Opinion wanted for picky friend

[acheron29]

Hello again! Yes, I still have the S2440L. It has proven to be a very nice monitor for me, very nice indeed. However, a friend of mine has a monitor whose CCFL is failing and i'm really in need of an opinion. I gave them my U2410, and they said the hard AG coating gave them headaches. That, of course, is understandable. They didn't like how this S2440L is basically a mirror, but would prefer something that isn't a matte display. So, they tried the VG23AH and did not like it at all, in fact they returned it to newegg today. I believe the reason was because they said they would look at a window and see very small, tiny lines on the screen. They have a Samsung HDTV with one of their Ultra Clear Panels and they absolutely love it, the Ultra Clear Panel.

What about the U2412m? Does that have an aggressive AG coating like my old U2410? Because it seems the aggressive coatings give them headaches, since they are very sensitive to light. I automatically thought about the U2412m, since it would be acceptable in games and be good for movies, too. If someone plays a movie or video on the PC more than anything else, would that be acceptable? I read up on some of the newer AH-IPS screens, but I just don't know enough to say if one of those would be ideal.

Does it make sense to just recommend them one of Samsung's monitors? Like, say, the S23A950D with the Ultra Clear Panel and 120hz. The do enjoy games, but lately are on deviantart more, if it isn't simply reading. I would say the big thing on that PC is consistently video/Bluray more than anything, actually. I figure that it would be smooth enough for when they play games, and the 120Hz is bound to help movies as well. It seemed that some, like C|Net, felt the Ultra Clear Panel really helped with movies. They don't do anything color critical at all, just simply enjoy viewing artwork. This PC is in a basement and set into a wall, so its not really going to be hit with much light.

I'm a bit torn, because I would prefer to give them an IPS screen, but they didn't like my U2410 and cited poor black levels/contrast in movies as another big reason they didn't like it. If one of their Ultra Clear Panel monitors would be more than acceptable, I have no problems with that. I just haven't used them at all to know if it would be fine, and the same goes with the U2412m. I would classify this person as being very knowledgeable, very tech savvy but definitely not a Graphic Designer or anything of the sort. They are in the healthcare industry, for instance.

Thanks for any helpful opinions given! I am coming up empty here, so any thoughts are welcome.

 

[Namelessme]

The Dell 2412 is going to have a rather heavy AG coating too.

There are lighter alternatives in IPS-land... that Asus semiglossy, and the Samsung PLS monitors (although some may still have bleed problems). But if your friend is picky with blacks, I am not sure if any IPS screen will be good enough.

I can't comment on the Samsung you mentioned, but just keep in mind being a TN panel its angles won't be the greatest. No idea if that is a problem or not for your friend. Plus side, I think it's considered one of the better TN panels out there.

If going in a basement, why wouldn't your friend just try out the S2440L? Yeah, it's mirror like, but in the right lighting conditions it should be fine. There are also other VA models (BenQ, Samsung, etc) that use a similar panel and aren't quite as shiny. You aren't going to beat the A-MVAs as far as contrast/black goes.

 

[SJetski71]

There are also other VA models (BenQ, Samsung, etc) that use a similar panel and aren't quite as shiny. You aren't going to beat the A-MVAs as far as contrast/black goes.

OP, check out this thread to explore a couple of the A-MVA option(s) posted above: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1727041

BenQ A-MVA: good performance characteristics, great blacks/contrast and a light screen coating so it's neither a mirror nor a grainy mess. Review.

 

[acheron29]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't even think about the Benq, and I should have. That would perhaps be the perfect choice for them. I know there is PWM @ 255Hz like that review stated, but I'm sure it will be okay. Plus, it appears that the overdrive is a bit better than the S2440L, from what I could see. I have found, when comparing side by side that i feel the S2440L was smoother in games than my U2410. This, of course, is disregarding the overshoot/inverse ghosting problem, which i found to not be bothersome to me. Were it anyone else, it would be a piece of cake. But when its this guy, man thats a tough one. Works a lot like I do, but doesn't know too much and says "can you find me a good monitor?". At least they are very kind when the suggestion doesn't pan out . But if it hurts his eyes, then by all means I wouldn't settle either if I was him. I will look into a GW2450HM, then.