LG L203wt, the best alternative to NEC 20wmgx2

S

steveng

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Messages
145
just saw this on futureshop website today. http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10071963&catid=
It might be possible that L203WT shares the same panel as 20wmgx2. just like 20wgx2, L203T is the cheaper version of M203T.

Press release from LG
M203WX – To meet the needs of even the most demanding multimedia users, LG’s M203WX is a must-have for gamers, movie buffs and digital photographers. Complete with a 20-inch wide screen, 8ms response time, stunning 1,680 x 1,050 resolution and 300cd/m2 brightness, this monitor is an enthusiast’s dream. With a 4-in-2 memory card slot, memory cards can be inserted directly into the monitor to view images, eliminating the need to download images to the computer before viewing. The M203WX is also compatible with any MMC, MS, SD and CF card. Featuring 5W x 5W multi-media speakers, and a slew of on-screen viewing options, including picture-in-picture, picture-by-picture and picture-on picture, the M203WX gives users several viewing options. Complete with DVI, CVBS, S-video and Component video inputs, creating even more opportunities for consumers to enjoy the unique features of this monitor. Its sister model, the L203WT, offers many of the same amenities, in addition to an impressive 700:1 contrast ratio and LG’s proprietary f-Engine technology.
 
nice, but i think ill take the 2005fpw for $350. Id take that in a sec, but i dont have enough $ :(
 
LG seems to be the best bang for the buck considering that it is HDCP ready.
 
steveng said:
LG seems to be the best bang for the buck considering that it is HDCP ready.
Click to expand...

Did LG list the monitor as HDCP ready? It's too bad the bezel isn't very thin.
 
I took the bullet and bought this thang from futureshop. will post pictures soon
 
first impressions so far
back lights are uniform
no dead pixel
black is frigging black and deep
the colors shift if view at an angle from the side
whether it is HDCP compliant or not, i can't tell. The monitor is too new and according to futureshop, it is exclusive to them.
efd9052e.jpg

the light on the right is due to sun light from window

efd90171.jpg

I didn't notice any ghosting in bf2 and everything looked smooth with my x800xl. another thing i like about this monitor so far is the f-engine function much like DVC on NEC 20wmgx2 i supposed. it has four presets: normal, user, text and movie. by selecting movie it gives the deepest black and colour were reletively more vivid.
efd8f43e.jpg

efd8e3a7.jpg

all pic taken with f-function set to movie
 
just emailed them about the color and the panel but forgot about HDCP. will email again once i get their reply.
 
If this monitor has HDCP then it would be a pretty good deal for its price. The only question I have is if the NEC is worth the extra money.

Based on the stats...

NEC 20WMGX2

470 cd/m2
1600:1
6ms
$879 @ http://www.directdial.com (Not sure if this is lowest price in Canada or not)


LG L203WT

300 cd/m2
1400:1
8ms
$699.99 CAN @ Futureshop

This is a tough choice for me since I'm looking for a good gaming LCD.
 
Skyviper said:
If this monitor has HDCP then it would be a pretty good deal for its price. The only question I have is if the NEC is worth the extra money.

Based on the stats...

NEC 20WMGX2

470 cd/m2
1600:1
6ms
$879 @ http://www.directdial.com (Not sure if this is lowest price in Canada or not)


LG L203WT

300 cd/m2
1400:1
8ms
$699.99 CAN @ Futureshop

This is a tough choice for me since I'm looking for a good gaming LCD.
Click to expand...

if you think that being able to watch TV on your monitor is essential then get 20wmgx2. i would've got 20wgx2 if it was available in NA. because i dun watch TV very often, paying $200 extra for something i don't use is not worth to me. i say give L203 a shot. if u don't like it, you can always return it within 15 days. but you can't do that with directdial. they don't accept return for non-defective items. when you try out the LG at futureshop, be sure to play with the f-engine botton cuz the difference would be day and nite.
 
steveng said:
if you think that being able to watch TV on your monitor is essential then get 20wmgx2. i would've got 20wgx2 if it was available in NA. because i dun watch TV very often, paying $200 extra for something i don't use is not worth to me. i say give L203 a shot. if u don't like it, you can always return it within 15 days. but you can't do that with directdial. they don't accept return for non-defective items. when you try out the LG at futureshop, be sure to play with the f-engine botton cuz the difference would be day and nite.
Click to expand...

I'll probably end up buying the LG if it's not that much of an improvement over the NEC, but I'm waiting for some reviews first before I pull the trigger. I'm currently using a fairly new 19" CRT so I'm in no hurry to buy it.
 
got the words from LG. here is their reply to my email regarding the panel used for this monitor.
Thank you for contacting LG Electronics. This model is an 8-bit S-IPS monitor. For assistance with your computer-related inquiry, please call our Computer Support Department at 1-800-243-0000 or 256-772-1515. Please make sure your computer is accessible when you call in order for our technicians to assist you in troubleshooting. Our Computer Support Technicians are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Thank you again for contacting LG Electronics. Cyndi E-mail Administrator Customer Interactive Center LGEAI

I think at this point it is more convincing this is the best alternative to new NEC 20".
 
Sgt_Strider said:
It also say it's HDCP compliant too. Maybe someone can e-mail LG USA or Canada and ask?
Click to expand...
Here is what the LG rep replied to me:
Please visit http://tinyurl.com/s4f72 for the L203WT specifications. This monitor is not HDCP compliant.
My response:
On LG Japan website and www.futureshop.ca, they say this monitor is
HDCP compliant. I guess their information are not correct then.

Their reponse again:
Thank you for inquiring of LG Electronics.

Regretfully, we do not have information or specifications regarding specifications for products manufactured for sale or use in markets outside of the United States.

Most LG products are designed specifically for the country or region in which purchased. While the product may have the same model number as in another country, and even the physical appearance may be the same, the internal components will be different in accordance with requirements of that country.

Thank you again for contacting LG Electronics.
 
Zer0Zer06 said:
This monitor may not have an S-IPS panel - in spite of what LG told you.

See page 5 of a review at :
http://www.behardware.com/articles/598-2/20-inches-lcd-p-mva-vs-s-ips.html
Click to expand...
what about page 5? they used L2040P not L203wt. k i know wut you r saying now
i re-read the article and tried their view angle test. the view angle is wide both horizontally and vertically and i can't see any change in colors by viewing at 45 degree. however, when the background is white, it does look yellowish if looking at it from the side and above. i hope people who own 20wmgx2 can comment on this. whether white colour turns yellowish or not.
 
i think the point Zer0Zer06 was making and so was the link is that this monitor might use VA panel rather than S-ISP. AS-ISP and S-ISP are pretty much the same in terms of characteristics, as far as i am concerned. on anandtech there's a thread about LCD manufactures and the panels they used. L203wt is there on list and it says it used s-isp. i am not too concerned about the panel inside since it was perfect out of the box. no dead pixel, no backlight bleed, no screen door effect like other 20" WS, namely, V2025, fp202w, Dell 2005 and NEC 20wgx2. maybe i got lucky but this one serves my needs.
 
i saw this monitor at bestbuy today. they were selling it at $499.99. i guess they offer better price than internet stores.
 
steveng said:
i think the point Zer0Zer06 was making and so was the link is that this monitor might use VA panel rather than S-ISP. AS-ISP and S-ISP are pretty much the same in terms of characteristics, as far as i am concerned. on anandtech there's a thread about LCD manufactures and the panels they used. L203wt is there on list and it says it used s-isp. i am not too concerned about the panel inside since it was perfect out of the box. no dead pixel, no backlight bleed, no screen door effect like other 20" WS, namely, V2025, fp202w, Dell 2005 and NEC 20wgx2. maybe i got lucky but this one serves my needs.
Click to expand...


the panel inside makes a big difference, I'm not sure which it is but since its boasting 1400 : 1 contrast ratio, it cant be SIPS 0.0 so it has to be as-ips i sw it today at future shop right next to a shiney 19" PVA type =p the blacks werent as black but they were blacker then my 20" SIPS for sure
 
Today I looked at a 2005FPW ( Dell has kiosks at two Malls here in Edmonton)
which definately does have an S-IPS panel & which exibits the characteristic
violet hue on a black background when seen from a tight side angle.
I then checked out an LG 203wt at Future Shop & did the same test ..... no violet
noticed at all. This confirms, to me at least, that the panel is an P-MVA made
no doubt by AU Optronics. This is not a bad thing as they're somewhat a
compromise between TN & S-IPS in terms of color, angles, & speed.
For an excellent resource on lcd panels go to : http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/
 
Zer0Zer06 said:
Today I looked at a 2005FPW ( Dell has kiosks at two Malls here in Edmonton)
which definately does have an S-IPS panel & which exibits the characteristic
violet hue on a black background when seen from a tight side angle.
I then checked out an LG 203wt at Future Shop & did the same test ..... no violet
noticed at all. This confirms, to me at least, that the panel is an P-MVA made
no doubt by AU Optronics. This is not a bad thing as they're somewhat a
conpromise between TN & S-IPS in terms of color, angles, & speed.
For an excellent resource on lcd panels go to : http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/
Click to expand...

Well the LG 203WT isnt supposed to be S-IPS its supposed to be AS-IPS which boasts higher contrast ratios then PVA type panel
 
Zer0Zer06 said:
steveng reports that LG e-mailed him to say : " This model is an 8-bit S-IPS monitor. "
Click to expand...

where did he say that ? 0.0 he said they didnt have info on it or w/e cuz hes out of canada / us?
 
Digital Viper-X- said:
the panel inside makes a big difference, I'm not sure which it is but since its boasting 1400 : 1 contrast ratio, it cant be SIPS 0.0 so it has to be as-ips i sw it today at future shop right next to a shiney 19" PVA type =p the blacks werent as black but they were blacker then my 20" SIPS for sure
Click to expand...
did you play with the f-engine botton? the f-engine is where the monitor really shines.
 
Zer0Zer06 said:
Today I looked at a 2005FPW ( Dell has kiosks at two Malls here in Edmonton)
which definately does have an S-IPS panel & which exibits the characteristic
violet hue on a black background when seen from a tight side angle.
I then checked out an LG 203wt at Future Shop & did the same test ..... no violet
noticed at all. This confirms, to me at least, that the panel is an P-MVA made
no doubt by AU Optronics. This is not a bad thing as they're somewhat a
compromise between TN & S-IPS in terms of color, angles, & speed.
For an excellent resource on lcd panels go to : http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/
Click to expand...
can't be P-MVA because the view angle on 203wt is a lot wider than P-MVA. Also Viewsonic v2025 uses P-MVA and the contrast ratio is not even higher than 1000:1.
 
steveng said:
did you play with the f-engine botton? the f-engine is where the monitor really shines.
Click to expand...

yea i did but they had hte monitor on a splitter not even running on native rez :( so i couldnt really test much, it definetly looked blacker then my BenQ and dell 2001fp, :p But I need something that moves around like my benQ i cant have it sitting on a base like that

BTW Dell 2405FPW is up for 849CAD atm
 
Digital Viper-X- said:
yea i did but they had hte monitor on a splitter not even running on native rez :( so i couldnt really test much, it definetly looked blacker then my BenQ and dell 2001fp, :p But I need something that moves around like my benQ i cant have it sitting on a base like that

BTW Dell 2405FPW is up for 849CAD atm
Click to expand...
where did you find that deal?
 
Digital Viper-X- said:
its Dell 12 days of deals
2005FPW = 499 Canadian
2405FPW = 849 Canadian

both have free shipping too
Today only
Click to expand...
wow very attempting. 849 is the lowest it can go i think. are you going to buy it?
 
steveng said:
wow very attempting. 849 is the lowest it can go i think. are you going to buy it?
Click to expand...


I was thinking about it, if I Can sell my 2001FP then yea but otherwise no =p I really want AS-IPS =p Also I dont wanna make it so i can max out games on my Videocard :(
 
charliebrown78 said:
i saw this monitor at bestbuy today. they were selling it at $499.99. i guess they offer better price than internet stores.
Click to expand...



I have been to the Best Buy's of 3 different cities in the last couple days and haven't seen it in any of those, nor is it on their website.
 
In an earlier post I stated that the L203wt panel was probably P-MVA ------- WRONG!

I bought a L203wt today at Future Shop - clear text, no backlight bleed, no dead pixels.
But poor viewing angles - color seems to shift from top of screen to bottom and from a sharp angle from below the screen goes dark. Also had a heck of a time trying to duplicate theme colors I use with my Samsung 172T. Is this a 6 bit TN panel ? Sure acts like it.

But here's the kicker : powering on monitor with menu button pressed reveals a hidden
service menu screen. Information there clearly states the panel is " LPL20W TN " Don't know what LPL means but 20W is obvious. So is TN.

Monitors in other areas may have different panels : jddesigned reports a Swedish site
at 16.2 million ( 6-bit, TN ) and steveng reports LG Japan at 16.7 million ( 8-bit, ? )
 
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