Hardware Benq FP241W

I would say wait for the news on the BenQ firmware upgrade and go with it... I certainly am... if the FP241WZ has the 1:1 pixel mapping fixed firmware and the ghosting improvements are actually worthwhile, I'm over all them... Nobody gets my money unless they truly release an exceptional product; I don't see that with the Dell or Samsung 24"ers...

 

Confirmation on lack of pixel scaling

We took delivery of our FP241W last Friday (I had pre-ordered on
Overclockers' website in September).

I can confirm that the rudimentary firmware/setup provides no control
over display size/asprect ratio/scaling. Nothing. We have a Panasonic
HVX200 (high def DVCPRO HD camcorder) with component output;
when this camera is connected to the BenQ's component input the image
is stretched vertically, becoming 1920x1200 (16:10) instead of 1920x1080
(16:9). While the BenQ still provides vastly improved clarity for
fine focusing, this scaling issue is unacceptable in a product targetted at
high def enthusiasts.

I can also confirm that clips recorded at 1280x720 on this camera, when
played back, are scaled to 1920x1200. And they look awful. This is
professional footage (shot for a music video for a well known 80's ska
band) and when played at its native resolution looks stunning; after
the poor scaling algorithm of the BenQ gets through with it it looks awful.

So if you are a high definition video enthusiast, I strongly recommend you
avoid this monitor and look elsewhere. You WILL be disappointed!

Okay, that's the bad news. Here's the good news.

As a computer monitor, it's great; 1920x1200 via DVI-D from a Mac Pro.
And as a "Cinema Preview" monitor in Final Cut Pro, it's fine, because
the software ensures that the video is displayed at 16:9 (as expected,
letterboxed; 1920x1080 footage plays full width with black borders at
top and bottom)

But the lack of any control over how high def content displays is
inexcusable...I wish now I'd gone for Dell, Samsung or
Fujitsu-Siemens 24" w/HDCP instead.

 

Interesting Thanks Lostart.

 

Confirmation on lack of pixel scaling

No problem, hope it was helpful!

 

Glad I stumbled onto this thread, I'm a week away from getting this display.... so as I read this I figure if I'm only playing games and using it as a display I'm ok?? I have a plasma and lcd for movies so I wont be using it for dvd's...

 

This monitor still the best in 24" sizes?
Noticed there are other cheaper 24" monitors around.

 

I've had mine for nearly a year now. Still awesome as ever. Can't beat the component, VGA, DVI connections and the 3 USB port hub built into the display. I got mine on sale for a little over £350. Well worth it. Dunno what the prices are like now.

 

Prices must have gone up, it's £450. I want the black edging though. I think I get the wz version instead.

 

Be careful of those cheap 24" monitors because they use the TN panel type which has a poor viewing angle and color reproduction compared to the nicer PVA or IPS panels.