Official BenQ FP241W Thread !!! Info, Pictures, Reviews

[Nuvian]

Well I still don't know where the 2 others reported this but 3 is a LONG WAY from MANY reported in your original post.

Just maybe we should be little more carefull what info we post, not much imagination needed to see what BENQ FP241 basher will do with post like yours at other forums.

when a hand full of ppl here had the monitor,1 had heat issues+the other 2 i knew about i was quite worried it was a majour issue,i spoke a bit to urleay in my other post,and i apologize.

 

[notorious hsg]

guys i dont understand why anyone is concerned about viewing angles... when your on your PC are you sitting at any angle greater than say 20 degrees?..... i know when im using my PC im sitting directly infront..... viewing angle is a stupid statistic if you ask me..

now as for aspect ratio..... can anyone that has the monitor give us a pic of comparing a 16:9 image in its natural ratio.... then a 16:9 image stretched to 16:10.

more Xbox 360 images would be good too..... how about games that actually are good.. GRAW, Splinter Cell, DOA, COD2.... games which have good graphics...

 

[Smigit]

I think you may have answered half the issue yourself. If people do plan on using xbox ect then they probably arent sitting 3 feet from the monitor, if they are playying split screen then they will have to fan out. Id say that anyone using this with a console would do good to consider angles.

That said I havent heard any complaints until 1 now, so I cant imagine it being that bad at all.

 

[Detonate]

Got my monitor today and it looks fantastic! However I have one problem, when viewing a white screen, there is a small portion that looks darker than the other whites. When I push the screen near that spot (not on it), u see the liquid get pinched in that darker spot. Seems like something is pressing it from behind further forward. It's on the 1/4 mark from left to right horizontally in the center. Anyone else notice this?

Above all, no dead pixels.

 

[peTeMelster]

Well, the Dell/Samsung use a S-PVA panel I think and the BenQ uses a P-MVA I think. Do other people notice bad viewing angles? We care about viewing angles because when watching movies with others, if they aren't centered, then they won't have a good picture.

 

[Detonate]

That darker spot is bothering me now. Looking at my digi pictures, it looks like my lens was dirty. That dark spot is noticable on bright colors.

Should I contact newegg about this or Benq. I'm thinking about a replacement.

 

[cb474]

Well, the Dell/Samsung use a S-PVA panel I think and the BenQ uses a P-MVA I think. Do other people notice bad viewing angles? We care about viewing angles because when watching movies with others, if they aren't centered, then they won't have a good picture.

Yes, as I also said in my long post on viewing angles, I want a large monitor to use, in part, for watching movies with others. In this situation it is not possible for everyone to be directly in front of the monitor or even withing a 20 degree range of the monitor. So for this viewing angles matter.

Also, some people use monitors for presentations, with a number of people standing around. In this situation both horizontal and verticle viewing angles are going to matter.

Further (I don't think this applies to the Benq) some monitors have such bad viewing angles (especially on the verticle aspect) that even sitting directly in front of the monitor the contrast is not consistent at the top and bottom or each side of the monitor, versus the center. Since you in fact cannot look at an entire screen from the same angle at the same time (more true the larger the monitor).

So again, for people who have the monitor, I would be grateful if you could post images showing viewing angles.

 

[peTeMelster]

Yes, that is why I said viewing angle is important for watching movies. Someone asked and apparently didn't read that part, so I repeated it for them.

From the Chinese review site, the viewing angles look okay to me. Yeah, they lose contrast and vibrancy, but well...
http://www.it.com.cn/f/diy/069/4/319982_10.htm

I guess what I really want is a comparison to the Dell/Samsung for viewing angles.

 

[cb474]

I felt like the viewing angles seemed pretty mediocre on the images on the Chinese site. Even from the least angle they showed there was a huge loss in contrast (washed out images). Other monitors, particularly IPS, are much better at this (but IPS has other problems for showing movies--they tend to accentuate the video artifacts of compression more than VA monitors).

I'd like to see some images of viewing angles on the Benq, with more shadows and dark areas. Dark areas can really lose a lot of detail very quickly. The Chinese site used a very bright colorful image to show viewing angles, which was good for showing the effects on color, but I don't think the image they chose reflects what movie images tend to be like.

This link, which I also provided above, shows some images of viewing angles for the Dell and Samsung:

http://www.behardware.com/articles/629-7/24-inches-the-dell-2407wfp-vs-the-samsung-244t.html

In those images, it appears that the Dell and Samsung have considerably better viewing angles than the Benq. They don't seem to lose much contrast at a 50 degree angle. But it's hard to compare without comparing the Benq using the same image. (I keep hoping behardware will come out with a review of the Benq, they do very good detailed reviews.)

 

[peTeMelster]

I felt like the viewing angles seemed pretty mediocre on the images on the Chinese site. Even from the least angle they showed there was a huge loss in contrast (washed out images). Other monitors, particularly IPS, are much better at this (but IPS has other problems for showing movies--they tend to accentuate the video artifacts of compression more than VA monitors).

But the Dell/Samsung also use VA monitors, right?

 

[Heinz68]

It is pretty commonly known that manufacturers do not all measure their viewing angles in the same way. And they use some pretty cheesey methods for measuring viewing angles. So the specs are fairly meaningless. Also different types of panels, of course, have different viewing angles. IPS is by far the best, VA panes like the Benq are okay but not nearly as good, TN panels are the worst. In fact, only IPS panels are able to maintain full contrast ratios and therefore not have washed out colors at off center angles.

"IPS is by FAR the best" is maybe a little exaggeration on your part at least according to this [H]ard Forum sticky:
LCD Panel Technology Type and Characteristics

Purchasing Considerations

TN Gamers
Considered a "gamers" panel due to it's fast pixel response times which reduces trailing images know as "ghosting". However, this advantage has been reduced by new technologies to accelerate pixel response times in other panel types. Colors and contrast tend to be weak and blacks are not truly dark. Viewing angles are significantly limited. However, monitors based on this technology tend to be inexpensive.

IPS / S-IPS Graphics Work or Web Browsing
Considered to have the best color reproduction of all panel types, these panels are well suited for graphics work or web browsing. Pixel response time is also good but slower than the TN "gamers" panel. Contast and blacks are also less dark than VA panels but viewing angles are excellent.

MVA / P-MVA / PVA / S-PVA Compromise for All-Around Use
These panels are a compromise between the fast pixel response times of the TN panel and the excellent color reproduction of the IPS panels. Contrast and blacks are best of all the panel types. Viewing angles are similar but slightly inferior to IPS.

Anyway nothing can be changed about that it's not IPS panel and at least for my use the P-MVA and S-PVA are the best compromise.

I noticed in the images of the FP241W on the Chinese site that the contrast of the image drops off enormously as soon as you move away from a center viewing positions. The image is viewable, but it becomes very washed out very quickly. Full deep colors only seem viewable from straight on. I'm concerned about this because I want to use this monitor, amongst other things, for watching movies. If there's more than one person watching, not everyone can sit directly in front of the monitor.

I don't see any viewing angles problems reported in the Chinese review, actually the viewing angles look great for LCD monitor. Also couple people watching movie should be able to choose some better angles than on that sample. I know it's not great translation but I read on that page lots of "good" and "very good" and no problems with viewing angles.

"The test results demonstrated that the FP241W is entirely possible to use as a LCD TV."

Just to make sure the FP241W is not LCD TV or monitor and neither is being sold like that.
http://translate.google.com/transla...&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=/language_tools

Also, the Samsung and Dell monitors use a different panel from the Benq. From images on the web site I refer too, the Samsung and Dell appear to have much better viewing angles than a Viewsonic monitor that uses a similar AU Optronics panel to the one found in the Benq.

This is just assumption on your part since you did not see the monitor side by side also the only review having something to say about the viewing angles reports no problems.
Here again maybe just bad Google translation from the same review:?

The new generation MVA panel visual angle AMVA technology has improved a lot, in no way inferior to Samsung S-PVA, evaluation staff sat several commonly viewed FP241W, the results are very satisfactory, no color change significantly.

As far as I know here we have only one owner reporting "Poor viewing angles" and who knows compared to what ?
Not surprised how everybody jumps on any negative whether correct or not and soon we are going to see the FP241W bashers posting on many forums that the monitor has very poor viewing angles compared to Dell 2407, please give me a break.

 

[paviko]

Just to make sure the FP241W is not LCD TV or monitor and neither is being sold like that.

FP241W was targeted to be multi-purpose device, also as a TV (eg connecting HDTV through HDMI). Why? Because HDMI input with FP241W is behaving like HDMI input on every LCD TV - overscanning (DangerIsGo has observed this effect). What this means? If you have graphics card that have HDMI output, you can't use this output to connect to FP241W, you must use DVI, otherwise you won't see whole desktop! HDMI port on FP241W was strictly designed for other signal inputs than PC. But has obvious flaw as it was mentioned over and over again

 

[gslice]

Still it doesn't explain the 16:9 signal stretched to 16:10 looking squished when it should be slightly elongated.

It's elongated
pulled vertically
however you want to say it. It's still a fine PC monitor it's just pointless having HDMI or component if the signals are distorted.
I suppose some people won't mind especially if their use is limited but when watching real life action your brain notices and goes 'hey, this isn't right'
Here are the requested photos

When I say the viewing angles are poor you can see the picture well from the side but the colors are uneven when sitting right infront of it. When I'm sitting even 2" off center the whites on the oposite side will start to get yellowish. Even sitting dead center you will notice the sides of the monitor will look different. Perhaps this is back lighting issues? Older LCDs do this but I have seen new lcds and lcd tvs that do not suffer from super sensitive sitting positions. This might drive graphic designers crazy. I'll learn to live with it.

 

[thenixhex311]

now that image of desperate housewives throws me off. Ive taken images and stretched them according to spec and they have looked like crap. But i keep staring at those pictures and think... 'honestly, i dont think that is TOO bad'

...not enough to justify 500.00 more for a 37" westinghouse. Sure I will be watching some tv on it. But I can use this for HDTV use (with the little stretching) and use my PVR card for any SDTV.

I MIGHT end up getting an XBOX 360 down the road...

Can we see some stretched xbox 360 pictures? Like Madden or NHL, etc.

How about some more SDTV images.

..that 500.00 could go towards a nice new Xbox 360!!

 

[JonDo[H]]

Those pics above look pretty damn good. Is that a 1080i cable broadcast over HDMI? I for one am really not bothered by the slight stretching, but am really looking forward to owning a 1080P HDCP compatible screen (should be nice once the PS3 is released). I did have a Dell 2407WFP A03 but got rid as black levels were p*ss poor on the device (anything less than 50 brightness resulted in loss of black details, but 50 brightness at night was an extreme eye sore). It had 1:1 and aspect ratio options (except at 1600x1200), but it kept forgetting them every time the resolution was changed, making them pretty pointless. Also, I found the colours muted/washed out, generally. Banding didn't really bother me.

How do you find the black levels/colours on this screen?

EDIT: you might want to sit further back from your screen. This should eliminate the problems you're getting with viewing angles.

 

[peTeMelster]

Actually, from what I've seen the BenQ has much better backlight uniformity than say the Dell. Does anyone else notice this bad viewing angle when sitting dead center?

 

[aphexii]

I've been looking at this monitor as well for using with my HD Cable but have been worried about the lack of 1:1 scaling. After seeing those pics of Desperate Housewives, to be honest, I think it looks great and I really don't mind the stretching at all.

Guess i'll pick one up as soon as newegg gets em back in.

 

[gslice]

Those pics above look pretty damn good. Is that a 1080i cable broadcast over HDMI?
How do you find the black levels/colours on this screen?

That's 720p. I have my dish box deinterlacing for me.
1080i is softer due to the not-so-great deinterlacing the LCD performs. I'd take a pic but it's something you'd have to see in person to see the difference. Black levels are quite good. better than the 2407 no doubt. BenQ is still on top for best bang for your buck. I just wish they took it that extra mile with 1:1

 

[Heinz68]

FP241W was targeted to be multi-purpose device, also as a TV (eg connecting HDTV through HDMI). Why? Because HDMI input with FP241W is behaving like HDMI input on every LCD TV - overscanning (DangerIsGo has observed this effect). What this means? If you have graphics card that have HDMI output, you can't use this output to connect to FP241W, you must use DVI, otherwise you won't see whole desktop! HDMI port on FP241W was strictly designed for other signal inputs than PC. But has obvious flaw as it was mentioned over and over again

I have no idea what are you talking about and neither do you. Nowhere was BenQ promoting the monitor as TV monitor. It is listed under computing, all TV monitor I know about are 16:9 the BenQ is 16:10.
HDMI connection DOES NOT TV monitor make, all future graphic cards are going to have HDMI connection, no idea why it would not work. Your statement "HDMI port on FP241W was strictly designed for other signal inputs than PC" is 100% wrong.
No idea what DangerIsGo problem was but he was not using HDMI output, he did use DVI to HDMI converter cable, sure no need for that since the monitor has also DVI connection.

 

[Bobby Peru]

Just thought I'd pop back into this thread with a helpful link.

Ignore Heinz68

 

[DangerIsGo]

No idea what DangerIsGo problem was but he was not using HDMI output, he did use DVI to HDMI converter cable, sure no need for that since the monitor has also DVI connection

Since im not a rich little whore, I cant afford a blu-ray or HQ HD-DVD player with 1080p output. So the only way I could test the HDMI with a 1920x1080 signal is through the PC which is why i purchased that cable. As I said, it stretches. Unless the player has some kind of options for 1920x1200 monitors, its probably going to stretch. Ive been away the past week so I couldnt view these threads until I came back now. All of you need to chill about the 1:1 pixel mapping. Seriously. Its not that big of deal if your using it for PC usage. Even playing PS2 games (PS2 has an option for this) really isnt that bad. I dont have an xbox 360 but according to the pics, it looks awesome. As far as HD through HDMI, maybe the players will have an option for it, i dont know. But we'll all see what happens with the Z model

 

[Heinz68]

Just thought I'd pop back into this thread with a helpful link.

Ignore Heinz68

Strange you have nothing smart to reply and at the same time you're trying to be smart ass
Everything I said in this thread has plenty off links to confirm. Sure little more than you did.
None off my post are speculations or guessing like some other post are.
You might doubt the links I provided and if you have more reliable source to dispute my post you are more than welcome to post them
but DO NOT insult the messenger.
So smarten up my friend and I mean the good way.

 

[1080Me]

Just adding my voice to the list of those disappointed by the stretching and lack of 1:1 pixel mapping

Regardless of however BENQ technically marketed this monitor, their website certainly led many of us to believe that it would handle external devices properly, even going so far as to say:

"And its wide-screen format ensures no image distortion or cropping."

Since any run-of-the-mill monitor, whether widescreen or not, can display images without "distortion or cropping" via a PC, it certainly gives the impression that they are referring to external source devices, like the HD-DVD players and gaming consoles that they also refer to in their material. I for one, definitely consider stretching to be well within the definition of "image distortion".

Anyway, I'm sending a (polite) e-mail to BENQ to let them know that I will not be buying their product due to the lack of 1:1 mapping. The more voices they hear, the more likely they are to consider it the next time around.

Still sounds like it's a great monitor overall though, and it'll be interesting to see whether BFI in the Z model actually works!

 

[ASIA911]

Stop bitching and don't buy it or else wait for the BenQ FP241WZ.

 

[1080Me]

Stop bitching and don't buy it or else wait for the BenQ FP241WZ.

I already indicated that I'm not going to buy it, and I reserve the right to bitch all I want

Having read more of the thread I see there's still a glimmer of hope for 1:1 mapping in the Z model, so at least on that score, I'll take your advice and wait for it's release. But for those kind of dollars, BFI would have to be mighty impressive to choose the Z over a Westy 37".

 

[ren1010]

sigh, i just have no idea why the smallest 1080P TV is 37" (westinghouse). I really wish there was something smaller which i can use as a monitor and game system at the same time.

 

[jriihi]

sigh, i just have no idea why the smallest 1080P TV is 37" (westinghouse). I really wish there was something smaller which i can use as a monitor and game system at the same time.

Yeah i agree since i dont have any use for 37" monitor I mean 24" seems huge as monitor already and its also ok for some tv watching. I have projector for movies.

 

[paviko]

I have no idea what are you talking about and neither do you ...
HDMI connection DOES NOT TV monitor make, all future graphic cards are going to have HDMI connection, no idea why it would not work. Your statement "HDMI port on FP241W was strictly designed for other signal inputs than PC" is 100% wrong.

Unfortunatelly Heinz68 I know exactly what am I talking about. From all your previous post I can only conclude that you don't know how digital world works (TV, PC video card output). First read something about what going on when you feed HDMI signal to Plasma or LCD TV, read again some posts here and I hope you'll finally understand some things.

Regards

 

[Nuvian]

hmm where was it stated that the Z model will have 1:1 mapping?
it cost 2000kr more here in norway for the Z model (around 250bucks).

dont know if thats worth the price if 1:1 isnt included.

 

[cb474]

But the Dell/Samsung also use VA monitors, right?

They are VA monitors. But as the behardware article points out, and clearly demonstrates with the images it posts of different monitors, all VA monitors do not perform the same when it comes to viewing angles. Even two monitors with the exact same panel do not have the same viewing angles (a Belinea monitor and a Viewsonic monitor with the same AU Optronics panel that's in the Benq, except in a 20" dimension). I don't know why this is, but assume it might have something to do with the screen that's placed in front of the panel (or the backlight?).

IPS monitors do always perform better than VA panels. It is an exaggeration to say that VA panels are slightly inferior to IPS monitors, at least that's my opinion having looked at images of angles on a lot of different monitors. IPS instrinsically have wide viewing angles due to the nature of how the crystals in the panels work. VA panels seem to have a lot of variation, so any generalization about their quality I think is misleading, because they're just not all the same.

All I can say is look at the images in this behardware review and judge for yourself:

http://www.behardware.com/articles/619-17/updated-survey-13-lcd-20-5-6-8-16-ms.html

The differences are obvious to me. Perhaps others don't care as much. I would like to hear more from people who have the Benq monitor though. Not many people here have really analyzed this aspect of the monitor in their posts. The focus here has been on other (also important) areas.

 

[Kherozene]

if i got this monitor and only used it with a PC that has a nvidia card (for correction resolution settings to stop stretching?) then this monitor would be mighty fine, would it not?
or what would be thes best 24" 1920x1080, 1080p compatible.
using for games, web alot of stuf i guess.

 

[RadXge]

My 2407WFP supports 1:1 at 1920*1080.
Unfortunately, 1600*1200 is streched...

 

[Kherozene]

so you get black bars on the top and bottom? i wonder if you can change this on this benq

 

[notorious hsg]

besides HDMI is there any reason no one is interested in the Dell 2407? or the samsung 244T?

the dell is cheaper than the Benq and although it doesnt have hdmi it has DVI-D.....not sure about the sammy though.

I am currently looking at either the
Benq FP241W or the Z version
Samsung 244T
Dell 2407

having read a few reviews on the Benq monitor i was sold.... perfect 10's at trusted review.. and the good gear review.. but this thread is really messin with my mind... Im a self confessed noob in regards to technical specs of monitors... but am learning as i go... If Im gonna put down a grand on a monitor I want it to be exceptional..maybe some of you that own the Dell or Sammy can help me...
The use of the next monitor i buy is for net surfin, and mainly Xbox 360 and PS3 gaming...i really hate the idea of my images being stretched to the fit a 16:10 screen... funny thing is that if none of you had brought it up and I purchased the monitor i probably wouldnt have known...hahahah.. but you guys are makin me PARANOID!!
someone please post some DECENT images of the Xbox 360 on the Benq monitor....no barbie horse adventure games plz... Ghost recon or something.If you can owners of the Dell or Samsung post too... will be appreciated.

I really having a difficult time deciding what to get...

atm is australia the Dell 2407 is 1,099 Australian dollars where as the Benq and Sammy are priced approx the same at 1,400 Australian.... decisions decisions..

 

[Kherozene]

im aussie as well i was looking at the benq fp241w (i heard the z version isn't coming to Australia) (i was really looking forward to it) and dell, but then i saw the Westinghouse LVM-37w3 which is natively 16:9 (awesome i heard) but that is not available to us. I am think of ordering it for the US but costs a bit more (shipping, duty, GST) i got it to around AU$2600 which is awesome considering the lcd's (1080p) in AUS are above the AU$3500 mark. I have read that this is suypposed to be fantastic at all inputs (xbox 360, PC, DVD etc) except SD but that dosent bother me as i won't bother watching SD, HD all the way with this screen if i get it.
So if your're going to lay out AU$1000 for the PS3 you might as well get this.
Cheers.

 

[kornkob]

besides HDMI is there any reason no one is interested in the Dell 2407? or the samsung 244T?

the dell is cheaper than the Benq and although it doesnt have hdmi it has DVI-D.....not sure about the sammy though.

The Dell 2407 has 1:1 pixel mapping, which is good, but apparently doesnt contain a deinterlacer, so cant do 1080i which is its biggest downside for what I'd hope to use it for.

atm is australia the Dell 2407 is 1,099 Australian dollars where as the Benq and Sammy are priced approx the same at 1,400 Australian.... decisions decisions..

The Dell 2407's that are also being sold cheap in NZ at the moment are the older A02 revision that have the banding issue (I checked with the Dell sales guys).

 

[Kherozene]

im aussie as well i was looking at the benq fp241w (i heard the z version isn't coming to Australia) (i was really looking forward to it) and dell, but then i saw the Westinghouse LVM-37w3 which is natively 16:9 (awesome i heard) but that is not available to us. I am think of ordering it for the US but costs a bit more (shipping, duty, GST) i got it to around AU$2600 which is awesome considering the lcd's (1080p) in AUS are above the AU$3500 mark. I have read that this is suypposed to be fantastic at all inputs (xbox 360, PC, DVD etc) except SD but that dosent bother me as i won't bother watching SD, HD all the way with this screen if i get it. So if your're going to lay out AU$1000 for the PS3 you might as well get this. Cheers.

Think about it if we order together maybe we could combine shipping? im trying to get my dad to take the GST through his business tax (claim actually)

 

[notorious hsg]

bloody hell.... 37" thats friggin HUGE..

the reason I wanted a 24" is so I can use it as a home PC monitor and take it over to a mates house to have a link session... 37" is out of the question for me... well let me know how you go with the monitor though....

 

[Kherozene]

that is a good point, no LAN with the 37" ah well. i'll have a ute (pickup) so it wont be a problem for me

 

[Jerman]

Just to post my 2 cents... The Benq came in on Wednesday, and I love it! Mainly using it with my Mac Mini. No backlight unevenenness that I can tell, and no dead pixels. To me the viewing angle seems pretty awesome, but I am coming from a monitor that is at least 3 years old...

Tonight when turning on the TV to look for the World Series game, I came across some hi-def channels I didn't know that I received. So I hooked up the monitor via component, and it rocks! The game is in 720P, and it handles it wonderfully. It IS stretched, but it doesn't bother me too bad. Would love to have 1:1, but it sure is an upgrade from the old Apex tv. (When I feel like dragging out the monitor, that is). Very glad I spent the extra 60 bucks or so to get this over the Dell.