LG L1980U LCD: The New 19" Panel on the Block
by Kristopher Kubicki on May 13, 2005 4:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Cost Analysis
Recently, we had the opportunity to talk with several display manufacturers concerning the cost of displays, and more specifically, why displays (particularly 19” displays) have dropped so much in price over the last few months. To the advantage of the consumer, the main panel manufacturers AUO, LG.Philips LCD and even Samsung are in a bit of a price war right now with regard to control over the LCD panel spot market. Thus, companies like Dell, which are not tied to any specific LCD panel manufacturer, are free to choose Samsung as their 19” panel manufacturer, but LG.Philips LCD for their 20” and higher displays. Manufacturers tell us that 19” panels are actually one of the easier substrates to produce; the 1280x1024 resolution has been perfected on 17” LCDs for years and scaling this resolution to a larger pixel pitch is somewhat trivial.While 17” display prices are down as well (nearing the $200 mark), it’s the 19” displays that have really given retail channels a run for their money. A cheap 21” CRT costs upwards of $350, and although the resolution is slightly larger, the screen size is not compared to a 19” LCD. LCD displays have the upper hand when compared to CRTs on the 19” and larger sizes without a doubt. Furthermore, 19” LCD prices seem to be in a terribly wonderful free fall. In January, most of our displays were above the $400 mark (down from $450 a month prior). In particular, some displays like the Dell 1905FP fell $100 in price, making it one of the most competitive 19” LCDs that we’ve ever seen. One of our personal favorites, the NuTech L921G, also fell $60 in price, which makes our evaluation of the LGE L1980U even tougher. The similarly designed Samsung 193P dropped over $200 in price as well – probably in anticipation of some of the newer displays like the SyncMaster 915N.
Dell is clearly the 800 lbs. gorilla when it comes to displays these days, and no one is going to argue against the UltraSharp 1905FP as the best LCD under $300.
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amuster - Monday, June 6, 2005 - link
I have used the LG1980U for the past two months and agree with the AnandTech review. The darks are washed out. I was also surprised by the narrow viewing angle especially from above the screen. However the display is not unpleasant to use and the exterior design is just wonderful. I was very concerned about blurring having previously used a CRT and I wanted an LCD with good response. This screen is fine. If exterior design must be visually appealing to you and accurate colour rendition is not vital then I highly recommend the LG1980U. I was able to purchase the screen for £350 and at this price have no complaints. It is excellent value.Micronaut - Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - link
We just got a 1905FP and it's HORRIBLE for gaming. The blur is very very bad. I cannot recommend it to anyone that has anything moving on the screen (and yes, I've loaded drivers, played with the vscyn, everything). :(Spacecomber - Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - link
The 910N sounds similar to the 910T, though Samsung lists the 910N's specifications as 250cd and 800:1, while the 910T's specifications are listed as 260cd and 1000:1. Both have 170/170 viewing angles. Perhaps these are the same 25ms PVA panel, but tweaked differently by the monitor's circuitry and backlighting. The main difference is that the 910N looks to be a budget version, in that it is analog only, while the 910T has a DVI connection. Perhaps the lack of the DVI connection has something to do with the lower specifications?(Just to make things more confusing, there also is a 912T, which is specified at 250cd, 700:1, and 170/170. This actually sounds closer to the 910N.)
Looking at Samsung's list of current panels isn't much help in sorting this out. They only list one 25ms PVA panel, the LTM190E1, which they specify as 250cd, 500:1, and 170/170. The only other PVA panel they list is the 8ms LTM190E4, which they specify as 250cd, 1000:1, and 178/178.
In any case, without a DVI connection, I think the 915N is destined to be an inferior monitor to most of the other 19" LCDs that you've reviewed, including the Dell 1905FP.
Space
KristopherKubicki - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
Space: I have a review of the 910N coming up - which I believe is identical to the 910T.You are also correct on the "overdrive" circuitry - although it is all the same stuff. Each company just feels like calling it something different.
JNo: Those ultra low repsonse times are unfortunately just hype. I can report a 4ms GTG response time, but that probably isnt the average and most likely a single scenario where the crystal is capable of twisting from one shade to another. Marketing seems to have gotten the best of that specification.
nserra: The interpolation is quite noticeable.
Kristopher
WT - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
Someone offer up a comment on the Acer AL1914smd ... its available for $280 and seems like a great deal. DVI, 500:1 contrast and 12ms response seem like just what I want .. and its under $300. I can't determine whether its a 6 or 8 bit panel and whether that really, truly bothers me as a hard core gamer.LCDs ... about as confusing as wimmin during that 'monthly' thing .. *shrug*
nserra - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
How bad do these lcds look if one game doesnt run good at 1280x1024? And i have to go for 1024x768 or even 800x600.ElFenix - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
yet another low resolution 19" LCD. is everyone blind that uses these things?Spacecomber - Sunday, May 15, 2005 - link
These low grey to grey response time monitors, I believe, are all taking advantage of this so-called "overdrive" circuitry. I think that it also goes by the term "feedforward driving", and apparently it was developed by Mitsubishi.This seems like one of those technologies that it would be useful for the reviewers to take a look at and try and separate out the facts from the marketing hype.
It may be that this is nothing that unusual and that it is being used in a wide range of LCDs. Perhaps some manufacturers have made a point about it just to dramatize their low response time numbers.
Space
JNo - Sunday, May 15, 2005 - link
I know anandtech focuses a lot on the Dells and Samsungs in the LCD world (this review notwithstanding), which is in many ways fair enough given their marketshares, but there are other LCDs coming out which I'd like to see reviews of. I know response time isn't everything and is often a controversial subject but I'd love to see priority reviews on the reported 6ms Gray To Gray (GTG) BenQ FP91V+ and the reported 4ms GTG Viewsonic VX924. As #6 puts it, inquiring minds want to know....MrEMan - Sunday, May 15, 2005 - link
Does anyone know which OEM produces Dell's LCD monitors (I recall that some of their CRT monitors were manufactured by LiteON, but I have no idea who makes their LCDs)?I would be interested in how their retail monitors compare to the models they produce for Dell.