Dell 24" LCD monitor shows barely perceptible lag

I have a Power Mac G5 and just bought a Dell 24" LCD monitor, the 2405FPW, for $825. After happily clearing off my desk of two old CRT's and connecting it up and using it for a couple days, I began to notice a lag between anything I did and when it would appear on the screen. The lag is barely noticeable, but I tend to mouse around very quickly and need precise control of the pointer, and after hours of use, the slight discrepancy seems to be causing me fatigue. It's also a problem when playing Quake (fast-action first-person shooter game). The lag doesn't exist with my old Sony 19" CRT.
Before jumping to any conclusions that I'm insane, please look at this short video clip that clearly demonstrates the same problem. It's quite amazing to see. The video is linked from this page:
<http://weblogs.asp.net/ryanw/archive/2004/09/23/233681.aspx>
(You may have to save it to your desktop and then double-click it to see it.)
The guy hooked both an LCD and a CRT monitor to his machine and spanned a window across the boundary between the two. Then he videotaped what happens if you move the window up and down. You can see clearly that the LCD screen takes longer before it draws its half of the window. Ouch!! He compares using his LCD monitor to "swimming in molasses" (which later spawns an interesting discussion involving a hazmat worker and an overturned tanker of molasses), but I wouldn't go that far.
I ran the same experiment in the video and got the same results (and so did my dad, with his Powerbook Pismo, which is interesting because he never noticed the lag through normal, daily use of the computer). Then I took my Sony CRT to the Apple store and hooked it up next to a 23" Apple Cinema Display. I did the same experiment and there was no lag!! So unless someone has a solution for the Dell monitor, the $500 price difference might be the price I'll have to pay for Mac compatibility. I might wait as long as I can for the price to go down (the salesperson said the last price reduction was last November).
Very few people seem to experience this problem in general (or don't notice it), so I have no idea why it's affecting my system. It's basically a stock dual 2GHz G5, running Mac OS X 10.4.4, with 2.5GB RAM and stock graphics card which should more than handle this (ATI Radeon 9600 Pro, 64MB, AGP 8x). I'm using the digital monitor connection, as opposed to VGA. I'm running very few preference panes and kernel extensions. Dell tech support would have nothing to do with the issue because they don't support Macs, but after some finagling, I finally got the monitor returned with a full refund. My suspicion is that some sort of driver somewhere needs to be updated, but with no support from Dell (their web site doesn't even seem to have a support section for their own monitors), I'm not sure who to expect this from or when.
This problem is subtle and many find it unnoticeable, if they're even experiencing it. So I would like to know if anyone else has a Dell LCD and a regular CRT monitor both hooked up to their system and could try the experiment in the video to confirm "scientifically" that they don't experience this problem!
Scott
www.teresi.us
Power Mac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.4)   Basically a stock system. Dual 2GHz, 2.5GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9600 Pro (64MB)

My post has started a more extensive discussion on this problem at an Ars Technica forum:
<http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums?a=tpc&s=50009562&f=67909965&m=41 90936913&r=796009877731#796009877731>
It appears that the problem may be inherent in all PVA-based LCD's, which include the Dell 2405FPW. It's not noticeable by everyone but so far everyone I've seen who's taken the time to run an objective test has uncovered the lag. If you can run the test, please do! (See earlier in this thread, or see the Ars Technica thread for a better test involving a stopwatch program run on two monitors).
The good news is Apple's 23" Cinema Display is based on a SIPS LCD panel (as is a similar HP display, and I think a Sony display), and these don't suffer from the lag.
Scott

Similar Messages

  • Connect Sun Ultra2 to a Dell 19" LCD Monitor

    Hi
    Can you connect Sun Ultra2 to a Dell LCD Monitor 19" using a Sun Graphics adaptor HD15F
    Thanks,
    -Will

    The answer is probably "No".
    An Ultra-2 only has SBUS and UPA slots (no PCI slots), and few of the qualified graphics boards had HD15 connectors. There was no integrated graphics. All system administration could be done via command-line through its serial port.
    The default screen output of a Sun system is 1152x900 at a vertical refresh rate of 66Hz. The best you are likely to see on that PeeCee flat panel screen is a scrambled "something" that may eventually make your eyes hurt.
    When you say "Sun Graphics adaptor HD15F" are you are simply stating there seems to be a familiar graphics shape on the system or are you asking about some sort of adapter cable? That doesn't tell us the actual card that is in the system.
    Keep in mind that you are asking about hardware that is probably 15 years old.
    It may have been cutting edge back then, but it has been very much passed since that time.
    For a more precise answer, you will need to open the computer, remove the graphics board, and copy the part number from its barcode paper sticker. We would need the first seven digit (something such as 501-4790xxxx ).
    You could have posted this hardware question to the [Hardware Forum|http://forums.sun.com/forum.jspa?forumID=828] you know, or even just search that forum for whatever you might need. This topic has been discussed over there many times in the past five or six years.

  • Windows 7 Laptop to external LCD monitor show low resolution

    Hello,
    I'm connecting my laptop to external LCD 1920*1080.
    When Extend the display, each screen works with its full resolution allowed (Laptop has lower than 1920*1080 and the LCD works with resolution of 1920*1080), but when duplicate the display, the LCD has a black frame and the desktop is only at the center
    of the screen and not an all the screen.
    Is it possible, when duplicate the display, that each monitor work with full Resolution? or when
    dup the higher resolution will be according to the lower resolution?
    thanks.

    Getting the best display on your monitor
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows/getting-best-display-monitor#getting-best-display-monitor=windows-7
    Yolanda Zhu
    TechNet Community Support

  • IPad Camera Kit and Dell SX2210 LCD monitor

    My Dell SX2210 has a built in 3.2 megapixel camera built into the monitor. Any chance if I buy the iPad camera kit and plug it into my iPad the plug and play might work? I have read on forums that some users have success with this monitor's camera on MacBook Pros and Mac minis.
    Any idea if this setup might work?

    I am not sure but I think not.
    The camera connection kit seems to look for image files in a camera type directory structure.
    The monitor camera probably outputs a live video feed. Is this correct?

  • DVI.I to VGA LCD monitor

    Hi Everyone
    Is there anything to gain by using the DVI connection on my MSI FX5900XT graphics card
    to the VGA port on a  DELL 19" LCD Monitor ?
    I was just wondering as the card came with an adaptor DVI/VGA so I can use either output on the card.
    At the moment I am connected VGA to VGA
    cheers
    riggie

    Apple didn't ship a 2.4GHz MacBook until February of 2008. If that's the model you have, or an earlier model, it has a mini-DVI port which would take the mini-DVI to VGA adapter. To confirm, run System Profiler, click on the Hardware heading at the very top of the left-side list, and tell us what the Model Identifier reports.
    Regards.

  • Multiple LCD monitors

    Hi
    I have an HP Pavillion dv7 6154(1tb), running windows 7 (64 bit). I'm currently running it alongside a dell 22inch LCD monitor...is it possible to add a second monitor and have then display different things? If yes, can you please tell me how?
    Many thanks
    Clare

    Yes - you can operate 2 external displays via the external display ports on your dv7 (HDMI + VGA, I believe) and set them up in Extended Desktop mode to have different display settings on each monitor.  In that case, your internal display will be turned off.  These instructions may help you with configuring Extended Desktop mode when you have two displays attached to your computer.
    I am an HP employee. The opinions expressed are my own and not those of HP.

  • Dell LCD monitors?

    Has anyone had any luck with the Dell line of LCD monitors. I need to purchase two for a professional graphic design setup.
    Thanks,
    Kelly

    sfaulk wrote:
    I have been using the new Dell 24" for two weeks so I'm pretty sure it's on sale
    The new Dell 2408wfp is a beautiful monitor with the exception of an over saturation of the red colors. I calibrated it today with a eye-one display2 and it is much better but the reds are still a little more neon bright then I would like. I hope Dell does a firmware revision that will correct it.
    "On sale" as to less than $699.
    Firmware upgrade is not user installable. You'll need to get a new monitor.

  • Which LCD monitor to get? Dell or Apple?

    Hello everyone!
    Well, I have decided to make the jump from CRT to LCD. I see that Dell has one similar to the Apple Cinema Display which is 20 inches. I am somewhat confused as to what monitor I should get since to me the Dell looks just as good as the Apple?
    Can someone recommend for me a nice 20 inch LCD monitor similar or comparable to the Apple Cinema Display 20 inch?
    Thanks,

    Hi Nadav,
    MacWorld reviews:
    http://www.macworld.com/products/displays.html
    You decide what is important to you in each review. ie. some displays have a "poor" viewing angle, but if that's not important, or privacy is important, then you can ignore it.
    Or the UK MacUser labs tests:
    http://www.macuser.co.uk/labs/23:9/19in-widescreen-tfts/products.html
    Again, filter what is important to you.
    Something that was important to me was pitch size, I'm used to 96dpi now (but 72dpi when I had CRT). 12pt fonts look the same size on every monitor I work on. When I have used a Dell "19in" TFT, it was smaller than my 17in Studio Display. It also had some insane native resolution, which made 12pt fonts tiny and unreadable - annoying if you're proofing PDF documents. When I reduced resolution, it looked awful, and was still unreadable.
    Oh yes, TFTs can be awful below their native resolution, while CRTs usually manage quite well. There is a technical reason for this - can't find the link just now - something to do with the phosphor in CRTs, maybe.
    Still, this might not be important to you, or TFT monitors with insane native resolutions may be a lot better now. Just something to check, 96dpi is good.

  • Cleaning Dell LCD Monitor - What are current recommendations?

    What are the current recommendations for cleaning a Dell LCD Monitor?
    I have always used 50% distilled water and 50% isopropyl alcohol and gently cleaned with a microfibre cloth.
    We have many different Dell LCD monitors in my workplace.
    George

    How do I clean my monitor screen?

  • Using apple TV with an LCD monitor

    I've hooked up an Apple TV to a Dell LCD monitor that has an aspect ratio of 16:10 using an HDMI to DVI connector.
    It seems to me that there is no really solid reason for the Apple TV to not allow support for 16:10 aspect ratio. Watching an espisode of Lost on the LCD is particularly bad, since it is pillarboxed to begin with, and the 16:9 signal that is sent then is further horizontally squished instead of using the available space.
    It would be nice to have this display show the signal letterboxed, but there is nothing you can do with a digital display with a digital signal, you are locked out from any manipulation via the control panel on the monitor and everything is left for the source to decide. If the source doesn't support much configuration (in the case of the Apple TV any configuration), then you're locked into watching an inferior image.
    Is there any way that I am missing to get proper aspect ratio displayed when plugged into a 16:10 aspect ratio monitor?

    Apple TV isn't a monitor. Nor is it a deck. It is another computer. So no, you cannot route a signal thru it.
    You are living in cloud cookoo land.
    Shane

  • SUN AI24PO 24" LCD Monitor C-Viedo / S-Video Problem... No Image

    We have few SUN AI24PO 24" LCD Monitors that are hooked up to Blade2000 and Blade2500 systems. These monitors have 1-Digital/DVI, 1-Analog/VGA, 1-S-Video, 1-C-Video inputs. The Digital and Analog inputs work fine but I cannot display anything that I feed to the S or C video inputs.
    When we connect a (inspection/security) camera signal to the C-video or S-video input on these monitors, we cannot get an image. The Screen stays blue. Once or twice the image from the camera flashes and then disappears. For the image to flash again, I need to disconnect the c-video connector and wait for more than 30mins and reconnect.
    I have verified the video signal and all my cabling on some of the newer 24' monitors and they all work fine.
    It seems some of the earlier monitors have a problems with the S-video and C-video inputs.
    Does anybody have see this problem on thier 24" SUN LCDs. Is there a fix.
    Any suggestions welcome.
    Thanks
    Surendra
    [email protected]

    My post has started a more extensive discussion on this problem at an Ars Technica forum:
    <http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums?a=tpc&s=50009562&f=67909965&m=41 90936913&r=796009877731#796009877731>
    It appears that the problem may be inherent in all PVA-based LCD's, which include the Dell 2405FPW. It's not noticeable by everyone but so far everyone I've seen who's taken the time to run an objective test has uncovered the lag. If you can run the test, please do! (See earlier in this thread, or see the Ars Technica thread for a better test involving a stopwatch program run on two monitors).
    The good news is Apple's 23" Cinema Display is based on a SIPS LCD panel (as is a similar HP display, and I think a Sony display), and these don't suffer from the lag.
    Scott

  • LCD Monitor Recommendations

    As prices fall, I'd like to buy an LCD monitor and reclaim some desk space occupied by my Sony Trintron 19" CRT monitor these many years.
    What are some of the better brands/models for editing (FCE)? I think a 20" or more would give me greater screen real estate, and what about brands? Some online research indicate the Dells are considered pretty good, and so are the Samsungs.
    What are some brand and model preferences from this forum, and why?
    Thanks,
    and Happy New Year to all
    Keith

    Been using a pair of Dell 2408's for the last 6 months.
    Stable color. I'm using a Spyder2Pro for calibration and they both show exactly the same colors.
    Lots of connection possibilities. Work in portrait mode if you'd like.
    Work with the MXO as a calibrated HD monitor.
    Major complaint is I can't drive the monitors with DVI and have a HDMI picture within a picture. It has to be component. Otherwise - no complaints.
    x

  • LCD monitors - are HD better?

    I'm shopping for an LCD monitor my desktop PC.  Some monitors say HD and some don't.  Is HD better?  If so how?  Is it the contrast ratio that is better for HD, or does HD mean only the screen is wider?  I don't see much difference between the HD and non-HD Dell's.  For example, the Dell S1909WX 19" non-HD and Dell S2009W 20" HD both have a contrast ratio of 1,000:1.  But the 20" HD is 1600 x 900 while the 19" is 1440 x 900.

    The HD is going to offer a slightly better picture quality because of the increased resolution, that is about it.
    Adam
    Best Buy Community - Retail, Americas
    Forum Guidelines | Terms & Conditions | Community Guidelines | Blogging Guidelines
    *Remember to mark your questions solved and click the star under the user's name to show your thanks!

  • External Monitor Shows Only Black Screen ??

    Recently, my PowerBook G4 12" stopped working properly with my external monitor. My external monitor is a Dell 2005FPW that is connected to my laptop via a mini-DVI adapter, a VGA cable to the VGA port on the 2005FPW. When connected to the laptop, the 2005FPW goes black; otherwise, the monitor shows it's "rest" screen which is a bouncing color bar.
    This system has worked without problems for years. I changed nothing in the configuration and (possible red herring) the only "event" prior to the problem developing was that I installed the "Security Update 2008-005 (PowerPC) v 1.0".
    I have confirmed that the monitor and VGA cable are working with my wife's laptop.
    Today, I replaced the mini-DVI to VGA adapter, and the problem hasn't gone away.
    Any suggestions?
    Michael

    Did it develop around the same time, after you downloaded the security update?

  • My monitor shows out of range when I am setting up my i Mac mini?

    My monitor shows out of range when I try to set up my new I Mac mini it's a 17"LCD monitor?help pls

    Hmmm, do you know the native rez of the monitor? Brand/Model?
    Bootup holding CMD+r, does that work?

Maybe you are looking for