Dell U3014 unboxing :)

[Zetc]

U3014 specific monitor stand...

Instruction manual, drivers disc, velcro strip, power cables, display port to mini display port cable, dual link DVI cable, USB 3.0 cable, calibration report.

Nice semi-glossy coating

Connectivity options

Side USB 3.0 ports and card reader

Brushed aluminum-like plastic bezel

U3011 on the left and U3014 on the right

Dell U3014 bezel width: 2.3cm
Dell U3011 bezel width: 2.5cm

Dell U3014 power usage at 50% brightness and contrast:

Dell U3011 power usage at 50% brightness and contrast:

Did a comparison of both monitors with my Lumix LX-5... pardon my poor photography skills, I did try to keep the settings constant as best as I know how... =\

Color comparison at 50% brightness and contrast (f2.0, ISO 100, exposure bias: 0 step):
U3011 (Left) | U3014 (Right)
Black

(f2.0, ISO 400, exposure bias: 0 step)

White

Red

Green

Blue

Yellow

Grey

Update (25 Mar 2013):
So, now that I've had more time with the U3014 and U3011, I noticed that white backgrounds on the U3014 definitely seem a little more yellow compared to the U3011...

U3011 | U3014

I decided to call up Dell to send a replacement U3014... so in the meantime, I have 2 U3014s and 1 U3011...
the replacement U3014 turned out to be more yellow than my first U3014...

U3011 | U3014 | U3014 (replacement)

I think with a little recalibration, the U3014 would have a proper color temperature, because changing the color temperature on the U3014 seems to rid of the yellow tint.
I'm thinking this is probably a side effect of the GB-LED being used with 1 primary color (probably the red phosphor) not being "strong" enough?

Will send back the replacement U3014 and keep my original U3014 which is almost perfect.

In the meantime.... here's some 3 x 30" goodness

Really tempted to get a permanent 3 x 30" setup


17 May 2013 Update:
Thought I'll provide another update..

So, I got myself another U3014 after selling off my U3011
As the Dell provided miniDP to DP cable is quite short (1.8m), I bought a 2m DP to DP cable and used the DP to miniDP adapter that came with my MSI 7950.

Turns out the U3014 is rather sensitive to the DisplayPort cable being used...
Here's why:



So far, I have tried a 2m DP to DP cable, a 3m DP to DP cable and a 3m DP to miniDP cable with varying degrees of success.

Quality wise, the 2m DP to DP cable was the lousiest followed by the 3m DP to DP cable and then the 3m DP to miniDP cable.

Observations with various cables:
2m DP to DP cable manufactured by Copartner:
(connected with DP to miniDP adapter to graphics card)
Image distortion seen shortly after plugging in.
After pressing the power button on the monitor to turn it off, the monitor will not turn on again by pressing the power button. DP cable has to be disconnected before monitor will turn on via power button.

3m DP to DP cable manufactured by Pak Heng:
(connected with DP to miniDP adapter to graphics card)
Image distortion occurs randomly.
After pressing the power button on the monitor to turn it off, the monitor will not turn on again by pressing the power button. DP cable has to be disconnected before monitor will turn on via power button.
Was able to split open the DP connector casing and noted that pin 20 is not connected with any wires.

3m DP to miniDP cable manufactured by Pak Heng:
No image distortion after long periods of usage.
However, after pressing the power button on the monitor to turn it off, the monitor will not turn on again by pressing the power button. DP cable has to be disconnected before monitor will turn on via power button.

(Cable manufacturer can be identified by reading the printing on the cable)

I have tried the 2 DP to DP cables on a Dell U2713HM with the DP to miniDP adapter and the monitor worked fine with both cables with no image distortion. The U2713HM was also able to power off and on via the power button with no issues.

Tried the DP to miniDP adapter with the Dell supplied DP to miniDP cable and the U3014 powers off and on with no problems and no image distortion. This shows that the DP to miniDP adapter does not cause any issues.

Finally, I decided to purchase some DP to DP cables from Accell as they are the only company with DisplayPort certified cables so far.



Order them both from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CD1FB3A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0098HVXVQ/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Observations with Accell cables manufactured by Bizlink:
Both 2m and 3m DP to DP cables (connected via DP to miniDP adapter to graphics card) worked very well with the U3014.
The U3014 was able to power off and on again without any issues and had no image distortion.

Hope this helps anyone out there who needs to use a longer DP cable


26 May 2013 Update:

Just a quick note to MacBook users who are connecting to this monitor via Thunderbolt / DisplayPort.

It seems that the input is mistakenly assumed to be YPbPr instead of RGB, which causes the display output from a MacBook (well, at least my rMBP 15") to be terrible.

The following link was invaluable in solving the issue: http://ireckon.net/2013/03/force-rg...ix-the-picture-quality-of-an-external-monitor

Cliff Notes:

1. Download http://embdev.net/attachment/168316/patch-edid.rb (Ruby script)
2. Run "ruby patch-edid.rb" - this should create a folder like "DisplayVendorID-10ac"
3. Copy it to /System/Library/Displays/Overrides

 

[markkin]

does the displayport mst work? can you connect the dell u3011 via the u3014 displayport mst?

 

[Zetc]

does the displayport mst work? can you connect the dell u3011 via the u3014 displayport mst?

Yup, I can connect the U3011 via the U3014's displayport out.
Seems to work only in duplicate mode though.. no idea how to get it to do extend mode.
ATI Catalyst detects only the U3014 in this instance.

 

[RogueTadhg]

Debezel!

 

[Filiprino]

Yup, I can connect the U3011 via the U3014's displayport out.
Seems to work only in duplicate mode though.. no idea how to get it to do extend mode.
ATI Catalyst detects only the U3014 in this instance.

I think you have to explicitly put de U3014 in DisplayPort 1.2 mode.

 

[Zetc]

Debezel!

Can't bear to tear it apart

 

[Zetc]

I think you have to explicitly put de U3014 in DisplayPort 1.2 mode.

It's already set to Displayport 1.2 mode. The MST only works in DP1.2.
Oh well...

 

[NightWolf88]

Nice, thanks for posting. Looks good.

So we all want to know how it performs - initial impressions? What the anti-glare coating like, is it as bad as the 3011 was?

Can you tell the difference between the U3014 and the 3011?

Do you get a screen door effect with text, especially on a white background?

My Samsung 305T just kicked the bucket, looking for a new 30".

 

[Zetc]

Anti-glare coating is better than the U3011.
From afar, you won't really notice any differences unless you go up close and scrutinize. I think the U3011 and U3014 are both great monitors.
I prefer the look of the U3011 although I'll choose the U3014 for its lower power consumption and less heat output.

There's less backlight bleed on the U3014 compared to the U3011. Will take some photos of both the monitors later at night when I'm back home.
I think the white on the U3014 looks a bit yellowish compared to the U3011... will try to take a photo of this.

Not sure about the screen door effect with text on a white background... if you are referring to the mesh like grid lines on the screen, that's present on every LCD if you stared very closely (couple of CMs away) at the screen.

 

[Zetc]

One thing I seem to notice is the so-called dynamic contrast feature happening... like when I play a video and go from full screen to windowed mode, I notice the brightness of the screen adjusting over the video window area. Not sure what to make out of it as it doesn't happen on the U3011.

 

[NightWolf88]

Thanks for the initial review. So is the U3014 worth it over the now cheaper 3011?

 

[Zetc]

That's a hard question to answer... the difference in price between the U3014 and U3011 is enough to buy me a Dell S series S2440L 24" Monitor with LED....

In my opinion, both the U3014 and U3011 are good enough for my needs. I would probably pick the U3014 because it runs cooler... might go 3x30" one day, so less heat is good.

Some people would want the hardware calibration capability of the U3014 (although it's limited to the XRITE calibrators only).

 

[ituggle]

Where are you that you have received this already?

nm. just saw info in other post.

 

[Tisca]

Too bad they continued with the same design as the U2412M (as others in the series) but had to increase the bezel thickness. It's like making ugly uglier. How big a power save are we talking about here? If the old model can be had for significantly cheaper I'd probably go for that.

 

[QwaarJet]

Approx half the wattage. 120W vs 250W on max brightness w/usb hub in use. Huge difference. I'm making the switch just to reduce the heat production in my home office.

 

[Zetc]

Too bad they continued with the same design as the U2412M (as others in the series) but had to increase the bezel thickness. It's like making ugly uglier. How big a power save are we talking about here? If the old model can be had for significantly cheaper I'd probably go for that.

The U3014 has a thinner bezel at 2.3cm compared to the U3011 at 2.5cm.

You are looking at around 35W power saving with both running at 50% brightness and contrast.

 

[Zetc]

Approx half the wattage. 120W vs 250W on max brightness w/usb hub in use. Huge difference. I'm making the switch just to reduce the heat production in my home office.

Yup, near half the difference.

 

[Zetc]

Have updated the first post with more info and photos...

At 50% brightness on both, the U3011 seems to have less backlight bleed. I had initially set the brightness on the U3014 to 35%, which when compared to the U3011 at 50%, had noticeably lesser backlight bleed.

 

[neojam]

Ehm, what's with that backlight bleeding on U3014? It doesn't look that bad on U3011 model..

 

[Zetc]

It's quite hard to capture an accurate photo for a "black" screen...
this photo is probably more accurate:

At 50% brightness and contrast on both monitors, the U3011 appears "blacker"

(the slight redness you see reflected on the shelf above the U3014 comes from the red glow leaking out from my PC on the right of my desk)

 

[neojam]

At 50% brightness and contrast on both monitors, the U3011 appears "blacker"

Definitely and unlike the U3014 model it has no backlight bleeding...

 

[Zetc]

Definitely and unlike the U3014 model it has no backlight bleeding...

Hard to say, unfortunately, I do not have the proper tool to calibrate/measure the brightness on both monitors (although they are both calibrated by Dell). So I'm just assuming 50% brightness and contrast on both monitors are equal....

I would say that whites on the U3011 are whiter than the U3014's.

 

[xoleras]

Definitely and unlike the U3014 model it has no backlight bleeding...

That is IPS glow. There is no way to eliminate IPS glow other than using a super thick, super harsh matte coating which the u3011 actually does use.

Keep in mind that IPS panels have maximum brightness nearly 20 times higher than that of TN or VA panels. This means that IPS glow will happen, but it isn't noticeable in real world use. IPS glow is going to be there on an IPS/PLS panel with semi glossy coating, period - because the IPS panel is blindingly bright, whereas other panel techs are not nearly as bright. The matte coating can offset this somewhat, but a semi glossy coating will not hide it. It doesn't matter though, you would never notice it during real world use unless you are OCD or do a test specifically looking for it.

 

[sun_bean]

Nice. like the U3014

 

[NightWolf88]

Nice, how do the colors compare between the two?

How is the readability of text etc? The AG coating being lighter on the U3014 vs the U3008/U3011 may make blacks a bit more washed but does the lighter coating help with general use, reading text etc?

I think the U3014 is factory calibrated where as the 3011 isn't calibrated (as least as well) as the U3014, or at least thats the indication I get from Dell's marketing material.

 

[sfor]

That is IPS glow. There is no way to eliminate IPS glow other than using a super thick, super harsh matte coating which the u3011 actually does use.

Keep in mind that IPS panels have maximum brightness nearly 20 times higher than that of TN or VA panels. This means that IPS glow will happen, but it isn't noticeable in real world use. IPS glow is going to be there on an IPS/PLS panel with semi glossy coating, period - because the IPS panel is blindingly bright, whereas other panel techs are not nearly as bright. The matte coating can offset this somewhat, but a semi glossy coating will not hide it. It doesn't matter though, you would never notice it during real world use unless you have total OCD / asperger's syndrome or do a test specifically looking for it.

Interesting post. I am sensitive to extra bright lcd displays, that's why I always look at said specs. So I 've ordered an ips eizo with quoted brightness as much as the va eizo I have. I can't see how it will be 20 times brighter...

 

[Zetc]

Nice, how do the colors compare between the two?

How is the readability of text etc? The AG coating being lighter on the U3014 vs the U3008/U3011 may make blacks a bit more washed but does the lighter coating help with general use, reading text etc?

I think the U3014 is factory calibrated where as the 3011 isn't calibrated (as least as well) as the U3014, or at least thats the indication I get from Dell's marketing material.

Not much differences in terms of color tone, just that I find that the whites and greys on the U3014 is more yellow. Not sure if that's something that can be corrected with a recalibration.

Text does appear a little sharper on the U3014 because of the less agressive AG coating.. It's only when I have both the monitors side by side that I notice the slight grainy rainbow effect on the U3011. If I didnt have the U3014, I would still be happy to use the U3011. It's still a very good monitor.

Both the U3014 and U3011 are factory calibrated by Dell.

 

[toMMMMM]

hmm

 

[crb806]

what color is the power LED on the 3014?

 

[Zetc]

what color is the power LED on the 3014?

White.
Blinking White on standby.

 

[Skott]

Thanks for posting the unboxing and all this info. It will be interesting to see how long the U3011 stays on the market. I'm thinking at some point Dell will want to get people to migrate to the U3014. Probably safe to say the U3011 production will stop this year at some point.

 

[soupcxan]

I wish Dell would hurry up and release the U3014 in the US. What's the holdup?

 

[TotallyCool]

what color is the power LED on the 3014?

Same as the color of electrical tape you put over it.

 

[Mysteriouskk]

Does the U3014 buzz when the brightness is lower than 80% like the U3011?

 

[Zetc]

No buzzing sound heard on both my U3014 and U3011. It's one of the things I check for when I first got them.

 

[NightWolf88]

Thanks for posting this info Zetc.

I think the 3011 might be 20nits brighter than the U3014. So that back light bleed must be bad on the U3014 given the U3011 would be brighter at the same brightness setting.

Whats the gaming/movie performance like?

 

[Zetc]

Thanks for posting this info Zetc.

I think the 3011 might be 20nits brighter than the U3014. So that back light bleed must be bad on the U3014 given the U3011 would be brighter at the same brightness setting.

Whats the gaming/movie performance like?

Haven't had time to game yet unfortunately...
Movie performance is alright. Didn't notice anything bad when watching videos full screen. Have turned off the Smart Video Enhance feature on the U3014 as it changes the color settings over a video playback in windowed mode. Didn't like that feature.

 

[jcochran]

Did you mix up units on the bezel width? 2.3 mm or 2.5 mm seems awfully thin. Perhaps centimeters instead of millimeters?

 

[Zetc]

Thanks for pointing that out! Just realized it... have corrected the typo.

 

[medavid16]

Appreciate all the info. Please keep us posted anything else you notice. Waiting for US release =(