E171FP (or a general LCD) Monitor Problem

Question

I have a new E171FP that I got about a week ago.  I have set my resolution to 1280 x 1024 with 60Hz (Optimal).  My problem is that the letters on the screen are more than one tone.  For instance, in the word 'keyword', I have grey areas within the letters 'k' and 'w' where the letters should normally be all black.  So some parts of the letter 'y' look a lot lighter than others.  This inconsistency within letters is apparent throughout the screen in all the letters.  Some letters are worse than others.  Also, some of the grey areas even look 'redder' or 'greener'.  This problem gets worse when the letters are smaller.  Is this a problem in E171FP monitors? Or do all LCD panel monitors have this problem?  I need help as soon as possible since I may have to return the monitor!  I talked to the Dell Tech people and went through their troubleshooting guide (monitor test, video card test...).  Does anyone else have any suggestions to why this is happening? -Koala317 Dell Dimension 8250, Pentium 4 @ 2.40 GHz, 512MB Ram, E171FP monitor, 64MB GeForce4 MX Graphics Card TV-Out, Windows XP Pro.

tomintx · Answer

Have you enabled clear type? See if this wizard to refine it works for you.  http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/cleartypeactivate.htm

JP_B · Answer

I had the exact same problem with my E171FP (actually, two of them). I got tired of the fuzzy and/or red-hued text very quickly (even tried the ClearType suggestion) and finally gave up and got a return authorization.

I wish there was somewhere to see these Dell monitors in action before buying them...

talmy · Answer

The 'E' stands for 'Economy'. The 1702FPs I've got are sharp and clear. Note that if cleartype is turned on there will be color fringing since cleartype achieves its fineness of dithering by using the individual colors.

giampaolo · Answer

I am not an expert on this matter, but I tried to connect the E171FP monitor to other two computers I have at home (a lap top Armada 500 and another not of a primary brand).  With proper resolution, but even at 800X600, the problem did not appear. May I suppose that this problem depends on the graphic card ?( I have a Raytheon card  as per DELL standard configuration)

giampaolo · Answer

I have the same problem with this monitor and I am wondering why DELL is not giving a solution or alert about quality before buying

JP_B · Answer

As to the video card, both of my DELLs have the Nvidia GeForce4 MX 420 cards.  Pretty stock stuff from DELL these days... Maybe I just expect too much from a budget monitor.

JP_B · Answer

Yeah, I suspected that.  ClearType was a last attempt at a solution, recommended by someone else here.  Nice font rendering, but the fuzzy text is even worse.  Oh, well...

chrishpark · Answer

E for Economic my shoe!  It should be better and we have the right to expect more because it sure wasn't cheap!!!!!

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