Dell 2407WFP and 3007WFP LCD Comparison
by Jarred Walton on March 2, 2007 11:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Brightness and Contrast Comparisons
For testing, we used a Monaco Optix XR (DTP-94) colorimeter on the hardware side. For software, we used Monaco Optix XR Pro. The software and hardware are relatively easy to use and together they help users fine tune their displays. Before we get to the calibrated results, we took a quick look at how the displays performed at minimum and maximum brightness. Note that we retested all of the displays here for this article, as we adjusted our testing procedures slightly in order to make sure we were providing the most consistent results possible. If you refer back to our previous Gateway FPD2485W article, you'll notice slight differences in the scores we are reporting today.
All three of the Dell LCDs are relatively consistent in terms of brightness levels and contrast ratios. The Gateway FPD2485W on the other hand is clearly brighter than the other LCDs, and it also has a higher contrast ratio. As we mentioned in the Gateway review, however, looking at these numbers really doesn't tell you a whole lot about how a display really performs. In the case of the Gateway LCD, even at minimum brightness it can feel overly bright in some environments. Now let's take a look at the brightness levels and contrast ratios once we've calibrated the LCDs.
We did find that the Monaco Optix XR Pro instructions tend to be a bit aggressive in terms of setting the contrast ratio, but both of the Dell LCDs we're looking at today don't provide an option to adjust contrast. For reference, the Gateway LCD was set to a 60% contrast ratio instead of 100% as the reduced contrast level generated slightly better overall results.
Comparing the calibrated versus min/max brightness, it should be immediately apparent that for most uses you will want to turn down the brightness level. As we'll see on the next page, you can still get good color accuracy even with a bright display, but if you use your computer for long periods at a time a display that's too bright can cause headaches and other annoyances. Theoretically, you want your whites to be brighter and your blacks to be darker, but brighter whites are only good up to a certain point. Anything above 400 cd/m 2 is far too bright in our opinion, and we found all three Dell LCDs tended to feel a bit easier on the eyes. Personal preference will still play a role, however, so if you find that you like really bright displays you might prefer the Gateway LCD.
For testing, we used a Monaco Optix XR (DTP-94) colorimeter on the hardware side. For software, we used Monaco Optix XR Pro. The software and hardware are relatively easy to use and together they help users fine tune their displays. Before we get to the calibrated results, we took a quick look at how the displays performed at minimum and maximum brightness. Note that we retested all of the displays here for this article, as we adjusted our testing procedures slightly in order to make sure we were providing the most consistent results possible. If you refer back to our previous Gateway FPD2485W article, you'll notice slight differences in the scores we are reporting today.
All three of the Dell LCDs are relatively consistent in terms of brightness levels and contrast ratios. The Gateway FPD2485W on the other hand is clearly brighter than the other LCDs, and it also has a higher contrast ratio. As we mentioned in the Gateway review, however, looking at these numbers really doesn't tell you a whole lot about how a display really performs. In the case of the Gateway LCD, even at minimum brightness it can feel overly bright in some environments. Now let's take a look at the brightness levels and contrast ratios once we've calibrated the LCDs.
We did find that the Monaco Optix XR Pro instructions tend to be a bit aggressive in terms of setting the contrast ratio, but both of the Dell LCDs we're looking at today don't provide an option to adjust contrast. For reference, the Gateway LCD was set to a 60% contrast ratio instead of 100% as the reduced contrast level generated slightly better overall results.
Comparing the calibrated versus min/max brightness, it should be immediately apparent that for most uses you will want to turn down the brightness level. As we'll see on the next page, you can still get good color accuracy even with a bright display, but if you use your computer for long periods at a time a display that's too bright can cause headaches and other annoyances. Theoretically, you want your whites to be brighter and your blacks to be darker, but brighter whites are only good up to a certain point. Anything above 400 cd/m 2 is far too bright in our opinion, and we found all three Dell LCDs tended to feel a bit easier on the eyes. Personal preference will still play a role, however, so if you find that you like really bright displays you might prefer the Gateway LCD.
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Renoir - Monday, March 5, 2007 - link
Yeah I imagine you're right about the dell being able to scale the HDCP content to full screen. Was just wandering given that the review of the http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2078203...">HP LP3065 specifically states that it doesn't have a video processor and also suggests neither does the dell 3007. Also the editor spoke to HP after I brought up the issue of HDCP only being supported via single-link DVI which I got from this site http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=288...">Few paragraphs down and they told him the monitor DOES support HDCP over dual-link. So it would appear that not all lcd's have scalers which is the source of my confusion.TheUsual - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
I have experienced the input lag. I had an Acer 24", I think it was the 2416WD. The lag was very noticible when playing UT2004. My brother's 19" Hyundai and my crt had no such problem. Maybe you could find someone on your staff who does notice the lag to report on this aspect.musicalfruit - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
How 'bout doing a shootoff between the Dell displays and the Apple Cinema Diplays?The Mac guys at work want ACDs because they're "better" than the Dells. And naturally, I want to save money by buying Dells. Any benchmarks to support either argument would be great!
JarredWalton - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
I actually asked for a review sample from Apple a while ago; they declined. I'd like to see if they are any better myself!aixkan - Thursday, March 15, 2007 - link
I have read many comparisons when I worked in Germany 2 years ago – while not perfect, the ACDs consistently were voted the best by the editors of a (neutral) major PC tech magazine (named "c't"), although they always remarked that they were substantially more expensive. Apple does seem to make a good product.I saw a side by side test of a 23" ACD beside the $5000 color calibrated EIZO CG221 at the CeBIT '05. The ACD was obviously not comparable at less than half the price, but you really had to look closely to see the differences.
TheUsual - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
My brother has the 1080P Westinghouse TV and I must say the pc looks stunning on it at 1920x1080. I would really like to see a comparison between the Dell 24" and the WH 37". The WH allows you to do PIP with TV and Computer and swap it back and forth. This is a great feature. I was checking out Sony LCDs and I don't believe they support PIP and the new Sharps do now have rbg inputs. So plese, a WH 37" review?orion23 - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
Yeah...Loving the new Anandtech with some cool reviews....
I should get my 24-inch Dell LCD by Tuesday / Wednesday of next week, which will replace a Dell 20.1 Inch LCD. Let's see how it does!
asusk7v001 - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
Thanks anandtech for a Comparison like thisHowever, for some people like me who want an "All In One" TV/PC monitor which been looking for 2 years now. Recently, there are companies start making 32" 1080p TV. I really would like to see how these TVs compare to PC monitors and some lower resolution
TVs such as 1366 x 768. Lastly, what are the best viewing distance for those TVs as PC monitors
Thanks
hwac
qwerty3788 - Saturday, March 3, 2007 - link
These monitors have a builtin power transformer that is noisy. I had to return my 3007wfp (tried two) because of the noise. If you are working in a silent environment I suggest you buy something else...http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=d5286df8...">Many others have reported the same problem, so it's not just me.
Zebo - Friday, March 2, 2007 - link
Another issue I have is when you say motion is fine with these and no one will notice. I think everyone will notice this:http://www.veoh.com/videos/v270495J23AR3RZ">http://www.veoh.com/videos/v270495J23AR3RZBetter yet: In your testing..
Try running Titan Quest, kill some enemies and hit the alt key to see what they have laying on the ground after death while you are moving/walking - I bet you can't read what those items are because of the blur with any PVA. You must stop to ID them.
I'm very picky and notice blur 100% of the time even with he fastest LCD's like LCD20WMGX2 and Viewsonics 922 but the PVA's inside the Dell and GW are the slowest tech out and it's not right to tell people they wont notice when most will. Forum thread complaints bear this out.