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Comparing 23" IPS monitors

A

allen200

Weaksauce
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
120
Hello guys, this is my first post here and im looking for a good 23" ips monitor for under $300. after research, ive narrowed it down to these. what do you guys think.

dell u2311h: this seems popular, but ive recently learned that although being ips, it uses a 6-bit panel + a technical dithering process to simulate its colors, accounting for grainy whites/grays that people mistake for bad ag coating. i guess this is why its so cheap as ips panels usually debut for much more. it might have been discussed before but some of it is described here:

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/news_archive/23.htm#colour_depths

this youtube link compares the u2311h to a true 8-bit isp screen (a 16:10 2209wa). notice the difference in color, veiwing angle, and sharpness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM9SbBB2ng0

LG E2370v-bf: i cant find any info on this panel. newegg lists it for sale at just $239. an led version with cheap stand and frame, but probably better than the u2311h as lg actually supplies them their screens. who knows.

Nec EA232WMi: also an led, and most likely the same thing as lg's. both are probably 6-bit too. i guess it comes down to which frame you prefer.

Nec EA231WMi: this is the prequel to the ea232wmi, and rather old? but it seems this is a true 8-bit 1080p ips panel, a rarity?
 
EA231WMi is about the same age as u2311h, but is uses an 8 bit panel, so if you want true color, this is the one for you, though the u2311h isn't far behind the nec.

I don't like the lg and the newer nec simply because they use edge led backlighting, which results in worse uniformity. They should stick to using ccfl or full led arrays for ips panels.
 
ah i hadnt known it was so current, thanks. it even has some energy efficiency spec. well, it was down to this monitor and a 2209wa i had been tracking on ebay. but after my lowball bid was crushed i pulled the trigger on the ea231wmi today. $274 from newegg. i will report back after it arrives and after i test it some.
 
allen200 said:
Nec EA231WMi: this is the prequel to the ea232wmi, and rather old? but it seems this is a true 8-bit 1080p ips panel, a rarity?
Click to expand...

Yes. Nearly all e-IPS panel models manufactured by LG Display are 6-bit panels.

There are only two 8-bit e-IPS panel models (I don't know off the top of my head). One is a 21.5" panel which seems to be definite. The other is a 23" panel used by the EA231WMi apparently, but it has not been confirmed.

Several comparisons between the Dell U2311 and the NEC EA231WMi seems to indicate that the panel used in the NEC is 8-bit.
 
JaguarSKX said:
Yes. Nearly all e-IPS panel models manufactured by LG Display are 6-bit panels.

There are only two 8-bit e-IPS panel models (I don't know off the top of my head). One is a 21.5" panel which seems to be definite. The other is a 23" panel used by the EA231WMi apparently, but it has not been confirmed.

Several comparisons between the Dell U2311 and the NEC EA231WMi seems to indicate that the panel used in the NEC is 8-bit.
Click to expand...

The 2490WUXI2 is definitely 8 bit.
 
alienate said:
The 2490WUXI2 is definitely 8 bit.
Click to expand...

The NEC LCD2490WUXi2 was not mentioned by anyone in this thread except for you.

Of course, the NEC LCD2490WUXi2 is an 8-bit monitor. It uses a H-IPS panel, not the lesser e-IPS panel.
 
just a quick word for anyone tracking this thread. my ea231wmi did arrive and i played with it for about 1.5 weeks. in a word, it was perfect. the detail u see in images are incredible, and colors are very realistic.

unfortunately for me this was my first 23" 1080p display and i just couldnt get used to the small pixel pitch. adjusting for this is a futile effort, as windows cant make text larger without enlarging everything else, taking all thumbnails and icons out of their native size. ie is no different. firefox lets you adjust text size without messing with images, but adjustments aren't saved. you have to keep adjusting for every new site you go to. lots of adjustments. fortunately newegg is very lenient on their returns and im sending this back this tomorrow. for anyone ok with this pixel pitch, this monitor is fantastic.

i guess my only choices now are 22" @ 1050p, or 24"+ @ 1080p. i have a feeling ill be giving up quality though.
 
allen200 said:
i found this very telling video on youtube. ea231wmi vs u2311h dark detail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCAf0oj8VBw

my ea231wmi still hasnt arrived yet. but i think i made the right choice. now i just hope there arent any deal pixels, as nec's support is no where near dell's.
Click to expand...

I have to address this. I've now done RMA's twice with NEC, and they are flat out amazing. Polite and nice on the phone. Both times I reported the defect in the AM, and had an RMA number and a FedEx label in my inbox in the PM. Not to mention they ship the replacement OVERNIGHT to you.
 
I have two of these and absolutely love them, the crazy thread dedicated to this monitor is a testament to how many people like it. If the newer version of this screen the ea232 is in fact an inferior 6 bit panel then I am sad to hear they made this screen worse in 2011. I'll be getting a third 231 to finish my eyefinity setup instead of the 232 as my middle monitor.
 
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