Following on from our recent
focus on the
BenQ FP241W, it seemed a good time to take a look at another exciting new
model which has just been released. Following in the footsteps of other popular
models in their range, Dell have now launched a 27" diagonal screen offering
some impressive features and specifications. There has been a lot of talk about
Dell models since the 2001FP was released some years ago, and models like the
2005FPW, 2405FPW, 2007WFP and 2407WFP have all been massively popular and mostly
well regarded.
The 27"
diagonal is something new
in the market of desktop TFT screens, and Dell have bravely been the first to
launch a model of this size. Samsung are also releasing a 27" model, the
SM275T offering a comparable product, but Dell have been first to venture
into this sector. This is not a first hand review of the screen (although we
hope to feature that soon), more of an advanced look at the screen and it's
features as well as an insight into its performance in a similar style to
previous articles we have run.
Specifications
Screen Size |
27" |
Resolution |
1920 x 1200 |
Response Time |
6ms G2G / 16ms ISO |
Contrast Ratio |
1000:1 |
Brightness |
400 cd/m2 |
Colour Depth |
16.7 million colours, 8-bit. 92% Colour gamut |
Viewing Angles |
178 /178 |
Connections |
D-Sub/DVI-D (HDCP)
S-Video /Composite/ Component /USB /Card Reader |
Panel |
Samsung S-PVA (LTM270M1) |
Functionality |
PiP, 1:1 pixel mapping
Height, Tilt, Pivot |
Full Specification on Dell's Site |
 |
Features and Functions
-
Too Low a Resolution?:
Immediately you may notice the most obvious feature of this screen, that is
the resolution remains comparable to smaller screens including the 23 and 24"
models already available. As such, the screen offers a large pixel pitch of
0.303mm, being larger than even 19" (0.294mm) and 22" (0.282mm) models. Some
potential buyers are put off by this, thinking image sharpness may be lost and
pixels may appear too big. In practice, a larger pixel pitch can make text
look bigger and so this can be to some peoples liking. Others are more
comfortable with smaller text and a 'tighter' pixel pitch, but this is very
much down to personal taste. While the screen only offers the same 1920 x 1200
res of smaller models, it does offer more in the way of screen size, making it
potentially a more immersive screen for gaming, and a better screen for movie
watching. In effect, the 2707WFP is crossing that bridge into the realms of
HDTV's and offering an interim diagonal for those wanting a little more than
24", but without the leap to a 32" LCD TV. I think it is important to consider
that the extra screen size can lend itself well to multimedia application, but
it may not be as suited to office work as a smaller model.
At least
limiting the screen to a 1920 x 1200 resolution means you can use a single
link DVI connection to power the screen, so it is more widely usable than the
dual-link 3007WFP screen.
-
92% Colour Gamut:
Seperating it from other models, the Dell 2707WFP utilises new advanced CCFL
backlight lamps and can offer a colour gamut covering 92% of the NTSC colour
space. There is an interesting article about colour gamut available from
x-bit labs which is well worth a read. This offers a gamut range which
exceeds the sRGB space and can help improve colour range and depth.
-
Connectivity
Options: As is common with a lot of Dell's models, the 2707WFP features a
wealth of connections as detailed above. The component connections are
attractive for those wanting to hook up games consoles to their screen (e.g.
Xbox 360), and the USB 2.0 ports (x4) and 9 in 2 card reader are always handy.
The screen also offers a full range of ergonomic adjustments which are
certainly useful with a screen this size. Dell don't spare any expense when it
comes to features and ergonomics, and the 2707WFP is no exception. The only
thing perhaps missing compared with other models emerging (BenQ FP241W for
example) is an HDMI connection.
-
Aspect Ratio Control / 1:1
Pixel Mapping: One thing which was widely discussed after the BenQ
coverage was that the FP241W did not feature hardware based control over
aspect ratios of source resolutions. As such, external devices would commonly
lead to stretching of the image, with the screen offering no way of controling
the aspect ratio (4:3, 5:4, 16:9 etc) and no way to force a 1:1 pixel scaling.
Fortunately, BenQ have addressed this, but it has become a hot topic when it
comes to looking for a new widescreen format monitor. Fortunately for
everyone, the Dell 2707WFP features options for "aspect", "1:1" and "fill" as
with their other models, and so there is no concern here.
Performance
-
HD Resolution Support: Dell customer support have
confirmed the support of HD content as follows:
|
VGA |
DVI |
Component |
480i |
N |
Y |
Y |
480p |
N |
Y |
Y |
720i |
N |
Y |
Y |
720p |
N |
Y |
Y |
1080i |
N |
N |
Y |
1080p |
N |
Y |
N |
As
you can see, it seems again Dell have opted for a DVI interface controller
which does not support interlaced 1080i content, something which was also
discussed with the 2407WFP model. Lack of 1080p support may also be
off-putting to some users hoping to use component connections. HDCP is
supported over the DVI interface for material protected in this way.
-
Responsiveness and Gaming:
The Samsung
S-PVA panel offers a 6ms G2G response time which on paper at least is very
good. Samsung have used a heavy dose of their 'MagicSpeed' RTC technology to
boost responsiveness across grey transitions and so gaming performance should
be improved compared with non-overdriven S-PVA/PVA type panels, and those of
previous generations like the Dell 2405FPW for example. Dell have not employed
any further technologies though to aid in reducing perceived motion blur.
While BenQ are exploring possibilities such as
BFI, and Samsung are using their MPA technology to improve perceived
responsiveness, the Dell 2707WFP does not use anything other than RTC
technology to boost pixel response. As such, the 2707WFP may fall a little
behind some modern screens such as the BenQ FP241WZ when it comes to pure FPS
gaming performance.
However, for
most users, the screen should be perfectly adequate with modern RTC
technologies being used, and with the screen offering a huge desktop real
estate, the immersion should be excellent. Again, you can happily view the
screen from a couple of metres away and still be comfortable, and the 2707WFP
is a good cross breed of desktop LCD display and multimedia LCD TV.
Extremetech
commented in their review that "Overall, game content looked great as well.
We moved around the lushly detailed world of Gothic 3 at the full 1920x1200
resolution. Other games looked pretty darned good as well." Greengoose at HardForum commented
that "I've played BF2 for about three hours. Very immersive. No lag or
ghosting. I came in first about four out of ten games (about par for me). I
played Medieva 2: Total War most of today. Looks great and plays great."
-
Movie Viewing:
Clearly the
2707WFP offers a large screen size making it ideal for movie viewing. The
S-PVA panel technology used offers wide viewing angles (only a little behind
those of S-IPS based panels) and so viewing the screen with several people is
not a problem. The black depth offered by such a panel is also good which
lends itself well to movies with dark scenes and when viewing in low light
conditions. S-PVA technology, especially where overdrive technologies are
excessively used, do not lend themselves well to movie playback in terms of
noise and twinkling, but this should not prove an issue when viewing the
screen from a sensible distance. Considering the 27" size of the screen, a
comfortable distance for viewing is going to be a few metres away anyway, at
which any noise is going to be pretty hard to spot.
The 27"
diagonal offers a larger screen size to the 24" models (same resolution) and
so while office users might not appreciate the extra size and increased pixel
pitch, movie users should benefit from the extra screen size.
Extremetech
commented in their review that "The dark value number makes this
potentially a very good display for watching video content, including DVD and
high definition movies. The 2707WFP's dark levels are also quite good for an
LCD. Dark detail on video isn't quite up to CRT levels yet, but it's
noticeably better than the older Dell 2405WFP from 2005." One user,
Q-Q, at Whirlpool forums commented
that there was "No ghosting detected. Colour reproduction is no doubt very
impressive. Since this display is not 16:10 you get a bit of black bar on
either end (just under 3cm each end) I guess it’s acceptable – but would have
been nice if the display is truly 16:9."
-
Black Depth:
Being S-PVA
based, the Dell 2707WFP should offer a decent black depth which rivals most
LCD displays in the market. Extremetech recorded the black depth at 0.2cd/m2
in their review, and compared that with 0.29 cd/m2 measured on their own test
of the 2407WFP. they commented in the review that "The dark value number
makes this potentially a very good display for watching video content,
including DVD and high definition movies. The 2707WFP's dark levels are also
quite good for an LCD. Dark detail on video isn't quite up to CRT levels yet,
but it's noticeably better than the older Dell 2405WFP from 2005."
Reviews and Further Reading:
BeHardware
Review (March 2007)
Extremetech
Review (Jan 2007)
Whirlpool Forums
User Review (Jan 2007)
CNET Brief
Review (Jan 2007)
PCWorld.com Brief
Review (Jan 2007)
HardForum
Discussion Thread
|