wuyanxu
13-10-10, 10:06
it's finally here :D the Dell U2711, wanted it since launch of the 27inch iMac by Apple, knew Dell will bring something better and drooled on launch of the Dell U2711, dreaming of the day i could afford one.
let me explain that all photos are taken using the simple HDR mode offered by iPhone 4. this is because non-HDR mode have glare from bright colours that human eyes cannot see, it is true for all monitors, and also, normal mode does not show true colour of the monitor very well (if at all).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_461c9be5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=461c9be5.jpg)
first off, the good points that i noticed and love, don't worry, there are bad points that need to be addressed, it's not perfect, but very close.
The Good:
Rich dark colours:
i know VA panel users may not agree, but switching from (what seems now) washed out TN panel, the IPS is so much better looking during dark film scenes. the Dark Knight HD never looked so good. (except there's a small price to pay in HD films, more on it later) all those dark photos look natural, no more grayish black.
Brilliant other colours:
for the record, im using the pre-calibrated sRGB profile.
the colours look so natural. i took a photo of the view outside my window, put it onto the monitor, and compared it, it was a cloudy day, yet the things i see on my monitor was not exaggerated as read on reviews, it was pretty much the same as what i see outside the window. pull up the colourful Wall-e film, all colours looks simply brilliant.
no Dead/stuck pixels:
guess this isn't a good point of U2711, but it is a good point for my monitor, no dead pixels, guess i was pretty lucky. touch wood it doesn't develop any.
no colour banding on gradient:
this was the thing bugged me most while having the TN panels, a lot of colour banding stopped me from enjoying my all time favourite Homeworld series. played HW during CRT days, and it was brilliant, but cannot play it on TN panels due to visible colour banding. with this new 8-bit IPS panel, 12-bit internal processing and perhaps 10-bit interface from computer, i didn't notice any colour binding at all.
zero ghosting:
i was worried that it may have a large amount of ghosting due to not an TN panel. but from what i have seen in games and tests, i cannot notice any.
due to lack of good DSLR camera, the lack of shutter control on my iphone doesn't help. (non HDR picture, it's worse in HDR mode) but it does give us a good idea that this monitor is just as fast as the TN 24inch next to it. well, as long as you are not OCD about it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_8d5f74e8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=8d5f74e8.jpg)
fantastic viewing angles:
viewing angle on this thing is phenomenal. guess it's expected from a non-TN panel. i set it to 1/3 top at eye level on my desk when im sitting in the swivel chair, get down to armchair for film watching and zero, ZERO, colour difference, dark scenes still perfectly clear.
my attempt at taking an extreme angle shot:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_5e5acab9.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=5e5acab9.jpg)
Soooo much more desktop space than 24 inch:
you thought 1920x1200 is big? 2560x1440 is so big, im finding it hard to fill it. well, i don't do any work on this computer anymore, so desktop space is not as needed as before. there's a downside to this resolution, more on that later. with so many pixels, i can have 2 browser window open side-by-side with more than 1200 pixels wide each (websites usually are designed for 1024 width), and still have space for a strip of gadgets on the right.
the gadgets are right-most line on the 24inch, taken right after i connected it, before i moved any gadgets.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_6ced1179.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=6ced1179.jpg)
films are fantastic:
not quite IMAX, but when you are sitting at arms length to a 1080p film at this size with 5.1 surround sound, it's pretty immense.
there will always be little things that makes something perfect not quite so
The Bad:
Grain from scaling:
no matter what video source, SD to 1080p, it all looks like been scaled. 1080p looks like 720p on my 24inch, and 720p looks like SD. this is the price to pay when using such a high resolution monitor. however, if put the computer resolution to 1080p and relay on the built in scale to the monitor, everything looks sharper.
Need a faster graphics card:
the 5870 is not slow by any measure. but trying to play multiplayer BFBC2 with same setting as before, upping resolution to 2560x1440 will hurt a lot. had to settle with 2xMSAA and HBAO off. Crysis became unplayable at this resolution and Dirt 2 is barely playable. lucky my new time waster L4D2 is completely playable at this resolution.
Touch controls isn't as good:
was expecting something better. but touch controls isn't my favourite thing. you have to first touch the bottom most one to activate menu, then press menu to activate the actual OSD, to press stuff repeatedly, have to lift finger pretty long way off, otherwise it will not register repetitive presses.
Strange coating:
the anti-glare coating is a bit strange. it is noticeable when looking closely at the monitor displaying white background (eg, when trying to read small print on websites) im using it for films and gaming, so it's okay, but i'd imagine some photo professional will find it annoying.
Ports:
i consider this a bad point because im sad that i'll never use them all..... 2 DVI ports? what's that for? could do with cheaper price tag and less ports (eg. Displayport, DVI, HDMI & component will be enough)
and a couple pictures:
from going clockwise from top left: Displayport, DVI, power, USB, VGA and manuals, with the factory calibration report. (report says mostly below delta E 2, the longest one is about 4, seen there)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_7d04ac43.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=7d04ac43.jpg)
was surprised it came pre assembled, just lift it up and ready to go.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_9ba5ef33.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=9ba5ef33.jpg)http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_eb854c7d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=eb854c7d.jpg)
before setting it up on the stand properly, it was plug in and immediately display the correct resolution. connecting using displayport.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_461c9be5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=461c9be5.jpg)
just one monitor missing for eyefinity at 1080p
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/th_896b384f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/?action=view¤t=896b384f.jpg)
all in all, a brilliant monitor. it's not for everyone with its price and its resolutions, also the strange coating. but if you've got the money, and want something special, this is the one to get. :D for my multimedia and gaming needs, it's brilliant even if it's a bit overkill, you cannot find any other monitor of this size with the vertical viewing angle i need (large, due to switching between armchair and computer chair)
hope that answers why i wanted to buy this monitor, even though for a little more, 2 U2410 can be had. i need single large panel for multimedia, 3 monitors are no good when watching films or playing games that doesn't support eyefinity. 3 monitors are like 3D, a lot of hassle for what is only useful in very limited things.
let me explain that all photos are taken using the simple HDR mode offered by iPhone 4. this is because non-HDR mode have glare from bright colours that human eyes cannot see, it is true for all monitors, and also, normal mode does not show true colour of the monitor very well (if at all).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_461c9be5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=461c9be5.jpg)
first off, the good points that i noticed and love, don't worry, there are bad points that need to be addressed, it's not perfect, but very close.
The Good:
Rich dark colours:
i know VA panel users may not agree, but switching from (what seems now) washed out TN panel, the IPS is so much better looking during dark film scenes. the Dark Knight HD never looked so good. (except there's a small price to pay in HD films, more on it later) all those dark photos look natural, no more grayish black.
Brilliant other colours:
for the record, im using the pre-calibrated sRGB profile.
the colours look so natural. i took a photo of the view outside my window, put it onto the monitor, and compared it, it was a cloudy day, yet the things i see on my monitor was not exaggerated as read on reviews, it was pretty much the same as what i see outside the window. pull up the colourful Wall-e film, all colours looks simply brilliant.
no Dead/stuck pixels:
guess this isn't a good point of U2711, but it is a good point for my monitor, no dead pixels, guess i was pretty lucky. touch wood it doesn't develop any.
no colour banding on gradient:
this was the thing bugged me most while having the TN panels, a lot of colour banding stopped me from enjoying my all time favourite Homeworld series. played HW during CRT days, and it was brilliant, but cannot play it on TN panels due to visible colour banding. with this new 8-bit IPS panel, 12-bit internal processing and perhaps 10-bit interface from computer, i didn't notice any colour binding at all.
zero ghosting:
i was worried that it may have a large amount of ghosting due to not an TN panel. but from what i have seen in games and tests, i cannot notice any.
due to lack of good DSLR camera, the lack of shutter control on my iphone doesn't help. (non HDR picture, it's worse in HDR mode) but it does give us a good idea that this monitor is just as fast as the TN 24inch next to it. well, as long as you are not OCD about it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_8d5f74e8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=8d5f74e8.jpg)
fantastic viewing angles:
viewing angle on this thing is phenomenal. guess it's expected from a non-TN panel. i set it to 1/3 top at eye level on my desk when im sitting in the swivel chair, get down to armchair for film watching and zero, ZERO, colour difference, dark scenes still perfectly clear.
my attempt at taking an extreme angle shot:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_5e5acab9.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=5e5acab9.jpg)
Soooo much more desktop space than 24 inch:
you thought 1920x1200 is big? 2560x1440 is so big, im finding it hard to fill it. well, i don't do any work on this computer anymore, so desktop space is not as needed as before. there's a downside to this resolution, more on that later. with so many pixels, i can have 2 browser window open side-by-side with more than 1200 pixels wide each (websites usually are designed for 1024 width), and still have space for a strip of gadgets on the right.
the gadgets are right-most line on the 24inch, taken right after i connected it, before i moved any gadgets.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_6ced1179.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=6ced1179.jpg)
films are fantastic:
not quite IMAX, but when you are sitting at arms length to a 1080p film at this size with 5.1 surround sound, it's pretty immense.
there will always be little things that makes something perfect not quite so
The Bad:
Grain from scaling:
no matter what video source, SD to 1080p, it all looks like been scaled. 1080p looks like 720p on my 24inch, and 720p looks like SD. this is the price to pay when using such a high resolution monitor. however, if put the computer resolution to 1080p and relay on the built in scale to the monitor, everything looks sharper.
Need a faster graphics card:
the 5870 is not slow by any measure. but trying to play multiplayer BFBC2 with same setting as before, upping resolution to 2560x1440 will hurt a lot. had to settle with 2xMSAA and HBAO off. Crysis became unplayable at this resolution and Dirt 2 is barely playable. lucky my new time waster L4D2 is completely playable at this resolution.
Touch controls isn't as good:
was expecting something better. but touch controls isn't my favourite thing. you have to first touch the bottom most one to activate menu, then press menu to activate the actual OSD, to press stuff repeatedly, have to lift finger pretty long way off, otherwise it will not register repetitive presses.
Strange coating:
the anti-glare coating is a bit strange. it is noticeable when looking closely at the monitor displaying white background (eg, when trying to read small print on websites) im using it for films and gaming, so it's okay, but i'd imagine some photo professional will find it annoying.
Ports:
i consider this a bad point because im sad that i'll never use them all..... 2 DVI ports? what's that for? could do with cheaper price tag and less ports (eg. Displayport, DVI, HDMI & component will be enough)
and a couple pictures:
from going clockwise from top left: Displayport, DVI, power, USB, VGA and manuals, with the factory calibration report. (report says mostly below delta E 2, the longest one is about 4, seen there)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_7d04ac43.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=7d04ac43.jpg)
was surprised it came pre assembled, just lift it up and ready to go.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_9ba5ef33.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=9ba5ef33.jpg)http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_eb854c7d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=eb854c7d.jpg)
before setting it up on the stand properly, it was plug in and immediately display the correct resolution. connecting using displayport.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/th_461c9be5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/U2711/?action=view¤t=461c9be5.jpg)
just one monitor missing for eyefinity at 1080p
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/th_896b384f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/wuyanxu/WyXQuad_BuildLog/?action=view¤t=896b384f.jpg)
all in all, a brilliant monitor. it's not for everyone with its price and its resolutions, also the strange coating. but if you've got the money, and want something special, this is the one to get. :D for my multimedia and gaming needs, it's brilliant even if it's a bit overkill, you cannot find any other monitor of this size with the vertical viewing angle i need (large, due to switching between armchair and computer chair)
hope that answers why i wanted to buy this monitor, even though for a little more, 2 U2410 can be had. i need single large panel for multimedia, 3 monitors are no good when watching films or playing games that doesn't support eyefinity. 3 monitors are like 3D, a lot of hassle for what is only useful in very limited things.