NEC 2490WUXi - The Full Story

Hmm, local distributor just got 12 of the original model in stock... I'm seriously tempted.

What's NEC's policy on dead/stuck pixels on these? I inquired using the online chat on their site last week and got the standard canned response about "5 subpixels" and what not - do they really hold to that on the 90 series? Has dead/stuck pixels been a problem on these, and if so is it difficult to get it exchanged?
 
After 2 months waiting/problems/stock etc The monitor is FINALLYYYY SHIPPED !! Really Excited !! :D

Wish me luck to get perfect one ! :D
 
I found the NEC LCD2490WUXi for sale at a store that delivers to California and I can pick it up myself.

They have two variants: LCD2490WUXIBKSV ($1,224) and LCD2490WUXI-BK ($1,089).

*EDIT*: I figured out in the meantime that the "SV" version comes with the Spectraview calibrator.
 
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I found the NEC LCD2490WUXi for sale at a store that delivers to California and I can pick it up myself.

But, they have two variants: LCD2490WUXIBKSV ($1,224) and LCD2490WUXI-BK ($1,089). Does anyone know if there's a difference between these other than the price? The fact that the more expensive one has only 1 unit in stock suggests it's somewhat odd. Perhaps the hooded version?

SV = spectraview, comes with a calibrator and spectraview software.

For only $135 more that's a pretty good deal, the spectraview kit costs $250 last time I checked. The EODIS2 calibrator it comes with costs $200 alone.
 
How is video playback with an external player on this monitor? I read it supports 24p, so I assume movies play smoothly. And the image quality must be great too.
 
I'll try to post a tiny quote...
The reviewer says about calibrated 2490WUXi: "Wow, that looks like a print".
Regarding color space for pros. The article features a part of an interview with Karl Lang. I am paraphrasing the reported conclusion: until the whole industry (hardware and software) adopts 10-bit presentation, a pro should use an sRGB display as a primary and a wide gamut display as a secondary. In case of a single screen it's highly recommended that it is sRGB.
The article is dated May, 2008.

Thanks :) Interesting. I am tempted to subscribe just to read the whole article. :)

I do find this a bit controdictory according to what Karl lang said after testing them himself:

Rodney's report on Lang's seminar at PPE (originally posted on LL):

"It was a great session! I learned a lot. Hopefully Karl will release the results of this on his site in about a month or so. The three NECs (2490, 2690 and LED) get spectacular reviews from Karl. If you need an sRGB display, the 2490 got very high quality results from the testing Karl did with very expensive spectroradiometer, something like 9000 patch samples and custom software of his design. The wider gamut display I have (2690) would do better with a colorimeter that has filters mated to the unit. It was off about 500K which is still pretty darn good. The LED was top of the heap (and it IS mated with a special filter set in an EyeOne for it's chromaticity). But you have to be using the SpectraView II software to drive the units (at a cost of a few hundred bucks with the puck, a no brainier). I really love the 2690 since its a one button affair once I setup my calibration target values. For those who like super color geek features and lots of buttons, extra costs and complexity, this isn't for you (there's that other product ). If you want a system that works wonderfully and easily and produces some stellar results, backed up by a guy who builds color reference systems, this is bomb.

Karl explained his testing procedures and showed all the plots which were extremely interesting and easy to digest. He said these newer displays finally bring us closer to what we had with the best of the reference CRT displays of the past. A great session."
(Contains also a receipt on how to calibrate the 2690WUXi for optimal results).
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/595884/0&year=2007#5231263

Also, considering who's using the NEC's:
http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/wordpress/?s=2690wuxi

They are from the elite of color experts... :)

My personal experience in editing aRGB (print) and storing for CMYK (print) and sRGB (web), makes me happy that I have used the 2690WUXi. There is less "blind editing" in the areas that usually would be "out of gamut". which makes me feel I get more a "feeling of the composition of the picture" if you know what I mean.

The 2490WUXi is an excelent screen and much more colometrical correct to most of the material that exist of today (sRGB), but I wouldn't say that people should "avoid wide gamut at all costs". Even if only gaming. When adjusting my game setting, I never go for defaults and often prefer "flattering colors" vs. colormetrical ones. Also, considering others who share this experience with their wide gamut screens (which are the majority of all screens sold today), I would go as far as saying that wide vs. standard gamut is a matter of ones own subjective taste. There is no right or wrong here, only whats right for the consumer. Take a look at owners of 2409WFP, 2709WFP etc. They are happy consumers, which is what matters (even though I hate myself sitting infront of a PVA screen with all the instability in image).

This said, I would also say that wide gamut comes more into its place when OS'es are color managed. As of now, they assume sRGB, which isn't the optimal. If xvYCC becomes available in Windows 7, wide gamut would even be the preferred media to play the bluerays on.

I agree with your "user be aware", since it might not be their cup of tea. Both with PVA's vs. IPS's and with wide gamut vs. regular. Its wise to show the whole picture so that people can make their own decition. Keep up the good work there!

Its just the "avoid wide gamut at all cost" we disagree upon. :)
 
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Hmm, I've been reading the recent 2690 thread and had a question - is there any conclusive reason (beyond the bundled calibrator) to buy the SpectraView version over the "plain" version in North America? Ie. is there any difference in warranty or panel quality? I'm rather paranoid about getting dead/hot pixels on a monitor of this price and don't know if I did have issues, whether it would be easier to get an exchange of one versus the other.

(One reason I'm paranoid is my existing 23" IPS monitor DOES have hot pixels - the first one had somewhere around 15 hot subpixels, and the one I ended up with has about 4).
 
Hmm, I've been reading the recent 2690 thread and had a question - is there any conclusive reason (beyond the bundled calibrator) to buy the SpectraView version over the "plain" version in North America? Ie. is there any difference in warranty or panel quality?

In North America there is no difference between the SV and non SV monitors. They are absolutely identical. The only difference is the SV version is bundled with the SV software and colorimeter.
 
Question for all of you 2490 owners,is the NEC package a must when you get this monitor?
Mine arrived in different box cause some problems on the Customs, they repack in another
box it looks suspicious.The retailer im getting this its not a very well known.So im thinking
maybe i recived refurbished unit? how can i know exept for the package i don't have experience with this refurbished units.
 
I have no experience with refurbished either, but I would look at the unit closely.
After "repacking", was it still in silver plastic bag?
The unit must look clean, accurate, cables "factory" folded and unused.
SV kit? The CD must look unopened, no fingerprints.
The first SV calibration will tell you the number of hours on this unit (unless the "meter" is "reburbished" too - joke, don't get crazy:)).
Then you check it with power on.
Smooth backlight, no dead pixels, colors look normal, no blur on text, the unit follows commands from OSD.
Perform testing calibration. See if it works. If everything is OK - no problem...

Thanks for your replay first of all.This is a huge disappointment the monitor is actually
broken,the left edge is opened/broken verticaly looks like tranpsort damaged unit
There was no plastic silver in the package.

The spectraview kit shows 1h 15 mins of usage thats strange because i think the monitor
was used before,refurbished.Also the stand has scratches on it and its damaged at the
end of it.The arm looks like damaged also, it produce noise when you press it
like its broken from inside.There is no warranty list in the package,only menu.
Cables are in nylon with blue & green sticker at the top of it.There is 1 stuck pixel
grey color, visible on dark background,and one bigger purple spot 0.4mm diameter
its a result of the damaged panel imo.The picture quallity is more then decent
some slight backlight uniformity can be detected on dark background.Another
smaller purple spot (don't know how to describe this) 5 cm under the bigger spot can be detected on dark background same as the other.The blacks are good but not as one on
your review its not bad overall,the white point is amazing and overall general IQ is good.
I'm sending this back and ill ask for a refund from USPS the unit is damaged via transport
I payed 100$ insurance guess they won't make problems.The unit look like used
but the SV kit detected 1 hour & 15 mins of usage same as the monitor was on.
Does reseting to factory defaults change the time of usage? Can it be changed somehow?

Forgot to say that i went trough 2 calibrations the sv kit works fine
no problems of any kind.

Its a fact that monitor looks like used but still USPS damgaed it and i think that even
if the monitor is used its their fault cause the brand new monitor could be damaged
the same way.
 
I know I might be frustrating the crap out of you, but you left out something important. You said you tested the "DVI and D-Sub" on the monitor and both have waves.

I've asked a couple of times if you used the DVI-D ONLY (Not the DVI-I) input as part of this test. This would be absolutely necessary to ensure that somehow you aren't using analog signaling carried on the DVI-I. (unless of course your DVI cable is DVI-D only).


YES, I have tested my monitor in a different house (a friend of mine), with different hardware (different computer), and waves were still visible. Tested with DVI-D input.

In my friend's house, only DVI, but in my house with D-Sub too.

I have tested the issue even with different cables, and the problem persists.

My test results:
20WGX2 with DVI cable (my computer) -> No waves
20WGX2 with VGA cable (my computer) -> No waves
2490WUXi with DVI cable (my computer) -> Waves
2490WUXi with DVI cable (my friend's computer) -> Waves
2490WUXi with D-Sub cable (my computer) -> Waves, but they are a bit more subtle

I appreciate your interest on my problem, but it seems my problem has no solution :( And I don't want to start a fight against NEC (I have made many calls to the service center and I'm so tired). According to the service center, the monitor was already "repaired" at the service center (french technicians adjusted some settings on the service menu)... Judge yourself.
 
Ok the monitor is brand new,confirmed.The unit is damaged from transport
prooly USPS fault,ill get a new one from their inssurance(hope) even the monitor
works whitout problem i won't keep damaged screen.How is USPS on covering
damage ? they offer full refund or only % of the cost, if anyone know please
inform me.This is my worst nightmare in last few years :(

Thanks in advance.
 
So is there anywhere in the US that I can buy the NEC 2490WUXi from that has a good return policy/dead pixel policy? I don't mind paying a few more dollars for a no dead pixel policy.(I'm in atlanta, ga if it matters at all).

I'm primarily interested in great color reproduction and games. 2 frames input lag is certainly good enough for me. Any better recomendations? The NEC 2490WUXi seems like best of breed (and the only con is the hefty price tag).
 
avatar[djedi];1034350347 said:
So is there anywhere in the US that I can buy the NEC 2490WUXi from that has a good return policy/dead pixel policy? I don't mind paying a few more dollars for a no dead pixel policy.(I'm in atlanta, ga if it matters at all).

I'm primarily interested in great color reproduction and games. 2 frames input lag is certainly good enough for me. Any better recomendations? The NEC 2490WUXi seems like best of breed (and the only con is the hefty price tag).

FWIW, I got mine from CDW, and I did it solely because of their well respected return policy. Spending $1000+ on a monitor, I wanted to have no hassles if I had to return it. I had bought a Planar PX2611W prior and, as it happened, that unit had multiple issues. The return experience was absolutely painless and I replaced the Planar with the LCD2490WUXi and I was lucky enough to get a perfect example without any issues (no pixel, backlight or any other cosmetic issues that would ruin the LCD experience). If it hadn't been perfect, I would have returned it and I know CDW would have made the return experience excellent again...I recommend them and the 2490WUXi highly!
 
Surly73 said:
I've asked a couple of times if you used the DVI-D ONLY (Not the DVI-I) input as part of this test. This would be absolutely necessary to ensure that somehow you aren't using analog signaling carried on the DVI-I. (unless of course your DVI cable is DVI-D only).
Yes, I have the monitor now connected via a DVI-D cable to the DVI-D input, and waves are visible too... My case is like an episode from the X-Files series :( I can't believe I'm the only one on this forum suffering this issue! And it's a shame, because other than that issue, the monitor is perfect (but it's "imperfect" for this issue, obviously). I will have to live with it. If you require more information, please let me know... Thanks :(
 
One question about monitor contrast, 2490 800:1 maximum contrast after the calibration
the monitor test detect only 261 i'm using spectraview kit for calibration anyone knows
how to achieve higher contrast? lets say 600 or 700 ? thanks.
This is my first "pro monitor" i'm not so good about calibration etc
 
Hmm,Anyone? i bet i can get my blacks better not that is bad but still i can notice the low contrast
the lagom test detect 261 (i'm not a photographer neither i print often) for now so i need
the best settings for movies,games,surfing etc for now.Maximum (blacks,contrast)
Would love hear some suggestions or a short guide ;)

Thanks.
 
Hmm,Anyone? i bet i can get my blacks better not that is bad but still i can notice the low contrast
the lagom test detect 261 (i'm not a photographer neither i print often) for now so i need
the best settings for movies,games,surfing etc for now.Maximum (blacks,contrast)
Would love hear some suggestions or a short guide ;)

Thanks.


The question is what did you do? It is hard to get that low without trying very hard. Did you set a target brightness of something low like 80 cd/m2 ??

My contrast is consistently ~700 before calibration and just a little less after:
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1032929434&postcount=3

Find the factory reset and do that. Make sure you don't have "low brightness mode" on.

Turn off colorcomp.

If you have a Older SV software like I do, I find it better because instead of a target brightness you can choose manual mode and turn down brightness to a minimum. This enables maximum contrast.

Have a look at the discussion with Surly who was having similar issues:
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1033448423&postcount=38
 
The question is what did you do? It is hard to get that low without trying very hard. Did you set a target brightness of something low like 80 cd/m2 ??

My contrast is consistently ~700 before calibration and just a little less after:
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1032929434&postcount=3

Find the factory reset and do that. Make sure you don't have "low brightness mode" on.

Turn off colorcomp.

If you have a Older SV software like I do, I find it better because instead of a target brightness you can choose manual mode and turn down brightness to a minimum. This enables maximum contrast.

Have a look at the discussion with Surly who was having similar issues:
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1033448423&postcount=38

Thanks! dude ill try that ;) should i change the black level also?
 
Hi,

Is hardware calibration still possible with the European NEC MultiSync 2490WUXi2?
(Supposing I manage to get the NEC SpectraView II software.)
In that case, is the X-Rite i1 Display 2 colorimeter compatible?

Apart from the higher contrast ratio (1000:1 vs 800:1), is there any significant difference between the 2490WUXi and the 2490WUXi2 ?

Many thanks for your help.

lélé
 
Thanks! dude ill try that ;) should i change the black level also?

Black level is correct at default (don't remember the value). If you make it lower you don't make black blacker, you just add more black crush.

You might feel like mess with the black level to correct some videos that have improper 16--235 to 0-255 mapping, but that is better done by the video playback software IMO.
 
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I read in the prad review that this monitor converts 24p to 60hz, causing 24p movies to have motion judder... anyone can second this? is there a solution to fix this?
 
I read in the prad review that this monitor converts 24p to 60hz, causing 24p movies to have motion judder... anyone can second this? is there a solution to fix this?

Pretty much all monitors do this. First of all you would have to have a video card that will produce 24fps output, a software player that will output 24fps, and a monitor that accepted 24Hz input, and the monitor would have to convert it to even multiple of 24fps. Name one monitor that does this that isn't a TV?

IMO 24fps itself sucks, and I see motion judder just from it being 24fps at the theater all the time. I don't see any worse on my 60Hz TV or 60Hz monitor. I wish they would up this to at least 48fps (some IMax movies are shot are 48fps).
 
Hi,

Is hardware calibration still possible with the European NEC MultiSync 2490WUXi2?
(Supposing I manage to get the NEC SpectraView II software.)
In that case, is the X-Rite i1 Display 2 colorimeter compatible?

Apart from the higher contrast ratio (1000:1 vs 800:1), is there any significant difference between the 2490WUXi and the 2490WUXi2 ?

Many thanks for your help.

lélé

Yes its possible there is no reason to worrie.
2490WUXI2 aint got polarizer other then that i think they are almost same
however the polarizer is rare and unique tech to have so imho the first version
is better.

@ Snowdog thanks again ;)
 
Does anyone know if the 2490WUXI2 displays 480P correctly?

Yes.

If it's the 3:2 ratio 480p it will do it properly in aspect mode. If it's the 16:9 mode, you have to set it as a custom scaling in the monitor's OSD for that specific mode.
 
I found that 480p had tearing on the original 2490. Did they ever fix that?
 
I read in the prad review that this monitor converts 24p to 60hz, causing 24p movies to have motion judder... anyone can second this? is there a solution to fix this?
No way to fix it. You will have to live with the judder (!= the effect of the low temporal resolution of the source material). But there are very few computer displays that can display refreshrates != 60Hz correctly. The 2490 is no LCD-TV alternative (and doesn't want to be that). Ironically the cheap Acer B223W (TN-Panel) was (to name one example) quite flexible in this relation.

If it's the 3:2 ratio 480p it will do it properly in aspect mode. If it's the 16:9 mode, you have to set it as a custom scaling in the monitor's OSD for that specific mode.
In addition (because I can't think of a 480p signal with a DAR and SAR of 3:2) : The 2490 assumes always square pixels per default so you have to use the custom settings for scaling also with 480p (4:3 DAR, 3:2 SAR) signals and of course the already mentioned 480p (16:9 DAR, 3:2 SAR) signals. Which is absolute trouble-free.

Best regards

Denis
 
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Yes.

If it's the 3:2 ratio 480p it will do it properly in aspect mode. If it's the 16:9 mode, you have to set it as a custom scaling in the monitor's OSD for that specific mode.

According to NEC it should.

I found that 480p had tearing on the original 2490. Did they ever fix that?

I should have been more clear. What Toasty is saying is what I wanted to talking about. I sent back my 2007 unit because of a broken OSD button and received a late 2008 refurb 2490wuxi that still tears at 480P resolution.

It is isn't really that important, but I find the 2490wuxi to be a really good monitor for Xbox and PS3. I have a VGA cable for the WII, but tearing is annoying so I don't use it with the NEC.
 
Have anyone actually received the 2490WUXi2 yet and can do a side by side comparison with the original?
 
why is NEC so expensive?

Their high-end line of monitors are geared towards professionals.. in other words, people who can justify dropping $1000+ on a monitor. They also know people will pay a significant premium for quality.
 
Have anyone actually received the 2490WUXi2 yet and can do a side by side comparison with the original?
I would be very interested in such comparison!

I am afraid the dark tones not to be very consistent on the whole surface of the monitor without the A-TW polarizer.
 
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