Tired of Panel Lottery, suggestions

Vimes · 2 Oct 2017 at 15:25

Yeah £40 isn't bad, and it is transferable. Damage and accident cover included.

The tech is at it is and I doubt that it will get any clearer with HDR and local dimming etc. That'll just add more factors to balance when making a choice.

Even though he likes playing FPS type of games he seems oblivious to screen tearing or glow / bleed issues. For him the focus is the game and he is not distracted by some of the things which seem to irritate me. He had one monitor with several dead pixels and he didn't care about them, they developed outside of any possible warranty claim.
All that I could see was a cluster of dead pixels.

I suppose it illustrates how we are different in what we notice or bothered by.

Ordered

IvanDobskey · 2 Oct 2017 at 16:17

Kids just don't seem to care about minor display defects in the same way as us oldies

I pick up on pretty much any little defect in anything very quickly. It seems women are the same as whenever we watch a film in standard definition and I whinge about the picture quality, the girlfriend says she doesn't know what I'm talking about

I guess I must be overly picky about picture defects and quality

lunarwolf · 3 Oct 2017 at 14:28

my old faithful 10 year old Dell 2407WFP just went pop. at first I thought my PSU died it was so loud. luckily it was only the monitor

anyway I found this thread vey useful so thanks for all the opinions, it was helpful

I rarely play FPS unless it's single player like Fallout or Far Cry. I play mostly RPG and RTS on my PC. I went for a VA since refresh rates and response times are not my biggest concerns. However, IPS high glow and bleed issues are a major turn off for me, whereas deeper blacks is important to me

just bought this Samsung C27F390 under £200
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...d-widescreen-lcd-monitor-black-mo-22l-sa.html
I was hesitating with the Samsung C27F591, they seem exactly the same except for integrated speakers and white bezel which wasn't for me
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...creen-lcd-monitor-silver-white-mo-22o-sa.html
almost went for the Samsung C27FG70 but that arm in the back is a pain
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sams...quantum-dot-widescreen-monitor-mo-231-sa.html

not sure about the curved screen tbh since I never tried, but what the heck it was so cheap I figured I could try it out. was hoping to wait for 4K OLED but that wasn't a viable option.

thanks for helping me make a quick and unexpected decision

Vimes · 3 Oct 2017 at 15:50

IvanDobskey said:
Kids just don't seem to care about minor display defects in the same way as us oldies

I pick up on pretty much any little defect in anything very quickly. It seems women are the same as whenever we watch a film in standard definition and I whinge about the picture quality, the girlfriend says she doesn't know what I'm talking about

I guess I must be overly picky about picture defects and quality

To be frank I wish at times that I didn't always see these things. In other respects I'm glad that I do but it does mean very high standards for hardware to attain.

My Samsung UW has now arrived.

I have edited my post as the initial problem of text clarity was caused by excess sharpening being applied.
I did try out the Cinema mode, what I did not realise is by doing so it automatically increases the level of sharpening and it is then greyed out so that you need the custom mode to adjust it.

Coming from a 27" 16:9 1440p IPS panel which I have had for years to this 21:9 34" VA panel will take some adjusting...!

IvanDobskey · 3 Oct 2017 at 17:36

Vimes said:
To be frank I wish at times that I didn't always see these things. In other respects I'm glad that I do but it does have very high standards for hardware to attain.

My Samsung UW has now arrived.

I have edited my post as the initial problem of text clarity was caused by excess sharpening being applied.
I did try out the Cinema mode, what I did not realise is by doing so it automatically increases the level of sharpening and it is then greyed out so that you need the custom mode to adjust it.

Coming from a 27" 16:9 1440p IPS panel which I have had for years to this 21:9 34" VA panel will take some adjusting...!

Ah nice one, hope you are enjoying it

The settings out of the box are pretty good. But yes, sharpness is set too high and brightness also much too high.

After dropping these settings down I'm very happy with the image quality of this screen.

Let me know your thoughts when you've played with it a bit more

ChocAndGray · 4 Oct 2017 at 13:13

Like so many, the monitor purchase is one of the worst for me as I'm always worried about how bad uniformity will be. Price isn't even a factor either, when I think it should be. I'd expect an expensive monitor to have better quality control, but they don't.

Manufacturers could definitely improve the situation but the increase in costs to raise the quality control just wouldn't be worth it. The average consumer probably doesn't notice anyway.

The only way around the lottery is buying from a retailer with a generous returns policy. I also then tend to only buy VA monitors, and then use lot's of ambient lighting, as all monitors look quite bad on dark scenes in a dark room. In a bright room even an ips can look decent...

Vimes · 6 Oct 2017 at 11:00

IvanDobskey said:
Ah nice one, hope you are enjoying it

The settings out of the box are pretty good. But yes, sharpness is set too high and brightness also much too high.

After dropping these settings down I'm very happy with the image quality of this screen.

Let me know your thoughts when you've played with it a bit more

There is more to adapt to this monitor for me than I would have appreciated. At first, and this does still linger, because of the UW aspect ratio it still seems that the bottom section of the monitor is missing. That was greatly emphasised on my last 21:9 (only 1080p vertical resolution) but as this one is a tall as my 27" 16:9 it should not feel that way. But, as yet, that seems to apply.
When I first switched it on I noticed the tonal differences in colours from my BenQ IPS to this Samsung VA panel. Not necessarily in a bad way but just different.
The curve also is taking some getting used to. In games it comes into its own and it only seems to add in a positive way to the experience. In Windows and applications I'm more aware of not necessarily the edges coming more into your view, rather than being at the peripheral, but the centre being more concave - if that makes sense..! I can understand why those who want lines and "straightness" for their work might have an issue with a curved screen, certainly with the curvature of this one.
I'm not too impressed how certain modes then lock out fine adjustments and no custom preset modes are configurable and hot keyed. The BenQ 4k had a wired remote "puck" with buttons which you could assign functions or modes to. I liked this, I had a sRGB - Game Mode - blue Light Mode - all assigned to the buttons to then select easily, rather than needing to go behind the monitor to the joystick type control and then work your way through the menus.
The VESA mounting is very poor.....

whilst adjustments and "offset" positioning can be done on the arm the distance from the plate to the back of the monitor is ridiculous. I do understand that the screen is curved but it could be better.

Overall I am happy with the monitor and glad that I have a Ti1080 to push those extra pixels around. In my opinion 4k and a Ti1080 isn't good, maybe Volta +1 for a single GPU and 4k.

As long as you are informed about the limitations of each panel type and aspect ratio then this Samsung has to be strongly considered to be good for its type. To me it does seem expensive for what it is but that applies to all monitors.
Have you seen the price of it here at the moment...?

IvanDobskey · 6 Oct 2017 at 12:03

Vimes said:
There is more to adapt to this monitor for me than I would have appreciated. At first, and this does still linger, because of the UW aspect ratio it still seems that the bottom section of the monitor is missing. That was greatly emphasised on my last 21:9 (only 1080p vertical resolution) but as this one is a tall as my 27" 16:9 it should not feel that way. But, as yet, that seems to apply.
When I first switched it on I noticed the tonal differences in colours from my BenQ IPS to this Samsung VA panel. Not necessarily in a bad way but just different.
The curve also is taking some getting used to. In games it comes into its own and it only seems to add in a positive way to the experience. In Windows and applications I'm more aware of not necessarily the edges coming more into your view, rather than being at the peripheral, but the centre being more concave - if that makes sense..! I can understand why those who want lines and "straightness" for their work might have an issue with a curved screen, certainly with the curvature of this one.
I'm not too impressed how certain modes then lock out fine adjustments and no custom preset modes are configurable and hot keyed. The BenQ 4k had a wired remote "puck" with buttons which you could assign functions or modes to. I liked this, I had a sRGB - Game Mode - blue Light Mode - all assigned to the buttons to then select easily, rather than needing to go behind the monitor to the joystick type control and then work your way through the menus.
The VESA mounting is very poor.....

whilst adjustments and "offset" positioning can be done on the arm the distance from the plate to the back of the monitor is ridiculous. I do understand that the screen is curved but it could be better.

Overall I am happy with the monitor and glad that I have a Ti1080 to push those extra pixels around. In my opinion 4k and a Ti1080 isn't good, maybe Volta +1 for a single GPU and 4k.

As long as you are informed about the limitations of each panel type and aspect ratio then this Samsung has to be strongly considered to be good for its type. To me it does seem expensive for what it is but that applies to all monitors.
Have you seen the price of it here at the moment...?

I see what you mean about that vesa mount

I had no idea about this having only used the basic stand which is actually pretty stable and sturdy. But I don't like the look of that mounting system. I guess you don't see it once you're in front of the screen.

I can imagine the curve being a bit marmite for productivity uses, but for me with my main use gaming, it works out great.

Vimes · 6 Oct 2017 at 12:19

IvanDobskey said:
I see what you mean about that vesa mount I had no idea about this having only used the basic stand which is actually pretty stable and sturdy. But I don't like the look of that mounting system. I guess you don't see it once you're in front of the screen.

I can imagine the curve being a bit marmite for productivity uses, but for me with my main use gaming, it works out great.

Oh it is a damn good screen there is little doubt.
Maybe I'm a little weary right now as it does tend to happen whenever I get the urge to replace my screen, which I rarely do. It is a complete panel lottery as to what you will get and have felt compromised in selecting panel types not primarily on their virtues but more of avoiding things like IPS Glow coupled with excessive bleed.
The general quality control and consistency during manufacture is far too cost cutting, I would not mind paying another 5-10% if it meant taking more luck out of the monitor purchase. I bet retailers would prefer it that way as well.
The VESA mounting system is not good per-se as it brings the monitor forward by over 5cm than it needs to be due to the back plate needing to attach to the monitors bracket rather than the rear of the panel. Can''t do much about that. I have gone back to the std stand and maybe when I get a new desk it will be fine, my desk does not have much depth.

With gaming it is about selecting the appropriate FOV to go with the UW ratio, if it can be altered.

i do not need productivity work and my casual use of PS or LR is fairly limited in its needs.

Overall this monitor is a keeper and playing No Man's Sky, and other games, is pretty damn good and although it is an often used term I can agree with the "immersive" one used to relate my gaming experience when using it. The curve in that context works well.
As you have noted previously why they make banana shaped TV's escapes me.

IvanDobskey · 6 Oct 2017 at 12:39

Vimes said:
Oh it is a damn good screen there is little doubt.
Maybe I'm a little weary right now as it does tend to happen whenever I get the urge to replace my screen, which I rarely do. It is a complete panel lottery as to what you will get and have felt compromised in selecting panel types not primarily on their virtues but more of avoiding things like IPS Glow coupled with excessive bleed.
The general quality control and consistency during manufacture is far too cost cutting, I would not mind paying another 5-10% if it meant taking more luck out of the monitor purchase. I bet retailers would prefer it that way as well.
The VESA mounting system is not good per-se as it brings the monitor forward by over 5cm than it needs to be due to the back plate needing to attach to the monitors bracket rather than the rear of the panel. Can''t do much about that. I have gone back to the std stand and maybe when I get a new desk it will be fine, my desk does not have much depth.

With gaming it is about selecting the appropriate FOV to go with the UW ratio, if it can be altered.

i do not need productivity work and my casual use of PS or LR is fairly limited in its needs.

Overall this monitor is a keeper and playing No Man's Sky, and other games, is pretty damn good and although it is an often used term I can agree with the "immersive" one used to relate my gaming experience when using it. The curve in that context works well.
As you have noted previously why they make banana shaped TV's escapes me.

A deeper desk would definitely help alleviate the mount issues.

How are you finding the screen with dark scenes? Backlight bleed minimal I hope? Have you checked for dead pixels?

Vimes · 6 Oct 2017 at 12:51

IvanDobskey said:
A deeper desk would definitely help alleviate the mount issues.

How are you finding the screen with dark scenes? Backlight bleed minimal I hope? Have you checked for dead pixels?

Dark scenes are acceptable - space is space after all

But I take your point. Darker scenes with detail is something that the IPS was pretty damn good at, but at the expense of not delivering inky deep blacks which the VA panel can. So with the IPS screen all the detail remained but the deep blacks were more of a dark charcoal by comparison. So far in the limited use of dark scenes with necessary to see detail it is ok. Further checking will need to be done but at the moment my games of choice are pretty bright.

When you first get the monitor the default is to crank the brightness up way too high, like you noted before. That isn't going to be good for most monitors, even these screens can show some bleed at almost 100% brightness and in a dark room just showing a black screen. As that combination doesn't reflect my needs, brightness around 40% or so, it does look good.
Having being used to what you get with IPS screens, and finding IPS and 32" and above is not good for what you see off centre to your seated position, this screen for 34" is pretty damn good to say the least.
Screen uniformity etc is good also, but I''m not looking for issues - I'll then be unable to see them.....! But during loading screens of some games when I see a pure white or black screen I have seen zero dead pixels.

I do wish that MS would fix W10, since the creators update the Night Light setting, after it has been in standby, needs a registry fix applied to get it to work again.

IvanDobskey · 6 Oct 2017 at 13:00

Vimes said:
Dark scenes are acceptable - space is space after all But I take your point. Darker scenes with detail is something that the IPS was pretty damn good at, but at the expense of not delivering inky deep blacks which the VA panel can. So with the IPS screen all the detail remained but the deep blacks were more of a dark charcoal by comparison. So far in the limited use of dark scenes with necessary to see detail it is ok. Further checking will need to be done but at the moment my games of choice are pretty bright.

When you first get the monitor the default is to crank the brightness up way too high, like you noted before. That isn't going to be good for most monitors, even these screens can show some bleed at almost 100% brightness and in a dark room just showing a black screen. As that combination doesn't reflect my needs, brightness around 40% or so, it does look good.
Having being used to what you get with IPS screens, and finding IPS and 32" and above is not good for what you see off centre to your seated position, this screen for 34" is pretty damn good to say the least.
Screen uniformity etc is good also, but I''m not looking for issues - I'll then be unable to see them.....! But during loading screens of some games when I see a pure white or black screen I have seen zero dead pixels.

I do wish that MS would fix W10, since the creators update the Night Light setting, after it has been in standby, needs a registry fix applied to get it to work again.

Good to hear you have minimal bleed and no dead pixels

These were my main two worries when buying a new screen. Very happy in this respect.

I'm still messing around a little with my settings. Think I have brightness on about 35 with contrast a bit higher on about 55. I dropped sharpness down a bit too.

Colours look just fine on the standard setting to me.

Vimes · 7 Oct 2017 at 09:11

IvanDobskey said:
Good to hear you have minimal bleed and no dead pixels

These were my main two worries when buying a new screen. Very happy in this respect.

I'm still messing around a little with my settings. Think I have brightness on about 35 with contrast a bit higher on about 55. I dropped sharpness down a bit too.

Colours look just fine on the standard setting to me.

The more that I use it the better I am at adapting to the colours

IIRC you have a 1070GTX...? If so how do you go on with the monitors 100hz refresh rate and trying to maintain as best you can 100fps...? I decided to drop the monitor down to 60hz and thus cap my adaptive sync to 60fps. With my Ti1080 and good eye candy settings it seems a nice trade off of FPS and GPU load.

I also need to think about the screen settings a little more, with being a little busy I have tended to just stick with a custom settings and use the brightness and contrast adjustments, along with sharpness, and largely forget the rest for now.

IvanDobskey · 7 Oct 2017 at 11:03

I found the colour very good from the off, compared to my 4 year old ips I was replacing.

Mostly playing elite dangerous at the moment which easily manages 100fps on my 1070 so it works well.

May see some tearing when I try moving on to play more demanding games though.

kekikbali · 7 Oct 2017 at 14:08

good write thanks admin posted.