The movies will be played on a Blu-ray drive in my PC.

My question:

Is it better to watch Blu-ray movies on a computer monitor, or a dedicated television? If a computer monitor is 1440p (or 2160p, etc) and has to scale to 1080p does it lose any image quality compared to a TV? If so, would it be better to watch a Blu-ray movie on a native 1080p TV?

NCX

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #56 on: December 05, 2018, 02:21:53 pm »
Is it better to watch Blu-ray movies on a computer monitor, or a dedicated television? If a computer monitor is 1440p (or 2160p, etc) and has to scale to 1080p does it lose any image quality compared to a TV? If so, would it be better to watch a Blu-ray movie on a native 1080p TV?

The larger the display the more obvious downloaded and streamed media banding and compression is, regardless of the display or source resolution.  For example, 1080p Netflix show X with a 3.8mbs bit rate will look significantly worse than 1080p Netflix show Y which has an 8mbs bit rate.  Up-scaling of 1080p on a 1440 or 4K display set to the native resolution is negligible, but the size rule still applies: the larger the display the more obvious source flaws are. 

If used with bias (light behind the display) or bright room lighting the best 32" 4K monitors under 1000$ US like the BenQ PD3200U (matte) and Qnix UHD32R (glossy; I prefer it over my Sony 49X900E for non-HDR content) are better for viewing media since they use AHVA panels with less glow than IPS in TV's like the 2018 Sony 43X750F I tested, and don't suffer from horizontal gamma shift and center black crush like VA panels do, as well as have significantly more ghosting (smearing of blacks, browns and greys), and PWM flicker+blur in most cases. 

I don't make Best Reviewed Flicker Free TV buying guides since there are very few PWM/Flicker free Tv's, but I read reviews as well as have tested quite a few.  The only TV sold currently around 1000$ that I would consider is the Sony 49X900F (Rtings tested the 55" version), but it must be viewed from quite far away (5ft) to avoid viewing angle issues while a 32" 4K AHVA panel can be viewed from a little over 2.5ft without seeing discoloring or washout at the sides of the panel.  32" 4K VA panels need to be viewed from a bit further away.

Best Reviewed Flicker Free 32" 4K AHVA/IPS/PLS

A note about TV reviews: Pay attention to the size reviewed since a Sony 49X900F is not necessarily as good as the more expensive 55" version, as was the case with my Sony 49X900E which came with 1.9 gamma (washed out colors) and is significantly less accurate than the 55" version.  The same is also true of the Samsung 43NU71000 I tested (measurements aren't up yet) which is significantly more accurate than the 55" version Rtings tested, but sadly still uses PWM, and the VA panel viewing angle issues made it annoying to use as a monitor from less than 4ft away.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2019, 07:37:21 pm by NCX »

madDog

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #57 on: December 26, 2018, 02:43:19 pm »
Hey there ncx, i was wondering why you recommend the Lenovo Y27g in your Best 24-27" 144hz 1080p G-Sync Monitors ? From all the reviews i'v read, and videos i'v seen a lot of people seem to be having problems with gsync on this monitor causing flickering and overdrive function being unusable.I'm asking because i could get one for a really good price, and that's why the dilemma.

Junkyy

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #58 on: December 29, 2018, 06:17:35 pm »
Hello NCX,

I am in search for a 144hz TN panel and as my low budget allows me I've decided to end up with either a Viewsonic XG2401 or the newer model XG2402.
Both of these two models are available in my country, with the XG2402 being more expensive for 10 Euros.

Is there any other drawback on the xg2402 model, except the lack of a gray bezel that its predecessor had( i saw you mentioning this on another post)
Are there any other pros on the xg2402 except the better looks?
Is there any difference in the colors or the response time between the two?

If you have any information related to these monitors i would be glad to hear your recommendation between the two.  :)

PS:Are the AOC G2460PF / AOC G2590PX by any chance better to the other Viewsonic ones?




« Last Edit: December 29, 2018, 06:21:59 pm by Junkyy »

NCX

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Re: Advice/Help Thread
« Reply #59 on: December 30, 2018, 01:38:14 am »
Hey there ncx, i was wondering why you recommend the Lenovo Y27g in your Best 24-27" 144hz 1080p G-Sync Monitors ? From all the reviews i'v read, and videos i'v seen a lot of people seem to be having problems with gsync on this monitor causing flickering and overdrive function being unusable.I'm asking because i could get one for a really good price, and that's why the dilemma.

The two reviews I have for the Lenovo are fairly positive, and don't mention flickering issues.  The first comment from the Lenovo Flickering issue video creator states that setting the overdrive setting to Off instead of Normal gets rid of the flickering present in the video.  Other commenters claim that turning off the Adaptive Contrast monitor setting and ensuring that Only Full Screen G-Sync setting is selected in the Nvidia Control panel also fixes the issue.  Read my post which contains setting improvements, read the video comments and make sure it can be purchased from a retailer with a hassle free exchange and return policy if you want to try one out.

Hello NCX,

I am in search for a 144hz TN panel and as my low budget allows me I've decided to end up with either a Viewsonic XG2401 or the newer model XG2402.
Both of these two models are available in my country, with the XG2402 being more expensive for 10 Euros.

Is there any other drawback on the xg2402 model, except the lack of a gray bezel that its predecessor had( i saw you mentioning this on another post)
Are there any other pros on the xg2402 except the better looks?
Is there any difference in the colors or the response time between the two?

If you have any information related to these monitors i would be glad to hear your recommendation between the two.  :)

PS:Are the AOC G2460PF / AOC G2590PX by any chance better to the other Viewsonic ones?

The XG2402 is marginally faster than the XG2401, but at these speeds it doesn't matter since the XG2401 is nearly as fast as a TN can be, has more consistently accurate color preset quality and contrast, and has a perceived black depth increasing grey bezel which I would pay more for.  The AOC PF is one of the worst 144hz monitors and the PX suffers from significant image quality variance between the panels tested (this information is featured in the Best Free-Sync monitors and AOC monitors sections in my best 144hz 1080p buying guide)
« Last Edit: December 30, 2018, 03:51:06 am by NCX »