NEC LCD20WGX2 review *** UPDATED 25/02/06 ***

[igors]

Yay! Just hope ******-link don't screw up again like they usually do.

No worries Rich ! As you gave us the shipment tracking number, all OCUK forum will track this shipment for you with great interest

 

[igors]

or ring up the depot and arrange for alternate delivery address or personal collection

Now, that's nasty. No, no, no ... we all love our Richard - THE RichDog. But ... I wonder, just wonder .... hmmmm

 

[igors]

you changed it in the e-mail text - but not the link - DOH!

Maybe we should ask Baddass to intercept his post from the above. Where is the poor Richard anyway ? Just hope that tomorrow he will not bite his nails all day @ office, in desperate faith that his pretty monitor will (never) arrive safely with the city link courier ... who is just on the way to deliver the monitor to some distant, rural place in northern Scotland

 

[igors]

So far so good Rich, goods are loaded onto a van ... but question on my lips is "who is driving that van" ?

Seriously now, I wish you all the luck you may need to receive this monitor safely. I had couple of traumatic incidents with city link, so I'm possibly on the paranoid side here.

 

[igors]

Mine has just this second turned up, how long should I leave it out for to warm up before switching it on?

If monitor is brought from the freezing temperatures outside, just leave it 30min to acclimatize before powering on. If it was "mild" outside (+5 - +10) 10-15min is OK. Anyhow, this is my practice ... someone here may disagree or comment something else, so it's up to you to decide

 

[igors]

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/windows_vista_hdcp_lcd_roundup/page10.asp

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/windows_vista_hdcp_lcd_roundup/page13.asp

** some views about the firingsquad LCD roundup **

PixelPan numbers are weird , especially for SyncMaster 244T. I tested also PixPerAn Scrolling Text Score on NEC and it's definitely in the range 12-13. Now, how on earth 244T is faster than that (as the panel is slower), I simply don't understand. Maybe something is just fishy.

Also:

"
Photographers requiring color-critical work may find the advanced DV mode to be a bit distracting and the standard display to lack sufficient contrast. The 20WMGX2 was clearly designed for gamers rather than photographers.
"

As I'm personally editing photos (my personal collection) I tried the Photo mode without advanced DVM and experience was rather good and even without Advanced DVM monitor is still delivering the excellent contrast ratio. At the end, for the photographers it's more important that they have good colour accuracy and reproduction. It's not elaborated properly in the review and "distracting" is simply not enough. It was not distracting for me. Of course, we probably don't have here (on the forum) professional photographers who can justify that, but nevertheless they would probably opt for the "professional" monitor for that type of job. Also, have to mention that "default" contrast rate 700:1 is maybe the lowest among the monitor tested in the group, but from the perceptive view is excellent for me (with the stock set-up), better then any other LCD monitors I've seen in flesh.

Also, LCD monitors roundup is somewhat unfair because they are comparing the monitors in the range of $500 - $1500 (like 244T), at least in my opinion.

All in all, NEC is very good. Among the best for colour accuracy ("NEC 20WMXG2 all approach or beat the colour accuracy offered by a premium-grade CRT monitor") and contrast rates and, of course, response times are quite sufficient for the most demanding games around. All in all, review is confirming my impressions about those facts, especially colour accuracy when compared to the best CRT monitors around.

Also, our UK readers should notice that US model of the NEC is reviewed here. Essentially, NEC/Europe version is sharing the same technology as the US version, apart from HDCP and video inputs.

Last edited by DVL73 on Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:05 pm; edited 2 times in total

 

[igors]

Bad news, backlight bleed in lower left, looks quite bad actually but dont have chance to take pics or turn the room lights off here so it'll have to wait till I get home to test properly.

Well ... this is rather interesting. Couple of users (and now Richard) who reported the backlight bleed for this monitor are having something in common: "lower left" position of the backlight bleed. For some of them it faded away after the monitor "burn in". It looks like that monitors are, somewhat, from the same batch.

Also, my power button is "wonky", it's misalligned from the rest and sortt of sticking upwards.

Maybe it's fixable.

Anyhow, we will wait for the update from Richard.

 

[igors]

As for the "burn-in" period for the monitor, how long does this usually take?

For someone, couple of hours and then again for someone even next day was backlight free

 

[igors]

It's basic QC issue and some units are just "slipped" away from the manufacturing QC process. It can happen anytime, anywhere and with any technology. Of course, major question is what percentage of units are affected, how much is too much and more importantly if the backlight bleed is fading away (as some user reported and I find this very intriguing).

I think that NEC is offering the backlight free panel state, maybe we should have few more confirmations ... apart from the fact that from where I bought the monitor it's stated clearly (and it was confirmed).

People shouldn't be shy to swap their monitors if such thing is pronounceable in such way that is disturbing for them. It's their right.

 

[igors]

Anyone apart from igors got no back light bleed, everywhere I am looking people have it, seems rather crap

For many people (and some of them are not on this forum and they didn't purchased the monitor from OCUK) backlight bleed problem doesn't exist. Also, I'm receiving numerous e-mails (because of the review) and this is another good input probably - and only one person reported the serious backlight bleed (I think that monitor was faulty anyway). Manifestation of the backlight bleed, for the people who were unlucky so far, is rather strange. It's always located at specific monitor spots (almost always left/bottom corner) and maybe slightly, but not specially noticeable as it's hard to spot them, on other corners. For some of them it faded away, but again for some of them it's still there. It's probably to early now that we globalise this, as this monitor emerged on the market almost week or two ago. Probably some people are also just not bothered to post something in the forum.

We just have to wait & see.

 

[igors]

UPDATE: It seems the back light bleed may be related to dodgy build quality

Have to comment on this one. "Build" quality of the monitor is excellent, comparing to other models around which I had pleasure to see live. It's sturdy, well build/manufactured and it doesn't have that "plastic" look. What are you describing is QC issue.

You should RMA the monitor or if you don't want to bother with the same brand anymore ... just save some money and opt for Philips as Raymond suggested.

 

[igors]

That was a joke right?
Build quality, quality control issue... whatever. Both the same thing really.

Joke - not Maybe it's just the wording. For me, the "external" build quality involves the quality of the "casing", quality of the "external" materials used, feel & touch of the monitor (related to build quality) ... etc. It's the same thing like, for example, when you compare the cheap audio "Aiwa" power amplifier and "Musical Fidelity" or something in that range. Of course, "Musical Fidelity" build quality is not comparable to the "Aiwa", but it may happen that, if you are unlucky, you have to RMA the Musical Fidelity because of the slight noise or hum in the left channel Simply put, QC of that unit is not on the acceptable level. It may happen that this unit slipped to someone who is working in the QC department ... Of course, we don't know what's inside the NEC ... but technology wise is definitely more than good.

Anyhow, it's not important. Let's not get theoretical now

 

[igors]

mine seems to be getting worse as time goes on, probably because the screen is expanding with the heat of being on making the front panel squash on the backlight even more

Man, that just sucks ... bigtime. So unlucky.

RMA is a pain. I would be rather interested to see what is the NEC position about the RMA, if you don't want to choose the OCUK route.Can't confirm the screen expanding theory, but if it's getting worse in the next day or two you should RMA it for sure.

** Edit **

I think that for someone here @OCUK courier swapped the monitor for him (it was Philips I think) and guy was happy about the service. Not sure if this is applicable to all, but someone may confirm. If any retailer is offering such service, it's bloody excellent in my opinion.

 

[igors]

One user reported that backlight bleed cured after 5 days Really don't know what to tell you now I'm confused as much as you (them).

No dead pixels for now ?

This is his backlight bleed 5 days ago:

Before:

After 5 days:

Now, it's all black.

He bought the monitor from OCUK also.

 

[igors]

Sorry to hear of the problems people are having - mine now doesnt seem to have any excessive backlight bleed in any one area

Same here. My panel uniformity pictures in darkness (from the review) were taken approx 2 days after I purchased the monitor and essentially panel state was the same as soon as I power on the monitor for the first time. Firstly, I was pretty much surprised that for the LCD technology, panel uniformity was that good and "uniform" black, that I had to take the pictures for the review.

Looking at igors picture above, its nothing like that - i.e. no pools of light - its overall - and less bright than the bright bits shown there.

Not sure which camera he used and if there is maybe some distortion in the picture itself, but generally doesn't look nice. Shockingly, panel "cured" itself after 5 days.

My buttons are ok - but I can see how they may wobble a bit since they are not just straight push "in" - they sometimes are more like piano pedals - especially the "nipple" (remembers thinkpad fondly)

Somehow, I like them in a strange way

I can also understand how pressure on the front of the panel can cause distortion - and hence maybe some backlight effects - so maybe theres a build issue causing pressure on the panel

Quite possibly is the faulty batch of those monitors ... but I would not like to confirm anything firmly for now. Honestly, it's utterly impossible that retailer verify each batch in "advance". It's just pure luck of the draw and it seems that everything is possible, including the magical panel healing.

 

[igors]

Here is an image of my screen:

Yes. This one is very good and almost exemplary

Settings: Brightness 32%, Contrast 50%, Adv DV Mode On, DV Mode Standard, Native RGB.

Last couple of days I'm keeping the Advanced DVM always ON. Essentially, it gives me the better contrast, more balanced/natural/deep colours and less glare Will see how it's going, but so far is pretty good. It's definitely killer feature of this monitor.

I think it is related to the casing as Cal_G suggested. If I push (gently) the top left corner of the bezel the bleed gets noticeably worse, however if I push (gently) a quarter of the way down the left of the bezel the bleed completely disappears. So it must be related to the contact the bezel is making with the panel and the casing. I think in my case as the monitor warms up from cold and the plastic expands the bleed gets better (hence the 'self-healing effect'), but for a different screen the reaction could easily be the opposite.

Quite possibly.

From now on I'll be careful how I handle the monitor if I ever need to move it, by lifting it from underneath or by the stand, not by holding the sides of the screen.

Maybe we have to warn the present & future users of this monitor that they *must not* hard-press the front screen bezel either when they are carrying the monitor or just for fun. When you carry the monitor around, grip (pressure) should be on the stand or the sides of the monitor but *never* on the front bezel. They could quite possibly damage the screen in a way of the backlight bleed or other screen anomaly, if they don't follow this instruction. Of course, I think that this is probably not mentioned in the manual but it's better to be on the safe side. I remember some leaflet which was attached to the monitor screen first time when I opened the monitor box, but honestly can't remember what was written there.

Overall I am still very happy with my purchase.

Glad to hear that

 

[igors]

Or maybe that if you have predominantly brighter areas of bleed - maybe suggest that a little case/surround massaging may improve things - a bit like massaging dead pixels with cotton buds - but now more related to getting the pressure from the facia more even.

Yes, possibly this may do the trick. I'm quite sure that it's fixable, as problem is definitely not related to CCFL positioning or panel masking ... probably just the casing itself. Anyhow people should not grab their screwdrivers and hammers from the tool kits and start investigation. Your suggestion is on the safe side.

On the previous page, I have also included the "after" panel picture from the monitor who cured itself after 5 days. Quite surprising.

 

[igors]

First time poster

Welcome to the forum! You comments here are really appriciated.

This took the form of a light grey haze which radiated out from the corners and formed a black cross in the middle of the screen.

Hmmm ... it's interesting that it's "radiating" and forming the backlight haze. Are you sure that you are not looking at the colour banding ? Is there any possibility that we see some pics ?

I spoke to the NEC support people and gave them a detailed description of the problem and they are going to send me out another monitor when they have stock (hopefully by Friday).

That's good. Last week one user reported that they still didn't have this monitor on their system, as it was quite new

as a general rant i think manufacturers really need to look at their manufacturing methods to eliminated backlight bleed completly from LCD monitors and for there quality people to actually test for backlight bleed under lowlight conditions.

Can't agree with you more !

 

[igors]

Have spokent to NEC UK to arrange a swap and been told that they will send me a new one, and also pre-test it for backlight bleed. Dead pixels they couldnt guarantee a complete lack of as they have a tolerance of 2 dead pixels per unit but from what i've een hearing dead pixels are not common on these screens.

Richard, that's great. You will get there, hopefully, and fingers crossed for you.

One word of warning: do not use the monitor for more than 20 hours prior to contacting NEC for a swap as then they will not issue you with a new one!

How they can verify how long monitor was running ?!

Also, when you compare your backlight bleed with the pictures from the previous page of this thread, how does it look like ?

 

[igors]

lol.. is it me or does the iiyama look a better pic.. you can see more detail, as the NEC image is way too bright...???

LOL I think that I know what he was trying to tell (show), but he either adores the intensive brightness or his phone-camera was simply messing around with the final result.