Looking to buy a Graphics Monitor

Ruruo · 4 May 2012 at 00:01

I'm somewhat completely naive to all this tech that goes around the world....

Looking to buy a monitor for graphics work and film-editing. I'm on a pretty tight student's budget for it, so what I would ideally want is way unaffordable. I'm looking to get the best I can for a price range be around the £200 mark nothing over £250. Something that can get the job done.

So far I'm looking at:

IPS:
Dell U2412M
Asus PA238Q

PVA:
BenQ EW2430

I was very temped to get the Dell, there were so much good reviews floating around about it. But recently I found out that the panel produced 6-bit colour depth. I understand it's a cheaper e-IPS type monitor, but sacrificing HDMI, it having a strong AG coating, lower refresh rate than the other's I'm looking at, I'm not sure if it's all that worth it. Does even a low end IPS make such a huge difference in image quality?
I've heard that PVA panels give a nicer contrast, and read some good stuff about the EW2430. It has panel that produces 8-bit colour depth. Would it be better to get a better quality VA in contrast to a lower end ISP? Maybe I should also look into HDTVs that uses mostly MVA panels? Since this would be also for video editing...
As for the Asus, I really like the specs, but having never owned/heard or seen an Asus I don't really know what to make of it. Ideally I would have wanted its big bro the PA245Q or a higher end Ultrasharp...

Finally, a somewhat a slightly off topic question, later down the line, I plan to figure out a build for a desktop, it is even a good idea to buy the monitor before I start building?

Any suggestions/ideas/feedback would be highly appreciated
Cheers guys ^^

craarc · 4 May 2012 at 00:11

what panels do most macs use ? im sure mac are the best for graphics and film editing or is it down to software. so see what panels go into their screens and get one with that in it..

one thing i will say after buyin a dell screen im gonna stick with them now.

isnt a good crt still better tho for what you want? or is that of the game plan?

im sure my friend in his company still use crt screens for some stuff not spoken to him in ages

kh85 · 4 May 2012 at 10:29

craarc said:
what panels do most macs use ? im sure mac are the best for graphics and film editing or is it down to software. so see what panels go into their screens and get one with that in it..

one thing i will say after buyin a dell screen im gonna stick with them now.

isnt a good crt still better tho for what you want? or is that of the game plan?

im sure my friend in his company still use crt screens for some stuff not spoken to him in ages

Macs use A+ ips panels don't they?

Out of the 3 monitors i'd say the Dell was good, but then again 8-bit colour depth is nice

Bluntwrapped · 4 May 2012 at 10:42

Go for the Dell

It's a great monitor and the warranty is good too. If you save a bit you may be able to pick up a dell U2410 for under £300. Check the specs here:
http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&sku=294438

I wanted a accurate monitor for working on so I bought one last week. Best monitor I've ever had it's absolutely stunning

Ruruo · 4 May 2012 at 11:22

I'd rather, not go for a Mac, I think there's more potential to build something.

Out of the three it seems like the Dell would still be the best one to go for.
Does the 6 or 8 bit colour depth make too much of a difference?

I would love to get a U2410, but it seems that a jump from a e-IPS to the higher performance IPS also means such a huge jump in price...

sHo0sH · 4 May 2012 at 12:22

If you are willing to take a bit of a gamble, check the thread on "Yamakasi Catleap" I own one and also do graphics, it is absolutely fantastic (Same panel as 27 inc iMac, just its A- no A+)

Bluntwrapped · 4 May 2012 at 13:47

You are likely to not notice much difference between 6 and 8bit. The U2412M is a great value monitor and it doesn't fall too far behind it's older brother the U2410. See here:

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/47128-dell-ultrasharp-u2412m-24-ips-monitor-review-6.html

Ruruo · 5 May 2012 at 15:00

Thanks, I think I'll get then dell then in that case.

cmndr_andi · 5 May 2012 at 15:24

Yes, the dell u2412m is a 6 bit panel that uses frame rate control to achieve 8bit colours. this doesn't sound great - but in reality you will have a tough time telling the different between a "true 8 bit" monitor and this dell - as the frc is rather well implemented.

as you say, if you want a true 8 bit ips panel then the dell u2410 is available = but a lot more expensive.

here is a review which looks in depth at the u2412m and compares it to the u2410.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2412m.htm

here is another review of the u2412m from another well respected monitor review site:

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2011/review-dell-u2412m-part16.html#Conclusion

Also, the maximum supported refresh rate of the Dell is 60Hz, this is the same as all the other monitors you mentioned. To answer craarc's question, modern iMacs and Apple cinema displays use IPS panels.

As for the BenQ EW2430, this is a MVA panel monitor. These do offer nice contrast ratios - but they have pretty poor response times - so expect to see some ghosting during fast motion.

Here is an in-depth review of this BenQ from same site that reviewed the Dell above:

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2011/review-benq-ew2430-part10.html#Conclusion

Therefore, for your uses I would go with the Dell U2412M - the panel technology is great for video editing and the higher resolution it uses (1920x1200, not 1080p) gives you a bit more screen real-estate to play with. Plus the stand that comes with the dell is solid and very adjustable and Dell's warranty service for Ultrasharp monitors is excellent.

(PS. Could you remove the competitor links from your first post, please?)