30 Sep 2010, 15:45
#5284
HP ZR24w problems.
This panel is a complete waste of money in my opinion (and surprisingly, in only a handful of other peoples opinions). The 'glowing', referred to above, certainly exists and it is ridiculous to think that anyone could say this is anywhere near close to being a 'professional quality' screen. (Although MANY reviews DO say this, I've spent too much time here already to be posting links to prove anything I'm bashing away on the keyboard about....... so just google the reviews, you'll find them). When sat right in front of the screen, in the centre, there is an oval area of about 20cm x 15cm which seems fine, with ok contrast/colour etc, BUT, ALL THE REST OF THE SCREEN GLOWS!!!! Even with all the lights off in the room there is a completely unworkable amount of glow around the screen. As you move your head around in front of it, the glow moves around too, although it does disappear if you move about 5 to 6 feet (2m) directly away from the screen. At first I thought it must be the reflection of the bright walls in the computer room, so I turned the light off, but... THE GLOW IS STILL THERE!!!
If you are intending to buy the HP ZR24W monitor to use for pro/semi-pro photographic or video work, or even for anything you care about looking good, then BUY SOMETHING ELSE. The glowing causes all the contrast in the image to disappear when viewing anything other than a bright image, you have to move your head around the screen all the time to see an even, or true version of what is supposed to be seen. Try and imagine a vignette that sucks out the contrast and makes the image silvery and light, this is exactly what the glowing looks like.
The 'glow' problem isn't the only problem however, maximise an image of just a plain, single shade of medium grey, sit back and you can see a faint criss cross pattern. There are two quite distinctive vertical bands of 'slight darkness' and 3 horizontal ones. I haven't read this anywhere else 'yet' but I have just contacted an aquaintance who purchased the same screen about a week ago and she also has the criss cross. (And the glow).
This is NOT a professional monitor. I bought it to replace a Samsung Syncmaster 20.1" LCD screen because the Samsung doesn't have true 16.7 million colour representation and I am now trying to make a living from photography. An upgrade was essential and I wanted to keep the 1200 pixel vertical resolution and have true colour and IPS, but this monitor is a MASSIVE DOWNGRADE.
I have waited for what seems like a lifetime for the IPS panels to get cheaper and the refresh rates to catch up (so I can play the occasional shooter). This screen seemed like the perfect solution. I feel extremely angry that so many people have posted good reviews about this screen as an acceptable, professional quality 'budget option' for photographers, or those involved with pro-level video editing.
Take my advice, either buy the cheapest 1920 x 1200 screen you can find (it will be better than this one) or, go to a store and test drive some LCD's, that would be the best option. I am NEVER buying anything on the strength of internet reviews ever again, the more I buy on the strength of 'expert reviews' and 'customer feedback' found online, the less the items seem to live up to the rave reviews. If you are serious about your imaging then I would probably save for a better screen, that is what I intend to do, this HP rubbish is going straight back. I haven't even tried anything other than attempting to get rid of the DREADED GLOW and write this post, it's just that bad. Before I fall asleep (which won't be long), I will be playing a round of Battlefield 2 Bad Company on this very screen, if there is anything noticably awry, I will log in again tomorrow and update this post (on my old LCD, I won't delay in sending this one back!).
DON'T BUY THIS SCREEN, GET SOMETHING SIMILAR FOR CHEAPER, OR SAVE UP FOR SOMETHING BETTER, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO USE IT FOR!
Don't be caught out by the 'Viewing Angle' marketing specifications. This screen is touted in some reviews (more in a minute on differing specs in reviews...) as having 178 degree viewing angles, yes, you can see the screen from extreme viewing angles and read what is on it, but the image is absolutely NOT viewable at an acceptable level from most angles. From top to bottom, or side to side, even sat directly in front of it, the GLOW is ugly. Ugly, ugly, ugly!
Differing specs
I have now compared the specs from many reviews and found quite a few inconsistencies. Some review specs say that this screen has a 1000:1 contrast ratio, while others say 3000:1. Some say 179 degree viewing angles, some say 178 degrees and others (including the HP website) say only that it can be viewed from extreme angles without losing contrast, though they quote no actual figures. THIS IS A LIE, YOU DO LOSE CONTRAST AND GET A NICE GLOW THROWN IN AS A BONUS!
Also, the HP website says that the response time of this screen is 5ms, when all the other reviews I have found say 7ms response time. (I think one or two say 6ms as well!) Why the inconsistencies? (Again, I'm not going to validate my opinions by posting links to verify my accusations. If you don't feel you can believe me, google like mad, as indeed I have done, and look for yourself.)
Maybe there are different 'models' of the ZR24W, made with different LCD panels inside? If everyone reviewing the screen (from the reviews I have read) are being honest and they are actually being objective rather than just liking it because they are stuck with it (or some other irrational reason) then it must be the case that all ZR24W's are not made equal. There is no other explanation for the, ahem... glowing reviews. (Sorry about that.)
I have used many, many LCD screens in my time, I spend 16 hours a day in front of the things, 7 days a week most weeks. Yes I'm sad, but luckily for you, out of that sadness emanates the gift of knowledge and I have come here to impart my new found wisdom and save everyone's soul from a life of LCD torment. (OK, yes, that was a bit dramatic). Hopefully though, I can stop you all from having to endure the rigmorole, dissapointment and misery I have endured today. I will probably have to endure further misery for the forthcoming weeks whilst I attempt to return this useless piece of scrap plastic, get a full refund and obtain a handwritten apology from the CEO of Hewlett Packard.
HP have wasted enough of my time already today so I have to stop typing soon, please don't let them waste your time and avoid this monitor, if not because of what I have said here, then avoid it on price if you can. I found absolutely no benefit in using this screen over my old one, the extra colour depth and extra 320 horizontal pixels count for nothing if you can't get an even contrast accross the whole screen, especially when sitting directly in front of it. This screen is completely useless for photo or video editing, even if you are not pro level at what you are doing, in my opinion.
As I said, you don't have to believe me and I hope you don't just read this and think "DW12345's comments on flatpanelshd.com were scathing, but his post was written quite comprehensibly, so it must be true, I must also now hate this monitor!". I would recommend making your purchasing decisions based on an understanding of the available product(s) and not just on the opinions expressed in online reviews.
I really am going on a bit too much now aren't I. Oh well, I have calmed down a little since starting this post about two hours ago, so I hope it has been worth the effort and that it has helped broaden your understanding or opinions a little.
I have just gone back and read what I have written here and consequently removed most of my emotionally conceived remarks. What remains of my post should now be an honest account of what I think of the HP ZR24W IPS? monitor.
DW.