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

Problem:

1.

I finally bought myself an HDMI cable and connected my High Definition Video Camera to my Benq FP241W.

I was surprised to see that the image was not filling the whole monitor, but about 2/3 of it.

I looked at the settings on the monitor and had the 1:1 pixel mapping turned on, so it should have been displaying 1920x1080.

But in the information menu on the monitor, it said it was receiving a 720p signal via the HDMI cable.

How can that be?

2.

I've started having regular signal losses on the DVI-D signal from my computer. It happened about three times in the space of ten minutes. It also happens via Component when my HDV camera is plugged into it and has a prodminently white image covering the screen. In both instances, it drops out for about 2 seconds then comes back.

Has anyone got to the bottom of this signal loss issue?
 
Okay, I finally got my BenQ back with the firmware update.

Now, if you hook up a signal with 1080p via VGA or HDMI, the monitor uses something called overscanning, cropping 5% off all sides of the signal, making it 1650*1050. Remember this post, BenQ will fix it properly this time. Hopefully.

If you use a hdmi - dvi adapter, the PS3 will have full 1080p with 1:1. Looks very nice too I must say.

I tried hooking my PC up to the hdmi port, but my computer keeps reading it as 1920*1080p, so I'm sharing the dvi adapter with the ps3, switching cables whenever I need to. I did get the computer to output 1920*1200 maybe 3 times with the hdmi port on the monitor, but it is a very rare thing. :rolleyes:

I have seen the signal losses, it can be fixed with a good quality video cable. I can't see a frame drop when I load up the RR demo.

I am very happy with this monitor, playing games and watching movies are an epic experience. I look forward to the new firmware update - give us a heads up when it comes out, yeah? :)
 
Cdr Zero said:
I am very happy with this monitor, playing games and watching movies are an epic experience. I look forward to the new firmware update - give us a heads up when it comes out, yeah? :)
Click to expand...

Yes, I really would like to purchase one of these to hook my xbox 360 up to via HDMI.
 
Cdr Zero said:
Okay, I finally got my BenQ back with the firmware update.

Now, if you hook up a signal with 1080p via VGA or HDMI, the monitor uses something called overscanning, cropping 5% off all sides of the signal, making it 1650*1050. Remember this post, BenQ will fix it properly this time. Hopefully.

If you use a hdmi - dvi adapter, the PS3 will have full 1080p with 1:1. Looks very nice too I must say.

I tried hooking my PC up to the hdmi port, but my computer keeps reading it as 1920*1080p, so I'm sharing the dvi adapter with the ps3, switching cables whenever I need to. I did get the computer to output 1920*1200 maybe 3 times with the hdmi port on the monitor, but it is a very rare thing. :rolleyes:

I have seen the signal losses, it can be fixed with a good quality video cable. I can't see a frame drop when I load up the RR demo.

I am very happy with this monitor, playing games and watching movies are an epic experience. I look forward to the new firmware update - give us a heads up when it comes out, yeah? :)
Click to expand...

Hey can you clarify something for me real quick, I have the VW model and have my 360 currently hooked up to it with Component. The reason I have it with Component over VGA is because with VGA, I can't get the aspect ratio to stay 16X19, the monitor stretches it to 16x10 in 1:1, Aspect, and Full.

With component, I get the slight overscan, but with Aspect mode the image fills the screen and maintains the aspect ratio. The image quality is fantastic so the slight overscan (not quite full 1080p in 1:1) doesn't bother me one bit.

Now, I plan on getting a 360 Elite, mainly because of the quieter noise level and larger HDD, but also wouldn't mind using the HDMI connection if it can maintain the 16x9 aspect ratio unlike VGA.

So if you, or anyone who might have an Elite could clear up if the 360 through HDMI maintains 16x9 aspect while in 1080p (again, Im perfectly ok with the overscan issue for now) that would be much appreciated. Thanks.
 
That's wierd, my 360 (non elite version) works fine VGA, proper 16x9 ratio, even though it gets overscanned. The PS3 is proper 16x9 via hdmi, just overscanned. I can only guess that the 360 elite would be the same.
 
Cdr Zero said:
That's wierd, my 360 (non elite version) works fine VGA, proper 16x9 ratio, even though it gets overscanned. The PS3 is proper 16x9 via hdmi, just overscanned. I can only guess that the 360 elite would be the same.
Click to expand...

Hmm, are you running it in 1920x1080? For me, every other res works fine and I can get the proper aspect ratios, all except 1920x1080. When I first select this res, it doesnt even fit right, it stretches horizontally beyond the screen, after switching inputs back and forth though it auto corrects itself to fill the screen right, though it stretches to 16x10. Also, when bringing up the monitor info, it lists it as 1680x1050. Its just 1920x1080 that does this.

Component however works fine in 1080p (with the slight overscan however). The monitor info correctly says its in 1080p too.

Id like to use VGA (or HDMI) as it just looks crisper and cleaner. Well, 720p VGA looks slightly better than component 720p, since I can't directly compare 1080p signals because of VGA's improper scaling.
 
H3RO said:
Hmm, are you running it in 1920x1080? For me, every other res works fine and I can get the proper aspect ratios, all except 1920x1080. When I first select this res, it doesnt even fit right, it stretches horizontally beyond the screen, after switching inputs back and forth though it auto corrects itself to fill the screen right, though it stretches to 16x10. Also, when bringing up the monitor info, it lists it as 1680x1050. Its just 1920x1080 that does this.

Component however works fine in 1080p (with the slight overscan however). The monitor info correctly says its in 1080p too.

Id like to use VGA (or HDMI) as it just looks crisper and cleaner. Well, 720p VGA looks slightly better than component 720p, since I can't directly compare 1080p signals because of VGA's improper scaling.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am running it in 1920*1080p. When I first set it, it stretched horizontally beyond the screen like yours, but when I switched inputs it did the 1680*1050 thing.

I agree with what you said about VGA vs component, it does look much nicer in my opinion.
 
Has anybody else got 1080p/i coming through as 720p via HDMI???

I spoke to Benq about it and he said I was wrong and that the monitor can't do that. I felt like directing him to this forum which lists all the faults with the monitor.

So has anyone got HDMI 1080 appearing as 720? The minitor info even calls it 720p...
 
Second question:

Has anyone successfully refunded their monitor with the retailer?

I'm worried that I'm going to have a problem doing it if I choose to.

I'm not keeping it if the HDMI problem isn't DEFINITELY going to be fixed.
 
Hi,

Im just about to give up buying this monitor so I hope somebody here can convince me to buy it.

Problem is that I can only get the FP241W model and not the FP241WZ model, and since im going to use the monitor with my Xbox 360 Im very worried about
the 1:1 aspect ratio problems on the W model, which the WZ model doesnt have as far as i understand? I can also understand that W-models manufactured after January 2007 will have a new firmware upgrade,
which have fixed the aspect ratio problem. Correct? Isnt it possible to download firmwareupgrade online somehow if I happen to get a model manufactered
before January? Or will I have to send my monitor to BenQ who then does the firmware upgrade?
Also I dont understand whats the difference between W-model and the WZ-model after the firmware upgrade of the W-model? I really dont wanna buy
the W-model to find out that its missing something compared to WZ model.
Problem is I have to buy the monitor through Amazon.de and they only have the W-model for sale.
I must admit that I am VERY confused about everything. All I know is that im going to use the monitor with my Xbox360 and that the other monitor im considdering is a Samsung 244T, but from
what ive undetstand the BenQ monitor is better for the 360. Is it correct that the 244T monitor doesnt suppor 1080p which the BenQ monitor does? And if the problem on the BenQ monitor only
occur in 1080P, I can still set it to 720p and get a perfect picture which would also be what the Samsung 244T has to offer. So even though there are som problems with the aspect ratio
is there any reason at all to go for the Samsung 244T over the BenQFP241W ??

Hope for a good and clear answer since im so confused and just want to order my new 24" monitor as soon as possible.

Best Regards
David
 
@anarchoi
is there any reason at all to go for the Samsung 244T over the BenQFP241W ??
Click to expand...
Forget 244T, it display everything with incorrect aspect ratio (16:10 instead of 16:9). Wait for 245T or look at 275T.
I'm also very worried about those problems with FP241W / WZ and I waiting the last time for firmware update.

Regards
 
paviko said:
@anarchoi

Forget 244T, it display everything with incorrect aspect ratio (16:10 instead of 16:9). Wait for 245T or look at 275T.
I'm also very worried about those problems with FP241W / WZ and I waiting the last time for firmware update.

Regards
Click to expand...

Really? Are you 100% sure about that? What about the Dell 24" then?

Thanks
 
If the next firmware update for W/WZ fixes the the 1080p 1:1 on HDMI/Component/VGA, it will be untouchable (as in no other 24 will be able to compete with it feature wise). Currently it can only do 1080p 1:1 over DVI (I believe) and cannot receive a 1920 x 1200 signal via HDMI.

The difference between the W and the WZ is that the WZ has a feature that is supposed reduce ghosting, but the jury is still out on whether its worth it or not.
 
Sinister Crayon said:
If the next firmware update for W/WZ fixes the the 1080p 1:1 on HDMI/Component/VGA, it will be untouchable (as in no other 24 will be able to compete with it feature wise). Currently it can only do 1080p 1:1 over DVI (I believe) and cannot receive a 1920 x 1200 signal via HDMI.

The difference between the W and the WZ is that the WZ has a feature that is supposed reduce ghosting, but the jury is still out on whether its worth it or not.
Click to expand...

Ive emailed BenQ, explaining the 1080i/p issue with 1:1 and also the HDMI/VGA 1080i/p issue. Hopefully they reply and further confirm that they're working on a fix.
 
Sinister Crayon said:
If the next firmware update for W/WZ fixes the the 1080p 1:1 on HDMI/Component/VGA, it will be untouchable (as in no other 24 will be able to compete with it feature wise).
Click to expand...

"If" being the operative word. I have about 2 weeks until it's been 30 days since purchase, and if I wait and then the update doesn't happen... I'll be mad as hell.

I'm tempted to just return it now for a refund and if they do bring out the update, purchase it again then.
 
Some more tests:

I purchased a $40 HDMI -> DVI connector and plugged my HDV Camera into the DVI port and got.... wait for it.... 720x576....

whaaa?

So:
HDMI -> HDMI = 1280x720p
HDMI -> DVI = 720x576

what the heck is with this???

I believe that this has made my decision for me:

REFUND!
 
@mit
what about the VW model?
Click to expand...
I don't know much about VW, it's ugly ;) and is still unavailable in my country. I'm not interested in it. There where some post at [H]forum about VM. As far as I remember it's the same as WZ.

@anarchoi
Really? Are you 100% sure about that? What about the Dell 24" then?
Click to expand...
I'm sure about 244T. I was going to buy it 1 year ago. But incorrect displaying of 16:9 content definately cause me to change my mind. Since then I'm still waiting for good 24'' :( As far as I know Dell 24'' A03 and earlier revision has more problems with different input signal than FP241W(Z). But there is a new revision A04 ...

Looks like LCD HDTV is the only option to get rid of aspect ratio and input signal problem. Maybe I should wait for Sharp 32'' Gaming Version in Europe ? :)

Regards
 
Man, I'm totally in the market for a nice 24 incher. Should I not get this monitor? I will be using it exclusivly with a new PC running a 8800 GTX and playing games and watching an occasional movie. Is his a good monitor for me? Which version do I want? Toss up between the Dell and the Samsung.
 
joeynuggetz said:
Man, I'm totally in the market for a nice 24 incher. Should I not get this monitor? I will be using it exclusivly with a new PC running a 8800 GTX and playing games and watching an occasional movie. Is his a good monitor for me? Which version do I want? Toss up between the Dell and the Samsung.
Click to expand...

Imo, the fp241 line are the best 24" monitors imo. Especially for someone like you who will use it exclusively for PC. The only drawbacks to these monitors are some scaling issues with devices gaming consoles and such, in 1080i/p. This is something that is rumored to be getting fixed atm, but like I said, it shouldnt matter to you.

The only other drawback Ive heard is blackout problems, though I havent personally witnessed any blackouts (I have the VW model) but I never used the included DVI cable that came with it so thats probably why. I think its just the faulty DVI cable that comes with it that causes this.
 
I've a question,or better I want to hear your opinions: I've connected the xbox360 both with component and vga; the problem is that trough component colors suck(how have you set the settings in component) and trough vga the monitor doesen't map correctly 1920 x 1080,I see an image in 4:3 how can I do?do you think that monster cable cables solve some problems?(your settings trough vga)*?
 
Hi, all. I signed up for this forum for the sole purpose of asking about 24" LCD displays and console gaming. The thread and Jim Robbins' 24" inch showdown have been invaluable, but I need some clarification. So, here are my questions:

1. Is 1:1 really only necessary for 1080p? It sounds like only the X-Box 360 and PS3 over whatever cable has trouble in 1:1. Is that correct? I am about to get a 360 and would like 1080p via component. My understanding is 1:1 wouldn't work until a firmware update?

2. Does the X-Box 360 in 1080p not work in Aspect or Full? I might settle for that. But, I have about 3+ months before I will even have room for this 24" display, since my family is about to move, so here's to better firmware and a cheaper display by then ;)

3. Do widescreen games on the Wii, GameCube, and PS2 stretch properly with aspect ratio? I haven't seen anything here about widescreen games except the 360's 1080p problems because 1:1 isn't working properly. I have found photos of Wii's hooked up, but they're using Full, so I can't find any info about how it looks with Aspect, if it works at all. Although Jim's GameCube photo apparently shows Aspect does work for the GameCube in 4:3 and the Sega Saturn via S-Video makes me think my PS2 via S-Video will be fine (although I have a video upscaler I could hook up via VGA if it looks bad).

4. Any idea how this might work out with an AppleTV? It uses component and HDMI. I think I would use HDMI or DVI, so that some of those ports get used, but I wonder if there's any silly glitches that may make it not work. It's a 720p device.

Would appreciate some answers to my questions. :) Thanks!
 
I have read through this forum like crazy, and don't seem to see this problem. I have a fairly new (but perhaps a firmware behind?) FP241W (not WZ) that is having this weird behavior when I use the HDMI-input.

Using a DVI-to-HDMI cable I am trying to connect my PC using Vista and an ATI X1950 card I always get this black border around all the edges, not just the top and bottom. Also, for some reason the display option in the ATI Catalyst drivers refuse to let me pick 1920x1200, only the HDTV modes like 1920x1080. I'm just trying to use it as a monitor, but I have the other DVI port used by my Mac.

I would be happy with either:
- Force 1920x1200 (best option) with no bars
- Just the bars on top and bottom with 1x1 pixel using 1920x1080p

I hear all this talk about the firmware fix but 1) the problem isn't vertical stretching, it is a wasted border.) and 2) Where do I send it, what number to call at BenQ?

Any pointers would be MUCH appreciated! Thanks
 
Sounds like you are having with your PC the same problem that everyone else is having with their consoles and HD-DVD players. The FP241W crops about 5% off 1080i/p content on the HDMI input. I have an nVidia rather than an ATI graphics card and neither 1920x1200 nor 1080i/p get cropped but 1080i from my HD-E1 does. I suspect that if you can force your display driver to output 1920x1200 then your problem will go away. Unfortunately I don't know much about the current ATI drivers.

Or, you could go out and buy an nVidia GeForce 8800.

You might also get somewhere by connecting the Mac to the HDMI port and the PC to the DVI port.

There is supposedly going to be a firmware update that fixes this whole problem but BenQ haven't provided any release date.
 
ATTENTION EVERYONE CONSIDERING A PURCHASE OF THE F2PW14(Z):

Do not buy either of these models. There is a serious blackout problem associated with them that affects almost all of its users. BenQ denies this problem exists, and will provide a full or partial refund.

I ignored the talk of blackouts, because I figured these people must be doing something wrong. But after I purchased it, I too have the blackout problem. I've tried every solution suggested but have yet to solve the problem. Now I'm stuck with a monitor that randomly loses its picture. It's a huge problem since that is the sole purpose of a monitor -- to maintain a picture.

Clearly BenQ hasn't thoroughly tested these models, or worse yet, they know about it and just ignore it since it happens randomly.

See this thread for specificities: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1178150
 
shawkie said:
Sounds like you are having with your PC the same problem that everyone else is having with their consoles and HD-DVD players. The FP241W crops about 5% off 1080i/p content on the HDMI input. I have an nVidia rather than an ATI graphics card and neither 1920x1200 nor 1080i/p get cropped but 1080i from my HD-E1 does. I suspect that if you can force your display driver to output 1920x1200 then your problem will go away. Unfortunately I don't know much about the current ATI drivers.

You might also get somewhere by connecting the Mac to the HDMI port and the PC to the DVI port.There is supposedly going to be a firmware update that fixes this whole problem but BenQ haven't provided any release date.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. So the behavior others are seeing is similar, namely a black border around the entire screen in 1920x1080 mode? I thought people were seeing a vertical stretch but that it was taking up the whole screen.

I've tried both the MacBook Pro and the PC with ATI card and both give the same result. Neither computer/card is capable of forcing 1920x1200 mode. It's like the monitor forces the card to think that mode isn't possible. I'm not sure how to fix this for either the Mac or the ATI card.

Also - lots of people are talking about sending their monitor to BenQ for a firmware update. Anyone know who to contact about setting up the RMA?
 
vxyleme said:
ATTENTION EVERYONE CONSIDERING A PURCHASE OF THE F2PW14(Z):

Do not buy either of these models. There is a serious blackout problem associated with them that affects almost all of its users. BenQ denies this problem exists, and will provide a full or partial refund.

I ignored the talk of blackouts, because I figured these people must be doing something wrong. But after I purchased it, I too have the blackout problem. I've tried every solution suggested but have yet to solve the problem. Now I'm stuck with a monitor that randomly loses its picture. It's a huge problem since that is the sole purpose of a monitor -- to maintain a picture.

Clearly BenQ hasn't thoroughly tested these models, or worse yet, they know about it and just ignore it since it happens randomly.

See this thread for specificities: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1178150
Click to expand...

Serious problem? I doubt it. Only a few people have mentioned it, plus you forget that people usually only mention a problem that they are experiencing when they have it.... If it has this problem, just RMA it until you get a new one.... All monitors have their fare share of problems (except for the gateway which seems to have more....)
 
Sinister Crayon said:
Serious problem? I doubt it. Only a few people have mentioned it, plus you forget that people usually only mention a problem that they are experiencing when they have it.... If it has this problem, just RMA it until you get a new one.... All monitors have their fare share of problems (except for the gateway which seems to have more....)
Click to expand...

Regarding this issue:
I read through all 170+ pages (It took me 2 days arrghh). Those that had this issue either had a faulty DVI cable or outdated ATI drivers. There was a new driver that fixed this problem.

Oh, and I've collated all the user reviews and images, issues and problems onto my site:
http://www.monitorsrc.com/reviews/benq-fp241wz-review/
 
your monitor in vga 1:1 maps in the same way of component? in component it maps 1650 x 1080 but in vga it maps I suppose in 1650x1250...do you have the same problem?it is a problem of the benq or of the xbox 360? it could be solved with a future upgrade?
 
Frychiko said:
Regarding this issue:
I read through all 170+ pages (It took me 2 days arrghh). Those that had this issue either had a faulty DVI cable or outdated ATI drivers. There was a new driver that fixed this problem.

Oh, and I've collated all the user reviews and images, issues and problems onto my site:
BenQ FP241W Prospective Buyers Guide
Click to expand...

There have been reports of this blackout problem occuring with very expensive Monster brand DVI cables. If it happens with the most expensive and best cable, it's obviously not a DVI cable problem. Which specific cable fixes the problem?

As far as drivers are concerned, I am using the latest ATI drivers and still have the problem.
There have been reports of this happening with the omega drivers as well, so it's unlikely a driver issue.
 
vxyleme said:
As far as drivers are concerned, I am using the latest ATI drivers and still have the problem. There have been reports of this happening with the omega drivers as well, so it's unlikely a driver issue.
Click to expand...

I use an nVidia card and it's got the same problem.

UPDATE ON THE SECOND FIRMWARE IN AUSTRALIA:

There will be none! I just spoke to some guy from Benq tech support who tells me that there will be a new revision of FP241Ws released at a later date and that us poor schmucks with our current models are stuck.

Me, I rang up wanting a refund and they said "too bad" so we're screwed.
 
Frychiko said:
Regarding this issue:
I read through all 170+ pages (It took me 2 days arrghh). Those that had this issue either had a faulty DVI cable or outdated ATI drivers. There was a new driver that fixed this problem.

Oh, and I've collated all the user reviews and images, issues and problems onto my site:
BenQ FP241W Prospective Buyers Guide
Click to expand...

Very impressed with you "Buyers Guide" ,I have seen some of my comments made it front page.:D
As far as blackout problem it also exists on mine. Not often enough to notice . One second
black out and goes back to normal.
 
That's strange because about a month ago I took mine in to a service centre and the techs told me they are working on a second update though it would take about a month or two.

I'll wait a couple of weeks then I'll call them.

iamjohnsname said:
I use an nVidia card and it's got the same problem.

UPDATE ON THE SECOND FIRMWARE IN AUSTRALIA:

There will be none! I just spoke to some guy from Benq tech support who tells me that there will be a new revision of FP241Ws released at a later date and that us poor schmucks with our current models are stuck.

Me, I rang up wanting a refund and they said "too bad" so we're screwed.
Click to expand...
 
vxyleme said:
There have been reports of this blackout problem occuring with very expensive Monster brand DVI cables. If it happens with the most expensive and best cable, it's obviously not a DVI cable problem. Which specific cable fixes the problem?

As far as drivers are concerned, I am using the latest ATI drivers and still have the problem.
There have been reports of this happening with the omega drivers as well, so it's unlikely a driver issue.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there are some people still having this problem (and for some it fixed this problem apparently). I will update the site mentioning that some people still have the problem regardless. Sorry I can't speak from experience as I don't own one myself.
 
Lordy, this has to be one of the biggest PC monitor threads I've ever seen. And I've seen a few, just so happens they were during my shopping for a 24" the last two years.. And guess which beast I picked up.. You got it, the FP241W, but that was the day of release..

So these probelms I'm reading above can't apply to ALL models as one of the other posters suggested. It's possible a firmware update may have busted something, but you'd think something that affects the entire monitor would reveal some more pissed of customers...

So, I'm willing to bet --the ones having problems-- that it's something unique to each of your setups. It's possible the monitor or firmware just makes the issue easier to unfold, but this is NOT something affected ALL BenQ FP241W(z)'s..

Great monitor, I use it for development, movies, games, design! Handles em all pretty well. I'm looking into getting another, but wanted to wait it out a bit longer and see what else may be coming in the near future. 6 months of that and I'm still leaning towards getting another. ;)
 
dot_Zen said:
So these problems I'm reading above can't apply to ALL models as one of the other posters suggested. It's possible a firmware update may have busted something, but you'd think something that affects the entire monitor would reveal some more pissed of customers...
Click to expand...

Here's what I'm thinking:

Since only some people seem to be having this black out problem, and others don't I'm going to agree with the guy I quoted and I think there is an issue outside of the monitor. Since those with the problem are saying that BenQ denies it's existence, we are going to have to do a number of tests client side. Unfortunately, I can't really help with the physical testing as I am still waiting for the next firmware update, but I can help with organizing data into spreadsheets and finding problems. What we need is cooperation from everyone who owns a BenQ FP241x with and without the problem.

These people need to post their information about their setups in a standard format. Here is an example and by no means final:

Lets say that out of FP241W, WZ, VW, or WJ I had the W. I would do the following:

Problem Present: Put yes or no
Monitor: FP241W
GFX card: 8800GTS 640
Driver Version: 158.19
Operating System(s): Windows XP SP2
DVI/VGA/etc cable used: the one included with the monitor
Power source: Put whether you have it hooked straight up to the wall, through one of the cheapo surge protectors, or to a dedicated UPS
Monitor backlight setting: say 60% or whatever
Problem occurs when: use things like "switching inputs" or "power-cycling"
Temporary fixes/treatments: list em here i.e. "new DVI cable"
Permanent fixes: list em
Other: other
Click to expand...

Any ideas as to what we should add/revise
 
Excellent idea Crayon! Does BenQ have drivers on the CD that could be questioned?
I'm using windows vista generic monitor drivers, and I'm not having a problem.

Edit: Can you draw up a class action lawsuit in crayon while you're at it? I like purple and green! And don't get pissed and press too hard, because they break. I hate broken crayons, where you going to put them?
 
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