Dell UltraSharp 1905FP: Setting the Bar for New 19" LCDs
by Kristopher Kubicki on January 29, 2005 12:35 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Genesis gm5321
At the heart of every good LCD monitor revolves around a great signal processor – and our Dell 1905FP is no exception. The Genesis gm5321 found in the Dell 1905FP acts as the unified analog and digital controller for everything on the monitor except sound and USB. According to the technical documentation, the Genesis gm5321 is HDCP capable – so you should be able to hook up a DVI-HDCP receiver or DVD player to the monitor without worries.
Our monitor did not come with any sound capability, so that controller does not exist on the PCB. In the upper left corner of the board, you can see the SMC USB controller.
Click to enlarge.
The ribbon connector just below the Genesis DSP provides the input for the LCD panel while power from the separate inverter comes across the plug along the right side of the board.
Samsung LTM190E4
The cornerstone of our Dell 1905FP is the superb Samsung LTM190E4 panel.
Interestingly enough, after opening the monitor, some of the modulation PCB from the panel was directly exposed, but sheathed in a protective film. The components of an LCD panel are almost always sheathed behind metal EMI shields.
Click to enlarge.
The Samsung website currently advertises a 1000:1 contrast ratio for the panel, which is probably a little too inflated. The original Samsung 193P used the same panel, but only advertised an 800:1 contrast ratio, and Dell advertises the 1905FP with an 800:1 contrast ratio as well. Given the liberal techniques that manufacturers use to measure contrast ratios, we are surprised that panel manufacturers haven't inflated ratios more since abominable plasma displays claim 2000:1 ratios.
But contrast ratio aside, the thing that sets this panel apart from most is that it's a lower response time component utilizing a genuine 8-bit panel with a PVA display mode. We always recommend 8-bit LCD panels over 6-bit LCD panels whenever possible, so immediately, the panel appeals to us. The PVA display mode is proprietary to Samsung, but it also appeals to us more than the prevalent TN display mode in use on most 6-bit panels today; the viewing angle is wider and the gray-to-gray transient is actually lower in many cases.
Our panel came with zero pixel or subpixel defects.
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jb1677 - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
#13 Are the actualy dimensions for the panel itself documented anywhere? I have scoured the net but cant find them, just dimensions of the entire monitor.REMF - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
the review is 'specifically' wrong on this fact, i bought one for the parents, great monitor, but it is indeed 5:4jb1677 - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
#8 The review specifically states that the panel is 4:3:"the UltraSharp 1905FP screen can pivot 90 degrees on its side to convert the 19" 4:3 aspect ratio into a 3:4 ratio instead"
So its 4:3 with a non 4:3 native resolution?%!@?# Why do makers do this! Is there any maker that does not do this in a 19"? It seems that if you want a panel whos native resolution is the same ratio as its physical dimentions then you need to get a 15, 17 or 20, no 19's!
MAME - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
"Fast motion was on par with what we expected for this game; we certainly didn't notice any motion blur, but if the Dell 1905FP is your first LCD, then you will notice a difference immediately."What do you mean by "ifference"? Not as good as a CRT?
plewis00 - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
#6 is right, 1400 x 1050 or above would be about right for a 19" panel, even 1600 x 1200, especially as we are seeing laptops with that kind of resolution, plus its the correct 4:3 aspect.I'm surprised about the USB hub comment, I had an AOC LM919 about 2 years ago and that had a 4-port hub on it and I'm sure I've seen NECs with them too.
headbox - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
I like an in-depth review, but taking apart a monitor is overkill.Ozenmacher - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
No, I think its 5:4jb1677 - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
Correct me if I am wrong but the physical screen dimentions are 4:3 but the resolution is 1280x1024 which is not a 4:3 resolution. Will this not cause things to be displayed slightly "off"? A correct resolution would be 1280x960 or 1400x1050 etc etc.Burbot - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
Am I the only insane person that considers 1400x1050 to be *the* right resolution for 19" LCDs? 17" is fine at 12x10. 21" is fine at 16x12. Can somebody get the pattern?LtPage1 - Saturday, January 29, 2005 - link
youve never seen an LCD with integrated usb hub? HELLO apple cinema displays. which also have firewire 400. otherwise, on par with the sites fantastic standard of quality.