The BenQ EW2420: Too good to be true?

I was really impressed with the EW2420 initially, but here's the thing, I was continually reaching for the OSD to tweak the colour set-up, I spent hours doing this which turned into days, and by day three I knew I wasn't going to get it, so it had to go back. I now feel that I probably got a duff monitor

By comparision using the same Windows 7 calibration setup on the XL2370, it was like set the gamma, brightness, contrast, & RGB values, then the grey scale, when I exited out of calibration to the desktop the colours looked smack on, done and dusted in 15 mins, and I haven't touched the settings since. I've had this monitor for a week now, I'll just say ... it's a joy!
 
Yeah it was the same with our XL2370 review unit. The EW2420 didn't even need the gamma, colour or anything else touched (except contrast and brightness). It was nothing short of a miracle - but I don't doubt for one second we got a gem of a unit and that's not the average EW2420 experience. :D I'm really glad you're happy with your XL2370 though. A monitor is a difficult thing to get right and you need to get it right considering how much time you'll be looking at it.
 
PCM2, I'm done looking now, thanks to your review. Probably see you in this monitor section of OcUK forums in 3-4 years time when I need to upgrade, merry Xmas!
 
Having been looking for a replacement for my old Dell 19" 1280x1024 LCD screen (about 7 years old), I was initially attracted to the EW2420 following a very positive review on TechRadar. As commented elsewhere, though, TechRadar reviews provide a good general summary without much detail. So, searching the net led me to this thread. Reading the various comments and PCM2's excellent review, I took the plunge and bought one from a well-known internet retailer.

I've now had it for a week, and it's stunning. I couldn't be happier. Initial impressions are as widely mentioned - the default settings are too bright. A little tweaking onscreen and with the Windows 7 calibration utility yielded very workable results, though.

To get the most out of it, though, I bought a Spyder3Pro (with the Elite 4 software), and let that work its magic and deliver an ICC profile specifically tailored for my setup at home. With that in place, it really is a stunning screen.

I'm not a big gamer, so I can't really comment. Compared to my old Dell monitor with 28ms response time, it's bound to do well, though. My main hobby is MS FSX, and with that, the quality and depth of colour and contrast really make a tasty sight. I've tried it on Empire:Total War, and HAWX2. Both delivered exceptional visuals without any of the trailing, shadowing etc others have mentioned - to the naked eye, at least. I appreciate these aren't the fastest, most testing games, though.

I do quite a lot of amateur photography, and the calibrated screen delivers fine there too.

One issue I do have, though (and I'd really appreciate any thoughts you might have), is that it seems to take too long to switch on initially when it receives a signal from my graphics card. The result is that when I switch on the PC, the first sign of life I get from the monitor is the Windows Starting screen in Win7. It doesn't show me the splash screen for the BIOS POST. I know pressing the DEL key brings me into the BIOS settings OK, and the screen does show these OK, but when I'm ordinarily (re)booting the PC, I miss my BIOS splash screen. Is it something to do with the resolution of the BIOS display? As I built the PC myself, I kindof miss it! Any ideas? The only workaround I've come up is to enable the stupid ASUS ExpressGate BIOS feature, which delays the whole BIOS bootup process. Don't like it, though, as it's just a pointless delay in starting up the machine.

Anyway, other than that small gripe, and for what it's worth, I do genuinly like this screen and would recommend it to friends and family looking for a large 24" widescreen monitor.

Alex.
 
Have you disabled the BenQ purple splash screen? This can increase the panel activation time slightly - it is enabled by default but it sounds as if you aren't even seeing this. :confused: Also what input cable are you using and have you got anything other than the PC connected to the monitor?

Otherwise it's good to hear the positive feedback. Sounds like you got a good unit (like our review unit) and are reaping the benefits that the AMVA panel has to offer. :)
 
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PCM2 said:
Have you disabled the BenQ purple splash screen? This can increase the panel activation time slightly - it is enabled by default but it sounds as if you aren't even seeing this. :confused: Also what input cable are you using and have you got anything other than the PC connected to the monitor?

Otherwise it's good to hear the positive feedback. Sounds like you got a good unit (like our review unit) and are reaping the benefits that the AMVA panel has to offer. :)
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PCM2, thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Disable to Benq splash screen is one possibility. I do get the splash screen appear when startup from cold. Presumably there's a setting in the OSD to disable it...

I mentioned the issue to BenQ themselves and had a support ticket raised. They've just come back to me since I posted my previous message here, and said that I should return the unit to them in exchange for a new unit. Personally, I'm reluctant to do so. It doesn't seem worthwhile going without a monitor for a few days and risking another unit that may have its own issues, just for the sake of the BIOS splash screen. My hunch is there's nothing wrong, anyway, just a slow respone to the lower BIOS screen resolution. How would you respond?

Alex.

EDIT: I should say that I've tried both DVI and HDMI inputs, with the same outcome. My graphics card (Gigabyte GTX460 1gb OC) doesn't offer a VGA output. I've nothing else connected to the monitor.
 
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I would certainly try disabling the purple splash screen and seeing if that helps (I can't remember off-hand how to do this and I'm not currently with my EW2420). I have noticed that the panel is slow to react to changes in signal resolution so I doubt your unit is faulty in any way. Given the number of other things that could be wrong with any replacement unit I'd certainly keep yours if I were you.
 
sunama said:
If you have a good EW2420, keep it. You would have to be insane to return it.
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Yeh, that's exactly my feeling. I will see if I can find the BenQ splash screen setting in the OSD and try disabling it, as PCM2 suggests. Otherwise, I will live with it, for now at least.

I explained to the BenQ rep in reply to their email that the issue I'm experiencing doesn't warrant going without a monitor (and therefore PC) for a week or two at this time of year.

I've asked them to advise me on what the EW2420 expected response times are to a change in resolution. Also whether they are certain I have a faulty unit or not. I'll see what they come back with.

Thanks,

Alex.
 
Itching to get home now, and give it a bash. I do like factory menus (all warnings etc accepted...) I have a Panasonic plasma tv for our living room, and the things you can do with the factory menu! - picture perfection.

Thanks for all your help. After going back to BenQ saying that I'd stick with the monitor but could they advise on expected response times to changes in resolution etc, all I got back was "Thanks for letting me know". So, none the wiser...

Cheers,

Alex.
 
alexberry said:
Yeh, that's exactly my feeling. I will see if I can find the BenQ splash screen setting in the OSD and try disabling it, as PCM2 suggests. Otherwise, I will live with it, for now at least.

I explained to the BenQ rep in reply to their email that the issue I'm experiencing doesn't warrant going without a monitor (and therefore PC) for a week or two at this time of year.

I've asked them to advise me on what the EW2420 expected response times are to a change in resolution. Also whether they are certain I have a faulty unit or not. I'll see what they come back with.

Thanks,

Alex.
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Have you got it on autodetect for the connection type. Its a long a shot I have a completely different monitor, but perhaps try disconnecting all wires to monitor then holding the power button for over five seconds. Then reconnect all then turn pc on first then monitor. Then in the monitor ui menu set it to dvi connection or whatever you are using.
 
Well after a short delay to watch Inception (fabulous film), I have returned to the monitor issue.

I got into the service page and disabled the BenQ logo splash screen. I also tried to figure out what the other settings are. HDP? Don't know; nor do I know what "DVI/HDMI 10m" is referring to, unless it's something to do with the length of the cable, though can't see why that's relevant.

I found that switching off the logo is partially helpful. I now catch a fleeting glimpse of the PCs BIOS screen from a cold start. An OS restart still goes by without the BIOS screen and straight to Win7 starting.

From inside the BIOS, I confirmed that the screen is still on a 1920x1080 resolution, so it's not switching resolution at all.

It must simply be the time the monitor takes to wake up from an Auto Power Off mode. Best solution - if I want to track the PCs boot-up sequence, switch the monitor on manually first, give it a second or two and then start the PC.

Probably boring you all now, so I'll stop. Thanks for the suggestions, and advice. I'll definitely be keeping this monitor, and I really hope my little gripe doesn't put anyone off the idea of buying one themselves.

Alex.
 
anyone else get any more reviews on this? am tempted with it being on the weekly special. The lag is the thing putting me off i guess. Surely the picture quality can't be that much better than a tn panel?
 
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