Sony 24" GDM FW9xx vs. Dell 2405FPW

[kvndoom]

Dammit! The 24" widescreen itch is KILLING me! But I don't know what to do! On the one hand, I can get a used Sony 24" CRT off ebay for less than $600 shipped. On the other, if I catch a good Dell deal (they come around occasionally), I can get a new 2405FPW for $900 shipped, plus tax (likely ~950).

The Sony weighs over 90 pounds, but that's not a consideration; I'm sure my desk can hold it. My only fear there is buying used and getting a washed-out CRT, but I'd have to have the seller verify in writing that the tube is 100% before I'd buy one.

Is there any slim chance that someone has gotten to see how both of these look, image-wise? Size and space aren't an issue; image quality is LIFE. Risk the used one and hope for an apple instead of a lemon, or get the new tech and hope it looks good as a CRT? AIEEEEEEEE!!!!!

[milo2]

Haven't seen both at the same time, but I did encounter them about two years apart, and have a 24" Samsung LCD panel for comparison as well.
The Dell wins if you're running at 1920x1200 on DVI, or using the screen for extended periods of time; the FW900 wins on video and on most resolutions below 1920x1200.

One oddity with the FW900 is that the phosphor columns are wider toward the left and right edges than toward the center, and furthermore that there aren't enough of them to render 1920 independent pixels horizontally as specified. Highest real resolution for the FW900's probably closer to 1600x1024. Like most CRTs it has more accurate color, wider dynamic range, a brighter screen, and perceptible flicker at high resolution. Oh, and the damn thing feels more like 150lb.

[kvndoom]

Well, not being one to venture too far into uncharted waters, I bid $300 on a used one. If I win and it sucks, not a lot lost. If I lose, no harm done anyway. I could get a 21" for under $100 easy, but man, those extra 3 inches... [/porn star]

[Gandhi]

I switched from a Trinitron 19" CRT to the Dell 24" and I prefer the Dell. Dell was running deals last week where you could get the 2405 for $840 + tax.

Main reason I switched - I always got headaches when looking at CRTs for more then an hour. With the LCD at work - I can look at it all day, and no problems.

I never could get the geometry right on the edges of the CRT - was always a pain. No such problems on the LCD. And I do find the colors on my LCD much more vivid and crisp compared to the CRT. Except for blacks - where the CRT still wins. But DVI beats VGA almost every time.

Take it for what its worth - I would recomment LCDs.

[sativa]

I switched from a Trinitron 19" CRT to the Dell 24" and I prefer the Dell. Dell was running deals last week where you could get the 2405 for $840 + tax.

Main reason I switched - I always got headaches when looking at CRTs for more then an hour. With the LCD at work - I can look at it all day, and no problems.

I never could get the geometry right on the edges of the CRT - was always a pain. No such problems on the LCD. And I do find the colors on my LCD much more vivid and crisp compared to the CRT. Except for blacks - where the CRT still wins. But DVI beats VGA almost every time.

Take it for what its worth - I would recomment LCDs.

have you used any CRTs w/ DVI? i know they exist but i haven't heard much about them.. i wonder if they require adjustments or not.

i just got the dell fpw2005 & i'm already thinking about trading it in for the 24" lol. i'm obsessed now.

[Gandhi]

have you used any CRTs w/ DVI? i know they exist but i haven't heard much about them.. i wonder if they require adjustments or not.

i just got the dell fpw2005 & i'm already thinking about trading it in for the 24" lol. i'm obsessed now.

I do not even know whether CRTs come with a DVI interface. I guess the new ones do. I purchased my CRT in 2001 and it came with two VGA inputs. I absolutely love my new 2405, and I am not going back to CRT.

[Gandhi]

Here is something I spotted on the HardForums that will tempt you

Dell Small Business has a 35% off coupon for the 2405fpw (also works for the 2001fp and the 1905fp)

The 2405fpw comes out to $780 before taxes and other bonuses such as FC, use the following code: 629P2JKBS7CWWD

Coupon deadline is tomorrow (7/20/05) morning I believe.

[blitzy]

I was reading a review yesterday of that 2405 and a couple of other brands of 1900x1200 LCD, the reviewer reckoned there was apparent afterglow with any fast moving stuff on the screen =[

linky

[Gandhi]

From the article

Of course, playing World of Warcraft with this monitor is extraordinary. If you have a very good graphic card, playing in 1920 x 1200 is a real pleasure. It is hard to come back to smaller monitors. But for Unreal or other FPS it is another story. If the character is static, we can only admire the contrast, color quality, precision of the shapes (at least with the standard resolution). If you move your mouse, it ruins everything. There is an afterglow and this is quite unbearable for really fast game fans.

You will, however, get used to this afterglow in time. It is disturbing but it all depends on the level of quality you require. In this respect, our requirements are probably too high and surely above average. Especially when a manufacturer announces an 8 ms response time that is supposedly perfect for all games. But we regularly receive readers’ comment saying that they aren’t disturbed by this effect, which seems horrible to us, and that they don’t even see what we are talking about. Anyway, now you know what we think of this monitor as regards fast games.

Draw your own conclusions. I have played HL2, UT2k4, GW and other games. I have NO complaints. I even tried quickly moving my mouse around back and forth in HL2 - no problems detectable to my eyes.

I am not going back to CRTs

[Wajo]

once you go lcd, you don't wanna go back, trust me

[halfline]

I went with a new samsung lcd, then went back to CRT. For games, it isn't even a competition. In addition, colors are more accurate on a CRT than lcd, by far.

Ever look at a 30 inch lcd? If you're not into games, then I would buy that. Puts the 24 incher to shame.

[Gandhi]

Except for depth of black color (which is really only problem with Doom 3 IMO), I find the colors more vivid on my LCD then I do on CRT.

Don't forget that there are different LCD technologies that have different capabilities. The Dell has the MVA panel that is very good for reporducing color.

Visuals are a subjective thing - what may be acceptable to one may not be so to another. I can look at a LCD all day long, but looking at a CRT for more than an hour gives me headaches (yes, on a trinitron with refresh cranked up to 85hz)

[sativa]

HD (on fire!!): Dell 2405 (24" Widescreen) $780.00

[LicketySplit]

Crap...now the 2005FPW is down to $424...guess ill always be behind the curve..good monitor for the price.

http://www.xpbargains.com/#50928

[m32001]

Just wanted to let ya konw.
I read a review earlier today (cant for the life of me, find it again) comparin the 2450FPW and 2005FPWs. The 2005FPW looked a HELL of a lot better. The image was just BETTER. Plain and simple. The image ont he 24" looked washed out and not nearly as crisp. The brightness was a lot higher but, the washed out look of the image compared with the 20" totally turned me off instantly.

For that reason only, im getting the 2005FPW.

[sativa]

Just wanted to let ya konw.
I read a review earlier today (cant for the life of me, find it again) comparin the 2450FPW and 2005FPWs. The 2005FPW looked a HELL of a lot better. The image was just BETTER. Plain and simple. The image ont he 24" looked washed out and not nearly as crisp. The brightness was a lot higher but, the washed out look of the image compared with the 20" totally turned me off instantly.

For that reason only, im getting the 2005FPW.

it wasn't a review, it was a forum post.. and the images had the 2405 uncalibrated & the 2005 calibrated.. also, because the 2005 was physically closer to the digital camera, it was in focus while the 2405 was out of focus (which was specifically stated in the post)

[m32001]

Where is thisthat you are talking about?

Idont think its what I was looking at.........

[m32001]

Ahh ok you were right. It was in a forum that I was looking at that.

But, the guy said that the 2405 was "out of focus" and could be fixed with the new NVIDIA drivers-settings. He then posted another pic of it after it was "fixed" and the 2405 still didnt look as good as the 2005.

But on the other hand, the brightness does look better ont he 2405.

ANyways. So far the 2005FPW appeals to me most. I dont even think I would like having a 24" monitor on my desk.