Looking for new monitor but sensitive to pwm

tuxy

tuxy

tuxy

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12 Aug 2006
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I'm sensitive to pwm and can get a headache from monitors that use it(only LED though CCFL seems to be ok)

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/pulse_width_modulation.htm

I was really happy to see the DGM IPS-2701WPH does not use pwm however the contrast ratio is awful

Average Contrast Ratio = 544:1 (from tftcentral)

Compared to the Hazro HZ27WA
Average Contrast Ratio = 943:1

At the moment I'm using a samsung 215tw which is a va panel, so I think contrast ratios could be a problem for me since I'm used to fairly good black levels.

So the DGM would have been perfect until I found out about the contrast ratio. The Hazro might be good but I can't find any info on if it uses pwm.

Does anyone know about the Hazro and pwm or maybe can recommend something else for me?
 
Apparently these are PWM free, but don't quote me on it (research yourself):

Dell U2713HM
HP ZR2740W
Samsung S27B970D
DGM IPS-2701WPH

CCFL, dunno about PWM tho:

Dell u2711
Hazro HZ27wb

I wouldn't worry about contrast ratio. Your monitor is quoted as 1000:1 and manufacturers never exaggerate...
 
sadbuttrue said:
I wouldn't worry about contrast ratio. Your monitor is quoted as 1000:1 and manufacturers never exaggerate...
Click to expand...

I have used monitors before that had horrible black cruse so I wanted to avoid that.
The figures I listed were tested by tftcentral are they not reliable?
I'm not sure what my current contrast ratio is but being a va panel it's probably not too far from it's rated spec.
 
Last edited:
sadbuttrue said:
Apparently these are PWM free, but don't quote me on it (research yourself):

Dell U2713HM
HP ZR2740W
Samsung S27B970D
DGM IPS-2701WPH
Click to expand...

these are all PWM free, and i've tested each of those at TFTCentral and confirmed so. We didn't test it at the time but i suspect the Hazro HZ27WA/C/D models are also PWM-free given they are very similar to the DGM IPS-2701WPH and use the same panel.

the Dell U2713HM is an excellent screen and would be my pick, unless mone is no object and you want the Samsung which is a lovely screen!

CCFL, dunno about PWM tho:

Dell u2711
Hazro HZ27wb
Click to expand...

I've not heard of any CCFL units which don't use PWM to be honest and i strongly suspect those two models as examples do

I wouldn't worry about contrast ratio. Your monitor is quoted as 1000:1 and manufacturers never exaggerate...
Click to expand...

I hope that was a sarcastic comment :)

The figures I listed were tested by tftcentral are they not reliable?
I'm not sure what my current contrast ratio is but being a va panel it's probably not too far from it's rated spec.
Click to expand...

they certainly are reliable :) tested using various devices to confirm real life contrast ratio, both before and after calibration (profiling and correction through that process can impact contrast ratio, depending on what corrections are carried out and how good or bad the default setup is)

I suspect the Samsung 215TW is reasonably close to the 1000:1 spec in practice too being a PVA panel which are normally pretty reliable to their quoted spec. In fact this old Toms Hardware review measured it at 938:1
 
Excellent reply, some very useful info there.

The Dell U2713HM would be a little over budget but I could get it if I saved for a few weeks.

I don't understand why the DGM IPS-2701WPH has such poor contrast :(

Just for example my current monitor and easily see the box marked number 1 in this test
http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/black.php
If my new monitor could not I would be disappointed

I don't know about the Hazro, people say the catleap and some of the other cheap Korean monitors use PWM but it's very difficult to get solid info about these monitors.

I'm seriously considering the Dell U2713HM now. :)
 
the DGM is a nice screen but it didn't offer very good contrast, perhaps this might vary between units but certainly the sample we tested was weak in this area. It's also lacking some of the features, adjustments and extras of a model like the Dell U2713HM. I think personally if you were to save up for a couple of weeks and get the Dell you would be very pleased in the long run. an excellent screen in my opinion having tested them all :)
 
The problem with PWM is not just eyestrain. At a high enough PWM rate headaches and eyestrain stop, but if your have a weak or less than average nervous system damage is still being done.
 
I suffer from anxiety and feel terrible after using a LED monitor with pwm. Not sure if the two are linked but it's a strong possibility.
 
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