DELL 2709W input lag, not even suitable for office work

Question

I've been using my 2709W for 4 days now and I noticed that the mouse pointer lags behind my mouse movements. I had read about input lag issues but I was not worried about it because I intended to use the monitor for work not gaming.

I do not notice the pointer lagging in none of my other monitors: a Viewsonic VG930 19" TFT and a Mitsubishi 740 SB 17" CRT.

Out ouf curiosity I arranged my TFT monitors in clone mode, one at a time, to compare them to the CRT. I used a stopwatch software in Ubuntu (the software is actualy called stopwatch) with millisecond accuracy, and took photos with a shutter speed 1/160.

The 2709W lags an average of 57 ms behind the CRT, the VG930 lags only and average of 16 ms. So, I have found that I do not notice 16 ms of input lag. But 57 ms are anoying and make me less productive because it is distracting and I find myself continuously overshooting (for example trying to click the menu links in this page). Giving the issue time and getting used to the lag is out of the question because I use several computing environments and none show this flaw.

I have tried using both the DVI and VGA inputs and changing differents settings on the OSD menu but I have not seen any perceivable or measurable difference.

I have searched this forum and come across some posts mentioning that on the 2407 input lag was reduced when using the HDMI port. I may try using a DVI-HDMI cable to see if input lag improves, only out of curiosity. However I need to use the DVI and VGA inputs, so it would be nice if we could enable (or disable) on the DVI and VGA ports whatever processing is taking place when the 2709W is using the HDMI port.

Otherwise, I'm affraid that this 2709W is going back to DELL for a refund.

tr4 · Answer

Nice testing. Wonder if you were running them all at the same resolution and switched which video port they were connected to? You may be seein the pc lag. If not, I'd definitely would be boxing that thing up.

StevenC56 · Answer

Any chance they are working on a fix for this monitor? I ordered an XPS 420 system with one just this morning and the shipping date for the monitor isn't until 9-5. I'm not a gamer but I love the size and resolution on the 2707. I'm hoping going from the 2707 to the 2709 isn't going to be a big mistake!

xpereta · Answer

I hope you are going to use the 2709W just to watch movies or you are not sensitive to input lag, otherwise you will have a nasty surprise. Sorry :-( It seems the 270W has 40% more lag than the 2707. See: http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=6&ma1=88&mo1=390&p1=3609&ma2=88&mo2=174&p2=1747&ph=12

I even purchased an adapter to test mine with the HDMI input but the lag is still there. But it seems the 2407 HDMI "trick" only works with certain videocards.

StevenC56 · Answer

I just can't imagine it's as bad as you are saying. There was a review online that stated the lag was 'slightly' worse than the 2707. There are also 3 user's reviews on the product page and not one of those people sounds unhappy with their purchase. I'm not a gamer. What video card are you using? I'm no expert, however if your pointer is lagging when you move it across the screen, there is a huge problem. Maybe you just got a bad one. Did you consider having them send you a replacement to try?

xpereta · Answer

Believe me, I'm trying very hard to keep this monitor. I love the colour reproduction, it's the perfect size, and the price is excellent. But I can't stand the input lag (and the OSD buttons, but this is another story).

I'm aware that this may an issue similar to screen refresh in CRT displays, some people can work with 60hz refresh without any issue while others get a headache with anything less than 75hz.

I have tried every combination I could think:

* From a Macbook (both in OSX and Windows):

DVI

DVI with HDMI adapter

VGA

* From a NVIDIA 6600GT in a PC (both in Ubuntu and Windows)

DVI

DVI with HDMI adapter

VGA

But the lag is still there and degrades normal desktop use for me. I do not notice this problem with my other monitors, although I measured my Viewsonic 19inch TFT being actualy slower than my CR. It's input lag seem to be below my threshold for me to notice it.

I'm afraid that its may be a design flaw or tradeof if you will in this kind of monitors, the Samsung 27 inch TFT show this same problem (I have not been able to see these firsthand, though) and DELL may not be able to do anything but release a new revision. So a replacement may not be the solution, and meanwhile the refund period of my purchase will expire. I'll contact DELL and I'll let you know.

xpereta · Answer

Yesterday I explained my problem to DELL technical support. I also explained that the DELL 24inch TFT suffered similar input lag problems.

Today they called me back and explained that they do not have reports of input lag in the 2709W, so a replacement would most likely not solve the input lag. They are however registering my problem and will investigate this issue further. They also explained that in the case of the 2408 there is a new revision that reduces the input lag from 46ms to 23m, so it seems DELL is aware of the issue.

I have decided I will return my 2709W, to my regret because leaving aside the input lag problem it's an outstanding monitor.

jaqrah · Answer

Xpereta...just received my 2709W.  I had read the various reviews and complaints and was concerned about the input lag.  But after I set it up and finally got it to work ((have encountered other problems there, power saving mode issues)see other thread started on 08-22-08), I sat down and started playing my favorite RTS game.  I have to tell you I did not have any input lag issues.  Maybe I am lucky???

xpereta · Answer

Or maybe I've been unlucky :-) and I got a bad unit, but DELL can't guarantee that a replacement will have lower input lag.

Monitor manufacturers tend to optimize the specs that drive the sales. Now, consumers consider a monitor is better the lower response time is has (regardless every manufacturer seems to have its own measurement method). Consequently it seems that manufacturers tend to optimize response time, but there is always a trade of, so to reduce response time you may be introducing artifacts in the image or in our case increasing the amount of input lag.

There was a time when manufacturers didn't publish the response time of their panels. Maybe it's time manufacturers start publishing data about input lag so that we know what to expect before we make the purchase.

StevenC56 · Answer

Makes me feel better that somebody received one and is happy with the performance since I have a new system with one in production. I'm sending back a 2707 that I really hate to let go of, however Dell is making me return the whole system including the 2707 due to a pricing issue that they won't make right. Did you resolve your power saving mode issue yet?

StevenC56 · Answer

'I am unhappy that despite the monitor has a service tag, the warranty does not include tech assistance for said service tag.'   I know that the warranties on monitors larger than 24' are separate from any system, even if you bought them at the same time. The have a standard 3 year and available extensions to 4 or 5 years. What do you mean by the statement above? Tech assistance would have to field any issues first before anything could be resolved under warranty.

jaqrah · Answer

StevenC56...I am happy with the monitor, in the fact that movies and games look great on it.  I am unhappy that despite the monitor has a service tag, the warranty does not include tech assistance for said service tag.  I am unhappy that I cannot use the power saving mode, which means this thing is on 24/7 (and it throws off some heat).  I am unhappy that I cannot even turn the monitor off without having to do a physical on/off.  I have always been generally happy with my Dell experience but not this time.  And this might just be the last Dell product I buy.

jaqrah · Answer

The monitor has a Type 11 contract-Advanced Exchange for 3 years.  I tried to get Tech Assistance via their website, live tech chat . I personally find it easier to type English to someone in India than try to have a conversation with them via the phone.  So I entered the service tag number, I received a message indicating that there wasn't any FREE tech assistance available to me under my warranty or contract.  I thought this was either an error or just plain ridiculous.  So I called them despite my misgivings.  I gave up after waiting on hold for 20 minutes.  Perhaps I will try again and see what happens.  But I am not hopeful.  Tech assistance coming from a script with someone for whom English may be a second or third language isn't encouraging.  I have been down this road before.  And I am not really excited to pack it back up, ship it back, and try to beat the odds on getting a monitor that isn't suffering from input lag or other issues.

ulrich1976 · Answer

Hi,

I just talked to my pal who has a 2408wfp with the same input lag problem. However he claims that the lag is fixed in the new a01 revision. I there a similar fix in the rev 01 of the 2709w?

regards

Ulrich1976

uptown1111 · Answer

How do you all find the dot-pitch to be?  My three considerations are: 1. Color representation for photography and web design work 2. Dot-pitch 3. Lag

amcl · Answer

I notice the dot pitch sometimes. Especially, when watching hd video. I sit about a 18' from the monitor.

Monitors

DELL 2709W input lag, not even suitable for office work

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