24" Dell 2405FPW Widescreen 12ms TFT Monitor

8 replies [Last post]
paultv
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Joined: May 16 2002

Hello all,

Just wondered if anyone has one of these running with either a Z1, FX1 or say Canopus NX component output HDV card? I'd be very keen to know how it shapes up as it has a native resolution of 1920 x 1200 ( so I understand ) as well as component HD inputs and a shop price around £550.

paul

steve
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Joined: Apr 8 1999

I can recommend this monitor both as a PC monitor for non-linear editing and as a direct monitor for component outputs on a HDV camera. I use mine to preview footage direct from my FX1 and when set up correctly, it shows the correct geometry with very small black bands top and bottom, (the difference between 1200 and 1080 lines).
Downsides:
The images using the composite and S-video inputs are not brilliant, but i suppose that is just in comparison with the panels native resoultion. The scaler has to spread the image detail quite thinly.

At 500ukp, go for it, it cost me 610ukp last October.

Steve

Alan Roberts
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Joined: May 3 1999

Steve, you've got that right, it's the scalers in all pixel-based displays that let them down, unless you're paying quite a lot (like the Frontniche 37" panel that retails at £8.5k and genuinely pixel-maps HD without using the scaler, so you don't get overscan). Scaling is hard, but Sony and Panasonic do it reasonably well using proprietary hardware, others buy-in chipc to do it, at varying quality.

Get my test cards document, and cards for 625, 525, 720 and 1080. Thanks to Gavin Gration for hosting them.
Camera settings documents are held by Daniel Browning and at the EBU
My book, 'Circles of Confusion' is available here.
Also EBU Tech.3335 tells how to test cameras, and R.118 tells how to use the results.

steve
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Joined: Apr 8 1999

Paul,
I must add that when I use the PC to scale SD video up to 1929x1080, the image is a lot better on the Dell screen than using the SD inputs directly, (Composite, S-video or Component).

Sorry to hijack the thread here Paul, but would like to ask Alan question on scaling:

Alan,

You've mentioned here before that Sony and Panasonic LCD TVs are better than all the rest vis a vis scaling, so how much better are they, and is it something that matters just for SD sources, (i.e. only important on prime viewing for a few years) or does it also seriously affect scaling HD material from both HDMI and Component feeds?

Steve

Mark M
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Joined: Nov 17 1999

Since this Dell monitor has component inputs, could I use it as a TV monitor connected to my Cableco's PVR which has component output? If so what are the advantages / disadvantages as opposed to using a "proper" TV.

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steve
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Joined: Apr 8 1999

Mark,

Assuming you mean SD material from the PVR, I don't see why not, but bear in mind my comments on SD component inputs, i.e. the scaling isn't brilliant!

Steve

Mark M
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Joined: Nov 17 1999

Hi Steve,

No, I mean HD output from the PVR. I am on a trail with this HD-capable PVR, which has HDMI and component out, and the telco (TW) promise HD delivery of programmes to it within the next few months, so just looking at ways of taking advantage of that, really.

Mark

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steve
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Joined: Apr 8 1999

Mark,

Then I can confirm the that 1:1 display (1929x1080) is very good, even interlacing seems to be OK. I don't have any 720p source, other than from the PC which I feed into either the VGA or DVI inputs. Please note though that your PVR is likely to have a DVI/HDMI interface for HD output and the Dell does not do HDCP.

Steve

Alan Roberts
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Joined: May 3 1999

Steve, it's the scaling from the analogue signals that's usually poor.

Get my test cards document, and cards for 625, 525, 720 and 1080. Thanks to Gavin Gration for hosting them.
Camera settings documents are held by Daniel Browning and at the EBU
My book, 'Circles of Confusion' is available here.
Also EBU Tech.3335 tells how to test cameras, and R.118 tells how to use the results.