SP2008WFP vs. UltraSharp 2007WFP

Question

I'm wondering why the Ultrasharp is more expensive...   SP2008WFP:   Pixel Pitch - 0.258 mm Response Time - 2ms Luminance - 300 cd/m2 Dynamic Contrast Ratio - 2000:1 Optimal Resolution - 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz   UltraSharp 2007WFP:   Pixel Pitch - 0.258 mm Response Time - 16ms Luminance - 300 cd/m2 Dynamic Contrast Ratio - 800:1 Optimal Resolution - 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz   Looks like the new one is better, despite being $110 cheaper... and includes a built-in webcam!  What's going on here?  Is there something I'm not seeing?

gpro · Answer

You're overlooking the most important thing, the quality of the LCD panel itself. The SP2008WFP uses a cheap TN panel while the 2007WFP uses an S-PVA or even better S-IPS panel.

HiLine · Answer

Look at the 2 monitors yourself and you will see the difference. Moreover, don't forget the famous stand design of the UltraSharp monitors.

HiLine · Answer

The stand is not only height adjustable, if you know what I mean. You can check the features of the UltraSharp line on Dell's website. The panel quality decides the monitor's quality in terms of color production and image quality.

cmsayer · Answer

What does the panel quality add?  And personally, I'd rather pay for a better quality monitor, not the more adjustable stand.  Thanks for the input so far!

gpro · Answer

Generalizing, TN panels have faster response time but poorer viewing angles and color reproduction. Here are some good introductions to LCD technology and specifications:

TFT Central - panel specifications

ard|Forum - TFT technology breakdown

AnandTech - LCD buyer's guide

X-bit - LCD Monitor Parameters and Characteristics

cmsayer · Answer

Thanks for the info everyone.  I never knew that much about the panels before.  If they are so important, however, how come Dell doesn't state what kind they are using?

DELL-Chris M · Answer

cmsayer, Since all the panels we use meet our monitor specifications, we do not feel it is necessary.

KentonAZ · Answer

You are wrong about the SP2008WFP having an inferior viewing angle.

According to Dell's specifications the SP2008WFP has a view angle of 160/160 and the "UltraSharp" 2007WFP has a view angle of 89/89.

UltraSharp:

slower response time (16ms vs 2ms) BIG DIFFERENCE!

Lower contrast ratio (800:1 vs 2000:1) BIG DIFFERENCE!

Inferior view angle (89 vs 160) BIG DIFFERENCE!

...and it cost $110 MORE!

The only advantage is the monitor can adjust about 4" lower...

Monitors are not tall enough for most environments so why would anyone want to lower the screen anyway?

BTW I have 4 UltraSharp monitors... They are just ok. I would get the new superior SP2008WFP with the built-in camera and buy my wife some flowers with the extra $110!

Message Edited by KentonAZ on 10-12-2007 05:36 AM

Message Edited by KentonAZ on 10-12-2007 05:38 AM

gpro · Answer

'According to Dell's specifications the SP2008WFP has a view angle of 160/160 and the 'UltraSharp' 2007WFP has a view angle of 89/89.' - that's +/-89°, or 178°/178° compared to 160°/160° Ultimately it depends which qualities are important to the individual user.

HiLine · Answer

First off, the 2000:1 is a dynamic contrast which should not be compared to a static contrast. Secondly, the 20ms response time is pretty the standard for a high-end monitor. Look at Apple, Eizo and Lacie monitors and you will see. Thirdly, there are 2 ways of measuring a viewing angle. The 89 for the first way is equal to 178 for the second. The 160 can not be doubled as you can easily see. Fourthly, you have ignored the pivoting function of the 2007WFP which is very useful since the monitor has a pivoting program in it already. UltraSharp rocks !

cmsayer · Answer

20ms is standard for a high-end monitor? Is that really true? Doesn't that lead to lots of ghosting?

Also, the Ultrasharp lists the dynamic contrast ratio (not static), which is still significantly less than the SP2008WFP... so I'm not sure what you mean by that.

Overall, the purpose of this thread was to determine which has the better quality picture. Not tilt functions or viewing angles (which shouldn't matter if the monitor is right in front of you anyways).

Message Edited by cmsayer on 10-13-2007 05:28 PM

HiLine · Answer

SP2008WFP is the first Dell monitor ever whose dynamic contrast is listed. Other Dell monitors do not apply the dynamic contrast technology. You may want to look at some high-end LCD monitor brands that I have mentioned to check their response times. The S-IPS panel of the 2007WFP comes with a high response time and a most accurate color reproduction. Edited: I just want to add that the 16 ms is B2W and the 2ms is G2G. The difference in measuring methods results from the different panel technologies: TN and IPS.

Message Edited by HiLine on 10-13-2007 10:09 PM

KentonAZ · Answer

'Fourthly, you have ignored the pivoting function of the 2007WFP which is very useful since the monitor has a pivoting program in it already. UltraSharp rocks !'   I have 4 UltraSharp monitors and I have never 'pivoted' the monitor except when I first received my first one just to see it rotate.  I don't know of ANY actual use for that function.  Plus, the twelve cords plugged into the back of the monitor get tangled  ...a pretty useless function.    Back in the day (15 years or so) someone thought that DTP would be better addressed with the portrait orientation (since most printed formats are portrait)  but they forgot to think about the OS needed to run the DTP apps are designed for landscape orientation.  It never really worked.

HiLine · Answer

I always have fun pivoting my latest UltraSharp monitors. Very useful when you work with office applications or read online news.

Arlen1 · Answer

Here is the current (updated) link for AnandTech's LCD Buyer's Guide:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y

gpro wrote:
Generalizing, TN panels have faster response time but poorer viewing angles and color reproduction. Here are some good introductions to LCD technology and specifications:

TFT Central - panel specifications

ard|Forum - TFT technology breakdown

AnandTech - LCD buyer's guide

X-bit - LCD Monitor Parameters and Characteristics

Monitors

SP2008WFP vs. UltraSharp 2007WFP

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