Black levels in U2711

[ciobi]

I've been reading about LCD monitors on this and other forums and several things show up regularly but there seem to be some contradictions about H-IPS monitors:

1) (expensive) NEC monitors with H-IPS panels and A-TW polarizers have great black levels, much better than any LCD from Dell.
2) NEC and Dell use the same (or similar) H-IPS panels, but NEC sometimes adds polarizers
3) NEC state in their FAQ at http://www.necdisplay.com/supportcenter/monitors/spectraview2/faq/ that the polarizer is supposed to help with "viewing very dark images at extreme angles"; they say it's for S-IPS, but I guess it's the same for H-IPS; well, if it's for extreme angles, why are these reports of great black levels?

I'm really thinking of getting a U2711. It seems to do pretty much all I want, but I'm concerned about black levels, esp. for watching movies. Are the NECs really so much better? I still use a 21" Trinitron CRT, but I'd like something bigger. Here are my requirements, in case somebody has some other suggestion (although it seems that such monitors don't exist):
- vertical resolution at least 1400;
- unnoticeable light coming from black areas of the screen (at least when sitting in front of it);
- colors shouldn't change too much as I turn my head; they are good enough if they stay pretty much the same as I move from being in front of the left edge of the screen to the right edge, at 60cm(2ft) from the screen; I'm sort of OK with a bit less than this, but seeing significantly different colors of something on the screen with the left and the right eye is not acceptable;


I realize that when being close to the monitor and looking front on at the left side of the screen, the right side is at a significant angle, so I guess the polarizer would help in such a case. What I'm more concerned with is that there is significant light from black areas even when you get farther away and the angle to any side of the screen gets closer to 90.

Oh, and one last question: what is the difference between H-IPS and S-IPS from a user's point of view? All I could find is that they use a different-shaped pixel, but how does that make H-IPS better (or worse) than S-IPS when you use the monitor for text or movies?

(I can't just go to some store and see some NEC and Dell monitors and play with the settings because nobody has them close to where I live, so I'll have to order based on reviews and opinions gathered from the web.)

Thanks

 

[wagsrules]

The NEC a-tw polarizer was used to reduce white glow i believe which is common on IPS panels and was highly prized. I don't think NEC uses this anymore on any lcd as LG has discontinued it.

 

[Solstice]

Oh, and one last question: what is the difference between H-IPS and S-IPS from a user's point of view? All I could find is that they use a different-shaped pixel, but how does that make H-IPS better (or worse) than S-IPS when you use the monitor for text or movies?

The subpixel layout on H-IPS monitors lends itself really well to text, the edges of the subpixels are squared off at the edges and when you look at them dead close you can see how tightly packed in they are, not wasting any space like S-IPS did.

A-TW polarizer can't be underestimated either, when showing an all black screen you can't even tell if its powered on or not. As I'm writing this now on my NEC 2690 the black background of the [H] forum is the same colour as the plastic black bezel on the monitor.
The worst thing to ever happen to LCD tech was its manufacture coming to an end.

 

[daveswantek]

The NEC a-tw polarizer was used to reduce white glow i believe which is common on IPS panels and was highly prized. I don't think NEC uses this anymore on any lcd as LG has discontinued it.

I don't think the ATW polarizer was ever used on a 30 panel of any make or model. That is why I have not bought one. The only display I know of that had it was the 2490WUXi.

It is a drag, because larger panels really need this.

Dave

 

[Godmachine]

No one understands why NEC decided to stop doing A-TW polarizing .. I really wish they would reconsider putting it back on there models or atleast announce a newer one with it. It solves pretty much the single most annoying thing about ips panels.