monitorwent black

ran · July 21, 2009

hey everyone , I have been using a view sonic 17" LCD monitor and while working on a photo it suddenly went completely black. Is this my computer or monitor it was suggested to shut down and restsart in safe mode but i couldn't see my mouse and now my computer is lost without a command a real pickle anyhelp out there would surely be appreciated.
thanks randall

ziggy53 · July 21, 2009

Randall, welcome to the Digital Grin.

I moved this post to the Digital Darkroom Gear forum where computers and monitors are discussed.

Is there a pilot light on the monitor and is it on? If not, check for power coming into the monitor.

If there is power to the monitor then check for the connection to the computer. Actually disconnect and reconnect the cable, on both ends if the cable is not permanently attached on one end.

If you have power and the connection to the computer is solid and the computer is on, then it sounds like you need to take the monitor into the shop. If the monitor is still under warranty check with the point of purchase first.

Newsy · July 22, 2009

ran wrote:

hey everyone , I have been using a view sonic 17" LCD monitor and while working on a photo it suddenly went completely black. Is this my computer or monitor it was suggested to shut down and restsart in safe mode but i couldn't see my mouse and now my computer is lost without a command a real pickle anyhelp out there would surely be appreciated.
thanks randall

If the power light is on, take a strong flashlight or a lamp and hold it up close to the panel. If you can make out what looks to be text and windows or an image through the black, then what has happened is that the CCFL backlight has died. These can be replaced but you may simply find it easier to source a new monitor.

I found these links but know nothing of the reputation of these two vendors.

http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccflinstallation.html

http://www.ccflwarehouse.com/ll.html

If the power light is off then it may be the power inverter .

.

CWSkopec · July 22, 2009

I've got a Viewsonic 17" at home and I had the problem on day where the monitor just wasn't turning on... Take a look at the power converter on the power cord. There should be a little light that's on when the monitor is plugged in.

The light on mine was out, so I brought the cord to the repair area of the local Fry's. They tested it for me (took them about 2 seconds) and found that it was shot. Luckily, a generic laptop power supply works. Ask them for specs if you get it tested to make sure you get a compatible one, but I think the one I got was a Targus and it came with 5 or 6 different "tips." Then you just find the tip that fits the monitor connection and you're good to go.

It ended up costing me about $100, which isn't great, but better than a new monitor, right?

ran · July 23, 2009

blank monitor
Thanks guys I guess it's time for a new monitor this one is about 5years old , my only question about new monitors . I'm not sure if I really need to spend the extra money for an IPS panel vs the TN panel I dont really understand the diff. I am a photographer on a very limited budget if you get my meaning. I have read about the Dell 2209 wa but now I understand it has been removed from the market wonder why ? Any comments all help appreciated
Thakns Randall

ziggy53 · July 24, 2009

Randall,

Take a look through these:

http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=712100&postcount=3
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=130498
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=1084285

Newsy · July 24, 2009

ran wrote:

Thanks guys I guess it's time for a new monitor this one is about 5years old , my only question about new monitors . I'm not sure if I really need to spend the extra money for an IPS panel vs the TN panel I dont really understand the diff. I am a photographer on a very limited budget if you get my meaning. I have read about the Dell 2209 wa but now I understand it has been removed from the market wonder why ? Any comments all help appreciated
Thakns Randall

IMHO, the Dell was removed until they could rebuild inventory. I think they were just taken by surprise by the demand for a monitor that was better than the TN paneled crap they market to gamers, university students, and people on a budget.

As to TFT LCD panel types, this article may help:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/panel_technologies.htm

In terms of image quality for photo editing, these are the TFT LCD panel types from best to worst:

IPS (newer variants are S-IPS, AS-IPS, H-IPS, e-IPS, etc)
PVA (newer variants are S-PVA, c-PVA)
MVA (newer variants are A-MVA, P-MVA, S-MVA, etc)
TN

Here's why they are rated as such and a few other tidbits:

IPS
- pro: shows detail in darker areas
- pro: very little colour/gamma shift when viewed more than 15 degrees off center (viewing angles stated as 178°)
- con: blacks are not as deep
- con: will show a purple/pinkish hue in dark areas when viewed from far off center
- con: usually expensive, found in monitors $500+

PVA
- pro: very good blacks
- pro: very good colour balance & contrast
- pro: very little colour/gamma shift when viewed more than 15 degrees off center though detail does emerge from dark area when viewed as such (viewing angles stated as 178°)
- pro: cheaper than IPS by about a third.
- con: black crush; when viewed straight on the detail in dark areas is not as visible as an IPS panel
- tidbit: Eizo, one of the worlds premier makers of monitors for imaging professionals, uses almost exclusively S-PVA panels

MVA
- pro: similar to PVA but not quite as good
- tidbit: some great budget monitors can be found with MVA panels but MVA use has declined since 2006

TN
- pro: inexpensive
- pro: fast response time and low input lag (desired by gamers)
- con: colour/gamma change is easily visible from off angle; when working with a large panel (22 or 24") the sides of the image will appear different than the centre of the screen. Ditto for top and bottom verus center. (viewing angles stated as 160°)
- con: typically a 6bit colour space "dithered' to simulate 8bit; cheaper monitors will show posterization of colours

.

Newsy · July 24, 2009

Here is a FAQ of sorts I've collected over the past couple of years.

..................................................................................

In terms of image quality for photo editing, these are the TFT LCD panel types from best to worst:

IPS (newer variants are S-IPS, AS-IPS, H-IPS, e-IPS, etc)
PVA (newer variants are S-PVA, c-PVA)
MVA (newer variants are A-MVA, P-MVA, S-MVA, etc)
TN

&nbsp
If you would like some background on these panels, read this article:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/panel_technologies.htm

..................................................................................

Your resolution is going to be related to the panel size and H:W aspect ratio.

Most 20" 4:3 monitors have a 1600x1200 resolution
but a 20" 16:10 monitor is likely to be 1680x1050

22" 16:10 typical... 1680x1050
24" 16:10 typical... 1920x1200

etc.

LCD's are specified as having a "native" resolution; this is the resolution at which the image on screen is displayed at its' sharpest and in correct proportion; trying to display a larger image will likely give you an error message on screen; displaying at a lower resolution will give an image that is not as sharp (may show jaggies) as at "native" and may not be correctly proportioned (ie: displaying a circle at 800x600 (4:3) on a 1680x1050 (16:10) monitor will show a less than sharp oval)

..................................................................................

The following are typical sizes you may find on the shelf at big box retailers:
30" .... IPS variant
27" .... S-PVA but may be a TN panel soon
26" .... IPS variant (though the NEC 2690 is really a 25.5")
25.5" ... TN's have arrived, some IPS
24" .... IPS, PVA, MVA and most of the inexpensive ones are TN
23" .... 16:9 1920x1080 are almost all TN
22" .... almost all TN but several PVA and and eIPS have been introduced recently
21" ... most IPS/PVA monitors smaller than 22" are no longer in production

..................................................................................

Wide Gamut?

Be aware that many of the monitors now offer what they call a wide gamut colour space. If you use one of these monitors you may find that if you that you are not satisfied with the image on screen - many colours appear too saturated. You need to have a colour managed workspace which will include the browser you use for surfing and the software you use to edit and print your images.

..................................................................................

Contrast Ratios

-you'll find a lot of manufacturer's promotional literature claim 10,000:1 or higher contrast ratios but a little research will show that these are mostly for less expensive TN paneled monitors. There is a new generation of monitors coming to market with 1920x1080 resolution that is targeted to gamers and HDTV video watchers on a budget ( ie: university students) and the newest all have absurd contrast ratios. (30,000:1)
-check out the latest monitor reviews at http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/reviews.html

Take note of their "after calibration" contrast ratios for the monitors that are rated "very good". Almost all are between 500:1 and 800:1 - that tells you something about what you need versus the marketing sizzle.

..................................................................................

How to find out what panel is used in a monitor.

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/panelsearch.htm

-change the filter to "Panel" and then type in IPS or PVA to find all IPS or PVA monitors

http://www.flatpanelshd.com/panels.php

..................................................................................

A visual site to show what off angle views look like (also some other great info such as default and after calibration results):

Here's a view showing an eIPS panel versus a TN panel:
http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=6&ma1=88&ma2=88&mo2=218&p2=2098&ph=8

A pop-up will appear - select "Continue"; do _not_ select a country else it will take you away from the Face-To-Face comparison page.

..................................................................................

Some monitors to consider (least expensive to most):

Dell 2209WA .............. e-IPS ............. 1680x1050 ..... 22 inch
HP LP2275w .............. S-PVA ............ 1680x1050 ..... 22 inch
NEC P221 .................. S-PVA ............ 1680x1050 ..... 22 inch
HP LP2475w .............. H-IPS ............. 1920x1200 ..... 24 inch
NEC LCD2490WUXi ...... H-IPS A-TW .... 1920x1200 ..... 24 inch

Coming soon:
LG W2220P ................ IPS ................ 1920x1200 ..... 22 inch

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MORE reading..... The Anand LCD Thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y

-read the first two posts in this thread; find the section where they recommend monitors for specific tasks

..................................................................................

Best two review sites:

http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/reviews.html
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews.htm

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Tip: budget for a hardware calibrator - many say they're not required but once you've used one you'll wonder why you waited. Essential for print matching as typically most people run their monitors too bright and the calibrator nails the brightness as well as colour balance.

TFT Central has a list of calibrators on their reviews page.

Until you get a hardware calibrator, this web site may help a bit:

http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/

........... End ...........

monitorwent black

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