Octopus Overlords

Copy/paste from here. I've been waiting for a deal on the 1905FP, think I might jump on it. Anyone happen to be using that one?

DELL UltraSharp 2001FP 20.1-inch Flat Panel LCD Monitor OR the widescreen version, DELL UltraSharp 2005FPW 20.1-inch Wide Aspect Flat Panel LCD Monitor

Starting price: $749

At checkout...
# Use coupon code: 40F961WD2MTG0K (takes $187.25 off)
# Use coupon code: 14?J2KVM?N8J21 (takes $55 off - expires after 2,000 uses or 2/18 5:59am CST)

Final price: $506.75!

DELL UltraSharp 1905FP 19-inch Flat Panel Monitor

Starting price: $529

At checkout...
# Use coupon code: HQCKNWZC04MJLG (takes $105.80 off)
# Use coupon code: 14?J2KVM?N8J21 (takes $55 off - expires after 2,000 uses or 2/18 5:59am CST)

Final price: $368.20!

EDIT: The $55 coupon has expired (hit the 2k limit probably). Here's the next best one, $45 off: $CV45CKS2J8D2P

Reed wrote: Anyone happen to be using that one?

I've got a 19 inch Ultrasharp monitor which I got in '02, though apparently it's not the same model (mine doesn't have any USB ports). I've had no problems with my monitor.

I have the 2001FP at work, and it, too is great, although I haven't tested any games with it.

It's tempting to get a 20 inch LCD for home. Oh so tempting.

Edit: just checked. My monitor's a 1900FP

Thanks for the heads up. I bought yet another one.

I just love these things. At that price it's a no brainer.

Rip wrote:Thanks for the heads up. I bought yet another one.

I just love these things. At that price it's a no brainer.

Gah, urge to spend rising, but with my monitor performing with no problems, and only a 1 inch increase in size, it's hard to justify spending $500. Maybe in a year or two I'll consider getting a new monitor.

Anyone know how the 20" widescreen is for gaming? Or would the widescreen totally ruin a game's looks?

Daehawk wrote:Anyone know how the 20" widescreen is for gaming? Or would the widescreen totally ruin a game's looks?

http://www.octopusoverlords.com/phpBB2/ ... php?t=1724

Reed:

I've got the 1905FP and it rocks. I truly love this thing.

I have gone through several different Dell FP models, so I can say from experience this is the best one to date I have used (we buy them at work like they are staples for some reason, and they pass the "old" ones to me for use at home).

The ONLY complaint that I could imagine that you might come up with is it's TOO bright. You really need some (nay, a LOT) of ambient light (backlighting would be best imo) or it can really be too much.

Especially if you are a night gamer like me, the brightness of this thing will kill you w/o some sort of light in your room, and supposedly it's a big time "no no" to turn down the brightness levels in the monitor because you lose something else (read an article on it somewhere, but no linky, sorry).

Blacks are a lot "blacker" than on any other FP I have used, which was my main complaint with the 17" model I upgraded from, and even compared to the 1901FP, in my opinion (contrast ratio is a lot higher on the 1905).

I have not even considered the 20" models only because their native resolution (1600x1200) is not something that my rig can run HL2 in with decent framerates. And Pacific Fighters? Fuggetaboutit.

Daehawk wrote:Anyone know how the 20" widescreen is for gaming? Or would the widescreen totally ruin a game's looks?

In between. Some games will support the wide aspect native resolutions. The ones that don't can look a little stretched. Actually that is why I'm buying another 2001FP so I can move my 2005FP to the office and return to playing 1600x1200 at home.

Another vote for the 1905FP - it's the default LCD we buy for work and everyone loves them. I haven't used one for gaming so I won't comment on that, but for general use they rock.

How are the refresh rates these days for like the FPS stuff. Pixel delay and all that jazz.

I got the 1905FP in a package deal last December and have had no issues whatsoever with it - I love it. It plays WoW and HL2 marvelously.

Montag wrote:How are the refresh rates these days for like the FPS stuff. Pixel delay and all that jazz.

It's not really an issue anymore w/ the newer LCDs, as long as you get one with a 20ms or less response time. If you're really sensitive to ghosting, you might want to go with 16 or 12ms, but the consensus seems to be that most aren't able to notice a difference once you get down to 20ms.

Thanks for the responses re: the 1905FP!

I wish we got these deals up here in Canuckistan. Damn you Dell!

Byrns wrote:I wish we got these deals up here in Canuckistan. Damn you Dell!

Actually right now Dell.ca has 10% off their LCD's, including the 1905FP which I'm seriously considering, from Feb 18-24. I'm waiting to see if I can combine the 10% with another 10% I'm supposed to get for signing up for their email subscriptions to get a total of 20% off. Combine that with their free shipping and I'm in !

I own a 2001FP and have ended up loving it. One thing I've recently discovered that has helped improve the quality even more is to make sure the Dell 2001FP ICM color profile and the monitor driver are installed rather than going with the Windows/MS default. Especially after using the ICM profile I noticed a marked improvement for my number one complaint area on LCDS: the blacks are much improved. Another bonus is color matching to the screen from an inkjet is easier now. The funny thing is my panel came as part of a Dell XPS3 system and they didn't have either the Dell driver or ICM profile loaded on the PC. Silly Dell.

If anyone needs a link to the files on Dell's site or needs info on how to use the Dell ICM profile and screen driver let me know and I will put it into this thread when I get back home to where I have the info stored.

Enough wrote:I own a 2001FP and have ended up loving it. One thing I've recently discovered that has helped improve the quality even more is to make sure the Dell 2001FP ICM color profile and the monitor driver are installed rather than going with the Windows/MS default. Especially after using the ICM profile I noticed a marked improvement for my number one complaint area on LCDS: the blacks are much improved. Another bonus is color matching to the screen from an inkjet is easier now. The funny thing is my panel came as part of a Dell XPS3 system and they didn't have either the Dell driver or ICM profile loaded on the PC. Silly Dell.

If anyone needs a link to the files on Dell's site or needs info on how to use the Dell ICM profile and screen driver let me know and I will put it into this thread when I get back home to where I have the info stored.

I think links would be awesome. I just got my latest 2001FP in that I got as a result of this thread. It is installed in my home office now. I took the 2005FP I bought a few months back to the datacenter office. No more aspect issues for me, well except when I play at the office....not that I ever do.

The 1905 is missing the S-Video and composite inputs that the 2001FP has, right?

ChrisGwinn wrote:The 1905 is missing the S-Video and composite inputs that the 2001FP has, right?

The 1905 has a regular old VGA connector (or whatever it's called). I believe that's the only video output of the monitor. The only reason I'd upgrade to the 2001FP (and give the 1905 to my son) is to get the DVI connector (well, and the expanded real estate!).

animal114 wrote:

Byrns wrote:I wish we got these deals up here in Canuckistan. Damn you Dell!

Actually right now Dell.ca has 10% off their LCD's, including the 1905FP which I'm seriously considering, from Feb 18-24. I'm waiting to see if I can combine the 10% with another 10% I'm supposed to get for signing up for their email subscriptions to get a total of 20% off. Combine that with their free shipping and I'm in !

Did the 2nd coupon work?

Enough wrote:If anyone needs a link to the files on Dell's site or needs info on how to use the Dell ICM profile and screen driver let me know and I will put it into this thread when I get back home to where I have the info stored.

This would be very nice to see. I got mine from along with an 8300 and I wonder if I got the drivers or not. I'm at work now but I would like to look into this when I get home. Any extra info would be great.

Charlatan wrote: The 1905 has a regular old VGA connector (or whatever it's called). I believe that's the only video output of the monitor. The only reason I'd upgrade to the 2001FP (and give the 1905 to my son) is to get the DVI connector (well, and the expanded real estate!).

1905 does DVI and VGA (though why you would use VGA with that beautiful monitor is beyond me)

Carpet_pissr wrote:

Charlatan wrote: The 1905 has a regular old VGA connector (or whatever it's called). I believe that's the only video output of the monitor. The only reason I'd upgrade to the 2001FP (and give the 1905 to my son) is to get the DVI connector (well, and the expanded real estate!).

1905 does DVI and VGA (though why you would use VGA with that beautiful monitor is beyond me)

The S-Video and Composite inputs are rather appealing to me. We only have one television in the house, and I can imagine some situations where I'd like to hookup a console to my monitor.

I think links would be awesome. I just got my latest 2001FP in that I got as a result of this thread. It is installed in my home office now. I took the 2005FP I bought a few months back to the datacenter office. No more aspect issues for me, well except when I play at the office....not that I ever do.

This would be very nice to see. I got mine from along with an 8300 and I wonder if I got the drivers or not. I'm at work now but I would like to look into this when I get home. Any extra info would be great.

Cool, I'm glad I'm not the only one on OO who is obsessive about these things, heh.

Here is the link to where you can download the icm profile and driver for the 2001FP. The file is actually a zipped archive so if you uncompress it you can manually load the profile and driver via your advanced display settings. I bet you all know how to do that but just in case: after you have uncompressed the file and saved it somewhere you know on your pc right click on your desktop and select properties to open the display properties menu. Go to the settings tab and click advanced. Go to the Color Management tab and load the icm profile from the folder you created when you unzipped the file and then set it as default. Next go to the Monitor tab and click on properties and then on the driver tab from the next menu. Update the driver by picking the location for the driver and pointing it to where you uncompressed the zip file earlier. Viola. Of course since the file on Dell's site is an .exe I bet that you probably don't have to do it that hard way like this at all, LOL, but if you are like me you will because that's how a real man does it.

Hmmm, all of my stuff was already installed, but thanks for the tips (and the PM heads up), Enough.

ChrisGwinn wrote:

Carpet_pissr wrote:

Charlatan wrote: The 1905 has a regular old VGA connector (or whatever it's called). I believe that's the only video output of the monitor. The only reason I'd upgrade to the 2001FP (and give the 1905 to my son) is to get the DVI connector (well, and the expanded real estate!).

1905 does DVI and VGA (though why you would use VGA with that beautiful monitor is beyond me)

The S-Video and Composite inputs are rather appealing to me. We only have one television in the house, and I can imagine some situations where I'd like to hookup a console to my monitor.

Ack, I have the E193FP and that one for sure does NOT have anything but the VGA connector. Sorry for the bum info.

Byrns wrote:

animal114 wrote:

Byrns wrote:I wish we got these deals up here in Canuckistan. Damn you Dell!

Actually right now Dell.ca has 10% off their LCD's, including the 1905FP which I'm seriously considering, from Feb 18-24. I'm waiting to see if I can combine the 10% with another 10% I'm supposed to get for signing up for their email subscriptions to get a total of 20% off. Combine that with their free shipping and I'm in !

Did the 2nd coupon work?

I'm still waiting for it and since the 10% has now expired it doesn't do me much good now. Not impressed with dell.ca so far.

I've been using the 1905 since it came out. Games look great, but there is some blurring with WOW and HL2. It doesn't bother me that much, but it is noticeable.

New Egg has a 8 ms Samsung for $400: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDe ... 185&depa=0

I'm still trying to find some reviews of it - I guess it came out fairly recently. I'm guessing at this speed, there will be mimimal blurring at all.

Heres something you Canadians who are sick of seeing those great coupon deals for US-only Dell customers should check out:

http://www.dfsdirect.ca

This is the Dell Canada Financing site and they have some great deals on off-lease returns and open-box stuff. Just picked up the 2001FP, off-lease for $529 Canadian ! It's still listed for $899 on the dell.ca site. I've been checking in each day for about 2 weeks and this is the only 2001FP I've seen so far, but if it happened once it could happen again.

Good luck !

Samsung LCD monitors with an 'N' (915N, 910N) don't have DVI. It's a better option to get a "T" (915T) that has both DVI and analog input.

For that matter, most Samsung series have a higher end version where they flip the first two digits. For example, they have 910T and a 193P, where the 19x series panels have better contrast ratio and response time.

The same convetions hold for their 17" line.

Dell Canada has the 2005FPW on sale for $599. Today only.

Noman wrote:Samsung LCD monitors with an 'N' (915N, 910N) don't have DVI. It's a better option to get a "T" (915T) that has both DVI and analog input.

For that matter, most Samsung series have a higher end version where they flip the first two digits. For example, they have 910T and a 193P, where the 19x series panels have better contrast ratio and response time.

The same convetions hold for their 17" line.

Do you have a link for this 915T monitor? New Egg doesn't carry it, Amazon doesn't carry it, and the Samsung website doesn't acknowledge such a thing exists.

Yeah, Jeff.. I've been in the market for a new LCD for a few weeks now. Do yourself a huge favor and don't get a monitor that doesn't have a DVI input. Even if you don't have a video card with a DVI-out on it yet, just prepare yourself for the future a bit. The difference between the two signals (at least to my eyes) is pretty jarring.

I was really excited when I saw that monitor on newegg's front page, until I saw it lacked DVI. *sigh*

Thin_J wrote:Yeah, Jeff.. I've been in the market for a new LCD for a few weeks now. Do yourself a huge favor and don't get a monitor that doesn't have a DVI input. Even if you don't have a video card with a DVI-out on it yet, just prepare yourself for the future a bit. The difference between the two signals (at least to my eyes) is pretty jarring.

I was really excited when I saw that monitor on newegg's front page, until I saw it lacked DVI. *sigh*

Why? Pixel speed is more important than DVI (which I don't need - my 6800GT does analog just fine). All of the fast monitors I've seen are analog only. If there is some reason DVI is doomed to be slower, I can't imagine it ever fully replacing analog.

I've had no qualms at all with my 710N with the Analog connection. Maybe I'll get enough in taxes next year to get a Widescreen Dell and check out DVI and analog Side By Side

RookieCAF wrote:I've had no qualms at all with my 710N with the Analog connection. Maybe I'll get enough in taxes next year to get a Widescreen Dell and check out DVI and analog Side By Side

This is exactly what I'm getting ready to do. I bought the 710N last week and I've got the Dell 2005FPW coming tomorrow.

The Analog vs. DVI thing is not so much about speed from my understanding, but quality. The few reviews I've read over the last week generally indicate that the analog signal is more susceptible to interference or signal degradation. I can't compare them until tomorrow, but I noticed that when I had my 710N hooked up to a VGA extension cable, the signal was very poor. This is the same extension cable I've had a CRT hooked up to with no problems.

So I think that may be why folks push for DVI over Analog. Best bet is just to buy a monitor with both, then you're ready for it all.

Gedd wrote:So I think that may be why folks push for DVI over Analog. Best bet is just to buy a monitor with both, then you're ready for it all.

That still doesn't explain why all of the fast monitors are analog-only. I'm not concerned with interference or signal degradation (I've been using analog monitors forever without this problem). I AM concerned with ghosting and blurring - artifacts that occur when the pixel response is slow.

I've also noticed in my search that there doesn't appear to be any fast monitors above 19". I haven't checked to see if all of the above-19" monitors also are all DVI, but they are all certainly slow (25ms).

Jeff, two questions....

What's your definition of fast? Is there some maximum response time you're looking for?

When you say you've never had any signal degradation with analog, are you talking about CRTs only or CRTs and LCDs?

Carpet_pissr wrote:Reed:
I have not even considered the 20" models only because their native resolution (1600x1200) is not something that my rig can run HL2 in with decent framerates. And Pacific Fighters? Fuggetaboutit.

I don't believe it's a "naitive" resolution as much as a "maximum" resolution. I have that 2001FP and I play games regularly at 1600X1200, 1024X176, 1280X1024 and notice no difference whatsoever in picture quality. If you look at their web site I believe they list the resolutions the monitor supports and I don't think you will have an issue with any of them.

One thing that is a little off is when I use it to play my XBOX, I'm not sure if it's the TV resolution or if it's the "non-interlaced / not blurring" (more likely) but it is a little hard on my eyes. It's better if I sit a little further back than normal.

I've been happy with my purchase thus far.

No, LCDs definitely have a native resolution. They're different from CRTs that way.

The Dell 2001FP has a 16ms response time. The 2005FPW is even faster, with a 12ms response time. Both are large and have DVI inputs, so I'm not sure why you would think that there are no large, fast LCDs with digital inputs.

Anandtech's done a pretty good job of reviewing and summarizing some of the issues surrounding LCDs. See their display section at http://www.anandtech.com/displays/