DailyTech - Dell Introduces New Wide Color Gamut LCDs

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Hardware Dell Introduces New Wide Color Gamut LCDs
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - June 26, 2007 10:00 AM

38 comment(s) - last by AvidDailyTechi.. on Jun 27 at 12:33 PM

Like most things however, there's more to the next-gen Dell display than meets the eye

Dell this week announced a brand new 24-inch LCD monitor based on traditional cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlights. Unlike other panels from Dell however, the new 2407WFP-HC boasts what Dell dubs as TrueColor (translated) technology, giving the 2407WFP-HC a greater color gamut than traditional LCD panels.

Dell's current Ultrasharp 2407WFP is also based on CCFL technology. Dell calls the backlight technology on the 2407WFP-HC "wide CCFL" technology -- essentially indicating a wider color gamut. Most LCDs can display between 40-percent and 70-percent of the NTSC color gamut. With TrueColor technology, Dell claims that the 2407WFP-HC is capable of displaying 92-percent of that color space.

The following are some specifications of the new Ultrasharp 2407WFP-HC:

Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Response time: 6ms
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
9-in-2 media card reader integrated into bezel
4 USB 2.0 ports

Despite the increased color gamut, TrueColor does not necessarily give users increased color accuracy. In fact, to obtain a higher level of color accuracy, users will still have to calibrate their displays with devices like the ColorVision Spyder.

Most manufacturers today report color gamut using % NTSC, including Dell. Unfortunately % NTSC is calculated based on the area of two gamut triangles and not on actual coordinates -- a ratio that does not equate to image quality. Having a higher % NTSC is less important than having the ability to cover colors that are perceptually more important to overall image quality since not all colors are important. As a result, displays with a smaller % NTSC color gamut can actually outperform displays with a greater % NTSC gamut.

While TrueColor increases the gamut for CCFL displays, there is another technology already on the rise: LED-backlighting. One of the many areas where LED-backlighting outperforms CCFL is in white point and brightness -- two critically important factors in determining color accuracy. Without this accuracy, two displays with the same % NTSC rating may not display the same colors.

The new Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP will be available in July at a price of $679. The company began shipping the 30" wide gamut 3007WFP-HC this past spring, but did not officially announce the model.

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Evolutionary

By Operandi on 6/26/2007 11:26:00 AM , Rating: 1

Sounds like a decent step forward to address one of LCDs primary weakness but we'll have to wait for some good reviews to know what kind of impact it will really have.

RE: Evolutionary

By qwerty1 on 6/26/2007 11:54:53 AM , Rating: 1

I'd rather see Dell jump the LED LCD bandwagon and produce some nice stand-alone panels. Those are a lot more accurate in color rendition and provide far greater color gamut.

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RE: Evolutionary

By Operandi on 6/26/2007 12:23:29 PM , Rating: 2

I'm sure that's just around the corner. But at some point something new is going to come about to completely dispel LCD's downfalls, perhaps OLED.

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RE: Evolutionary

By imaheadcase on 6/26/2007 12:36:11 PM , Rating: 2

OLED is not for monitors, its for large screens. 37inch+ is the target market for them.

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RE: Evolutionary

By Operandi on 6/26/2007 12:53:16 PM , Rating: 2

Really? What is it about OLED that makes it inappropriate for monitor use?

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RE: Evolutionary

By Zandros on 6/26/2007 7:30:27 PM , Rating: 2

IIRC, OLED isn't that fast at switching.

I might be wrong though.

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RE: Evolutionary

By phattyboombatty on 6/26/2007 2:17:04 PM , Rating: 2

The vast majority of OLED screens are smaller than 37 inches, and nothing about them makes them inappropriate for use in smaller screens (in fact, just the opposite is true).

From Wikipedia:

"OLED technology is used in commercial applications such as small screens for mobile phones and portable digital audio players (MP3 players), car radios, digital cameras and high-resolution microdisplays for head-mounted displays."

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RE: Evolutionary

By bunga28 on 6/26/2007 3:23:19 PM , Rating: 1

what makes wikipedia a trusty source/fact?

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RE: Evolutionary

By dajeepster on 6/26/07, Rating: 0

RE: Evolutionary

By smaddox on 6/26/2007 4:39:25 PM , Rating: 4

Its a better source than a random person on a random message board.

At least on wikipedia you know you are getting a statement supported by more than one person (since otherwise, it would be changed by those who disagree).

I hate when I hear people talk about wikipedia as untrustworthy. The only topics that are untrustworthy on wikipedia are those that would not be in a classical encyclopedia, in which case wikipedia is still probably the best source.

Would you ever post on a topic you know nothing about? (if you answered yes, you have serious moral and ego issues) What makes you think others would?

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RE: Evolutionary

By jmunjr on 6/26/2007 5:27:17 PM , Rating: 2

It is UNRELIABLE, that's all. Much of the info is good and accurate info, but some not, and who knows where it came from. Bias is present as well. Also most of what is written is done so by average people with little writing skill.

Also wikipedia violate copyrights. Yeah the contributors are the ones doing it, but ultimately they show up on WP's site, hence WP is responsible. We've had to tell WP on numerous occasions to stop stealing our images(and bandwidth since some were direct links to our server). The next time we will replace the image with something pornographic.

For me, wikipedia is a good place to find out info I want personally, and if it is important enough I will try to find alternate unconnected sources to back up WP's info.

I would never use it solely to substantiate anything though, nor use it in a research paper or a legal battle lol..

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RE: Evolutionary

By ethana2 on 6/27/2007 4:56:26 AM , Rating: 2

I recommend using the creative commons license yourself. It would give you an excuse to be less of an

Really though, I do. Copyright needs to die. If you're using copyright extensions too, then as far as I'm concerned, you're infringing upon the public domain.

And Wikipedia fills a niche that I call the open global knowledge base or human data consortium, which I think is essential for an intellectually solid society. If I had my way, It would be the only encyclopedia that existed, and spamming/posting false information on it would be a misdemeanor.

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RE: Evolutionary

By glenn8 on 6/26/2007 3:33:55 PM , Rating: 2

I find that hard to believe considering there already exists some devices (camera, media player) that utilizes very small screens.

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RE: Evolutionary

By glenn8 on 6/26/2007 3:43:06 PM , Rating: 2

In fact here are some examples from just searching DailyTech:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=6889
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=7330
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=7429

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RE: Evolutionary

By Chadder007 on 6/26/2007 1:55:18 PM , Rating: 2

Exactly what I was thinking. Dell should have went with LED backlights....especially considering the price jump it should have been included.

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RE: Evolutionary

By lumbergeek on 6/26/2007 3:22:21 PM , Rating: 2

Dell doesn't actually produce panels. Most of their panels are Samsung made, Dell packages and backlights, etc. OK, really, Dell outsources that....

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RE: Evolutionary

By smaddox on 6/26/2007 4:41:15 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah. I was kinda confused when I saw Dell was claiming some kind of advancement. They don't typically advance anything. I don't think they even have an R&D department. They just market and produce cheaply.

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RE: Evolutionary

By Rickler on 6/26/2007 7:27:13 PM , Rating: 2

So basically it's just a rebranded SAMSUNG 244t 24", which has been out for years. How much does DailyTech get for those outright Dell advertisements?

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RE: Evolutionary

By Devo2007 on 6/27/2007 2:50:12 AM , Rating: 2

Does the Samsung 244T have a wider color gamut or the card reader? I don't think so.

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8-bit?

By greyfade on 6/26/2007 4:35:20 PM , Rating: 2

So does this mean Dell is finally going to use 8-bit LCD panels?

RE: 8-bit?

By Lakku on 6/26/2007 8:28:02 PM , Rating: 3

What are you talking about? Many dell monitors have used 8-bit panels for months, if not years.

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3007WFP-HC...

By tsapiano on 6/26/2007 11:37:12 PM , Rating: 2

> In addition, the company will also introduce a 30-inch
> 3007WFP-HC with the same technology at a later date.

The 3007WFP-HC has been on the market for a while now ;)

Product page:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.a...

Dailytech article:
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4938

RE: 3007WFP-HC...

By Kougar on 6/27/2007 8:14:32 AM , Rating: 2

I was just about to post the same thing! The 3007WFP-HC has been out and boasting a 92% color gamut, and from the reports it's not all marketing hype at that.

I'll wait to upgrade my 2407 to when they finally switch to LEDs though... the basic 2407WFP A3 version is so good that I really don't mind that it was finally outdated. This monitor certainly gets borderline hot, and only LEDs will mostly fix that.

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Am I color blind?

By CuriousMike on 6/26/2007 12:16:24 PM , Rating: 3

Honestly, I'd need a side by side comparison between this monitor and the old version.

I look at $200 LCD monitors all the time, and they show me color. Red, blue and even green.

I suppose this tech isn't aimed that me, the average consumer.

I'll enjoy it's benefits a few years down the road when it pops up at costco in a 24" model for $179.

No New Inputs :(

By MasterTactician on 6/26/2007 4:46:24 PM , Rating: 2

It seems that Dell has opted not to include HDMI; maybe they will have updated the 1:1 1080i/p scaling issues on the 2407 and hopefully the scaler is improvrd a bit for the sake of component input (maybe 1080p over component will work on this?). Probably too much to hope for :( The BenQ FP241W still seems to be the best 24" for multimedia + PC useage IMHO.

BTW, what other 24" (non TN)panels are due to be launched before mid/late August?

Good News

By Cunthor666 on 6/26/2007 7:05:01 PM , Rating: 2

This is good news for photographers, and graphics professionals. I guess that LED backlit 24" screens would cost way more, hence why they are only available in laptop screens.

well,

By yanquii on 6/26/2007 7:51:25 PM , Rating: 2

Im still hopelessly waiting for SED. : (

30 inch version already on sales

By bernardl on 6/27/2007 3:17:02 AM , Rating: 2

at least in Japan

http://configure.apj.dell.com/dellstore/config.asp...

Regards,
Bernard

3007WFP-HC

By AvidDailyTechie on 6/27/2007 12:33:35 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
In addition, the company will also introduce a 30-inch 3007WFP-HC with the same technology at a later date.

Wasn't the "HC" behind the 3007WFP already an indication that this newer model had improved the color accuracy to some 9x%? Orrr did marketing get me again??

Extra crap

By gyranthir on 6/26/07, Rating: -1

RE: Extra crap

By Crucial on 6/26/2007 12:01:39 PM , Rating: 2

I actually use the USB ports on my 2407 all the time. The card reader gets used a few times as well. I like them and think they serve a much better purpose than speakers on an LCD.

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RE: Extra crap

By Operandi on 6/26/2007 12:15:44 PM , Rating: 3

The USB ports on my 2407 are used nearly daily for flash drives. My keyboard and mouse are also connected to the Dell.

If my camera didn't use xD I'd most likely use the card reader more also.

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RE: Extra crap

By Sazar on 6/26/2007 1:49:08 PM , Rating: 2

Yep, keyboard, mouse, headset plugged into the display as well as my flash memory (camera) and my xbox.

The ports are there for those who use them :)

Re: clarity, cheaper displays typically tend to have backlight bleeding and it is EXTREMELY annoying when watching something with a dark display.

The 2407 (at least my a04 revision) has a perfectly uniform backlight. My old 2005 was mostly uniform except for the bottom left corner and it bugged the heck out of me when I first noticed it. I got used to it but it bugs me again now that I have a perfectly uniform display sitting in front of me :)

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RE: Extra crap

By slashbinslashbash on 6/26/2007 12:23:53 PM , Rating: 2

To add to what the others said.... USB ports and flash card readers built into a monitor are always easy to access and never get in the way. I don't have to reach down under my desk to plug something in, and I don't have to have some stupid card reader sitting on my desk where it will just add to the clutter. Further, they don't add materially to the size of the monitor itself. I've got a 2007FP and I use the USB ports all the time (one of which always has a small SD card reader plugged into it.... wish I had a 2407WFP with the built-in card reader!).

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RE: Extra crap

By Oregonian2 on 6/26/2007 2:40:20 PM , Rating: 2

I've a now ancient 2405-fpw dell monitor and it has the USB ports and just-about-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink flash card reader, but I don't use them. I've a powered USB bub which I prefer to use for "remote" USB'ing because each port is fully powered (and at least in my monitor, it's just a regular hub, I think). I've also found that the things I have with flash in it all have USB ports such that I never actually take the flash cards out, I just connect up the USB (to that powered hub, D-Link I think, from newEgg) and transfer directly (and the flash are so big as to rarely get full before emptying opportunities in the case of digital cameras).

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RE: Extra crap

By dever on 6/26/2007 1:46:09 PM , Rating: 2

Also, card readers and usb ports are all fairly similar (yes some are faster than others). Unlike speakers, including them in the monitor doesn't limit their performance because of space limitations.

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RE: Extra crap

By Schadenfroh on 6/26/2007 3:57:21 PM , Rating: 2

Integrated speakers in the monitor clears up loads of desk space for a user that is only interested in office / basic computer usage (IE a person that does not really play music, watch movies, or game on their PC). I know the local International Paper mill has integrated speakers as a requirement for their monitor purchases.

I use the USB 2.0 hub inside my Dell 2001FP all the time. I do not have any devices that I use on a regular basis with memory cards, so that feature does not matter to me.

I doubt that those things cost much to integrate.

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RE: Extra crap

By DeepBlue1975 on 6/26/2007 4:53:25 PM , Rating: 2

I constantly use 2 of the 4 usb drives on my 2007wfp, they are really handy to me as my case is one desk away from the display (less clutter in my desk, more clutter in my wive's... but she has a notebook and so, can afford to loose the space :D )

And I'd use the media card reader right away... but I can't, because my model doesn't have one!

USB mouse receptor, bluetooth adapter, flash drives... no place more comfortable than the display to connect those.

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