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Started 3 years ago by Gentoo
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SkintBrit

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Just gone to the link supplied by NikoDoby (Dell U2711) earlier in this thread, and found this users review comment,

"You have to connect with DVI-D (Dual link DVI) for full resolution... that's the only way to get full resolution.... only way. Hearing me? can't do it with HDMI or VGA. So, if you're like me and bought it to connect to a laptop, you are screwed."

Can anyone confirm? If they're right I'm not familiar with DVI-D, is there a way around it? I don't want to splash the cash and find it won't work for me.

Posted 2 years ago #
sevencrossing

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AS you have discovered, understanding all the different outputs and cables is very confusing, this is not helped by the fact, computers ( and computer advice) becomes out of date within days

I think HDMI connections came out after DVI-D

I think DVA-I, has no audio, HDMI does have audio

I use HDMI to connect my Dell M6400, with a ATI Fire Pro M7740 graphics card, to the fantastic 30" Dell 3008WFP(DP)

EDIT/ The hyper links to Amazon are NOT added by me, they happen automatically they often irrelevant and confusing

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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Thanks for your help sevencrossing and all other contributors. I've ordered the Dell U2711 today on Amazon (£690 Inc 5 year NBD warranty) should get it mid week. Would you recommend the speaker bar (£60), or am I better of just plugging in some desk speakers?

Posted 2 years ago #
spraynpray

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Nice one SkintBrit. A good new monitor is so much more of an improvement than one expects I found.

Posted 2 years ago #
broxibear

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The £60 sound bar is a waste of money, you can get better 2.1 speakers that'll plug in like the Logitech X-210 for around £25.

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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Thanks guys. You bring up 2 new questions though. This being my first propper screen, I need some advice. Acording to the Dell website, the monitor comes with a sRGB and AdobeRGB calibration certificate. Does this mean I don't need to do it myself? As most of you say that you calibrate your screens regularly, I presume that through general use they get knocked off? If I need to buy myself some equipment, what do you recommend I buy?

Secondly broxibear, you talk about 2.1 speakers. Is this as in the Dolby standard? My laptop has a sticker on it saying that it has "True 5.1 output", am I right in thinking that to take advantage of this I need a room full of little speakers? That doesn't sound very practical if so. I'm still planning on going out to PC world/Best Buy/Currys tomorrow so i'll have a look out for the Logitech ones you recommend.

Any help or a link to a thread that talks about calibrating your monitor would be appreciated :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
broxibear

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"My laptop has a sticker on it saying that it has "True 5.1 output", am I right in thinking that to take advantage of this I need a room full of little speakers?"
Yes, 5.1 is Front Left, Front Right, Front Center, Subwoofer, Back Left and Back Right.
Screen calibration can be as simple or as complicated as you want really...it just depends how accurate you want to be.
Here's a good starting point for information: northlight-images.co.uk/viewing.html
Or google "monitor calibration explained" as there's too much to post in a forum.

Posted 2 years ago #
sevencrossing

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You can spend serious sums of money on a sound system, how big is you wallet ?
and what amp / speakers do you use at the moment

unless you are very short of space I would not recommend a sound bar

Posted 2 years ago #
ithurtswhenipee

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After reading the endless specs and model numbers and such in this thread it occurred to me that although proper calibration of the proper monitor is great and all, but only if plan on printing the lion's share your pictures right? If your pictures are going to be seen primarily on a computer screen, why not make them look the best on the type of monitor that most of the non-pixel-peeping public is going to be looking at? Does it make much of a difference on Joe Public's cheap monitor to properly adjust the pictures on a calibrated expensive monitor?

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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sevencrossing said:
You can spend serious sums of money on a sound system, how big is you wallet ?
and what amp / speakers do you use at the moment

unless you are very short of space I would not recommend a sound bar

Yes, can't you just! I'm using a pair of £10 (probably £5) desk top speakers with about 2w output! :-)
Space IS very limited, but I think I've got enough for broxibears recommendation, and the Best Buy customer reviews seem to be very favourable. As you say Broxi, they're £25 which although not a ton of money, will be a massive step up from what I have already :-)
I haven't found anyone who would suggest I buy the sound bar, so I'll knock that off the list.

With regards to cableing, I have downloaded Dell's set up guide for the monitor off their website. It seems that the reviewer who stated that to view at full resolution I have to connect using the screen DVI connector was correct. You can use the various other ports that the screen has, but any other than the DVI will give you a reduced desktop. As my laptop doesn't have a DVI port, I was thinking a buying a DVI - HDMI cable. These seem freely available, so I guess this is a common problem? Anyone have any knowledge if DVI - HDMI has any advantage over HDMI - HDMI?

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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OK, so my Dell U2711 arrived this week, I've just unpacked it and quess what........no AC power lead in the box! The port at the back of the screen is a standard 3 pin "kettle" lead, I've got some spare ones of those, but don't want try them incase there is meant to be a step down transformer in there as well. Can anybody in the UK who owns a U2711, tell me whether the power lead plugs directly into the 240v supply, or is there a converter between the plug and monitor? Don't realy want to fry it at this early stage :-) Dell's website doesn't seem to help, and support is closed over the weekend!

Thanks.

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Dell seems to think it will be fine at 240V:
*Link Removed*

quote:
ELECTRICAL
Voltage Required:
100 to 240 VAC / 50 or 60 Hz + 3Hz / 2.5 A (Max)
Power Consumption (Typical):
113W (without audio and USB connection)
Power Consumption Stand by / Sleep:
Less than 2 W

I´d plug it in, SkintBrit, but I´m not good at waiting (and open nearly all my Christmas presents early).

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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BTW, just saw your comment about DVI to HDMI. If I remember right, all you lose in the switch is audio, which you probably won't be needing, so an HDMI to DVI cable should work in principle.

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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Thanks Jonny, yeh I read that too, but it doesn't mean to say the input for the power converter isn't 110-240v? If I plug it in and it goes bang, Dell with just laugh at me and say "you impatient fool"! Thats why I was hoping someone with one over here would be able to tell me first hand. I would think if it connects with a 3 pin lead it probably doesn't have one, normally if there's a converter there's a proprietary connector on the other end?

Thanks for your input Jonny, YES I also have the patience of a child :-)

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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I just read the manual and set-up guide (I've taken a fascination with your unwillingness to plug this thing in, SkintBrit) and there is no mention of any kind of a converter—only a standard-looking power cable and a listing of 100-240V AC at 50/60Hz in the electrical specs. I'd just plug it in and sue Dell if it blows up (the American way, after all). If there's any danger of that they'd let you know in the manual somewhere.

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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:-) Yes Jonny, the "packing" list that came with it showing you what should be in the box, does show a "US" style 2 pin plug power lead with no adapter, but there's a world of difference between 110 & 240v @ 13A! Oh, and it does say in the set up leaflet that you should only use the power lead that comes with the unit, so that would be their anti litigation get out clause!

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Well, it's also quite easy for me to say 'go' when it's not my money on the line! I hope you get it figured out.

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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Just had a look at some monitors at work. All the ones that have the same triangular three pin cables DON'T have step downs. OK Jonny I'll try and stop being such a coward and give it a whirl when I get home. If you see a big mushroom cloud over London on the news, it wont be Al-Qaeda, you'll know it went horribly wrong!

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Prudence isn't cowardice.

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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Fortune favours the bold! It worked fine, I nicked a spare lead from work, plugged it in with my eyes closed and finger on the switch.......and it just turned on, phew! It's all up and running, but for anyone elses information, I have connected it to my laptop with a DVI-D to HDMI cable and NO I DON'T have full 2560x1440 definition ;-( The maximum it supports with that lead is 1920x1080 pixels. I hope anyone else thinking of getting this screen finds this info useful. It is however still a superb display from my limited time with it, and I tried playing the Matrix on Blu-ray through it (purely for scientific purposes you understand!) All I can say is WOW!

Posted 2 years ago #
broxibear

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Whre did you buy it from SkintBrit, I've just checked a few UK retailers and it definitely should have a power cable in the box ?...

WHAT'S IN THE BOX

Monitor with stand
Power Cable
DVI Cable
DisplayPort(DP) Cable
VGA Cable (attached to the monitor)
Drivers and Documentation media
Colour Calibrated Factory Report
Quick Setup Guide
Safety Information

Posted 2 years ago #
SkintBrit

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Yes it should broxi, but no it didn't. I got it from a business on Amazon. The anti tamper tape on the box was untouched, so I can only assume it was left out in the factory? I would imagine that that is very unusaual but not impossible. I have contacted the seller and asked them to forward me the lead that I should have got anyway.

Posted 2 years ago #
broxibear

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I use a freeshare program called "Dead Pixel Buddy 1.1", it finds any dead pixels on your screen (google it, it's freeware)...your Dell's part of the Premium Panel Guarantee which says "you will receive a free panel exchange should even one bright defective pixel appear on the screen during your Limited Hardware Warranty period."
I've got the Dell 2209WA which is basically a 22' version of what you just bought and it has the same guarantee.
They produce a lot more heat than other monitors I've used but that's just the way they are and nothing to worry about.

Posted 2 years ago #
aetas

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Broxi, sometime this year i "might" be looking at that monitor. How has it worked for you. How is the calibration settings for it. thanks

Posted 2 years ago #
broxibear

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Hi aetas
The Dell 2209WA is a fantastic monitor for the price, it's currently £246 in the UK.
I've had mine for about a year without any problems and it comes with a 3 year warranty anyway.
I've read some people say it's too bright but that's not what I've experienced. Calibration can be as detailed or simple as you want it to be, I haven't used a calibration tool like a Spyder to calibrate colours but I have B&W calibrated it for tones using some online tools.
The image quality is amazing, when I first switched it on it was so crisp and clear my images looked 3d...you won't be disappointed in that respect.
The 22' size is nice too as you can view 2 full size A4 pages side by side and there's still space by the sides...the 27' one that SkintBrit bought is nice but it's 3 times the price ?
Just google "Dell 2209wa review" and you'll find nothing but praise...it's an exceptional monitor.

Posted 2 years ago #

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