p.1 #1 · Cheap Korean S-IPS 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors for under $350!?
I've been looking to upgrade my 24" 1920x1200px Samsung TN monitor to a higher resolution 30" or 27" IPS monitor. But so far it looks like the entrance price is around $1,000 - $1,300 at minimum if I go with a 30" or 27" from Dell or HP and even more if you go with a NEC or other higher end monitor. That is just too rich for me right now.
However, while googling around I came across forums dedicated to cheap S-IPS monitors (S-IPS panels made by LG) that sell for under $400. These montors are relatively "bare bones" (most of them lacking OSD,scalers or more importantly display port inputs) but the picture quality appears to be close to the same as the 27" iMAC which allegedly uses the same panels. However, I doubt there is any long term warranty (besides sending it back along with reverse shipping to Korea) and the monitor stand durability and overall styling is not up to Western standards.
Browsing the ebay listings I pretty much got lost trying to decipher the different models and their differences. For example, some have speakers, tempered glass covers, 10bit (pseudo apparently), TV tuners etc.. After a while I just gave up and came here looking to see if anybody else has ordered one and what they think of it and what model they recommend. I personally don't care about in-built speakers or TV tuners and would prefer a model with adjustable stand (swivel,tilt) & display port connections (rather than just dual link DVI) for longevity and compatibility reasons. I'm also debating whether to go with 16:9 27" model or 30" 16:10 although the 30" models I looked at were much more expensive at $1,000 which is roughly what one can pickup the HP 30" monitor for here in the states.
These monitors are very tempting due to the price and I'd love to get your opinions on if I should seriously consider purchasing one and which one would be best given my preferences.
Also my current video card is the NVidia 8800GT running Windows 7 on 3Ghz Intel Q6600. Can it drive dual link DVI at 2560X1440? I don't play much games but do need occasionally to be able to drive fullscreen games/simulators at native panel resolution and still enjoy 30fps.
p.1 #4 · Cheap Korean S-IPS 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors for under $350!?
First thoughts:
- Cheap usually means cheap. (when we're talking about 80% cheaper) but it may be the real thing without a name brand to go with it?
- looks like 220/240 foreign plug - may be a problem finding a 110 power brick... or more money invested in an inverter.
- 8800GTS: According to nVidia, the uber high resolution is supported, but playing anything newer than 3 years ago at high settings probably isn't feasable to get 30fps. (depends on the games/settings)
( http://www.overclock.net/t/1177594/q6600-nvidia-8800gts-bf3 )
But if you end up saving $1000 on a monitor, I'd suggest a new $100 video card that could handle the resolution.
I personally see a monitor as an extension of your workflow and as important as the glass you choose to take photos. Consider it a lengthy investment of hardware for your artistic vision. And yes, I have TWO $1200 monitors on my (messy) desk: http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll83/UTHammy/desktop_monitors.jpg
42" S-IPS by LG, only 1920x1080 each.
p.1 #5 · Cheap Korean S-IPS 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors for under $350!?
Why not consider a refurb NEC professional monitor ... I thought I saw some in the $600 to $700 range. My thoughts on monitors are that they lasts a long time. It will outlast the computer(s) and camera bodies you are using. I use a NEC 2690 with Spectraview software and an i1Pro sensor for calibration. If possible, I would just pickup a quality monitor.
p.1 #6 · Cheap Korean S-IPS 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors for under $350!?
Thanks for the advice, but isn't 42" a bit too large for a computer monitor given that you're only a foot or two at most from it?
And to me 1080P is an especially low resolution for image viewing/editing when the screen is 42" and at arm's length from you. The DPI would be really low right.
I've viewed some of my images on a 27" imac and I immediately spotted back-focus problems in some of my portraits that I did not notice when I edited the images on my 24" monitor. It was much easier to see the plane of focus when you have more of the image represented on the screen rather than thrown away as a 1080P display is only 2megapixels compared to the original digital image resolution of 12 or 24 megapixels.
In an ideal world, a 42" monitor should be displaying 4K resolution (4096 × 3112, ~12megapixels. ~ 100dpi)
Hammy wrote:
[.....]
I personally see a monitor as an extension of your workflow and as important as the glass you choose to take photos. Consider it a lengthy investment of hardware for your artistic vision. And yes, I have TWO $1200 monitors on my (messy) desk:
42" S-IPS by LG, only 1920x1080 each.
p.1 #10 · Cheap Korean S-IPS 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors for under $350!?
I have a Korean 27", albeit under different brand First (but same display panel).
Its good. It has some minor bleeding from the bottom, but its only noticeable when completely black. The real estate is amazing...makes you truly appreciate landscape photos. The screen is very sharp and has great contrast.
I would get this over any "excellent" 24" with 1080p resolution.
p.1 #11 · Cheap Korean S-IPS 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors for under $350!?
I am no authority on monitors by a long shot, but I think I just landed a pretty good deal on a HP zr30w 30" which is way more monitor then I am used to coming from a gateway 24", I also built a new system with the 8core processor and a really nice vid card so I am in heaven right now....
I say this to say that if you look around a little, you should be able to find a used 30" monitor for a decent price.
And until you can find some substantial reviews leaning in favor of the Korean models, I would stay clear, You could get lucky, but.......
p.1 #12 · Cheap Korean S-IPS 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors for under $350!?
lwrnclightner wrote:
I am no authority on monitors by a long shot, but I think I just landed a pretty good deal on a HP zr30w 30" which is way more monitor then I am used to coming from a gateway 24", I also built a new system with the 8core processor and a really nice vid card so I am in heaven right now....
I say this to say that if you look around a little, you should be able to find a used 30" monitor for a decent price.
And until you can find some substantial reviews leaning in favor of the Korean models, I would stay clear, You could get lucky, but..........Show more →
Isn't that what the 130+ page linked thread is saying?
p.1 #13 · Cheap Korean S-IPS 27" 2560 x 1440 monitors for under $350!?
I bought one of the Catleap monitors from ebay about a month ago. Paid through paypal and had it at my house 4 days (including a weekend) later. Calibration immediately took care of a very slight yellow-magenta tint, and there is no discernible barrel or warp. The stand is a bit flimsy, but I have yet to see any large monitor that comes with a solid stand. The monitor comes with a 120V power supply and cable. It has standard VESA mounting holes, so as soon as I get a new desk I'll be buying a VESA swing arm mount.
!) 27" IPS monitor available at Microcenter for $399. It has a display port connection unlike most of the Korean models I looked at as well as a built-in scaler:
