Dell UltraSharp 1905FP: Setting the Bar for New 19" LCDs
by Kristopher Kubicki on January 29, 2005 12:35 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Genesis gm5321
At the heart of every good LCD monitor revolves around a great signal processor – and our Dell 1905FP is no exception. The Genesis gm5321 found in the Dell 1905FP acts as the unified analog and digital controller for everything on the monitor except sound and USB. According to the technical documentation, the Genesis gm5321 is HDCP capable – so you should be able to hook up a DVI-HDCP receiver or DVD player to the monitor without worries.
Our monitor did not come with any sound capability, so that controller does not exist on the PCB. In the upper left corner of the board, you can see the SMC USB controller.
Click to enlarge.
The ribbon connector just below the Genesis DSP provides the input for the LCD panel while power from the separate inverter comes across the plug along the right side of the board.
Samsung LTM190E4
The cornerstone of our Dell 1905FP is the superb Samsung LTM190E4 panel.
Interestingly enough, after opening the monitor, some of the modulation PCB from the panel was directly exposed, but sheathed in a protective film. The components of an LCD panel are almost always sheathed behind metal EMI shields.
Click to enlarge.
The Samsung website currently advertises a 1000:1 contrast ratio for the panel, which is probably a little too inflated. The original Samsung 193P used the same panel, but only advertised an 800:1 contrast ratio, and Dell advertises the 1905FP with an 800:1 contrast ratio as well. Given the liberal techniques that manufacturers use to measure contrast ratios, we are surprised that panel manufacturers haven't inflated ratios more since abominable plasma displays claim 2000:1 ratios.
But contrast ratio aside, the thing that sets this panel apart from most is that it's a lower response time component utilizing a genuine 8-bit panel with a PVA display mode. We always recommend 8-bit LCD panels over 6-bit LCD panels whenever possible, so immediately, the panel appeals to us. The PVA display mode is proprietary to Samsung, but it also appeals to us more than the prevalent TN display mode in use on most 6-bit panels today; the viewing angle is wider and the gray-to-gray transient is actually lower in many cases.
Our panel came with zero pixel or subpixel defects.
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Golfxcellence - Friday, February 25, 2005 - link
I bought this monitor based on the review. This is my first LCD. My photos look wonderful, text is very readable, but any sort of mpg video is very very poor compared to my crt. Is this normal? if it is, it may have to go back.Thanks for any comments or suggestions to fixing the problem.
Garry
oasked - Monday, February 21, 2005 - link
*******This monitor has serious ghosting issues.
Get something else instead.
Even the cursor blurs. I bought one based on this review - BIG MISTAKE.
Even my mates 25ms monitor has less ghosting than this.
It does look good, but its deceptive.
******
ahc11 - Friday, February 4, 2005 - link
I am having a problem with this monitor that I cnanot solve:Basically, what happens is that the monitor goes into power save mode and turns orange. When I click the OSD button on it, it says "please move mouse/keyboard".
If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know
neurocyb - Thursday, February 3, 2005 - link
NEC makes an 18 and 20" displaywhy have these not been included in reviews??
TheDotProduct - Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - link
rivethead:#########################################
Arrrgh! It shouldn't be this difficult. All I want is a 17" 8-bit panel from a good manufacturer with a response time of 16ms or less.
#########################################
Dam straight you are thinking along the exact same lines as me!
Well common Samsung/Sony/Viewsonic/Benq/Dell give us what we want! We will even pay you for your bother ;-p
rivethead - Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - link
Good luck in your search for information on the UltraSharp 1704FPV.I've tried to get information from every source I can think of (I even tried re-sellers on e-bay).
I've come to the following conclusion:
1) No one at Dell knows if their LCDs are 6 or 8-bit.(at least the CSRs and Tech Support people who I've talked to)
2) If it's this hard to get a simple question answered, I'm not sure I want to buy any Dell product.
I know that Dell makes a 17" LCD they call the "173". I'm betting it's the same panel that's in the Samsung 173. So after reading this review, now I'm wondering what panel is in the 1704FPV and 1704FPT? Another Samsung product? Which panel?
Arrrgh! It shouldn't be this difficult. All I want is a 17" 8-bit panel from a good manufacturer with a response time of 16ms or less.
I will say this: having these Anandtech reviews certainly is a help. Thanks!
rivethead - Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - link
Benmohr - Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - link
Enjoyed reading the article and all the comments. However, having recently bought a new Sony A Series VAIO Laptop with an X Black screen, all I can say is WOW!!!!!! The Dell, and for that matter, most screens dont even come close. Why????Thresher - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link
Time for a review of the 2005, don't ya think?TheDotProduct - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link
I too want to know about the 1704FPV. Is it 8 or 6 bit? (sorry about the empty posts by the way)