Dell TFT Monitor

Tristan · 26-05-2004, 01:17

I'm very tempted by a Dell Ultrasharp 1703FP TFT monitor, currently ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£249 ex VAT from Aria.co.uk. It's 17", has a DVI input, swivels round 90 degrees, has a height adjustable stand and has 4 USB ports. In short, it seems like a pretty good deal. We use Dell TFTs at work (though not this model), and I've been very impressed with the quality. But then, of course, I don't play 3D games at work, or watch DVDs...

So anyway, does anybody on the board own one of these monitors? Are there any downsides I should know about? Are there any other better deals around at the moment?

Thanks is advance,

Tristan

Tezcatlipoca · 26-05-2004, 01:51

I don't know about that specific monitor, but these two threads may help you pick a TFT, Tristan

"TFT Monitor Advice Please" - various suggestions in there. Neil ended up getting a Dell 2000FP 20" TFT (& he "loves it"

).

"Recommend me a 19" LCD Monitor" - various TFT makes & models suggested. Caspar ended up buying an Ilyama Prolite silver 19" TFT. NB, MikeyB mentioned "I'd steer clear of them [Dell]"

Jon M · 26-05-2004, 09:01

I'd recommend the LG1710B .. it is very good for gaming as it has a response time of 16ms (which I doubt the Dell has). ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£299 from amazon.co.uk.
Very happy with mine so far, it has DVI, USB hub and comes with all the cables.

altis · 26-05-2004, 09:26

It looks like a good price - let us know how you get on. If you're passing Manchester then I suggest you drop in to the shop. They seem to have some deals that never make it to the web.

I've had an LG L1510P on order since February - ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£219, 15", DVI, pivot - but I'm still waiting! Apparently, the LCD panel manufacturers have moved much of their production over to larger screens to satisfy the TV market.

Having used a TFT with a DVI input and pivot, I can't see why anyone would want to buy one without these features.

andygrif · 26-05-2004, 10:13

I've got the 18" Ultrasharp, actually I have one at work and I have one at home - they are stunning monitors. Not sure about your model but this one is based on the Samsung.

The price is very good deal - I assume that if it's a Dell from a third party then it's second hand?

dilli-theclaw · 28-05-2004, 17:59

My missus got herself a new Dell PC yesterday (well it was delivered yesterday)

Anyway she gave me her 17inch tft that she got with it (Dell E172FP) as long as I gave her my old sharp 15inch TFT.

MMMmmm - sounds like a nice deal to me

I'm now using the new 17inch one and I must say I'm very impressed even tho it isn't DVI. In fact so far I've not had to touch the auto adjust as it does itself when it switched resolutions.

paulyoung666 · 28-05-2004, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

My missus got herself a new Dell PC yesterday (well it was delivered yesterday)

Anyway she gave me her 17inch tft that she got with it (Dell E172FP) as long as I gave her my old sharp 15inch TFT.

MMMmmm - sounds like a nice deal to me

I'm now using the new 17inch one and I must say I'm very impressed even tho it isn't DVI. In fact so far I've not had to touch the auto adjust as it does itself when it switched resolutions.

why swap , i will never understand women , hang on , she isnt after a new car or something is she

dilli-theclaw · 28-05-2004, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

why swap , i will never understand women , hang on , she isnt after a new car or something is she

Her mum just got her a new car (well 2nd hand - but you know what I mean) anyway - I've no idea WHY - but do you think I'm gonna look a gift horse in the mouth.

I've just put me resident evil dvd on it to watch (I've only seen a dodgy copy).

Tristan · 31-05-2004, 22:07

Well I got it.

And very nice it is too. Does exactly what it says on the tin, and I'm very happy. No dead or stuck pixels, and the DVI connection gives a superb picture.

I do have one question though. Both the monitor itself and the manual tell me that 60Hz is the optimum refresh rate. Yet I've always been under the impression that (for games especially) the higher the refresh rate, the better. What's the deal?

altis · 31-05-2004, 22:23

I think it's all to do with CRT vs LCD technology.

With a CRT the speed of the dot on the screen is defined by the graphics card so that the faster the refresh rate the better the picture looks.

With an LCD I think the signal has to go first into a dual-port RAM. Then it is read out in rows to the screen at a rate defined by the controller card in the monitor. Thus the actual refresh rate is not the same as that provided by the graphics card. Indeed, the faster the graphics card is pumping it out the less time the dual-port RAM will have for the screen side. I don't know this for sure but it must be something like that.

Oh, it's late and I'm not making much sense ... but you'll probably understand anyway!

SMHarman · 25-06-2004, 13:15

A late addition to this - the dot on a CRT expires, fades with time. The dot on an LCD remains in state until it is told to change state. So on a CRT the higher refresh rate keeps the dots alive by refreshing them more frequently. On an LCD this is not necessary as the state does not change with time, only new instructions. 60Hz, will mean it will refresh in time with your actions, you won't see a delay between moving the mouse and the screen showing that.

altis · 25-06-2004, 13:26

Just to add some more...

I also bought one of these and I'm very impressed with it.

Thanks Tristan for the heads-up.