NEC lcd question

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Ashcraft

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Hi! I am a graphic designer looking for a good LCD monitor for color critical work. I am working with the Mac 2.7 G5. I am not a gamer so I don't need advice related to that type of use. Photo retouching and print advertising design.

I have seen a lot of discussion about the NEC 2490 and 2690 and I have a few questions for those that are familiar with them -

1. Wondering what the main differences are other than size, of course. I know the color gamut is different, but is it significant to what is reproducable at this time? I am a bit confused about the color gamut issues.

2. Are there any issues with viewing angles? I seem to see mixed reviews on that.

3. What is the general life span of these type of monitors?

4. WHAT type of graphics card should be used to run these monitors?? My Mac currently has a ATI Radeon 9650. The cost of having to buy a new card, may tell me whether I can afford these monitors.

5. What type of screen do the NECs have? For instance, the matte screen on the Apple LCDs look "dirty" to me. like they have a layer of dust on them. Is that standard for a matte screen??

I'll leave it at that for now. I'm continuing to read, but this forum seems to have many schooled users and I THANK YOU in advance for any honest advice.

And if there are better monitors, or comparable but lower cost, I'd love to know that as well.

THANKS for reading!!
 
1. Check out the "92" Gamut Hype" thread: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1195664

2. Both are S-IPS panels, so no viewing angle issues for either. The 2470 is the one with viewing angle issues.

3. Can't answer this one. Longer than a CRT.

4. Anything with a DVI port, preferably.

5. Can't answer this one.
 
3. Lifespan should be about 40,000 hours which is the mean time between failure of the backlight. Otherwise they come with a standard 4 year warranty so you can expect atleast that long.
 
Ashcraft said:
4. WHAT type of graphics card should be used to run these monitors?? My Mac currently has a ATI Radeon 9650. The cost of having to buy a new card, may tell me whether I can afford these monitors.
Click to expand...
That card should work fine.

Ashcraft said:
5. What type of screen do the NECs have? For instance, the matte screen on the Apple LCDs look "dirty" to me. like they have a layer of dust on them. Is that standard for a matte screen??
Click to expand...
I know what you mean. The NEC has a mild anti-glare coating, not strong like the Apple.
 
I sincerely think that both are excellent choices for graphic design.
Otherwise there is the ColorEdge CG21.

travbomb said:
3. Lifespan should be about 40,000 hours which is the mean time between failure of the backlight. Otherwise they come with a standard 4 year warranty so you can expect atleast that long.
Click to expand...

That makes about 20 years at 40 hours a week...

Regards,

Tarc
 
Now that's a lifespan! ha.

Thanks, Tarc.

I hate to ask this question, but are there other somewhat comparable displays for a bit less money. I'm all about quality, and I know you get what you pay for, but...

I feel like it jumps from the NEC and Eizo great user reviews and then everything else sort of falls into the love or hate categories, which is strange to hear such varied reviews on the same monitors.

Apple 23" seems to either be loved or hated. Any thoughts?

Other S-IPS panels that are good when it comes to color work?

Thanks again for your responses!
 
Eizo, LaCie, or NEC for color critical work.

color critical LCD's are expensive, you're looking at a minimum $1600

those 3 brands are the top of the line brands for people doing graphics work
 
Dunan said:
Eizo, LaCie, or NEC for color critical work.
Click to expand...

When it comes to the 2490 and 2690, would you say the 2490 can do the job even though the difference in Adobe RBG gamut? I would assume so since the 2690 is the only one covering more.

What is it that makes these (top 3 in your opinion) so much better than other IPS monitors?

thanks again.
 
Ashcraft said:
When it comes to the 2490 and 2690, would you say the 2490 can do the job even though the difference in Adobe RBG gamut? I would assume so since the 2690 is the only one covering more.

What is it that makes these (top 3 in your opinion) so much better than other IPS monitors?

thanks again.
Click to expand...

Take a look through the below links and you will see why Eizo, NEC, and Lacie are the best for color owrk. All three offer control features comparable to no other display company out there.

http://www.necdisplay.com/cms/documents/ColorBrochures/90_Series_Brochure_1006.pdf

http://www.necdisplay.com/cms/documents/ColorBrochures/SpectraView LCD Brochure_0606.pdf

http://www.eizo-downloads.com/downloads/brochures/pdf/bro_ColorEdgeCG220.pdf

http://www.eizo-downloads.com/downloads/brochures/pdf/ColorEdgeCE.pdf

Note I did not post one for Lacie since they are made by NEC and are identical to the NEC 90 Series.
 
Thanks, Travbomb. I'll have a look.

Can you tell me - are the 2490 and 2690 identical apart from size and color gamut?
 
Ashcraft said:
Thanks, Travbomb. I'll have a look.

Can you tell me - are the 2490 and 2690 identical apart from size and color gamut?
Click to expand...

Essentially yes. Internally they are exactly the same.

The only differences are screen size, pixel pitch, and color gaumt coverage.
 
Ashcraft,

I mainly do besides web-browsing, email, etc., photo work (Photoshop, Lightroom, Scanning using Silverfast) and light CAD. After extensive reading here and other places and also testing a couple monitors on the way, I finally purchased the 2690 a couple weeks ago! I have the 2690 software calibrated using a GretagMcbeth Eye One Display Colorimeter with their current iDisplay software! Color rendition in this monitor is incredible...specially green and red as opposed to regular (72% Adobe RGB gamut) LCD monitors. You should keep in mind that the 2690 has the capability to be hardware calibrated using their own Spectraview software and take full benefit of the 14bit internal electronics! I have not done it yet...but I will eventually. So far, I am perfectly happy with my calibration as I have never seen (colors) it this good.

The 2490 is also a very nice monitor (same electronics), but for critical color work the 2690 is the way to go in my opinion and worth the extra couple hundred dollars!
 
Hey Alexg,
I've seen a lot of complaints about the 2690 having a buzz to it? does yours?

Travbomb, i know you said that's been fixed, but what about the monitors that were sent out prior to that? Also, seen a complaint about one sent back in and the noise is still there, but NEC claims it is within the standard.

i'm VERY hesitant to pay this much for a monitor and have it be anything but silent.

ALSO, is there anywhere to actually lay eyes on this monitor before buying? in the Los Angeles area. i checked with the two "resellers" that NEC lists for L.A. but they don't actually sell monitors.

thanks!
 
I maybe wrong but I don't think American users have suffered a lot of this sound issue.

-Tarc
 
Ashcraft said:
Hey Alexg,
I've seen a lot of complaints about the 2690 having a buzz to it? does yours?

Travbomb, i know you said that's been fixed, but what about the monitors that were sent out prior to that? Also, seen a complaint about one sent back in and the noise is still there, but NEC claims it is within the standard.

i'm VERY hesitant to pay this much for a monitor and have it be anything but silent.

ALSO, is there anywhere to actually lay eyes on this monitor before buying? in the Los Angeles area. i checked with the two "resellers" that NEC lists for L.A. but they don't actually sell monitors.

thanks!
Click to expand...

For the most part the noise issue was contained to Europe. This was because they took most of the early production run product. Any that made it to the US with the problem should be taken care of. Their should not be any product from that first production run around since we have sold through it all and no one really stocks this product without orders so there wont be any on random reseller shelves still.

I do not know of anyone in LA who will have one of these on display. I believe we are showing it at Infocomm in Anaheim later this month but thats about it.
 
and another couple o' questions...when it comes the the pixel pitch i have seen some people say that the pixel pitch "bothers them" on the 2690. does that mean fine detail, text is harder to focus? is the pitch on the 2490 better?

and when it comes to color i know the 2490 doesn't cover as much of the gamut as the 2690, but is the 2490 still a better monitor for color/design work than most of the other brands that carry 72% of the gamut?

basically, when comparing the 2490 and 2690, is the amount color gamut covered the only real difference?
 
I'm using a 21" monitor at 1680x1050 and it feels just about perfect. You'll find 20" monitors at 1680x1050 and I might find the text to be a tiny bit small on those. You'll also find 22" monitors at 1680x1050, and I might find the text on those to be a tiny bit too large.

1920x1200 is the common resolution for 24" monitors. So, for the NEC 26", you're going to have a little larger text, and a little larger everything else.

It really doesn't matter, though. If you feel that 1920x1200 is too low for a 26" and that the text is too big, just move the monitor back a couple of inches and its fixed.
 
UrielDagda said:
What kind of viewing angle issues with the 2470?
Click to expand...

Its an S-PVA panel, so its going to have horizontal color shifting. The will be a dark spot in the center of the monitor. These panels also crush blacks.
 
Scyles said:
Its an S-PVA panel, so its going to have horizontal color shifting. The will be a dark spot in the center of the monitor. These panels also crush blacks.
Click to expand...

Is it as sucky as TN LCDs?

I would prefer an S-IPS, but, those are priced for the filthy rich who can afford to build $5000 systems. :p
 
I don't think they're as bad as TN's because they offer better colors (true 8-bit), and though they do crush blacks, they still have better dark colors than TN. Check out P-MVA if you can't afford S-IPS. P-MVA has less of a viewing angle / color wash problem than S-PVA. There is a 20" Acer P-MVA at Newegg for about $240 and there is the 24" BenQ for around $600.
 
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