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

Hi All,

I'd like to know if anyone who owns the FP241W/Z gets blurred/distorted text at the desktop in any other picture mode apart from Standard.

You can see exactly what I mean from the following pictures:
Standard Mode http://www.mofakham.co.uk/benq/DSC_0264.JPG
Dynamic Mode http://www.mofakham.co.uk/benq/DSC_0265.JPG
Photo Mode http://www.mofakham.co.uk/benq/DSC_0266.JPG
Movie Mode http://www.mofakham.co.uk/benq/DSC_0267.JPG

When I told BenQ the 'product specialist' said that it is designed like this.. which I seriously doubt.

It is blatantly noticable when using drop down boxes (i.e. black text on grey backgrounds).

Please respond as I've already asked once.
 
FrobinRobin said:
Hi All,

I'd like to know if anyone who owns the FP241W/Z gets blurred/distorted text at the desktop in any other picture mode apart from Standard.

You can see exactly what I mean from the following pictures:
Standard Mode http://www.mofakham.co.uk/benq/DSC_0264.JPG
Dynamic Mode http://www.mofakham.co.uk/benq/DSC_0265.JPG
Photo Mode http://www.mofakham.co.uk/benq/DSC_0266.JPG
Movie Mode http://www.mofakham.co.uk/benq/DSC_0267.JPG

When I told BenQ the 'product specialist' said that it is designed like this.. which I seriously doubt.

It is blatantly noticable when using drop down boxes (i.e. black text on grey backgrounds).

Please respond as I've already asked once.
Click to expand...

I get the exact same thing and its somewhat annoying.
 
Eastcoasthandle said:
Thanks for the update, did you keep the cable?
Click to expand...

Yes - I have just kept the DVI cable that came with the monitor and does not work.

I have debated sending it in to BenQ and asking for another but I don't want to go through the hassle - I will just stick with the DVI cable that I bought on my own that actually works (plus BenQ will probably say that their DVI cable works fine, since when I sent in the monitor with their DVI cable, they told me that they tried it and everything worked fine).

BTW - I previously posted about how I got an expensive Monster brand DVI cable and it worked. I have now exchanged this cable for a cheaper one (like a $25 basic one) and it worked too!!!! So the solution if your DVI port doesn't work may not be to get a more expensive cable but to just get any other cable other than the crap one that comes with the monitor.
 
dennilfloss said:
That pic also shows the 'coating lumpiness' that been bothering me.:(
Click to expand...

Hi,

I just thought I would let you know I have got my Dell 2407WFP up and running now and compared side by side to my VX910 I see the "coating lumpiness" that you hated on the BenQ.

What is funny is it looks bad compared to the Viewsonic, yet once I take the Viewsonic away then the lumpiness seems not to bother me, but compared to the Viewsonic there is an odd grain indeed....

Strange. :)
 
Eastcoasthandle said:
Sorry, but I have read just as many posts from people who say this is not an issue and it's overly exaggerated.
Click to expand...


It is an 'issue' I agree,I have used the 244T extensively.We had one at work on display for weeks,and sold one last fall to a client doing graphic design.I played many a PC game on it,at native and other resolutions(12x8 / 16x10),and found it to have the worst input lag of any LCD monitor I have ever used,period.


Manderlore said:
Hi I got my FP241 WZ yesterday. And everything was fine to until about 1 hour then my screen looked something like this:
http://hem.bredband.net/b466234/PICT01.jpg
http://hem.bredband.net/b466234/PICT02.jpg
It's much worse then the pictures, all the small line you barley can see all flicker like crazy! You can only see it on colors thou, just white background is fine but everything else looks like hell.

I tried everything I could think of nothing worked, except unplugging the power cord or just turning off the screen and leave it off. If I leave it off for about 30sec it goes away, but then it always comes back in about 15secs. If I leave it off longer it last longer though.

I have tried just plugging in the power cord and no signal cable and same thing! I have run it with HDMI from a dvd player. You get the same thing there but only on the Benq logo screen. The movie don't look that bad. But it's not good! I can still see lines and crap that should be there but harder to see then on the computer which is awful! Don’t seem like the things on the movie can go away either, so might not be the same fault.

This morning I had the screen off the whole night and when I plugged it on it was fine but just after 5min it was the same screen again! But later I had it off for about 2 hours and then ran it for over 4 hours just fine! But then it started to give out a annoying high pitch noise (it's always there but normally it's not that high pitched but can still hear it and be a little annoyed about it) I couldn't take it so unplugged the DVI cable and it was gone, so took an other DVI cable from another screen and rebooted the computer and the noise was gone. But then it just took about 7min and I got all those flickering lines again!

Don't know what can be wrong, if I’m fast I can unplug everything go to another power socket and plug it in there and it is still the same thing. But if I leave it off it will be fine for awhile, A very short or long time it seems.

Don't think it's my comp but some info on it, I have 2 screens connected by DVI cables to a ATI Radeon X800 card on a comp running Windows XP.

So anyone got any clue what can be wrong? My guess is something with the power supply but maybe not, no clue really.
Click to expand...


That looks like a faulty panel(hardware uissue),last time I saw that on an LCD screen,it ended up having to be sent away for RMA.


dennilfloss said:
Looks random to me. I am not using CCC. Catalyst 6.12 with old-style Control Panel.

http://www.ngohq.com/home.php?page=Files&go=cat&dwn_cat_id=18
Click to expand...


You have a PM :)


Metalex said:
Yes, and they probably own the monitor and want to defend their purchase. How many posts do you see saying that the BenQ has input lag issues? The answer: not as many, or next to none. Smoke... fire...

I'm telling you that it is an issue with the Samsung and I have first-hand experience of it. Plus, I'm unbiased because I have no need to defend the monitor as I didn't splash out £700+ on one.
Click to expand...

I do not own one eithier,but have used a few.The input lag,was very bad.On the desktop,and worse in games.Something my Dell does as well,but its minimal in comparison to the 244T I used. :eek:
 
I can't remember who it was who mentioned the "flickering/blinking" issue with the BenQ, I got my 2407WFP today and it was doing it too (its done it 3 times already).

Quick look over at the Rage 3D forums suggests changing the ATI CCC monitor detection to manual, from automatic.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/4132/manual9bf.jpg

Lets hope it does the trick. :)

(edit, oops its just flickered again, so I guess that aint a fix)

(edit again, hmm someone mentioned on Rage3D it only happens when ATI CCC has dual displays enabled, so I have taken away the cabling and such for the VX910 for now and got CCC to stick to singel display mode. I will post again if it "flickers")

Mike
 
That was me - I'll try playing with the ATI control panel when I get the "not faulty" monitor back from eBuyer. <_<
 
Hi. Lurking for a bit in this thread. I got a W version ordered from newegg this weekend and should be arriving tomorrow.

From what I have noticed, it seems that ATI users are having some trouble with a few things. Any nvidia owners out there experiencing difficulty?

This monitor is PC only, and may or may not have HDTV connected in the distant future so Im not concerned about the 1:1 firmware support.
 
DRen72 said:
I get the exact same thing and its somewhat annoying.
Click to expand...

Have you noticed it changes depending on the Desktop Color Scheme?

Changing your Desktop Color Scheme from the Default Blue to Silver or Olive Green and setting your Picture Mode to Movie, Dynamic or Photo will show this up.

Jason Alexandris said:
Yes - I have just kept the DVI cable that came with the monitor and does not work.

I have debated sending it in to BenQ and asking for another but I don't want to go through the hassle - I will just stick with the DVI cable that I bought on my own that actually works (plus BenQ will probably say that their DVI cable works fine, since when I sent in the monitor with their DVI cable, they told me that they tried it and everything worked fine).

BTW - I previously posted about how I got an expensive Monster brand DVI cable and it worked. I have now exchanged this cable for a cheaper one (like a $25 basic one) and it worked too!!!! So the solution if your DVI port doesn't work may not be to get a more expensive cable but to just get any other cable other than the crap one that comes with the monitor.
Click to expand...

Jason,

Can you tell me if you get 'blurred/distorted' text when black text is on grey backgrounds using ur uber expensive cable? and correct me if I'm wrong but your problem was general blurring?
 
Can anyone confirm a specific retailer (online or B&M) that is shipping the newer stock w/ the 1:1 pixel mapping firmware upgrade? Judging by the recent reviews on the product page at newegg, they are still shipping old stock (meaning w/out 1:1)...

Also, is the listed weight of this (~24 lbs) including the base? Just want to be sure for VESA mounting purposes...
 
feverfive said:
Also, is the listed weight of this (~24 lbs) including the base? Just want to be sure for VESA mounting purposes...
Click to expand...
Yes, including the base. I don't have a scale but I would estimate the base weighs five or 6 pounds.

EDIT: better make that about 8 pounds for the weight of the base. Anyone else care to weigh in on this subject?
 
FrobinRobin said:
Hi All,

I'd like to know if anyone who owns the FP241W/Z gets blurred/distorted text at the desktop in any other picture mode apart from Standard.

When I told BenQ the 'product specialist' said that it is designed like this.. which I seriously doubt.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's designed like that. Every other setting than standard will change sharpness levels. And sharpness is done digitally so it will screw up the text.
 
since ncix selling fixed 1:1 version
i decided to buy fp241w from them.
is there any other serious problem for fp241w?
if it has some more serious problem,
should i buy fp241wz from tigerdirect? fp241wz has 1:1 problem too?
if not, does it have any bad issue?
sorry for asking too many question
 
About the 1:1 mapping with black borders on all four sides, I'm starting to think that's probably normal.

I created a 1920x1080 bmp pattern of black grid spaced exactly 1 pixel apart, loaded it onto the PS3's picture viewer, and compared the results of 1:1/aspect HDMI with what I see under Windows over DVI. Using 1:1 produced no scaling artifact or whatsoever, and the image looked exactly as it is under Windows, except it is being cropped at all 4 sides (I can tell because I added a red border, which disappeared when displayed from the PS3), but as far as I can see, it is pixel perfect and there is no scaling done by the BenQ. A number of posts suggested that the image is being scaled DOWN in 1:1, but as far I can see, that's not true.

With the BenQ set to Aspect, the image fills the screen, but the red border is still absent. Scaling artifact is very obvious here, and clearly, the BenQ is taking the 1:1 image and scaling it up. Same is true when setting BenQ to Full.

So what does this all mean. It means the PS3 is not spitting out a full 1920x1080 pixel image in the first place, but a cropped one instead. So naturally, mapping it 1:1 will result in black borders on all four sides, while using Aspect ends up scaling it. I might be wrong, but I think this is what is referred to as underscan, where they purposely use less than all 1920x1080 pixels because most conventional HDTVs end up cropping the image. So if all 1920x1080 pixels are filled with information, some of the important stuffs at the edges like HP, stats, etc. end up disappearing on regular HDTVs.
 
EFZero said:
About the 1:1 mapping with black borders on all four sides, I'm starting to think that's probably normal.

I created a 1920x1080 bmp pattern of black grid spaced exactly 1 pixel apart, loaded it onto the PS3's picture viewer, and compared the results of 1:1/aspect HDMI with what I see under Windows over DVI. Using 1:1 produced no scaling artifact or whatsoever, and the image looked exactly as it is under Windows, except it is being cropped at all 4 sides (I can tell because I added a red border, which disappeared when displayed from the PS3), but as far as I can see, it is pixel perfect and there is no scaling done by the BenQ. A number of posts suggested that the image is being scaled DOWN in 1:1, but as far I can see, that's not true.

With the BenQ set to Aspect, the image fills the screen, but the red border is still absent. Scaling artifact is very obvious here, and clearly, the BenQ is taking the 1:1 image and scaling it up. Same is true when setting BenQ to Full.

So what does this all mean. It means the PS3 is not spitting out a full 1920x1080 pixel image in the first place, but a cropped one instead. So naturally, mapping it 1:1 will result in black borders on all four sides, while using Aspect ends up scaling it. I might be wrong, but I think this is what is referred to as underscan, where they purposely use less than all 1920x1080 pixels because most conventional HDTVs end up cropping the image. So if all 1920x1080 pixels are filled with information, some of the important stuffs at the edges like HP, stats, etc. end up disappearing on regular HDTVs.
Click to expand...

It may just be the PS3 recognizes it as a 1680 x 1050 and sends it that signal. So maybe sony needs to fix something.
 
Sinister Crayon said:
It may just be the PS3 recognizes it as a 1680 x 1050 and sends it that signal. So maybe sony needs to fix something.
Click to expand...


That could be, but I personally don't think so. Simply because the same thing happens on my HD cable box which is 1080I output (tried it with HDMI and component), and also with a blue ray player, which outputs at 1080P.
 
EFZero said:
About the 1:1 mapping with black borders on all four sides, I'm starting to think that's probably normal.

I created a 1920x1080 bmp pattern of black grid spaced exactly 1 pixel apart, loaded it onto the PS3's picture viewer, and compared the results of 1:1/aspect HDMI with what I see under Windows over DVI. Using 1:1 produced no scaling artifact or whatsoever, and the image looked exactly as it is under Windows, except it is being cropped at all 4 sides (I can tell because I added a red border, which disappeared when displayed from the PS3), but as far as I can see, it is pixel perfect and there is no scaling done by the BenQ. A number of posts suggested that the image is being scaled DOWN in 1:1, but as far I can see, that's not true.

With the BenQ set to Aspect, the image fills the screen, but the red border is still absent. Scaling artifact is very obvious here, and clearly, the BenQ is taking the 1:1 image and scaling it up. Same is true when setting BenQ to Full.

So what does this all mean. It means the PS3 is not spitting out a full 1920x1080 pixel image in the first place, but a cropped one instead. So naturally, mapping it 1:1 will result in black borders on all four sides, while using Aspect ends up scaling it. I might be wrong, but I think this is what is referred to as underscan, where they purposely use less than all 1920x1080 pixels because most conventional HDTVs end up cropping the image. So if all 1920x1080 pixels are filled with information, some of the important stuffs at the edges like HP, stats, etc. end up disappearing on regular HDTVs.
Click to expand...

Would you mind posting this image you used, so that some of us can test it out and see for ourselves? :)
 
Sinister Crayon said:
It may just be the PS3 recognizes it as a 1680 x 1050 and sends it that signal. So maybe sony needs to fix something.
Click to expand...

Not likely, as the x360 has the same issues as well. But to test, I added another border to indicate the 1680x1050 mark. The top and bottom bottom still lies out of range, so the vertical pixel is less than 1050 (around 1000 I'd estimate). But the left/right borders are clearly within range, so it's quite a bit wider than 1680. So it seems it's maintaining a perfect 16:9 image, just one that is underscanned from 1920x1080.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/3360/testpattern2gg4.jpg

That's the pattern I used, just try it out. Any amount of scaling will be extremely obvious, you can see this with Aspect or Full, or simply zooming in and out under Windows. But as far as 1:1 goes, it's not taking a 1920x1080 and scaling it down to a smaller size; it's really 1:1 as claimed.
 
I did some tests of my own with a 360 over component using test images from: http://www.pbase.com/jackcnd/1080p_tests

It looks like 1:1 is exactly 1:1 like you said, and aspect with 1080p is 1:1 stretched to fill while keeping aspect. 1080i looks the same too.

Using the overscan test image, there's about 30 pixels cut from top and bottom each, and about 70 pixels cut from left and right each. I'm not sure if this is part of 360's picture streaming, but the borders on the test image are not pixel perfect.
 
I emailed BenQ europe head office a few days ago making a complaint about the customer service I received from them and their repair centre and also made them aware of the problem with 1080i/p 1:1 problem and 480p content not being displayed correctly, they emailed me again today regarding the issue

Further to my last email we are currently investigating the problems that you are experiencing with your FP241W, however, it would be very helpful if you could provide us with some more information about your installation. Could you please tell me what input source you are using (e.g. xbox, Blue Ray player etc) when you are trying to display at 1080p/i and 480p? Please include all input sources that you have tried and which of these you experience the problems with, please also include the make and model of the input sources and which type of cables are being used.

Once I have received this information we will be able to investigate your problems further and I will email you to update you as soon as possible.
Click to expand...

Tomorrow I will test as much stuff as I have available to me, which is only game consoles im afraid (360, Xbox, PS2, Gamecube) with all but the 360 are gonna have to be hooked up via composite as I dont have a component cable for any of them. So it would be great if some of you on here could help out and get some good test results I could send to them regarding the matter.

As much input as possible would be excellent with different devices being tested on different inputs using different resolutions and switching between 1:1, aspect and full and reporting on what happens on each in the different situations. I dont have anything with HDMI so would definitely need some help on that connection. If anyone could help out it would be excellent if you could provide your results in a table format similar to the one below and in each situation state whether everything is OK or detail the problem such as the 4 bars on each side.

Component (Source: 360) 480 720 1080i 1080p
1:1 Mode
Aspect Mode
Full Mode

After ive got plenty of test results I can email them away and hopefully BenQ will do something about it. In my original email when I complaint I did rant that the user should be able to perform the firmware upgrade similar to what Samsung have done of there HDTV sets.

On another note I replaced my ATI X800XT graphics card today for an Nvidia 7900GS and I am now able to switch the monitor off and back on and it still receive a signal.
 
I just got my monitor back and while the new VGA cable does help with the flickering issue, it is not gone. This is really annoying me, I might have to ask BenQ directly to see what they can do. I still haven't had the chance to test it with a DVI cable either.

Also, I hooked up my PAL GameCube with brand new component cables and was very disappointed - not only was the image horizontally stretched in any of the 3 modes (Aspect, Full, 1:1), but there was easily noticable green ghosting to the right of objects, particularly yellow ones. This definitely shouldn't happen with component cables. Image is below showing stretching and the ghosting (highlighted by pink rectangles)

http://dragonq.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/PAL GC FP241W 1.JPG
 
Oh, and also, could other people please post what happens when they view the BenQ iKey Test Pattern please (It's on the driver CD)? For me the middle pattern of vertically striped lines has shaking wildly almost horizontal lines...interference it looks like...across almost the whole screen (there are thin sections in the middle, hard right and hard left which are fine). On my laptop screen, the whole test pattern displays fine.
 
When I launch the test pattern, it looks fine and not moving. It's when I press the i key on the monitor to auto adjust that it shakes wildly along the middle while it's adjusting. Is that what you mean?
 
No, mine stays wildly shaking AFTER auto-adjusting. That's the problem, and is what's causing the text flickering effect.
 
I own Dell 2407WFP and debating if it better if I get the BenQ. I have a fews question for owner of the BenQ FP241W.

1.) What website I buy that Guarantee a 1:1 Firmware fix? Can I buy from Buy.com? It only cost $700.

2.) What is the black out problem everyone seam to having? Has it been solved yet?

3.) Does it have good chance of not getting stuck/dead pixel?

4.) Does it have a nice uniform back lighting? No back light bleed?

5.) Where the heck you guy get a Silver one? I can only find black one.


Thanks! Sadly I only got 5 more days left on my Dell 2407WFP before I'm stuck with it for good. It just I heard so many good thing on the BenQ that make me want to get the BenQ instead.
 
Velocities said:
I own Dell 2407WFP and debating if it better if I get the BenQ. I have a fews question for owner of the BenQ FP241W.

1.) What website I buy that Guarantee a 1:1 Firmware fix? Can I buy from Buy.com? It only cost $700.

2.) What is the black out problem everyone seam to having? Has it been solved yet?

3.) Does it have good chance of not getting stuck/dead pixel?

4.) Does it have a nice uniform back lighting? No back light bleed?

5.) Where the heck you guy get a Silver one? I can only find black one.


Thanks! Sadly I only got 5 more days left on my Dell 2407WFP before I'm stuck with it for good. It just I heard so many good thing on the BenQ that make me want to get the BenQ instead.
Click to expand...

1. NCIX.com was the first one to have monitors with with firmware upgrade because BenQ gave them the equipment to upgrade their monitors. I think other websites are still a gamble.

2. The problem seems to be with computer input over DVI. Randomly the screen blacks out for a second or two. Apparently it happens maybe once or twice a day or something. I don't have any problems since I only use VGA for computer and my cable box takes up DVI with no problems.

3. There seems to be only a few people who got dead/stuck pixels, but if you purchase from NCIX, they have a pixel-free warranty for about $40 that lets you exchange up to three times until you get a pixel-free unit.

4. There was maybe one or two members who had a unit with non-uniform backlight. I have no problems with mine, looks perfect!

5. The silver units are in Europe or something... definitely not North America.
 
mysteryman said:
Is anybody going to order from buy.com? It's cheap with the $30 off visa card and free shipping.
Click to expand...

I won't. They have terrible customer service. They ripped me off once by shipping the wrong product (something much cheaper) and then refused to exchange or refund. They are crooks. I will never do business with them again.
 
Hi, I have a FP241W (with the firmware upgrade) which I'm delighted with. I'm planning to get a PS3 to hook up to it soon but I was just wondering if anyone can shed some light on how I would set up the audio, since the monitor has no built-in speakers. I've had a search on this forum and some other sites but can't find a definitive answer.

The Playstation site seems to confirm that I could plug the PS3 into the HDMI socket, then set the audio to be output to the optical out, but unfortunately my hi-fi doesn't have an optical in.

Does anyone with a PS3 and this monitor know if it's possible to set video to output to HDMI, and audio to the analogue out? Or are there any other options I have?
 
I don't have a PS3, but if it has analog audio outputs, then I don't see why it would not work when you're using HDMI. Just buy some cheap cables and try it out!
 
davenims said:
The Playstation site seems to confirm that I could plug the PS3 into the HDMI socket, then set the audio to be output to the optical out, but unfortunately my hi-fi doesn't have an optical in.

Does anyone with a PS3 and this monitor know if it's possible to set video to output to HDMI, and audio to the analogue out? Or are there any other options I have?
Click to expand...

I owned a FP241W with the firmware update(from NCIX.com) and also own a PS3. The PS3 looks AMAZING on this screen, picture perfect! When in HDMI you can still select what audio output you want(A/V, optical or HDMI) with the A/V it's the "classic" playstation connector with composite. So you'll have left and right audio no surround...

P.S. I RMA my FP241W only because of the black-out problem(on/off/on) on DVI which was bugging me too much(a 900$ display should be PERFECT IMO). But that was the only problem with it. Great stand, perfect picture/colors, no ghosting, no lag, just perfect... except for those damn black out... Now i'm waiting to see a good 24'' or higher monitor(the lg L246W looks good...)
 
MrPatate said:
I owned a FP241W with the firmware update(from NCIX.com) and also own a PS3. The PS3 looks AMAZING on this screen, picture perfect! When in HDMI you can still select what audio output you want(A/V, optical or HDMI) with the A/V it's the "classic" playstation connector with composite. So you'll have left and right audio no surround...

P.S. I RMA my FP241W only because of the black-out problem(on/off/on) on DVI which was bugging me too much(a 900$ display should be PERFECT IMO). But that was the only problem with it. Great stand, perfect picture/colors, no ghosting, no lag, just perfect... except for those damn black out... Now i'm waiting to see a good 24'' or higher monitor(the lg L246W looks good...)
Click to expand...

Excellent, that's what I wanted to hear, thanks :)

What's this blackout problem you mention? I have mine hooked up on DVI but I haven't had any problems...
 
MrPatate said:
I owned a FP241W with the firmware update(from NCIX.com) and also own a PS3. The PS3 looks AMAZING on this screen, picture perfect! When in HDMI you can still select what audio output you want(A/V, optical or HDMI) with the A/V it's the "classic" playstation connector with composite. So you'll have left and right audio no surround...

P.S. I RMA my FP241W only because of the black-out problem(on/off/on) on DVI which was bugging me too much(a 900$ display should be PERFECT IMO). But that was the only problem with it. Great stand, perfect picture/colors, no ghosting, no lag, just perfect... except for those damn black out... Now i'm waiting to see a good 24'' or higher monitor(the lg L246W looks good...)
Click to expand...

Hey, I've got a PS3 and am waiting for my FP241W to return from getting the firmware update. I'm just wondering, does the PS3 have black borders around the image when you set it to 1080p and the monitor to 1:1 mode? Thanks in advance! :D
 
dmanrevived said:
Black borders for PS3 over HDMI and 360 over component in 1080p right now it seems.
Click to expand...

Ok. Is there any word on another firmware update? I read somewhere (probably on this forum) that BenQ were releasing a fix for the fix, to make 1:1 work properly.
 
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