Dell 2707WFP: Looking for the Middle Ground of Large LCDs
by Jarred Walton on April 4, 2007 10:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Features and Specifications
As usual, we refer back to our earlier Gateway FPD2485W review for a brief glossary of terms we use in our display reviews. In theory, higher values in many of these areas indicate a better LCD panel, but marketing definitely influences the importance of many of the scores. We will see how the Dell 2707WFP rates in actual testing in a moment, but let's start with the manufacturer's specifications.
The only other 27" 1920x1200 LCD we are currently aware of is the Samsung 275T, which was announced at CES 2007 but is not yet available. Another similar LCD that should be out in the relatively near future is the Viewsonic VX2835wm, which boasts a 28" screen size. While Dell could not officially confirm or deny this, all indications are that the 2707WFP uses a Samsung panel.
Most of the specifications are similar to what we expect to see in any of the best large LCDs. The response time, contrast ratio, and maximum brightness are all similar to the HP LP3065 and the Dell 3007WFPHC. Like both of those LCDs, the 2707WFP also uses a new CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Light) that improves the color gamut to 92% of the NTSC standard (versus 72% for the older CCFL). In theory, that should result in more vibrant and accurate colors, although in practice we found it relatively difficult to discern the difference. Imaging professionals might feel otherwise, of course.
The remaining options are nearly identical to the 24" 2407WFP. You get VGA, DVI, S-Video, composite, and component inputs; you can easily switch between the various inputs at the press of a button on the front of the display. You also get the standard flash memory reader and four extra USB ports that are present on all of Dell's larger LCDs. One feature that does get cut - most likely due to the larger panel size - is the rotate functionality that many 24" LCDs have.
On the surface, then, we basically have the Dell 2407WFP with a slightly larger panel and a new backlight that improves the color gamut. Alternately, we have the 3007WFPHC with more inputs, a smaller panel, and a lower native resolution. From a purely functional standpoint, either of those might be an accurate description. However, Dell has updated the design and styling quite a bit relative to their other xx07 LCD models.
We have previously covered Dell's warranty and support options, and nothing has changed in the past six weeks. Dell's high-end LCDs all come with a standard three-year warranty, including Dell's Advanced Exchange service. If at any point it becomes necessary for Dell to replace your LCD during the warranty period, they will ship out the replacement monitor to you. You can then unpack the new monitor, place your old monitor into the box, and ship it back to Dell. For a moderate fee you can also extend your warranty to four or five years. The pixel defect policy is also pretty reasonable, as we were informed by a support technician that they will replace an LCD if you have six or more dead pixels or three or more clustered together. All told, the display warranty policy is about as good as you can expect.
As usual, we refer back to our earlier Gateway FPD2485W review for a brief glossary of terms we use in our display reviews. In theory, higher values in many of these areas indicate a better LCD panel, but marketing definitely influences the importance of many of the scores. We will see how the Dell 2707WFP rates in actual testing in a moment, but let's start with the manufacturer's specifications.
| Dell 2407WFP Specifications | |
| Video Inputs | Analog (VGA) DVI with HDCP support Component Composite S-Video |
| Panel Type | LCD Active Matrix TFT S-PVA |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.303mm |
| Colors | 16.7 million |
| Brightness | 400 cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | 1000:1 (typical) |
| Response Time | 16ms TrTf 6ms (GTG) |
| Viewable Size | 27" diagonal |
| Resolution | 1920x1200 |
| Viewing Angle | 178 vertical/horizontal |
| Power Consumption | 95W typical |
| Power Savings | 2W |
| Power Supply | Built-in |
| Screen Treatment | Ultrasharp |
| Height-Adjustable | Yes - 3.5 inches |
| Tilt | Yes - 30 degrees back/-5 degrees forward |
| Rotation | No |
| Auto-Rotation | N/A |
| Swivel | Yes - 45 degrees left/right |
| VESA Wall Mounting | 100mmx100mm |
| Dimensions w/ Base (WxHxD) | 24.96"x17.39"x9.57" (lowered) 24.96"x20.97"x9.57" (raised) |
| Weight w/ Stand | 27.5 lbs |
| Dimensions w/o Base (WxHxD) | 24.96"x16.23"x3.27" |
| Weight w/o Stand | 17.5 lbs |
| Additional Features | (4) USB 2.0 (USB connection to PC required) 9-in-2 flash reader (CF/SD/MS/SM/MMC) |
| Audio | Optional Dell AS501 |
| Limited Warranty | 3 year parts/labor warranty standard 4 and 5 year warranty optional Advanced Exchange policy |
| Pixel Defect Policy | 6 or more total stuck pixels 3 or more clustered (one inch circle) |
| Panel Revision | A00 |
The only other 27" 1920x1200 LCD we are currently aware of is the Samsung 275T, which was announced at CES 2007 but is not yet available. Another similar LCD that should be out in the relatively near future is the Viewsonic VX2835wm, which boasts a 28" screen size. While Dell could not officially confirm or deny this, all indications are that the 2707WFP uses a Samsung panel.
Most of the specifications are similar to what we expect to see in any of the best large LCDs. The response time, contrast ratio, and maximum brightness are all similar to the HP LP3065 and the Dell 3007WFPHC. Like both of those LCDs, the 2707WFP also uses a new CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Light) that improves the color gamut to 92% of the NTSC standard (versus 72% for the older CCFL). In theory, that should result in more vibrant and accurate colors, although in practice we found it relatively difficult to discern the difference. Imaging professionals might feel otherwise, of course.
The remaining options are nearly identical to the 24" 2407WFP. You get VGA, DVI, S-Video, composite, and component inputs; you can easily switch between the various inputs at the press of a button on the front of the display. You also get the standard flash memory reader and four extra USB ports that are present on all of Dell's larger LCDs. One feature that does get cut - most likely due to the larger panel size - is the rotate functionality that many 24" LCDs have.
On the surface, then, we basically have the Dell 2407WFP with a slightly larger panel and a new backlight that improves the color gamut. Alternately, we have the 3007WFPHC with more inputs, a smaller panel, and a lower native resolution. From a purely functional standpoint, either of those might be an accurate description. However, Dell has updated the design and styling quite a bit relative to their other xx07 LCD models.
We have previously covered Dell's warranty and support options, and nothing has changed in the past six weeks. Dell's high-end LCDs all come with a standard three-year warranty, including Dell's Advanced Exchange service. If at any point it becomes necessary for Dell to replace your LCD during the warranty period, they will ship out the replacement monitor to you. You can then unpack the new monitor, place your old monitor into the box, and ship it back to Dell. For a moderate fee you can also extend your warranty to four or five years. The pixel defect policy is also pretty reasonable, as we were informed by a support technician that they will replace an LCD if you have six or more dead pixels or three or more clustered together. All told, the display warranty policy is about as good as you can expect.
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JarredWalton - Thursday, April 5, 2007 - link
And here I preferred aperture grille over invar shadow mask in the CRT days. Again, it was the colors and overall brightness. Most CRTs look "fuzzy" to me, and I like the sharpness of LCDs. You look at black text on a white background and you can clearly see that every pixel is a direct mapping of the digital information. CRTs, you can get artifacts due to stretch and centering, not to mention rotation and pincushion... that stuff always irritated me. So yeah, I really do prefer LCDs.As for the "bright top and darker bottom", I don't notice that at all, even on 30" displays. It's probably there to a certain extent, but it's nowhere near as bad as any of the older TN+film panels (which are still common on notebooks). Turn down the brightness to a more moderate level, and everything is great for me. I truly do prefer the image quality on my 30" (or 24") LCD over any CRT I've used.
The final issue is that many (most? all?) developers are now using LCDs as well. I remember thinking Doom 3 was way too dark to the point of being almost unplayable. Then I got my LCD (a 2405FPW at the time) and suddenly the whole game changed. It still had flaws, but darkness was no longer one of them. I think id must have been using LCDs, so they never realized what the game would look like on a typical CRT. (Of course some CRTs are brighter than others; mine was not one of those.)
I can understand that some still prefer CRTs, but I'm definitely not one of them. Given the choice, I would always take a good LCD over a good CRT these days. I just hope stuff like OLED and some of the other technologies in development can make it out sooner rather than later. Give us a nice 120 Hz refresh rate with a bit faster response times, and I'd be very happy indeed.
TA152H - Thursday, April 5, 2007 - link
Jarrod,Even with the brightness turned down all the way, I found the LCD gave me headaches. That's why it became one with the air, and then the ground. I couldn't get used to it. I think people's vision has a lot to do with it. I remember when IBM came out with the 8514/A and we got them, I raised Hell because I got headaches from it (it was interlaced). They thought I was whining, but I could see the flicker really vividly and it gave me the worst headaches (incidentally, I just bought one on eBay for $5 :P). The LCDs are not only too bright, even turned down all the way, but it's like looking through a screen door at a picture, because I can see very easily the boundaries between pixels. It's not as smooth or rich as a CRT.
I don't play shoot 'em ups anymore, they bore me terribly. I prefer the strategy games, and even games like Civilization. I guess LCDs have become necessary for shoot em ups now, although it's kind of funny because they are so poor at it because of the slow response time. But, they have to develop to what people have, and LCDs are definitely more common. Why they are so bright is a mystery to me though. Maybe because they are so poor with respect to viewing angles and saturation, they try to make them extra bright to compensate.
I can see the differences in brightness so easily in LCDs it is surprising you don't have a problem with it. I think some of it is what you are used to. If I had these for years, my eyes would adjust to it and I would really see it. Remember the first time you saw a flat screen CRT? It seemed screwed up because your brain had adjusted to the curved screens. A lot of stuff we adapt to without even knowing it. Again, I do think we all see differently, and it's not just a matter of opinion. It's got a lot to do with how we actually see it. I know with respect to refresh rates it is, because I'd ask people to look at stuff, and they didn't see the flicker (normally it's easier from the corner of your eyes, probably our adaptation to seeing movement in peripheral vision well so we could see things sneaking up on us?).
The thing about CRTs I can't stand are the moire problems. CRTs seem to be extremely accurate in most dimensions at 800 x 600, but when you start getting higher there seems to be more distortion. And the size and weight. Ugggh. The mainstream CRTs are pretty foul too, but luckily I loaded up on the Eizos and they are much, much better than the Viewsonic, Sony, Dell, etc... rubbish. I was considering buying an Eizo LCD, but I don't know if all LCDs suck bad, or it's just the mainstream rubbish again. Eizo has a way of changing the rules, at least they did on CRTs. That's why I'd love to see a review on them, because at this point they are the only ones I'd consider. I guess I could put it on a server if I didn't like it, so I don't have to look at it for long. But, they are so expensive, I'm a little concerned I'd be throwing good money at bad, because the technology is so weak even they can't get it to work. Dell, et al, obviously aren't going to put out a very good product since the cost would preclude them selling enough. But Nanao, well, they might. Any chance of you reviewing one?
JarredWalton - Friday, April 6, 2007 - link
I can ask them and see if they're interested in sending one for testing. Honestly, though, I'm not sure my review would be of any use to you. I'm already happy with current LCDs, and you're not. This is one of those cases where you might need to see about testing one in person to see if the results are acceptable or not.I've always had a problem with low refresh rates on CRTs as well - anything less than 85 Hz I could detect a flicker, and while 75 Hz was tolerable the 60 Hz displays gave me headaches. That's one of the things I like on LCDs. The backlights are always on, and rather than having a beam scanning across the monitor at 60 Hz, the light is evenly distributed and there's no chance for a pixel to start to darken and then light up again.
I do know what you mean about adapting, though. The first time I used a 30" LCD I was like, "WTF!? It's too big!" Now I'm quite happy with the size and it no longer bothers me at all. When I go back to a 24" it seems small, relatively speaking. Heh.
TA152H - Friday, April 6, 2007 - link
Jarrod,It might be helpful. I want to like LCDs, mainly because of the footprint and power/heat issues with CRTs. But, I couldn't stand the one I had. I might have gotten used to the flaws and then hated the CRT flaws, but the brightness was such I got really painful headaches and couldn't spend the time on it to adjust to it.
So, if you get an Eizo and your review says it's much better than existing LCDs, it would at least be useful. On the other hand, if you say it's nice but pretty much the same, well, I'd probably pass and wait another couple of years before looking at one. Also, I think it would be very, very interesting for your readers, and probably even for you, to have an absolutely top quality display to review. It would be informative, because I think a lot of people don't even know they exist and think these mainstream brands offer the best displays. Who knows, maybe they do, and a review might point that out. If they are willing to send you one, and I'd have to think they are crazy if they don't (because they need the visibility since they are very poorly known), I think it would be a really interesting review for all those reasons, and not just to me.
strikeback03 - Friday, April 6, 2007 - link
Have you tried looking at a good LCD in a store? Most of the commonly available ones are cheap and not very good - they show the contrast gradient top-to-bottom you referred to. IIRC the review of the HP said they accept them back for pretty much any reason within the return period, so you could toss it back in the box instead of out a window if you don't like it. Just be sure to get a decent one, not a cheapie.I too would be interested in seeing the results of a test on an Eizo or an NEC W-series. I'd like to see how the calibration results of what are pretty much considered the top professional diplays look like compared to the mainstream/gaming displays.
LoneWolf15 - Thursday, April 5, 2007 - link
Having purchased the 2407WFP in mid-November at under $600 (not including the tax and the price for extending out the warranty to 5 years), the price on the 27" seems kind of steep. Maybe if Dell had upped the ante by adding HDMI, or a second set of component ins, it would put it over the top.I'm also a little disappointed that their card readers don't support xD Picture Card format, which is what my Fuji FinePix camera uses. Minor nitpick, but one that shouldn't be all that hard to fix.
anandtech02148 - Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - link
the gateway spec at 125watts and this is 95wtt..that's an efficient build for a 27in lcd.JarredWalton - Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - link
The Gateway lists 125W maximum I think, so typical power use is probably less. The 95W for the 2707WFP is after calibration (i.e. with lowered brightness levels).anandtech02148 - Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - link
is it exciting to review all these new fresh monitor? or do you get sored eye after all the calibration work.Again thanks for the calibrated file you upload.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - link
Speaking of which, if anyone is interested, here are the http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/monitor/2007/d... 2707WFP Profiles.rar">2707WFP profiles used in this article. Standard "your LCD is not the same as the tested LCD" disclaimer applies.As for sore eyes, no, that's not a problem. The calibration isn't all that difficult to perform in most cases. It's the writing, graph generation, and photo editing that takes the most effort.