Dell 2408WFP review From a Laymans Point of view

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dingemini312

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Dell 2408WFP UltraSharp WideScreen Flat Panel Monitor]http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/monitor_2408wfp?c=in&cs=indhs1&l=en&s=dhs

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00565.jpg

This is my 5th LCD in past 2 years. This time I wanted to buy something which will last me at least till the monitor is covered under its warranty period.

After much deliberation and thinking I decided to buy something big and worthy of the money I would be investing. My initial selection was DELL E248WFP, but once who suffers the pain of using a TN panel LCD , won’t bother to buy it again.

Luck Fetched well. Was offered a DELL 2408WFP with 5yr Replacement Warranty for the price of 25000 rupees (596 $ US ), the actual cost for the same in india is 1200$ USD or 54000 rupees. Asked my Mom if I could buy it, she readily agreed once I told her about the viewing angles issues getting fixed and HD resolution (she loves watching HINDI DVD`s and quality Hollywood HD releases).

I read many reviews of DELL 2408WFP criticizing it about many issues.
For E.g. Very High Input Lag, Color shift issues, Pink tones and what not :D
But still I succumbed to the very opportunity and my LUST for watching high definition movies without caring about where and how I am sitting against the LCD.

Payment was Made and at last I received my DELL 2408WFP on March 26/3/2008 (within 6 days after processing the order).

Here are the Manufacturers Specifications for the same:


24-inch WUXGA 1920 x 1200 Monitor – View 43% more screen area & 30%2 more pixel content on-screen compared any Dell 20-inch monitor.

6 Millisecond Response Time (typical) – Reduces ghosting and imaging associated with movement for fluid motion.

3000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio – Get dark blacks, sharp images, crisp text, brilliant color saturation and greater life-like detail.

110%3 Color Gamut (CIE 1976) - With Dell TrueColorTM Technology, you’ll see more color than average monitor of 72% color gamut.

Full HD 1080p – Supports higher definition than HD television and a wide array of HD connection options like HDMI, Display Port, DVI-D with HDCP and HDMI 2.1 Audio Out.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00567.jpg


Whats under the HOOD?


PACKAGING:

Very nicely packed as it is with all DELL LCD`s. The Box contained set of a few manuals, A DVI Cable, USB Cable, Display port Cable, and Vga Cable. It also contained the Power Cord in another small box.
I expected a LCD cleaning Cloth to be there but it was nowhere to be found.


AESTHETICS:


The LCD just looks brilliant. Nicely coated with black color, bezel forms the border of LCD. Screen has a matte finish to it. No reflection of whatsoever occurs with lights surrounding the place. There`s a big DELL logo right in the centre of the lower side of the bezel. All my earlier LCD`s just can’t match the strength and outstanding quality of this nicely built monitor.

Nice and Hefty, tripod type stand is provided with the LCD. After mounting the LCD the STAND stands firm as anyone would expect after paying such a price (25k is good for this LCD but still it’s freaking 25k).
Using monitor customization button does make the LCD jiggle a bit.

Looooooks pretty awesome from anywhere you try to look at it. Has silver color frame behind protecting the Display along with vents for dissipation of heat.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00529.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00536.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00538.jpg



ERGONOMICS and FEATURES


Weight distribution of LCD over the stand is Even. The stand is just too good, feels good, and looks good. It has the pivot mode, turns very easily due to some turntable mechanism present in the stand.
Height adjustment and tilting is also very smooth. Just a slight-forceful touch makes the LCD go right up n down.

Control buttons are very nicely placed. They are quite big. Only the power button has green color LED present which does not distract while looking at the display.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00535.jpg

It easily detected the DVI Input source and worked more of like a plug and play device. Source selection button has to be pressed each time the source is changed. No AUTO-MODE here. I would be using this LCD along with my PC; hence I don’t mind the source selection issue.

Attaching the wires behind was easy. A small gap of 2-3 inches is provided for cable management behind.

The LCD comprises of just too many INPUT options. It just tries and does manage to make everyone happy with its huge array of INPUT ports present nicely behind.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00525.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00530.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00531.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00532.jpg



It has a Media Card reader on the Left side along with 2 USB ports and more 2USB ports behind.No need to install any drivers for the same, everything gets auto detected in Windows Vista 32-bit.

The OSD is simple and very easy to manage once you go thru it properly. Many options are present in the OSD. From regular Brightness/Contrast change to Sharpness Control (0-25-50-100 presets), fill mode, position etc.

As I said earlier, the DELL 2408WFP has too much of inputs behind: VGA (Analog), DVI-D (Digital) with HDCP, S-Video, Composite-video, Component-video, HDMI, Display Port, and Stereo Audio-output.


http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00538.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00523.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00522.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00533.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00534.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00546.jpg


INITIAL reactions !!!!


INITIAL REACTION:


For the price I got it at (25k), I think this is the best money can buy. To be frank I don’t really understand the concept of color gamut etc nor do I have time now to research about all these (my exams are due soon, still writing the review). Hence I would lend you all my First Hand experience.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00551.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00574.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00571.jpg


Oh! What in the Hell name is this …? Are my eyes burning……????

The Display was just way too bright out of the box. Contrast was just exact. Colors looked good, although I did believe Calibration would get the best out of it. Brightness and Contrast both were preset at 50 (aaah! my eyes again, LOL)

The left side of the LCD is brighter than the right side (to some it’s a big issue to me its not)
The right bottom side of the LCD had a pinkish tone which actually did bother me. It dint pose to be a problem while watching movies or games but it did irritate while doing anything on white background especially documenting work and browsing through web.

Dynamic contrast of 3000:1 is just Waste. If switched on, it constantly changes the brightness levels as per the background which is very annoying. Games do look really good if Dynamic Contrast is on BTW.

Sharpness was set to 50 and fonts did look pixilated.


http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00567.jpg


FIDDLING WITH SETTINGS:

Hence did some research and tried some settings ….. And Walla!
Things suddenly started to look exactly as they were meant to be.

After fiddling long enough with the settings of the LCD, I am stating the best possible calibration settings I reached at, which also resulted in very high reduction of pinkish (now it’s almost negligible and does not irritate anymore) tone as well as producing best possible colors to my naked EYES. :p

I dint try any other input source except the DVI port and VGA. VGA looked plain OK, but DVI just looked marvelous. Colors were right on. Sharpness above 25 is not recommended as it pixilated the fonts. 25 is just right.

Brightness: 10-12
Contrast: 45-50
Sharpness: 25
Red: 92
Green: 100
Blue: 92

Pictures just look great on this monitor (high resolution and low both), Details are exact. Games look praise worthy and HD videos look mind blowing. If a picture has some defect, you can easily detect it.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/Dinesh1-1.jpg



Display in Action


DISPLAY IN ACTION:

Scaling quality is good. Text looks good but not as good as CRT`s, Games look brilliant.
The monitor does allow 1:1 fill. Watching a low aspect ratio Video, results in black area on the up-down unused side of the screen. Hence it is user dependent.

Input Lag (heard a lot about it other`s review) was just unnoticeable. Played CALL of DUTY 4 and Counter Strike Source both online to be sure about it. Head shots were right on, everything happened right when I clicked/expected. The 6ms does not look slow in comparison to my earlier Dell SP2208WFP with 2ms Response time. Viewing angles are just excellent.

Looks great from each corner of my room as compared to my earlier TN panel which resulted in utter harassment of myself and a real good pain in my neck while watching movies, tilting my head again n again just to compromise with the bad viewing angles of a TN panel. Hence once I again I would say that DELL 2408WFP is excellent here.

No backlight bleeding was observed by me at least in the display I received.

As its summer at full swing in Mumbai (INDIA) and my AC messed up, the LCD is bound to get Hot…
It does run warm as compared with CRT monitors (you get some, you lose some). Vents are a good help behind but, still I can feel the heat if I move my hands on the upper vents of the LCD. Side vents bring in cool air and top one`s let it out.

once again i SAY... u like watchin movies a lot , playing Games and expect bang for ur buck. just get this LCD. HD movies never looked so good. 1080p is just amazing. colors, effects everything just looks so brilliant.
it also gives u a very large working space for ur day to day work. documentation becomes easy with 2 X A4 pages able to be seen simultaneously.



Summary


SUMMARY:

I would rate this monitor at 4.5 out 5. Pinkish tone and uneven brightness although not a major problem, but were not expected from such a product.

To sum it all up, here`s the summary:

PROS:

It’s a sure shot SHOW-OFF. Call in your neighbors, friends to see their a#%`s getting smoked :p

watching HD movies
Awesome and Accurate colors
Awesome viewing angle
S-PVA Panel
Huge array of Inputs
USB port and Multi-Card Reader
Correct Black level
Great for Gaming, watching HD movies, also for documenting and surfing web
Great stand
Responsive OSD/Power button
No backlight bleed
Price (got it for 25k)
No Input Lag
Negligible Color Shifting
Picture in Picture support works nice

CONS:

Pinkish Tone on the right bottom half of the display
A bit hot
Sharpness level adjustment tied to presets
uneven backlighting


Authors Note...........damn i just wrote this :mad:

This is my first ever review. Please inform me if u guys want me to add something more in it.Took me 2hrs to write this thing.

Comments would be really appreciated.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00566.jpg
 
I swear I saw this thread already here? Or was it another forum :O?

Anyways nice review
 
might be on other Forum........
anyways.... anywhere u have read it ....
the author is me Dingemini312 aKa Dinesh Malhotra :D
 
I just want to touch on these two points:

Pinkish Tone on the right bottom half of the display
uneven backlighting

These are defects in your screen and Dell will replace your monitor for them. I have a 2408WFP and it has neither of those problems. Take a visit to the Dell Forums if you have questions.
 
Giolon said:
I just want to touch on these two points:

Pinkish Tone on the right bottom half of the display
uneven backlighting

These are defects in your screen and Dell will replace your monitor for them. I have a 2408WFP and it has neither of those problems. Take a visit to the Dell Forums if you have questions.
Click to expand...

BTW i have already called for DISPLAY exchange !
its like one Dell2408 has this problem, then other has that...
its more like a lottery !
 
dingemini312 said:
BTW i have already called for DISPLAY exchange !
its like one Dell2408 has this problem, then other has that...
its more like a lottery !
Click to expand...

You should get it exchanged again (they will pretty much do this forever until you're happy or your warranty runs out). There are definitely quality control problems with their 2408 production, however, once you get that one that's "perfect" you'll be glad you didn't settle for any less (and why should you at such a price!?). I happened to get lucky at get the perfect panel on the first go. I've read plenty of people who've been through 3 or 4 to get that one that doesn't have any production defects.
 
Giolon said:
You should get it exchanged again (they will pretty much do this forever until you're happy or your warranty runs out). There are definitely quality control problems with their 2408 production, however, once you get that one that's "perfect" you'll be glad you didn't settle for any less (and why should you at such a price!?). I happened to get lucky at get the perfect panel on the first go. I've read plenty of people who've been through 3 or 4 to get that one that doesn't have any production defects.
Click to expand...

as i have already mentioned in the review i am already very much happy with the product.
only thing is that i wud keep exchanging it until i get the near perfect one !!
thanks for ur inputs by the way !!


one more thing ?
how did u like the review ???
 
liteon6x said:
didnt i read somewhere that this monitor had a lot of input lag
like over 60ms
Click to expand...

Yes even i read that in forums before makin my purchase decison...
but rest assured.. it doesnt get in between ur game playin or anyday day to day....

now its almost 2-3 weeks old yet i havnt traced somethin called as input LAG... (atleast for me )

i play COD4 online and CS:Source...

no changes in gameplay.. its all the same ! (as i used to play in my older Dell E228WFP TN panel)
 
I've been through a few monitors in recent years, and I still have to say the 2407wfp off ebay is just about the best choice you can make. Glad the 2408 is good for you, but any pinkish hue would drive me nuts.
 
Its great that you love the monitor and feel no input lag, but please don't state there 'is no input lag' as that is just not true. I know I would feel input lag that bad (its one of the worst out there atm), and I would have thought that most people would too if they immediately used a CRT. It's one of those things you've got to 'feel' for yourself.

Great review though, just understand that input lag is there, you're just not particularly sensitive (lucky you :D).
 
DremoraLord said:
Its great that you love the monitor and feel no input lag, but please don't state there 'is no input lag' as that is just not true. I know I would feel input lag that bad (its one of the worst out there atm), and I would have thought that most people would too if they immediately used a CRT. It's one of those things you've got to 'feel' for yourself.

Great review though, just understand that input lag is there, you're just not particularly sensitive (lucky you :D).
Click to expand...

it might be there... buts it not that big FUSS...
the time when i purchased my 2408WFP , along with me my 2 friends also purchased !
none facin any discomfort with the input lag... its all like as it was with while usin our TN panel LCD`s.

i am not sayin that that Dell2408 has good INPUT as of CRT, but its definitely on par with TN panels input time in actual Day to Day use...

maybe we got nice Units
 
dingemini312 said:
how did u like the review ???
Click to expand...

Well, if you wish...
First of all, I am glad that you are satisfied with 2408. It's a good monitor for it's class.
About the review itself.
I am very positive about what you have done.
Now comments.

What I like about your review.
You managed to find the strongest point of this monitor - HD video. That's true.
You went as far as where RGB settings were, and you did at least something instead of screaming "OMG, colors are wrong, I'm sending it back!"
You shared your own experience in gaming. Although feedback about gaming experience is subjective, it's very important, because many people criticize input lag, but in fact, they criticize abstract milliseconds, not the monitor - they've never touched this monitor!

What I dislike about your review.
Monitor features and description. All already published and well illustrated - a link is enough for the readers convenience. Wasting time unless you want to underline something specifically.
Photos.
Nothing about their quality. About what they say.
Again, no photos required to describe design and features - much better photos are easily available.
Photos give zero information about picture quality. They make sense if you want to demonstrate specific issues or qualities and give views in comparison.
For example, this photo shows colorshift on your monitor. Although this photo is not very susceptible to colorshift, colors are messed up within 90° (178° in specs). This is a kind of informative photo.
Next two photos show terrible picture distortion but you do not provide any comments:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00574.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00571.jpg
What is the purpose of placing these photos in your review?

About your summary.
Some points are true, some subjective, some absolutely wrong and misleading for a less informed reader.

PROS:

watching HD movies - OK!
Awesome and Accurate colors - ONLY after thorough adjustments/calibration
Awesome viewing angle - NO - much better than TN, poor against IPS
S-PVA Panel - NO - it's an advantage for those who want to get rid of TN, and disadvanatage for those who want photoquality picture of IPS
Huge array of Inputs - YES, but only a few are useful
USB port and Multi-Card Reader - YES/subjective
Correct Black level -OK!
Great for Gaming, watching HD movies, also for documenting and surfing web - YES/subjective
Great stand - YES
Responsive OSD/Power button - NO - slow, complicated, not intuitive
No backlight bleed - Very possible
Price (got it for 25k) - Subjective
No Input Lag - Subjective
Negligible Color Shifting - ABSOLUTELY wrong - typical *VA colorshift
Picture in Picture support works nice - YES

CONS:

Pinkish Tone on the right bottom half of the display
A bit hot
Sharpness level adjustment tied to presets
uneven backlighting
Add several former PROS.

Good luck!
 
albovin said:
Well, if you wish...
First of all, I am glad that you are satisfied with 2408. It's a good monitor for it's class.
About the review itself.
I am very positive about what you have done.
Now comments.

What I like about your review.
You managed to find the strongest point of this monitor - HD video. That's true.
You went as far as where RGB settings were, and you did at least something instead of screaming "OMG, colors are wrong, I'm sending it back!"
You shared your own experience in gaming. Although feedback about gaming experience is subjective, it's very important, because many people criticize input lag, but in fact, they criticize abstract milliseconds, not the monitor - they've never touched this monitor!

What I dislike about your review.
Monitor features and description. All already published and well illustrated - a link is enough for the readers convenience. Wasting time unless you want to underline something specifically.
Photos.
Nothing about their quality. About what they say.
Again, no photos required to describe design and features - much better photos are easily available.
Photos give zero information about picture quality. They make sense if you want to demonstrate specific issues or qualities and give views in comparison.
For example, this photo shows colorshift on your monitor. Although this photo is not very susceptible to colorshift, colors are messed up within 90° (178° in specs). This is a kind of informative photo.
Next two photos show terrible picture distortion but you do not provide any comments:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00574.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l233/dingemini312/DSC00571.jpg
What is the purpose of placing these photos in your review?

About your summary.
Some points are true, some subjective, some absolutely wrong and misleading for a less informed reader.

PROS:

watching HD movies - OK!
Awesome and Accurate colors - ONLY after thorough adjustments/calibration
Awesome viewing angle - NO - much better than TN, poor against IPS
S-PVA Panel - NO - it's an advantage for those who want to get rid of TN, and disadvanatage for those who want photoquality picture of IPS
Huge array of Inputs - YES, but only a few are useful
USB port and Multi-Card Reader - YES/subjective
Correct Black level -OK!
Great for Gaming, watching HD movies, also for documenting and surfing web - YES/subjective
Great stand - YES
Responsive OSD/Power button - NO - slow, complicated, not intuitive
No backlight bleed - Very possible
Price (got it for 25k) - Subjective
No Input Lag - Subjective
Negligible Color Shifting - ABSOLUTELY wrong - typical *VA colorshift
Picture in Picture support works nice - YES

CONS:

Pinkish Tone on the right bottom half of the display
A bit hot
Sharpness level adjustment tied to presets
uneven backlighting
Add several former PROS.

Good luck!
Click to expand...


LOL its like u`r writing a review for my review :p

BTW most of the pros and cons that i have mentioned are subjective to the unit which i recieved....

u like it appreciate.. u dont then lay off......


if i say there is negligent color shift ! then yes it is negligent !
thats y the title .. from laymans point of view !

PS: one more thing... i believe u have also written one review for the same LCD.
that does not at all give u the rite or wits to criticise someone else`s hardwork.
hence...
 
hey dingemini312, how many forums did you post this review in?

i just did a search and found countless copies of this very same review as you have here.
 
Megalomaniac said:
hey dingemini312, how many forums did you post this review in?

i just did a search and found countless copies of this very same review as you have here.
Click to expand...

so ???
is it wrong to do so ???

well i have posted this review in almost 7-8 forums...
and i guess u`ll shud not mind that....


i`m the author ... !

i believe its not wrong to distribute ur own typed review !

PS: this is not a HARDFORUM exlusive review buddy :D

chillax .....
 
I have no issues with you publishing your review to countless places.

More info, means more educated consumers.

Regards,

10e


dingemini312 said:
so ???
is it wrong to do so ???

well i have posted this review in almost 7-8 forums...
and i guess u`ll shud not mind that....


i`m the author ... !

i believe its not wrong to distribute ur own typed review !

PS: this is not a HARDFORUM exlusive review buddy :D

chillax .....
Click to expand...
 
You say input lag is not that big fuss, maybe for you its totally subjective, and it is a fact that is one of the worst monitors out there for lag, so that should be included in your review, no matter whether you think its an issue or not for you. That's what a review is for.
 
DremoraLord said:
You say input lag is not that big fuss, maybe for you its totally subjective, and it is a fact that is one of the worst monitors out there for lag, so that should be included in your review, no matter whether you think its an issue or not for you. That's what a review is for.
Click to expand...

thank u very much for ur kind inputs !
i wrote my review on basis of 3 dell 2408WFP i bot includin for my frnds and mine...
and if i dont find the lag to be that prominent ... y shud i write...!

well why dont u buy one or test one and write a review based on your judgements for all of us inclusive of ur recommended point.

this review is not forced on anyone. u dont find it useful leave it.

just coz u ppl sayin me to agree that INPUT lag messes with online gamin and day to day
usage ... i cant do that.

its 3weeks now and i n my frnds are really happy with the product... except for the pink hue.

rather than flamin one`s efforts , start supportin........


ciao...
 
BTW guys an UPDATE:

my replacement panel is suppose to arrive within next few hours...
would update you all abt it ASAP.......

regards

PS : just hopin tat with the removal of pink hue also it does not suffer from anyother unforeseen problems :D
 
dingemini312 said:
BTW guys an UPDATE:

my replacement panel is suppose to arrive within next few hours...
would update you all abt it ASAP.......

regards

PS : just hopin tat with the removal of pink hue also it does not suffer from anyother unforeseen problems :D
Click to expand...

Thank you for the UPDATE.
Really big news.
Eager to know how many miles left right now.
Pls keep us informed.

With tears.
 
albovin said:
Thank you for the UPDATE.
Really big news.
Eager to know how many miles left right now.
Pls keep us informed.

With tears.
Click to expand...

LOL ...
wats ur problem !
cant u gulp someone writin his own review on somethin u wrote before...

dont behave like a freak man... support !

lol :p
 
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