The BenQ EW2420: Too good to be true?

PCM2 · 15 Dec 2010 at 11:18

nosluom said:
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?

I can assure you that on both a technical and practical level, it is if you get a good unit. Not like an OLED vs. LCD type of difference but the average user would probably notice the difference in actual use if they saw them running games or movies side-by-side. With games the same also applies to the differences in responsiveness, however. You should really take the plunge as it is the only way you're going to know whether the monitor is right for you. If it isn't; there's DSR. You can read as many reviews as you want but they won't make your mind up for you. Testing monitors isn't always like testing a graphics card as a lot of the testing is subjective and not benchmark-based. Given this your only option, really, is to see it for yourself.

nosluom · 15 Dec 2010 at 11:22

what do you mean by dsr mate? I do really wanna take the plunge and try it but if i don't like it im stuck with the monitor then

crackerbear · 15 Dec 2010 at 14:10

nosluom said:
what do you mean by dsr mate? I do really wanna take the plunge and try it but if i don't like it im stuck with the monitor then

DSR = Distance Selling Regulations. Basically a consumer right, if you buy from an online store, you're legally allowed to send something back to the seller within 7 days after receiving the thing you bought.

nosluom · 15 Dec 2010 at 14:37

even after opening the packaging?

sunama · 15 Dec 2010 at 14:40

nosluom said:
even after opening the packaging?

If you open the packaging, on-line retailers will normally charge you a re-stocking fee. Unless of course the item is defective.

Personally though, if I were you, I would wait just a little.
From what I can tell, Benq are getting their production line in order. Their QC is VERY poor and is typical of a product which isn't yet ready for prime time. I'm sure that once they get their production line in order, the QC will improve.

One thing that you must be aware of is that if you are used to using high quality monitors then you may be disappointed. Just bear this in mind and don't have super high expectations.

I recently bought a DELL. I had super high expectations because most of the on-line reviews (professional and user), all boasted about the image quality. Upon purchasing it, I highlighted the poor image quality and was then told that this is quite normal and that I shouldn't compare my other (high quality) screens to the DELL.

If however, you are used to el cheapo TN monitors, then by all accounts, your expectations won't be high and you should be suitably impressed by this monitor (or any other highly rated monitor being sold in 2010).

The obvious problem with the Benq is the QC. There is no question about this. Most people who buy this thing are consistently reporting back with QC related problems. If people get a good EW2420 monitor (with no QC problems), the buyer is usually satisfied.

PCM2 · 15 Dec 2010 at 14:48

The whole point in the DSR legislation is to allow you to test out and use the product as you would be able to in a good shop. If you aren't satisfied with the product for any reason at all or you simply change your mind (within 7 days) the retailer is required by law to offer you a full refund. If the product is faulty or not the retailer can not charge you a restocking fee, but they can make you cover the cost of sending an item back to them. They are also not allowed to insist that you return the product before issuing a refund, although often you will return it to them as quickly as you can.

The 7 day window is the time you have to voice your dissatisfaction and that you want to return a product. You don't have to actually return it within that time.

And there is some truth in what sunama is saying. BenQ aren't actually set to release the EW2420 OR XL2410T until January, full-scale. They seem to be testing the water at the moment.

nosluom · 15 Dec 2010 at 14:51

thankyou both for your info, i didnt know all that about the 7 day dsr, very very useful information. Sunama i've only ever had TN panels so i'm guessing i should find this a nice investment?

crackerbear · 15 Dec 2010 at 14:56

nosluom said:
thankyou both for your info, i didnt know all that about the 7 day dsr, very very useful information. Sunama i've only ever had TN panels so i'm guessing i should find this a nice investment?

Have a look at this post by PCM2, where he highlights the actual paragraph in the DSR legislation. Providing you get a defect free EW2420, it will blow away any TN monitor by a fair margin - image quality wise.

nosluom · 15 Dec 2010 at 14:58

right i'm gonna go for it then!! wish me look guys, fingers crossed i get a decent one. I've only ever seen TN screens so im hoping this is better!!

sunama · 15 Dec 2010 at 15:08

nosluom said:
thankyou both for your info, i didnt know all that about the 7 day dsr, very very useful information. Sunama i've only ever had TN panels so i'm guessing i should find this a nice investment?

In which case, for all intent and purposes, you should be happy with this screen.

BTW, on PCM's site, he has rated the 28" Hanns G as the top value for money monitor. Why don't you go for this? I'm not 100% sure but you may be able to buy that monitor for around £225 and for the size and price, it seems like a good monitor.

PCM2 · 15 Dec 2010 at 15:17

Can't argue with the value of the HannsG. Depends if you value size over image quality though.

nosluom · 16 Dec 2010 at 13:19

well my ew2420 has arrived, i've not opened it yet because im at work but i'm pretty disgusted in the state of the package. It's obvious i've been sent someones return because the benq tape seals are all covered back over with crappy sellotape and there's two holes in the box. I'm guessing if it's someone return it's going to be a crap one

PCM2 · 16 Dec 2010 at 13:33

Did you buy it from OcUK or somewhere else? That doesn't sound promising so far.

nosluom · 16 Dec 2010 at 13:39

OCUK mate, not particular how i'd like to recieve a 'brand new' product, surely if they're sending on someone elses it should be sold as open box

sunama · 16 Dec 2010 at 13:39

nosluom said:
well my ew2420 has arrived, i've not opened it yet because im at work but i'm pretty disgusted in the state of the package. It's obvious i've been sent someones return because the benq tape seals are all covered back over with crappy sellotape and there's two holes in the box. I'm guessing if it's someone return it's going to be a crap one

I think that somebody else also commented that their EW2420 arrived in packaging which had obviously been previously opened.

I would suggest that you don't panic. Wait till you get home, try it out and see what you make of it.

It is quite possible that even though the packaging is damaged, the monitor could be a good one.

nosluom · 16 Dec 2010 at 13:45

ok i'll keep you posted

White Zenith · 17 Dec 2010 at 15:11

PCM2, I noticed in somewhere in this thread you mentioned that you used to use a Samsung 2032BW. I currently have this monitor, so from personal experience, do you think it's definitely worth upgrading to the BenQ? Obviously from an image quality point of view it'll be a lot better, but the response time issue? I've never really seen ghosting on a monitor, so maybe I won't be that susceptible to seeing it (hopefully!)

Thanks

PCM2 · 17 Dec 2010 at 15:27

The 2032BW isn't one of the most responsive 60Hz monitors I've used but it's still slightly better than the EW2420. If you have no problems with the 2032BW you will probably find the EW2420's responsiveness quite comfortable. I am very sensitive to monitor responsiveness (which helps me as a reviewer) but I don't find the EW2420 particularly troublesome as long as I'm not constantly focussing on the responsiveness and looking out for things.

White Zenith · 17 Dec 2010 at 23:18

Okay thanks

I've been using my work friend's U2311h the last couple of days, and obviously it's a massive improvement over the 2032BW. However I can't say I like the aspect ratio, I hate that most manufacturers are going for 16:9

I do definitely notice the warm/cool tinting though in darker images, I was quite surprised how bad it was. I could live with it though.

The responsiveness seems fine, although it's supposed to be better than the EW2420 anyway. The main issue with getting one for myself is that it's about £230 at the cheapest, whereas I could get the BenQ for around £160...

Bearing this in mind, and that I use my PC primarily for web browsing, working (programming/word documents), gaming and some 'amateur' use of lightroom/photoshop, do you think the Dell is worth the extra?

PCM2 · 18 Dec 2010 at 10:18

It would depend entirely on how sensitive you are to the (lack of) responsiveness. You are right - the U2311H is more responsive. It also has greater colour accuracy. The EW2420 on the other hand has fantastic contrast, more uniform and bright looking whites and greater colour vibrancy. The latter point is helped not only by the contrast but also by the semi-gloss coating on the screen. From an entertainment perspective I prefer the EW2420 to the U2311H - with caveats. The response time is the only thing really letting it down and it's difficult to gague how you will find it without actually using it yourself.