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Well, I finally did it. After all the discussion in this thread about a $500 monitor, I increased the budget by $150 to nab the Ben Q FP241W w/ updated firmware (which corrects 1:1 scaling issue). $40 for shipping and $30 for ncix's 30-day Zero Dead Pixel policy.

I think it is slightly superior to the Dell 2407FWP-HC in a few aspects, but both are probably excellent panels.

Here's my summary about 24" monitor hunting (thanks to all the help in the other thread), for what its worth:

1) Ben Q FP241w 24" (Samsung S-PVA) has a latest revision available from http://www.ncixus.com for $580 + shipping that does 1:1 scaling properly.
2) Dell 2407FWP-HC (Samsung S-PVA) has issues with 1080i and a few other minor things that the Ben Q FP241w excels at. The Ben Q is less expensive.
3) If you are going to drop to a TN panel, it looks like the Gateway FHD2400 is an excellent monitor (provided you are OK with glossy screen).
4) If viewing angle is paramount, you must go S-PVA or S-IPS and not TN.
5) Doublesight (as I mentioned above) has a middle ground monitor. They are currently the only company making an S-PVA 24" monitor (using the same panel as the Ben Q FP241w and Dell 2407WFP-HC). It is several hundred dollars cheaper but they have a few cons: No extra connectors for composite/hdmi/etc. Weaker dead pixel policy.
6) If you're not getting a TN panel, the FP241w is the best monitor available in the 24" range (<$700).
7) All of this advice is only relevant if you are shopping at the 24" range. Once there, the big choice is TN or S-PVA. After that, you have to decide whether you can trust Doublesight or need the addt'l connectors. (<$700)
8) Dell delivery dates are 3-5 weeks (word of mouth) so getting a new 2407FWP in time for Christmas did not seem likely.
9) I do graphic design. TN panels are 6-bit, which show 262K colors, while the 8-bit S-PVA and S-IPS panels show 16Million+. This is significant, since I am not interested in having a dithered image to work with.
10) If you're concerned about invert-ghosting (google or youtube for it), the faster response TN panels may be your only option. I would take the videos with a grain of salt, however, since it seems people tend to find the absolute worst-case color contrast and mouse movement speed to replicate the issue.

In the end, I really wanted the viewing angle improvements afforded by the S-PVA and couldn't trust Doublesight (sorry to the folks over at DS, they may make excellent monitors) sight-unseen. I decided having a full-blown HDTV monitor was the way to go (composite, s-video, component, dvi, etc.).

My review is pending for anyone interested. Probably will come after the holidays though.

Good luck with the Ben Q monitor , I purchased two of there monitors with both having dead pixels

What 1:1 scaling issue ?


The FP241W i got was all pristine and not a single dead/stuck pixel. Although i had the blackout problem. Setting DVI operating mode to alternate fixed that. Havent black out since. Found an explanation that in one of the DVI-modes, it only sends a sync for one of the horizontal and vertical clocks, and not both.

Early models did not scale composite or component video 1:1 properly (i.e. plugging in an xbox 360). It has since been fixed by Ben Q with a firmware update.

As for dead pixels, I ordered a 30-day policy from ncix that gives me gauranteed 0 dead pixels.

I don't think it's the same model, but behardware did a write up on the black-frame interpolation on the FP241WZ...

http://www.behardware.com/articles/646- ... ening.html

Tres interessant.

Edit: Wow, sorry, completely different monitor! But still a good article. Cough.

Yeah, that's the WZ. Still interesting, for sure. I am looking forward to seeing how the FP241W performs.

Ahh, i dont use either the composite or component so...

What i found out i really liked is the semi-gloss nature of the screen. Its not as flat as other monitors, while still not being the mirror that most glossy screens is. Good combination.

Now when i'm also done with the repainting of my room i should get around to calibrating the thing. Although i'm still thinking about switching my spyder 2 to a spyder 3.

computron9000: Congrats on your new display. Sounds nice.

I'm in the market for a Benq FP241VW myself (similar panel), so I have a few questions that you might be able to answer.

1. Some people complain about banding on PVA panels (as opposed to dithering on TN). Have you noticed anything like this?

2. How are the blacks? Some ppl say the blacks are compressed on P/MVA.

3. The monitor has RTC, right? Is it turned on by default, or does it depend what mode you're in? Can you turn it on and off manually? Have you seen any RTC-related artecfacts, eg in scrolling text?

4. Any ghosting/smearing? What about when you turn RTC off?

5. Is there noticeable input lag when gaming?

6. Does Benq's "alternate black frame" actually do anything when watching movies? (like they claim).

7. How is the in-built scaler? Some people have complained about jaggy scaling on the Benq when outputting from dvd player/480p sources.

8. Are there any overscan controls for dvd/hd-dvd/blu-ray/xbox360/ps3 input?

Nice pick on the DVI alternate mode. I notice that some ppl have been having issues with the intermittent blacking out issue prior to this.

Phew! Ok, that's more than a handful, but I'd certainly appreciate any answers you can give to my questions. Hope you enjoy your display over xmas.

Cheers,
V.

Ooooh. I have a FP241W. Was one of the early adopters...didnt know they fixed the 1:1 issue.

Even still, (aside from the 1:1) was glad I went with this one over the Dell 2407. Hope you're enjoying yours...



(and, er, is there a way to obtain/flash the firmware in my monitor?*s*)

gbcrush wrote:

(and, er, is there a way to obtain/flash the firmware in my monitor?*s*)

I've heard that Benq will do it if you ship it back to them.

Don't think they've released a flash program for end-users.

Noticed that i forgot to mention that i also put both horizontal and vertical sync polarization to + in the Catalyst control center. Actually unchecked the alternate mode now and it seems to still work.

Aphasia, it seems my BenQ FP241VW has the random blackout problem
too. Could you teach me how to fix it? I read your post but I don't know
how to set the DVI mode. Could you please give more detail about
how to do that? Thanks.

To be more specific, I don't know how to set "horizontal and vertical sync polarization", thanks.

For Vold and everyone else, I'll get around to posting my (photo)review in the next week or so. Then I will try to answer questions.

computron9000 wrote:

For Vold and everyone else, I'll get around to posting my (photo)review in the next week or so. Then I will try to answer questions.

Neat, thanks!

Don't forget to post any tech/geeky xmas gifts...

Merry Geekmas!

raymond03 wrote:

To be more specific, I don't know how to set "horizontal and vertical sync polarization", thanks.

I can only tell you how to do it on ATI. You might need the Catalyst Control Center, then make sure you use the advanced mode and go into Monitor Properties -> Adjustments -> Synchronization(lower part). Click the + för positive signal.

There is something similar for Nvidia, but as i dont have one i cant show you how to.

Time for more detailed review, with pictures and stuff?

Coming whenever I get a proper chance. In any case, FF, I think you should know I bought a second one.

I've now got two 24" BenQ FP241W's from ncixus.com. Am I allowed to call it a 48" display?

sure, it goes right along with your 5.2GHz CPU.

More like 42.8".

Nah, I've got them overclocked to 48". Plus I put a Seasonic sticker on one of them.

computron9000 wrote:

Nah, I've got them overclocked to 48". Plus I put a Seasonic sticker on one of them.

custom water cooling job too?

Like you can't believe. PVA panels can become IPS with a sticker, a few tubes, and a bit of dry ice. trust me.

computron9000 wrote:

Like you can't believe. PVA panels can become IPS with a sticker, a few tubes, and a bit of dry ice. trust me.

Type-R stickers

computron9000 wrote:

Coming whenever I get a proper chance. In any case, FF, I think you should know I bought a second one.

I've now got two 24" BenQ FP241W's from ncixus.com. Am I allowed to call it a 48" display?

yeah, it's pretty much a 42.8" 16x5 display at that point.

You would need four of them in a 2x2 grid to have a 48" screen