A question about the VP912B

[Ephemeral]

I just recently received the Viewsonic VP912B. This is my first LCD purchase, and I based my decision on a preffered resolution of 1280X1024 and the fast response time. This monitor is very nice and I find the image to be much sharper than my CRT that I replaced. I know that not many people have this monitor but I was hoping that someone who does, or knows about it, might be able to help me out. Whenever I am playing a game and I get to a part of a level with low lighting (Mainly ones with greyish tones) I can plainly see an odd crosshatch pattern on the screen. It looks almost like banding if you were to turn the brightness and gamma up too high, only in a crosshatch pattern. I have the brightness and gamma at 50% and I've tried every possible setting in OSD and the Nvidia driver control, but it has little effect on it. It doesn't move around so I think it is a characteristic of the panel or coating? (Glare2H), or maybe even of all LCDs...I have never played a game on one so I really don't know. It is only obvious while I am moving about so I couldn't get a good screenshot to explain it better.

Is this normal?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Fionavar]

Are you using an anlog or DVI connexion?

 

[Ephemeral]

I am using the DVI connection.

 

[Fionavar]

Well that is odd then. I have been looking at this monitor or the 2005FPW (I am really hoping AnandTech has a review soon) and this issue seems totally new. Not that I am an expert - but I have been surfing a lot of places about the VP912b and there are very FEW complaints about this monitor. You installed the right INF for the monitor? What video card? Can you try this on another rig - preferably with better specs to troubleshoot the issue? I'm sorry this is not definitive, but hopefully it is a start? As well, have you tried plating with the monitors colour temps?

 

[Ephemeral]

Yeah, its the computer in my sig. Running it on a 6800 GT, tried messing with color temps. I've tried multiple driver revisions. I have the latest inf from viewsonic. I really don't think it is a software issue, I think it is just the glare2h coating. It actually isn't a glass panel it is just a filter of some sort (You can still push in on it, in case of a stuck pixel). I tried both connections with the same result as well.

Honestly I don't find it a problem, you get used to it after a while and only really notice it if you want to notice it. It would be nice to know if it is in fact the filter on it that I am seeing, just to stop worrying about it you know.

*edit*

If you are still considering the monitor, I just want to point out that it is only noticeable in places of low level lighting where there isn't really anything going on, like just a grey wall or door. In Half Life 2 it was noticeable to me because of the color schemes they used for indoor environments. But once you were outside it was punch-you-in-the-eyes amazing looking as far as color reproduction and brightness.

 

[Fionavar]

Yeah that makes total sense - and with those specs, I suspect you've got more than enough umph to run the LCD ... the only thing is the option to TS on another rig. One thing that occurs to me - is the glare comment (the only negative from some people). Is it possible it is due to your lighting - can you try shifting the lighting in the room to see if that helps? If not and you are getting nothing from anyone here - since it is not readily available try http://hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78: great site where I have done a lot of research for my own upcoming purchase ... well after a good review BTW - could you share your impression more if you have time?

 

[Ephemeral]

It isn't really a glare issue either, the way I have the monitor set up there is no light hitting it directly. I don't even get glare off of the monitor, in fact I took it out of the box expecting to have to mess with it, but really I just placed it on my desk and off I was. I think the glare issue is WAY over-exaggerated, it has no more glare than the crt that I replaced.

I am at work right now and I just had a thought that I should go check one of the privacy filters on a laptop and it produces a very similar effect to what I am seeing on my lcd. I am almost convinced it is just whatever they put on the screen.

As far as an impression goes.

It was a hard thing to get used to going from my 21" trinitron CRT. Its definately different, and like any other lcd, black isn't really all that black (But not very far from it). The backlighting on it is really bright, to the point where when I am not in a game I have to set a custom setting to knock it back some. The colors are rich, and very detailed, and very very vibrant. I had digital vibrance on just a little notch and I loaded up HL2, and it was like, "Man, that is way too much color." You can get a really good balance just messing with the gamma controls in your video drivers, I don't really need to set digital vibrance. I actually think I am so used to staring at the CRT in 1024x768 that when I look at the lcd in 1280x1024 I have a hard time focusing, so I can't really say about IQ (For text) until I am used to it. But everyone who has seen it has commented on how crisp everything looks. The fast response time is great and there is no streaking, and as far as ghosting goes, I haven't noticed any at all. In fact I spent about a half an hour trying different games/things just to see if I could spot it. I would say aside from every now and then when I notice the filter or whatever that I am very happy with the monitor. If you are looking for 1280 res on the desktop and in games then you can't really go wrong. If you think the filter issue might be a problem, they are releasing a version without it.

 

[Ephemeral]

Double post *Deleted*

 

[Fionavar]

Thanks Ephemeral! I am not worried about the Glare either - I have seen the Sony 19" 12ms with the XBrite and I was impressed! I too will be going from a 21" I had a Viewsonic Pro and it died after 6 years :? I am currently on a borrowed 17" CRT and I looking forward to finally replacing it - if for no other reason than the eye strain is killing me! Again thanks for taking the time. BTW - have you contacted Viewsonic about your suspicions?

 

[Ephemeral]

No problem

No I haven't contacted them yet. I was going to call this morning before I left work but unfortunately Lotus Notes decided to lock everyone out and revert to an old database, so I will be spending some mass OT on the phone with IBM...ARRGGH! Oh well...I am guessing Viewsonic will just confirm its what I think it is anyways.

 

[MrPabulum]

Ephemeral,

As an owner of the VP171B, I believe what you are seeing can be described as the screen door effect, something not found on CRTs. Ask any Dell 2001FP owners on this board, and many will describe seeing something similar with their LCDs. Two considerations:

1.) Your monitor is fine, but Viewsonic LCDs (even the best of 'em) have good, but not great, grey scale. That's about the only drawback I've stumbled across. This is where your getting the problem.
2.) Make sure you keep about 18-24in space between your eye and the monitor. Since you have a 19", you might opt for at least 24in and work from there. Look too closely and you'll be staring at a grid.

Coming from a CRT, I remember seeing the same cross-hatch pattern for a while. After about a month of using the monitor, I haven't seen it since, even if I look for it. Just an LCD characteristic to get used to. Course, if we are talking about different things, and you suspect it's something else, you can always call Viewsonic.

 

[Fionavar]

@ MrPabulum - thanks! That is one of the most useful things I have heard about the transition from CRT to LCD.

@ Ephemeral - this is OT, will the IBM sale to Lenovo affect your IT? Back OT: IF you have the time when you figure it out, would you mind sharing what you find out?