HD monitor: NEC vs EIZO at DVinfo.net

Manuel Lopez · August 18th, 2010, 01:22 PM

Hello. I'm hesitant between NEC PA241W and EIZO CG243W as HD monitor for video editing. Both have REC 709 color space, but the NEC has better black level (0.17 vs. 0.20).
Please anyone can give me advice on which to buy?
Thanks

Steve Kalle · August 18th, 2010, 09:21 PM

Hi Manuel,

I heard about the NEC recently but I didn't really research it until today. It appears that the NEC uses an 8bit panel and uses FRC to make 10bit. Whereas the Eizo uses an actual 10bit panel. This would explain why the NEC is half the price of the Eizo.

Furthermore, another reason I believe the 8bit + FRC to be true is NEC's new 27" 2560x1440 that claims to be 10bit for only $1400-1500, and the only panel being produced is from LG and that panel is in both the Apple and Dell 27" - both are only 8bit.

Something that is proven: the Eizo has amazing screen uniformity.

I guess that unless you need true 10bit, then the NEC is a good deal.

BUT, you must get a calibrator because LCDs 'age' over time causing colors to slightly shift. Most manufacturers recommend calibrating every month. Both Eizo and NEC make their own but you can use many 3rd party calibrators with the Eizo. I use the X-Rite i1 and it comes with two versions of software: i1 LT for $150 and i1 Display 2 for $200. I bought the $200 version because its software works better on calibrating other LCDs. If you just calibrate the Eizo, then the LT version is fine because you use Eizo's Color Navigator software.

PS For 10bit, you need a $450-$2000 nvidia Quadro on a PC or an ATI with DisplayPort that supports 10bit - I am not a Mac guy so I only know of one ATI model that outputs 10bit: ATI 4870. I have a Quadro FX3800 connected via DP to my CG243W.

Manuel Lopez · August 19th, 2010, 03:01 AM

Thanks Steve.
Yes, I have a i1Display2. Also I want to purchase the new Quadro 4000 for a Win7 system.

Are you sure the Nec is a 8 bit panel? The statement on NEC's website says that the PA241W features a "10-bit IPS LCD panel with a 14-bit Look Up Table". And according to Tftcentral.co.uk, the panel used for Eizo is the LGDisplay LM240WU4-SLA1, which is only 8 bits. All this is a bit confusing... http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/panel_parts.htm
My main complain with Nec is its slow response, appears that the Eizo is faster. Have you see ghost image or trouble on fast movements on the Eizo?

Best regards

Steve Kalle · August 20th, 2010, 01:53 PM

You won't be disappointed with the Quadro 4000.

I have spent several hours looking into it and I can say that both the NEC and Eizo use the same panel, BUT this is like saying a Ford and a Ferrari use the same 92 octane gas - its what the manufacturer does under the hood that determines what they can do.

With the NEC, you need their calibrator so add $300 to its price.

I haven't seen any 'good' direct comparisons of the NEC and Eizo but Prad.de compared the Eizo, HP Dreamcolor and a LG that uses the same 10bit panel as the Dreamcolor, and they declared the CG243W as the best. They were amazed that the Eizo had so little Dithering when it uses 8bit +FRC and both other LCDs used actual 10bit panels.

This is what I know so far.

Manuel Lopez · August 20th, 2010, 02:09 PM

Thanks, has been very helpful.
Regards

August 18th, 2010, 01:22 PM	#1
Manuel Lopez Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 40	HD monitor: NEC vs EIZO Hello. I'm hesitant between NEC PA241W and EIZO CG243W as HD monitor for video editing. Both have REC 709 color space, but the NEC has better black level (0.17 vs. 0.20). Please anyone can give me advice on which to buy? Thanks __________________ http://digitalfrozen.com/

August 19th, 2010, 03:01 AM	#3
Manuel Lopez Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 40	Thanks Steve. Yes, I have a i1Display2. Also I want to purchase the new Quadro 4000 for a Win7 system. Are you sure the Nec is a 8 bit panel? The statement on NEC's website says that the PA241W features a "10-bit IPS LCD panel with a 14-bit Look Up Table". And according to Tftcentral.co.uk, the panel used for Eizo is the LGDisplay LM240WU4-SLA1, which is only 8 bits. All this is a bit confusing... http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/panel_parts.htm My main complain with Nec is its slow response, appears that the Eizo is faster. Have you see ghost image or trouble on fast movements on the Eizo? Best regards __________________ http://digitalfrozen.com/ Last edited by Manuel Lopez; August 19th, 2010 at 06:21 AM.

August 20th, 2010, 02:09 PM	#5
Manuel Lopez Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spain Posts: 40	Thanks, has been very helpful. Regards __________________ http://digitalfrozen.com/

August 18th, 2010, 09:21 PM	#2
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Hi Manuel, I heard about the NEC recently but I didn't really research it until today. It appears that the NEC uses an 8bit panel and uses FRC to make 10bit. Whereas the Eizo uses an actual 10bit panel. This would explain why the NEC is half the price of the Eizo. Furthermore, another reason I believe the 8bit + FRC to be true is NEC's new 27" 2560x1440 that claims to be 10bit for only $1400-1500, and the only panel being produced is from LG and that panel is in both the Apple and Dell 27" - both are only 8bit. Something that is proven: the Eizo has amazing screen uniformity. I guess that unless you need true 10bit, then the NEC is a good deal. BUT, you must get a calibrator because LCDs 'age' over time causing colors to slightly shift. Most manufacturers recommend calibrating every month. Both Eizo and NEC make their own but you can use many 3rd party calibrators with the Eizo. I use the X-Rite i1 and it comes with two versions of software: i1 LT for $150 and i1 Display 2 for $200. I bought the $200 version because its software works better on calibrating other LCDs. If you just calibrate the Eizo, then the LT version is fine because you use Eizo's Color Navigator software. PS For 10bit, you need a $450-$2000 nvidia Quadro on a PC or an ATI with DisplayPort that supports 10bit - I am not a Mac guy so I only know of one ATI model that outputs 10bit: ATI 4870. I have a Quadro FX3800 connected via DP to my CG243W.

August 20th, 2010, 01:53 PM	#4
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	You won't be disappointed with the Quadro 4000. I have spent several hours looking into it and I can say that both the NEC and Eizo use the same panel, BUT this is like saying a Ford and a Ferrari use the same 92 octane gas - its what the manufacturer does under the hood that determines what they can do. With the NEC, you need their calibrator so add $300 to its price. I haven't seen any 'good' direct comparisons of the NEC and Eizo but Prad.de compared the Eizo, HP Dreamcolor and a LG that uses the same 10bit panel as the Dreamcolor, and they declared the CG243W as the best. They were amazed that the Eizo had so little Dithering when it uses 8bit +FRC and both other LCDs used actual 10bit panels. This is what I know so far.