Which is better?

beejjacobs · 15 May 2012 at 20:42

How would 1080p content look on a Dell 3007WFP?

I've found one for a similar price to a 32" TV roughly. I'd love a 30" monitor, but only if I could comfortably use it for 1080p content (and lower) without it looking worse than a 32" TV at a similar distance.

I know close up it's not going to look great, but if it would look as good as the TV at a similar distance I'd much rather have the 30" monitor for gaming

What would you do?

I have a 24" monitor currently that I'm happy with, so I'd rather get a TV if that'll look better for films etc...

PCM2 · 15 May 2012 at 21:19

What distance are you talking about here?

beejjacobs · 15 May 2012 at 21:21

PCM2 said:
What distance are you talking about here?

Well for gaming I'd use the monitor up close, a couple of feet I guess.

For watching TV etc... more like 8-10 feet.

PCM2 · 15 May 2012 at 22:40

It's a tricky one. Personally I can't stand a 2560 x 1440 or 2560 x 1600 resolution scaled to 1920 x 1080. It just isn't as crisp and sharp and it just doesn't appeal to me. Having said that there are a plethora of potential image issues you could experience trying to use a 32" TV as a monitor. I think that overall the colour reproduction benefits and desktop benefits of the 2560 x 1440 resolution make the U3011 a better all-round choice for you. Subjectively speaking I wouldn't get on with it at 1920 x 1080 but not everyone would be so put back by the scaling.

beejjacobs · 15 May 2012 at 22:50

Thanks for the reply again.

I don't think I've explained very well what I mean perhaps. The options are 30" monitor for gaming + films etc... or keep my 24" monitor for gaming, and buy a 32" TV for films. So I wouldn't use the TV for my PC, I'd much rather have a decent monitor for that!

But as you say the thing I'm worried about is how the lower res content will scale on the larger monitor. My thinking is that a 30" monitor can't look any worse than an HD TV when a significant distance away?

PCM2 · 15 May 2012 at 22:57

I find the upscaling for films a lot better than the scaling for games. The monitor will run its native resolution and display the 1080p content at a higher resolution. You do lose a bit of sharpness but it isn't as bad as what you get actually running a lower resolution than native (i.e. gaming at 1080p). Some distance away you just wouldn't notice this drop in quality at all. Up close you may grow to accept it even for games. It's really hard to say to be honest. I know it's a real pain but you do have Distance Selling Regulations on your side if you really don't get along with it. It's probably better to see for yourself than to try to deliberate on something so subjective - it would be a shame to miss out if you really get on well with it.

beejjacobs · 15 May 2012 at 23:01

PCM2 said:
I find the upscaling for films a lot better than the scaling for games. The monitor will run its native resolution and display the 1080p content at a higher resolution. You do lose a bit of sharpness but it isn't as bad as what you get actually running a lower resolution than native (i.e. gaming at 1080p). Some distance away you just wouldn't notice this drop in quality at all. Up close you may grow to accept it even for games. It's really hard to say to be honest. I know it's a real pain but you do have Distance Selling Regulations on your side if you really don't get along with it. It's probably better to see for yourself than to try to deliberate on something so subjective - it would be a shame to miss out if you really get on well with it.

I think you're probably right, I've just got to try it! I don't think I've ever even seen a 30" monitor - I imagine it would be quite a step up from my 24"!

You mention not liking a 2560x1600 monitor scaled with 1080 content, do you have a 30" monitor yourself? I play games such as Supreme Commander and feel like the extra resolution would be really useful!

Mozzila · 16 May 2012 at 00:55

I have never seen a 2560x1600 in action with my own eyes but I can imagine it would be crisp and perfect for gaming

PCM2 · 16 May 2012 at 08:38

beejjacobs said:
I think you're probably right, I've just got to try it! I don't think I've ever even seen a 30" monitor - I imagine it would be quite a step up from my 24"!

You mention not liking a 2560x1600 monitor scaled with 1080 content, do you have a 30" monitor yourself? I play games such as Supreme Commander and feel like the extra resolution would be really useful!

I have used a couple including the Dell U3011. Could you not run Supreme Commander at native resolution? The loss of sharpness may not be such an issue on RTS games, although it depends how crisp you are used to the textures being.

beejjacobs · 16 May 2012 at 08:45

PCM2 said:
I have used a couple including the Dell U3011. Could you not run Supreme Commander at native resolution? The loss of sharpness may not be such an issue on RTS games, although it depends how crisp you are used to the textures being.

Sorry I've not been clear again, for gaming I'd run at full res for sure! I was just concerned that playing HD content might not look so good depending on what the scaling is like, but you suggest scaling for films is usually pretty good?

PCM2 · 16 May 2012 at 08:56

Ah right, gotcha. The upscaling of films usually works quite well I find. I don't think you'd take issue with the loss of sharpness for that but it's difficult to say as everyone is different. I haven't really done a massive amount of film watching on 30 inchers though so maybe others could share their experiences. I know DuffMan and several other forum members like their 30 inchers. I assume you are looking at a used 3007 so would sell it on if you didn't like it rather that use DSR (dunno why I mentioned DSR before as it doesn't apply to used goods).