BenQ FP241W - A few queries to other owners

[nikuls]

Calling all fp241w owners, I got mine last week and I just wanted to ask others a few questions about it.

One thing is - when I turn off my ps3 to go back to using my pc decides that instead of switching inputs it tries to display an image which isn't there and I get a whole mess of random colours.

Even if I turn the monitor off and then on again, it doesn't jump to the active input, it picks the last one, despite there being no signal.

Another thing which I knew about before hand was the menu... s l o w. but I can live with that... just.

Those are my only real issues with it, the colour is great and the blacks are black as can be. The screen is slightly glossy which makes the black areas look as if the monitor is actually switched off. Sweetness.

Anyway, since I'm still within my 28 days I was still throwing around the idea of sending it back and getting a 2408 or maybe just opt for something cheaper. Would anybody suggest the 2408 over the BenQ? The fp241w model is really old by now (not my actual display, just this series) so I'm thinking of getting something a little newer.

Oh and my PS3 wont output to 1080p - it's lying and is actually displaying 1080i which I thoroughly doubt is an issue with the monitor but I felt I'd throw it in there.

Any feedback is heartily welcomed.
Thanks.

 

[bradeh]

a lot of people say its better than the 2408, even with the price difference.

 

[RomeoS]

Hi nukuls,

I don't own the fp241w but the fp241wz. Whilst its not the same model, they are very similar so i'll give a shot at answering your questions.

One thing is - when I turn off my ps3 to go back to using my pc decides that instead of switching inputs it tries to display an image which isn't there and I get a whole mess of random colours.

Even if I turn the monitor off and then on again, it doesn't jump to the active input, it picks the last one, despite there being no signal.

Cant say I have noticed such a issue with my monitors, whats the manufacture date of your unit? Could be a simple case of updating the firmware.

Another thing which I knew about before hand was the menu... s l o w. but I can live with that... just.

From what I have read, users with the older firmware have reported this problem, the menu's on my wz are quite snappy after waiting the 2 seconds for it to come up.

Anyway, since I'm still within my 28 days I was still throwing around the idea of sending it back and getting a 2408 or maybe just opt for something cheaper. Would anybody suggest the 2408 over the BenQ? The fp241w model is really old by now (not my actual display, just this series) so I'm thinking of getting something a little newer.

Whilst something newer might be better, quite a few manufactures quote the contrast ratio using their dynamic contrast setting (which basically pins the brightness at 100% from what I've seen). Just a little something to be aware of as I found it very misleading.

Only advantage I see of moving to another panel would be to get lower response times as the fp241w has 16ms on-off if I remember correctly.

The best response times panels are the TN's but then you face the usual problems of viewing angels etc. They are not as noticeable on smaller screens but when your on 24", its far easier to notice darker patches.

Oh and my PS3 wont output to 1080p - it's lying and is actually displaying 1080i which I thoroughly doubt is an issue with the monitor but I felt I'd throw it in there.

Any feedback is heartily welcomed.
Thanks.

The PS3 issue I cant comment on as I don't own one.

 

[nikuls]

Thanks RomeoS, I'll definitely look into getting the firmware updated.
I'll get back to this thread in a lil while with any news.

Not that anybody cares, just might be useful for reference.

Ty again.

 

[mrk]

Yup FP241W is indeed better than the Dell 2408WFP from my usage of both!

 

[RomeoS]

Thanks RomeoS, I'll definitely look into getting the firmware updated.
I'll get back to this thread in a lil while with any news.

Not that anybody cares, just might be useful for reference.

Ty again.

Fire a support ticket to BenQ and they will come collect the monitor from your address, update the firmware and have it back to you in 2 working days.

I ordered one of the FP241WZ from OcUK and the other from a competitor, competitors one had a older firmware so BenQ picked it up the same day at 4pm.

 

[nikuls]

I ordered one of the FP241WZ from OcUK and the other from a competitor, competitors one had a older firmware so BenQ picked it up the same day at 4pm.

oh nice! how did you know that yours had an older firmware? did you have similar issues to mine or were you just missing a feature?

 

[nikuls]

also - what's a support ticket?

 

[MadMatty]

When i asked for my monitor to have its firmware updated (due to far too much overscan - manufactured june07) they just did an on site swap instead.

 

[RomeoS]

oh nice! how did you know that yours had an older firmware? did you have similar issues to mine or were you just missing a feature?

The 1:1 Pixel mapping feature wasn't working properly on the 2nd monitor and when the monitor was turned off, it wouldn't pick up the active input source (DVI in this case) unless the PC was rebooted.

In regards to the support ticket:

http://benq.co.uk/support/contact/index.cfm?region=3&query=4

 

[nikuls]

Thanks again RomeoS i've sent off a ticket.

BTW I tested the monitor with the PS3 through a HDMI-to-DVI cable and it looks smooth as, all the flaws are gone.