Dell SP2008WFP
Size: 20″ Wide
Pixel Format: 1680 x 1050
Response Time: 2ms
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
Inputs: DVI-HDCP, VGA, USB 2.0 (4)
Special Features: 2MP webcam, microphone
Availability: September 12, 2007
Price: $289
Image Source: Engadget
Is it true? Dell has beat Apple to the embedded-webcam-in-monitor race? I thought Dell was the quick follower when it came to technology innovation? Maybe it is no longer true. Or maybe it is Apple being slow this time, though they have had embedded webcams on its iMac line for some time now. It’s good to see Dell innovate and it seems the LCD panel is of a high-performance variety with 3ms response time and a very high contrast ratio of 2000:1. But the one thing that you should watch out for is that Samsung’s PVA LCDs have a very high contrast ratio when you’re looking dead on; the contrast ratio drops quickly as you move away from zero degree. LG.Philip LCD’s IPS, on the other hand, has a rather low contrast ratio at zero degree but falls slowly as you move from side to side. Which is better? I prefer IPS, but that’ just my personal opinion. Dell’s SP2008WFP seems to be a solid LCD monitor.
Source: Engadget
Update September 28, 2007
As of today, Dell officially announced the SP2008WFP. The integrated video camera is something new and even lets you take pictures at 1600 x 1200. I am not sure, but the video is probably capped at 640 x 480. Unfortunately for all 20″ and 22″ LCD monitors, the pixel format of 1680 x 1050 is just useless for HD: 720p is scaled up and 1080p is scaled down. Scaling technology is pretty good in most high-end TVs, but for a monitor, I’m not sure. To get the best experience with this monitor, I would stay away from watching movies in hidef.
Image Source: Dell
[tags]Dell, 20″, Wide LCD Monitor, LCD Monitor, 1680 x 1050, DVI, HDCP, Webcam[/tags]
{ 2 comments }
I don’t want to question you, you seem to know an awful lot about monitors, but wouldn’t this be a TFT panel? I haven’t seen any (S-)PVA panels with a quoted 2-3ms response time and/or <300 cd/m2 brightness.
Almost all LCD monitor panels are of the thin-film-transistor (TFT) type. Of the TFT LCD panels there are three major technologies: twisted nematic (TN), vertical alignment (VA) and in-plane switching (IPS). Smaller 17″-19″ as well as 22″ are almost all of the TN variety and are manufactured by everyone including Samsung, LG.Philips LCD, AU Optronics, etc. VA has been used and enhanced by several companies: Samsung (PVA), Sharp (ASV), AU Optronics (MVA), etc. The IPS camp is LG.Philips LCD and Hitachi (IPS Alpha).
I am not sure which panel is used in the Dell SP2008WFP. The largest supplier of 20″ wide LCD panels is LG.Philips LCD and the company has been supplying Dell for its UltraSharp 20″ wide models for quite some time. However, it makes me wonder because of the very high contrast ratio. I’m sure someone will do a tear down soon enough. :) Thanks for your comment and question and let me know if you have more.
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