Gateway 21" LCD

[ullanta]

Anyone have any experience with the Gateway FPD2185W?

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Gateway_FPD2185W/4505-3174_16-31563945.html?tag=pdtl-img

Looks like an interesting alternative to the Dell 2405. Has component inputs, some fancy Faroudja processing, and a much lower pricetag!

Also, I played with one in the store and it had the ability to switch in DVI mode between YUV and RGB colorspace. This might be an advantage in using DVI Preview Mode from FCP - but I didn't have a DVI source to try it with...

-Barry

 

[Green Hornet]

I am waiting for monitors to be under $500 that display at least 1080.

Most are only 1050 , and over $500.

 

[Neopics]

Anyone have any experience with the Gateway FPD2185W?

Yep, I'm typing this on mine right now. Really nice monitor. (BTW, it's a 21" screen, not 19" as mentioned in the title.)

VGA looks really good and sharp. DVI is supposed to be even better, but I'm having trouble getting my video card to drive it (there are some documented DVI problems with nVidia 5xxx series cards). Composite input is a bit dodgy (noisy, over-sharpened), S-Video is noticeably better, and component is absolutely brilliant. The images from the HD100U look great on it.

Some minor annoyances with the LCD. When the screen is primarily black and viewed in a dark room, you can see some backlight bleed-through in an X-shape towards the corners. Most of the time this isn't visible. Also, this particular style of LCD to enable wide viewing angles has a tendency to look a bit more contrasty straight-on then when viewed slightly from the sides, above or below. Not too bothersome because it's much better than those with narrower viewing angles, but it can screw you up in judging contrast while doing colour correction work.

 

[ullanta]

Yep, I'm typing this on mine right now. Really nice monitor. (BTW, it's a 21" screen, not 19" as mentioned in the title.)

True... I had a brain slip. I don't seem to be able to change the thread title myself, though...


Anyway, I researched a little more and found some reports of a high failure rate, after just weeks of operation. I don't know how much is FUD... how long have you had yours? Do you really find it suitable for CC?

Also, can you enlighten us about the RGB vs. YUV thing in DVI Video mode...
or, I guess, that's where you're having a problem with your card... or is DVI-Video that new standard with copy protection or something?

 

[Justyn]

Go with the Dell. For 760 I got it shipped with a 3 year warranty and a 4 year trade up option. The monitor is awesome in HD. SD looks like poo poo but ohh well. I hope they put Pettycoat Junction out in HD...

 

[Neopics]

I researched a little more and found some reports of a high failure rate... how long have you had yours?

I've only had it a week now, and have read the same reports as you. I'm taking a wait-and-see approach. Fortunately, I managed to get a 3-year extended warranty for free by working the salesman.

Do you really find it suitable for CC?

Oh yes, it's still very suitable in that regard. Like any LCD you just have to condition yourself to its characteristics and be sure to use some form of calibration. I also spot check on a CRT as well in NTSC to keep what I'm doing in perspective.

Also, can you enlighten us about the RGB vs. YUV thing in DVI Video mode...or, I guess, that's where you're having a problem with your card... or is DVI-Video that new standard with copy protection or something?

Unfortunately that whole arena is a bit of a mess for me right now. The DVI output on the card stopped working while I was trying to set it up. And it's the only device I have with a DVI output.

 

[cre8tive]

Go with the Dell. For 760 I got it shipped with a 3 year warranty and a 4 year trade up option. The monitor is awesome in HD. SD looks like poo poo but ohh well. I hope they put Pettycoat Junction out in HD...

Justyn,

You mentioned the case you had settled on for your monitor. You were still looking for a means of setting it up on location. Any solutions yet?

Regards,

Cre8tive