Well i've been thinking for awhile about what monitors to get.
The monitors will have to be suitable for graphic work, browsing the net and web developing (writing php, mysql, js)
Its either 2x 24"
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144490
or 1x 28"
http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=313209&CatId=3058
What do you think about the monitors in the link, esp the 28" one?
Personally, I think the 28" would be HERRR-UUUGE to sit on a PC desk, and would probably be too big to look closely at comfortably for any length of time, but that's just my opinion, and I think I would probably struggle with a 24" too.
Damn thats bigger than my TV !!!!!!!
Found another one for the list..
Dell 3008wfp 30" - £988.18
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141486
My current monitors, 2x 19" LG's are to small now, i like to fit alot of code on the screen.
Hmm, the 28" has the same screen res as the 24" which means that you don't actually fit any more on the screen, just everything is bigger and less sharp. The 30" has a higher res, but the two 24" still give more desktop real-estate. The pixel pitch on the dell is lower, which will give the sharpest image. Assuming quality is equal between the dell and samsungs, I would go for the dell as I would prefer one monitor. :)
Rik knows a fair bit about monitors, and he always recommends these (http://www.eizo.com/). I believe they're quite expensive, though!
Yes, they are in about the same price range as a high quality flat screen TV.
Read " Mortgage ".. ;D
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 03, 2008, 21:46:57
Well i've been thinking for awhile about what monitors to get.
The monitors will have to be suitable for graphic work, browsing the net and web developing (writing php, mysql, js)
Its either 2x 24"
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144490
I have one of these very pleased with it :)
I would go with the two 24" offers more flexibility in the long term, I hooked mine up to our Sony 32" Lcd and wow ;D sitting on the sofa with keyboard was great, but my wife banished me back to the pc when the vallium of the masses come on (East Enders) I detest that show :bawl:
What Sebby said. :thumb: Failing that, I'd go for two Samsungs.
Quote from: Rik on Sep 04, 2008, 09:44:31
What Sebby said. :thumb: Failing that, I'd go for two Samsungs.
Two Samsung's would work well, just don't use their drivers they are not needed, and calibrate yourself :thumb:
Preferably with a Pantone Huey or similar.
Quote from: Rik on Sep 04, 2008, 09:54:42
Preferably with a Pantone Huey or similar.
:iagree:
Quote from: Rik on Sep 04, 2008, 09:54:42
Preferably with a Pantone Huey or similar.
Is that a cake? ;D
Not quite. (http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/reviews/pantone_huey.html) :)
Shame, no good to me if I can't eat it Rik.. ;D
Ah, but if you Huey'd your screen, you'd see an amazing difference, In. :)
I just did, it came up with this;
:food2:
;D
I have had a Iiyama 22in widescreen for a year now... it was a new contender in the market not long ago and thus had cheaper prices, so i got a real bargain and it actually has performed brilliantly. I would definitely recommend them now. I just kept my old 19in screen and dual run it with the 22in to have 2 different desktops, so ye donnae even need them to be the same size.
The 22inchers are a good bit cheaper, but seeing as money doesnt seem to be the big deciding factor, 24in with the higher res would be nice.
They now have a 24in one
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139057
Iiyama Plb2403ws-b1 24" LCD Monitor 2ms 2000:1 300cd/m2, 3ms response, 1920 x 1200
Or indeed ye can even go direct to them, http://www.new-monitors.co.uk/fulldetail.asp?ID=203 for much the same price as ebuyer which i found to be the cheapest atm.
I've always found Iiyama good in the past. :thumb:
Quote from: Inactive on Sep 04, 2008, 10:49:20
I just did, it came up with this;
:food2:
;D
:tongue: :tongue: :tongue: :tongue: ;D
Think i might go for this :
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142593/show_product_overview
just have to measure the desk to make sure 2 will fit ;D
It's a nice size, Paul, I'm sure you'd be happy with them.
So Rik. do you think its a good monitor to go with? other than size!
My current monitors are 2x LG Flatron L1919S..
One monitor doesn't have the correct colours etc and i've tried everything to set it up correctly. Even the graphic designer at work couldn't get the colours correct (one reason why i'm getting new ones)
It depends on how much colour accuracy is important to you, Paul. The Dells I've seen have been good text monitors, but have shown some banding in tones. OK for most people, but I wouldn't use one for Photoshop work. Though the Eizo is ridiculously expensive, it does pay for itself in any colour managed environment (and they are widely used by graphics professionals). The Samsungs I've seen have shown less banding than Dells, so have the Iiyamas. I'm not impressed at all by Viewsonic anymore, they seem to have switched to low quality panels, but not adjusted their prices to match.
Taken from an eBuyer Review;
"Just got one of these, and it is by far the best 24" monitor on sale today, bar the professional Eizo models (which costs at least a thousand pounds). "
;)
Looks good to me, I swear by Dell Monitors. :thumb:
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/184416/dell-ultrasharp-2408wfp.html
Seems to get good reviews at other places aswell.
Looks good to me.. :thumb:
Quote from: Inactive on Sep 07, 2008, 13:19:44
"Just got one of these, and it is by far the best 24" monitor on sale today, bar the professional Eizo models (which costs at least a thousand pounds). "
Proves my point, In. :)
Indeed Rik, the Dell does look like a very good option tho' for those that ain't loaded like some peeps... ;D
:out: :duck: :duck:
I agree with you - if I have to replace the monitor on the other machine, the Dell would be on my shortlist. Unless, of course, I could persuade Sue that I needed two Eizos... ;D
changed my mind, that dell has bad input lag :(
so the search still goes on!! really cant decide on a monitor at the mo :(
Looking at this one now : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-071-SA&tool=3
Reading more reviews first though.
Can I just have the woman in the picture, rather than the monitor? :whistle:
Quote from: Lance on Sep 07, 2008, 20:40:07
Can I just have the woman in the picture, rather than the monitor? :whistle:
:rofl:
I've got a samsung.. been very pleased with it, would definitely buy samsung again.
Quote from: Lance on Sep 07, 2008, 20:40:07
Can I just have the woman in the picture, rather than the monitor? :whistle:
:rofl2: :no: ;D
Isn't she a bit small, though? :whistle:
on a serious note thou.. what do you think about HP monitors?
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148972
Its a S-IPS panel, sposed to be better than TN and the other one (forgot what they call it)
I've always found HP good, Paul, but their monitors are calibrated to sRGB, which makes them less than ideal for graphics.
Out of the following 2, what one would you go for rik?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-071-SA&tool=3
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148972
It's difficult to compare the two sets of specs, Paul. The Samsung is faster and has a better contrast ration, but they only quote a dynamic ratio which makes it hard to judge. The HP is a tad slow, but has a better viewing angle and, apparently, better connectivity. My leaning would actually be to the HP, but ideally I'd like to see them side by side.
Why is it so hard to find a monitor ???
The samsung would be better for games thou?
But i cant decide as the monitor will mainly (99%) be used for web design/coding, email and general browsing..
Anyone feel like looking for some more around the price range of £450 and below including shipping?
TBH, if you're prepared to throw money at it, finding a really good monitor is easy, Paul. Once you reduce the budget, you need to compromise. How about one Samsung, one HP - that would give you the best of both worlds.
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 08, 2008, 12:28:08
But i cant decide as the monitor will mainly (99%) be used for web design/coding, email and general browsing..
With that usage, I would go for the Dell, whatever you buy it will be a bit of compromise.
Great minds on the " compromise " Rik. ;D
The dell i was looking at people was saying you can notice the input lag on desktop use.. the mouse would lag behind etc. not very good for my job.
Quote from: Rik on Sep 08, 2008, 12:36:26
TBH, if you're prepared to throw money at it, finding a really good monitor is easy, Paul. Once you reduce the budget, you need to compromise. How about one Samsung, one HP - that would give you the best of both worlds.
I'm only get one monitor for now rik as i dont have the room on my desk for 2x 24" :(
So i was thinking getting one now and getting another later or just get one 24" and stay with that or go bigger!
Fair enough Paul, I have a Dell that is about 3 years old, no lag whatsoever on mine.
I've certainly not seen lag that bad, Paul.
i'm aiming at buying one within the next 2 hrs.. so any ideas? lol
Dell or HP then, probably the latter.
HP or Dell, probably the latter. ;D
A split decision, eh. Looks like you're going to have the casting vote, Paul. :)
*buys both* hehe... grr. i'm still trying to decide!! :comp:
Refresh response time 6 ms (gray to gray); 12 ms (on/off)
So is 12ms the main one then?
My current monitors are 8ms.. will i notice any diff?
It depends on how honest the monitor manufacturer is, Paul. Many quote the grey to grey speed as headline, and completely ignore the black/white time.
IAC, I doubt you will notice 4ms under most circumstances.
Right.. I stopped all that thinking and just bought one..
But not telling you what one though, you will have to wait untill tomorrow when it arrives and i set it up :P
* missed a word
Or not, depending on the carrier. >:D
Well that ain't fair, I will not be here tomorrow ( or Wednesday if you ordered it from Overclockers ;D )..
:legpull:
I'll send up a smoke signal, In. :)
Don't let the PC Brigade catch you Rik. ;D
hehe. i've got it from my normal place.. most deliverys come before 9am ever since i kicked there arse last time they messed me around >:D
Quote from: Inactive on Sep 08, 2008, 17:11:43
Don't let the PC Brigade catch you Rik. ;D
It's the
fire brigade that's after me. ;)
Are you a serial arsonist then?
Rik's the fire starter!!!
:banana2: :evilb:
Quote from: Glenn on Sep 08, 2008, 17:46:33
Are you a serial arsonist then?
It depends how bad the serial is, Glenn. :)
I look forward to hearing what you went for, Paul. ;)
I hope you went with the HP!
The monitor won't be here today but will be here tomorrow!
City link forgot to load it on the van this morning!!! :rant2:
Got a discount for it though, they dont mess me around and get away with it hehe ;D
It seems that people are picking on monitor purchasers this week, Paul. ;)
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 09, 2008, 16:22:13
The monitor won't be here today but will be here tomorrow!
City link forgot to load it on the van this morning!!! :rant2:
Got a discount for it though, they dont mess me around and get away with it hehe ;D
Annoying, but at least you got a discount - that's always nice! :)
its best arrive today after they promised me it would, as soon as there phone lines open i will phone to make sure forgetful link doesnt forget it again
its out for delivery today, they resent it last night with a different firm, they are now using TNT.
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 10, 2008, 10:23:04
its out for delivery today, they resent it last night with a different firm, they are now using TNT.
O'dear that's explodes doesn't it :)
I can understand them resenting TNT, it's the firm that specialises in losing data. ;)
aslongs they dont misplace it like they did with the gov disks!!
:nono:
maybe i'll get the disks insted of the monitor :eek4:
They might be worth more. ;)
errmmm, i only bought one monitor but TNT just delivered 2 ???
i've only been charged for one!!
What did you sign for, Paul, a consignment or two packages? The second one, as it stands, is an unsolicited gift. ;)
had to sign twice as the driver wouldn't leave!!
question is, do i phone them up and be honest with them?
If you've signed twice, then yes. Before doing so, though, I would take a look at both, and decide which one you want to keep. ;)
Quote from: Rik on Sep 10, 2008, 11:53:26
If you've signed twice, then yes. Before doing so, though, I would take a look at both, and decide which one you want to keep. ;)
I didnt want to sign twice but the driver said i have to or he wont leave until i do :(
Dont worry. i will be looking at both and picking the best one :hehe:
Always a good idea if they give you a choice. Presumably you can connect both up simultaneously?
I would have only signed for one, and refused to accept delivery of the other, so as to avoid the hassle of having to send it back myself. :)
he wouldn't do that :(
but gives me the choice of what to keep ;D
After which it's up to OC to arrange collection at a time convenient to you, it's their mistake and the driver was their agent.
Yes, tell them to have a driver sitting outside from 8am to 6pm, Paul, and you'll pop out with the monitor at a convenient moment! ;)
:rofl: :karmic:
:ithank:
If we all started doing it, I suspect delivery arrangements would change very quickly. :thumb:
I'd love the opportunity to try it!
Quote from: Simon on Sep 10, 2008, 12:40:32
Yes, tell them to have a driver sitting outside from 8am to 6pm, Paul, and you'll pop out with the monitor at a convenient moment! ;)
I asked that.. there response was.. "sorry, we can't do that"
I'm waiting for a phone call back about the 2nd monitor! they've gone to find out whats happened first :whistle:
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 10, 2008, 10:23:04
its out for delivery today, they resent it last night with a different firm, they are now using TNT.
Lucky they didn't tell you it was Amtrak. :eek4: ;D
here it is..
i went for the HP LP2475w
now 2 look for a new desk, this one is only temp as last one broke :(
Waiting for the PANTONE Huey to come through before i calibrate the monitor, brightness is down to 25 from 90, bit bright still thought.
[attachment deleted by admin]
Good to see your using a proper OS :out:
what can i say.. i like beta testing things :tongue:
Vista runs fine on mine as the pc has quite high specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q9450 Processor (2.66GHz, 12MB cache, 1333MHz FSB)
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [4x1024]
You seem to have plenty of speakers, Paul. :)
Yep... just the way i like it..
But its better when the PC goes through the stereo at 700W :jammie:
Explosions in movies/games shake everything in the house lol.
I bet your neighbours love you. ;)
Looks a very nice screen, Paul.
You need to put a note on the door when they come to collect the second one: "Sorry, you called while I was out. Please ring the below number to arrange a second collection" ;D
Quote from: Lance on Sep 10, 2008, 15:53:56
Looks a very nice screen, Paul.
You need to put a note on the door when they come to collect the second one: "Sorry, you called while I was out. Please ring the below number to arrange a second collection" ;D
And keep them on hold for 20mins!
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 10, 2008, 15:22:50
Explosions in movies/games shake everything in the house lol.
When I was in my old flat, I had some mates round to watch Star Wars, and the bit with the pod racing (in the one with the kid) is superb in 5.1 surround. After it had finished, we suddenly heard banging on the door, and it was a very irate neighbour who's pictures had fallen off the wall! :whistle:
Was that the moment at which you decided to move, Simon? ;)
No, it was a few years before I moved! Well, it was the year that DVD came out - Phantom Menace, that was it, and it was 1999. I moved in 2005. :)
We last moved in 1986. The thing, apart from the housing market, which puts me off right now is clearing 22 years of acquired detritus from the loft. :bawl:
I was born in '86... :whistle:
Who asked you! >:( ;)
Quote from: Lance on Sep 10, 2008, 18:15:16
I was born in '86... :whistle:
But I don't think of you as 22 years of detritus, Lance. ;D :out:
Quote from: Lance on Sep 10, 2008, 18:15:16
I was born in '86... :whistle:
that's depressing - a lot of us on here are well old enough to be your Dad - maybe even Grandad in some cases :out:
I resemble that remark. :)
;D ;D
Nice looking screen, Paul. I'll be interested to hear what you think of it once it's properly calibrated. :thumb:
thanks, the calibrating thingy should be here tomorrow, said on the site if ordered before 1pm then it will be dispatched for next day delivery.
One way of evaluating the work of the Huey, Paul is to print a photo at A4. Compare the print to the screen before and after. The after should bring the screen much closer to the print.
i dont want the screen black and white thou :P got no colour at the mo :(
Crikey Paul, you want luxuries now? ;D
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 11, 2008, 11:00:20
i dont want the screen black and white thou :P got no colour at the mo :(
As a result of the Huey?
Quote from: Rik on Sep 11, 2008, 11:09:46
As a result of the Huey?
Nope.. got no colour ink in the printer :P
Quote from: Simon on Sep 11, 2008, 11:03:58
Crikey Paul, you want luxuries now? ;D
lol.. ;D
The screen colours seem fine without calibrating it.. not far of my old screen that was correct.
Ideally, they should be - but I've never met one yet that couldn't be improved. :)
Quote from: Rik on Sep 11, 2008, 09:20:11
One way of evaluating the work of the Huey, Paul is to print a photo at A4. Compare the print to the screen before and after. The after should bring the screen much closer to the print.
Are there any idiot guides around regarding using colour profiles, I must admit I get very lost with sRGB, Adobe etc and then on top of that Adobe gamma and the Huey profile. I suppose I need to buy a book to get photoshop working for me and not against me
Try this, Steve:
http://www.computer-darkroom.com/ps10_colour/ps10_1.htm
To be fair, it's a huge area and not one which is easily summarised. The whole concept of colour space is tricky to get to grips with - essentially, what we are talking about is a restricted portion of the visible spectrum. By tagging images with a particular profile, we allow more accurate 'translation' of the intended colours between different devices. Monitors are RGB, which has a far wider gamut than most printers, which are CMYK (though, usually, the printer driver is an RGB device and makes the translation for you). The other thing a profile takes into account is the dynamic range of the device, always higher for a radiant model (eg a monitor) than a reflected one (eg a print).
It's probably easier to try and answer your questions than explain the whole subject, but try the primer as a starter. :)
Thanks Rik , I do need to get to grips with basic science so I understand what effect my changes in image colour will have on the eventual output and indeed achieve the colours I want to achieve without trial and error.
Well, the best place to start is by remembering that all this stuff was dreamt up by people who's lives were spent achieving accurate colour reproduction. :) IOW, they went through a lot of training (3-5 year apprenticeships, degrees etc). Don't be hard on yourself if you don't, immediately 'get it', I had lots of mentors patiently explaining the issues until I clicked.
I'm not sure I buy all this calibration business. Who's to say what's right or wrong? Surely it all depends on your own eyes, and if it looks good to you, isn't that as 'right' as it can be? I used a calibration DVD on my TV, and after following all the tests, and tweaks, I ended up losing all the depth of blacks, and readjusted it myself!
At Samsung we had colour analysers, was easy with them !
It's not calibrating to be pleasing to the eye, though, Simon, it's calibrating to accurately reproduce colour and grey scale. I wouldn't calibrate my TV as I do the monitor. It's right because the software measures what is displayed against what should be displayed, and corrects as necessary. The resulting colour will then match all stages of the reprographic process providing that they all use colour profiles.
But if it being 'correct' isn't pleasing to the eye, you're going to end up adjusting it again, so it's all a bit pointless, isn't it? Am I being difficult? ;D
Yes. ;D
It depends on how you use the monitor. The Eizo has a number of modes I can flick through, so I have one set up for graphics, with absolute colour accuracy, calibrated by machine. I have another for watching DVDs, calibrated by eye, another for text (lower brightness) and so on. There is only one correct settings for doing photographic work, but I wouldn't want to view the forum with it for a day! 8)
Oh, I couldn't be doing with all that fiddling about. Set it and forget it is my motto! ;D
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 11, 2008, 11:13:24
Nope.. got no colour ink in the printer :P
:rofl:
The huey still not came :(
And they haven't picked the monitor up yet, was meant to pick it up yesterday..
Can't they do anything correct ??? except for taking your money!!! :rant2:
If they don't collect it, then that's their problem. You've done your bit now.
Quote from: psp83 on Sep 12, 2008, 21:54:56
And they haven't picked the monitor up yet, was meant to pick it up yesterday..
Charge them rent. ;)
They still haven't picked the 2nd one up yet.. 2wks tomorrow.
Is there any law that says i can keep it ? >:D
Rik will know. I suspect, after a certain amount of time, it becomes yours. ;)
I don't think it is unreasonable for you do write to them saying if it isn't collected by end of Friday, you'll start charging storage costs. Send it first class recorded though!
Quote from: Lance on Sep 23, 2008, 12:55:32
I don't think it is unreasonable for you do write to them saying if it isn't collected by end of Friday, you'll start charging storage costs. Send it first class recorded though!
Or if they don't collect it, it'll be thrown out... Except it won't really. ;)
Under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000, Paul, it is a criminal offence to demand payment for unsolicited goods from a consumer. Any goods delivered can be kept, for free, by the consumer. So, give them a period, say 7 days, to collect the monitor, advising that after that time you will assume ownership of the monitor and that title in same shall pass to you. :)
Quote from: Rik on Sep 23, 2008, 14:16:59So, give them a period, say 7 days, to collect the monitor, advising that after that time you will assume ownership of the monitor and that title in same shall pass to you. :)
Its been 2wks already since i first contacted them, i'm not going to keep chasing them to pick it up when its not a free phone number!
So i can class the monitor as mine now ???
Technically, yes. A court would have to be satisfied you'd acted reasonably, Paul, which is why I suggest sending them a letter using the Recorded delivery/Signed for service and setting a time span for them to take action. If they ignore that, a court would almost certainly find in your favour.
(It used to be covered by the Unsolicited Goods Act, which stated that if they failed to collect within six months, the goods automatically passed to the recipient.)
Will email be good enough? insted of snail mail?
It's harder to prove receipt, Paul.
I still have the 2nd monitor.
Delivery was 10th September 2008 (1 day late for what i paid for)
Phoned them on 10th September stating they sent 2 when i only ordered 1, they said it would be picked up on the 11th September 2008, no one came as i stayed in all day.
Its now 28th October 2008 and i've not heard anything from them.
I did send them a letter but the royal mail site has not been updated to say if its been signed for or not so i guess it's lost in the post!
What shall i do now? keep it?
Get your money back from RM for failing to get a signature for starters, Paul, then send a second 'signed for' letter giving them seven days to arrange to collect the monitor at a time convenient to you, after which you will take the monitor to be an unsolicited gift, and yours to dispose of as you wish.
Quote from: Rik on Oct 28, 2008, 12:32:50
Get your money back from RM for failing to get a signature for starters, Paul, then send a second 'signed for' letter giving them seven days to arrange to collect the monitor at a time convenient to you, after which you will take the monitor to be an unsolicited gift, and yours to dispose of as you wish.
Should i ask for compensation for keeping the monitor this long if they do pick it up?
You'd have to prove actual loss unless you previously informed them that you would be charging for storage from a given date.