The NEC ea244WMI-BK Display Rotation

[Jim Mohundro]

Although I believe, given that 1) the EIZO ev2336 Flexscan is not currently available anywhere, and 2) I hope to have my question re the relative sharpness or coarseness of the 1920 x 1200 display versus the 1920 x 1080 display, all else equal answered soon, I am otherwise 98 percent focused on the Dell u2415 as my monitor of choice.

A very close friend is a photographer and, while not an IT guy, is pretty savvy about photo-related electronics, and, as a two-NEC owner, continues to provide me with reviews of, and recommendations, his and others', for the NEC ea244WMI-BK I'd considered earlier, so there is still that tiny 2 percent window that might be nudged open for the NEC.

JimC has provided me incredibly comprehensive advice on this forum, for which I'm very grateful, and he seems a strong proponent, as are at least a plurality of users here, of the Dells in general (I'd earlier owned three Dell desktop PCs before acquiring my locally-, UpTime Technology-built PC (which, unlike the Dell PCs, is much less proprietary in design and built, and much easier to upgrade where necessary). Pictus, as well, has also provided me substantial information re the "flickering" issue.

I have what is likely a trivial question and may well not affect my final purchase decision, and I'm not sure, so far, that any posters here own and use the NEC ea models, but, while I'm crossing Ts, I'd like to dot this I: The NEC is reported to have no stop-lock when it is rotated 90 degrees on its base. In addition to photo-editing and a bit of spreadsheet and database work in the "normal" so-called "portrait" orientation, I expect to use my monitor in the vertical position for writing, which represent close to 50 percent of my work (I seem to be "working" more after retirement than before). I know I cab eyeball the vertical orientation quite easily so I'll not worry about the exact 90 degree position of rotation, but I wonder if the lack of a rotation lock would make the vertical orientation unstable with some unwanted drifting. Has anyone here experience with this issue. Better yet, does anyone here actuall own and use the NEC ea244WMI-BK or a similar NEC model with the same rotation characteristics?

--
Jim Mohundro

 

[ArtMarshall]

Although I believe, given that 1) the EIZO ev2336 Flexscan is not currently available anywhere, and 2) I hope to have my question re the relative sharpness or coarseness of the 1920 x 1200 display versus the 1920 x 1080 display, all else equal answered soon, I am otherwise 98 percent focused on the Dell u2415 as my monitor of choice.

A very close friend is a photographer and, while not an IT guy, is pretty savvy about photo-related electronics, and, as a two-NEC owner, continues to provide me with reviews of, and recommendations, his and others', for the NEC ea244WMI-BK I'd considered earlier, so there is still that tiny 2 percent window that might be nudged open for the NEC.

JimC has provided me incredibly comprehensive advice on this forum, for which I'm very grateful, and he seems a strong proponent, as are at least a plurality of users here, of the Dells in general (I'd earlier owned three Dell desktop PCs before acquiring my locally-, UpTime Technology-built PC (which, unlike the Dell PCs, is much less proprietary in design and built, and much easier to upgrade where necessary). Pictus, as well, has also provided me substantial information re the "flickering" issue.

I have what is likely a trivial question and may well not affect my final purchase decision, and I'm not sure, so far, that any posters here own and use the NEC ea models, but, while I'm crossing Ts, I'd like to dot this I: The NEC is reported to have no stop-lock when it is rotated 90 degrees on its base. In addition to photo-editing and a bit of spreadsheet and database work in the "normal" so-called "portrait" orientation, I expect to use my monitor in the vertical position for writing, which represent close to 50 percent of my work (I seem to be "working" more after retirement than before). I know I cab eyeball the vertical orientation quite easily so I'll not worry about the exact 90 degree position of rotation, but I wonder if the lack of a rotation lock would make the vertical orientation unstable with some unwanted drifting. Has anyone here experience with this issue. Better yet, does anyone here actuall own and use the NEC ea244WMI-BK or a similar NEC model with the same rotation characteristics?

 

[Peter Del]

See:

TFTCentral - Monitor reviews, articles, information and news

TFTCentral offers monitor reviews, articles, information and news. The largest dedicated monitor site on the internet.

www.tftcentral.co.uk

and

Dell 2415 Monitor Calibration Question

I have just bought a Dell 2415 monitor and I have just read TFT Centrals Calibration Chart, they suggest setting monitor brightness to 28 which to my eyes look pretty dull. The factory setting is 75 which looks a bit high, I'm trying 52 and looks ok to my eyes. I was wondering what brightness...

www.dpreview.com

They may be of help.

Peter Del

 

[guido1953]

Have you considered contacting NEC customer service with your questions?

Best Regards,

Guido

 

[Jim Mohundro]

Guido,

NEC is in the business of selling monitors, not that there's anything wrong with that, so I prefer to deal with a firm or user with no economic stake in their opinion.

Al Jolson billed himself as the World's Greatest Entertainer and, at that time, he was probably right, but he hardly could have claimed objectivity.

 

[ArtMarshall]

Guido,

NEC is in the business of selling monitors, not that there's anything wrong with that, so I prefer to deal with a firm or user with no economic stake in their opinion.

Al Jolson billed himself as the World's Greatest Entertainer and, at that time, he was probably right, but he hardly could have claimed objectivity.

 

[Jim Mohundro]

Mr. Marshall,

I quite appreciate your comments. I wish that more electronics manufacturers like NEC and B&H's Henry ______ were monitoring postings on DPR and other forums, and joining in with answers and comments posters often find difficult to extract from many other manufacturers. One of my perhaps trivial, but still irritating, gripes concerns manufacturers and other firms that provide "Contact Us" on their web sites but never reply to questions or comments.

 

[ArtMarshall]

Mr. Marshall,

I quite appreciate your comments. I wish that more electronics manufacturers like NEC and B&H's Henry ______ were monitoring postings on DPR and other forums, and joining in with answers and comments posters often find difficult to extract from many other manufacturers. One of my perhaps trivial, but still irritating, gripes concerns manufacturers and other firms that provide "Contact Us" on their web sites but never reply to questions or comments.

 

[skyglider]

.... I am otherwise 98 percent focused on the Dell u2415 as my monitor of choice.

.....snip.....

but I wonder if the lack of a rotation lock would make the vertical orientation unstable with some unwanted drifting. Has anyone here experience with this issue. Better yet, does anyone here actuall own and use the NEC ea244WMI-BK or a similar NEC model with the same rotation characteristics?

I can say that my Dell U2713HM monitor came with a 90 degree rotation stand. There is no lock for either landscape or portrait orientation but the monitor is heavy enough and the rotation friction strong enough that there has never been even a hint of rotation drift.

That said, be sure to use a DVI cable and not HDMI or DisplayPort cable since you intend to rotate your monitor. The connectors on DVI cables are very robust and have the two hold down screws on the connector. HDMI and DisplayPort connectors are VERY flimsy and not made for monitor rotation.

Both the Dell and NEC monitors you listed are 1920 x 1200 resolution so they might come with a single link DVI cable. If they don't come with a cable and you need to buy a DVI cable, buy a dual link DVI cable which can be used for higher resolutions like 2560 x 1440 if you upgrade your monitor years from now.

Sky

 

[Jim Mohundro]

Good tip on the connections. The Dell u2415 is one of my two monitor choices. JimC has provided me a quite useful close-up photo of my NVidia GTX 650 card and, along with the DVI output(s), there's a mini HDMI port which, with that Dell, is my only connection option, and that would require a standard HDMI/mini HDMI adapter somewhere in the mix with the cable, or a custom cable (e.g., locally available through Blue Jeans Cable, but not inexpensive) with mini HDMI for the GPU end and standard HDMI for the Dell end. The HDMI connection, especially on the mini HDMI GPU end, does indeed seem flimsy, i.e., anchoring in the mini outport seems challenging if any display rotation is contemplated.

Frankly, for my amateur experience level of discernment working with Lightroom, the difference between the E-IPS display of the NEC and the AH-IPS Dell display is not a go or no go issue; I'm more concerned over what may be "flicker" and blooming issues with the NEC (and one complaint on another forum about some NEC construction issues, e.g., the top bezel parting from the display--little things like that).

 

[skyglider]

Good tip on the connections. The Dell u2415 is one of my two monitor choices. JimC has provided me a quite useful close-up photo of my NVidia GTX 650 card and, along with the DVI output(s), there's a mini HDMI port which, with that Dell, is my only connection option, and that would require a standard HDMI/mini HDMI adapter somewhere in the mix with the cable, or a custom cable (e.g., locally available through Blue Jeans Cable, but not inexpensive) with mini HDMI for the GPU end and standard HDMI for the Dell end. The HDMI connection, especially on the mini HDMI GPU end, does indeed seem flimsy, i.e., anchoring in the mini outport seems challenging if any display rotation is contemplated.

With regard to the bold text above:

I don't understand why you said that the mini HDMI port on the GTX 650 card is your only connection option. There are two DVI ports on that card from what I've seen. Why not use one of them?

With regard to anchoring in the mini HDMI port on the graphics card: that end of the cable is not a problem for monitor rotation. It's the other end of the cable that plugs into the HDMI port on the monitor where the problem is.

Sorry if I misunderstood what you said,
Sky

 

[Jim Cockfield]

Good tip on the connections. The Dell u2415 is one of my two monitor choices. JimC has provided me a quite useful close-up photo of my NVidia GTX 650 card and, along with the DVI output(s), there's a mini HDMI port which, with that Dell, is my only connection option, and that would require a standard HDMI/mini HDMI adapter somewhere in the mix with the cable, or a custom cable (e.g., locally available through Blue Jeans Cable, but not inexpensive) with mini HDMI for the GPU end and standard HDMI for the Dell end. The HDMI connection, especially on the mini HDMI GPU end, does indeed seem flimsy, i.e., anchoring in the mini outport seems challenging if any display rotation is contemplated.

With regard to the bold text above:

I don't understand why you said that the mini HDMI port on the GTX 650 card is your only connection option. There are two DVI ports on that card from what I've seen. Why not use one of them?

The U2415 display doesn't have a DVI Port. It only has HDMI and DisplayPort connections on it.

The OP could use a DVI to HDMI adapter if desired.

But, he wouldn't get sound over the video connection that way if he cares about that kind of thing.

In any event, it is very odd that Dell didn't include DVI and VGA on a display designed for computer use. But, I guess times change and most newer computers probably have HDMI and/or DisplayPort connections available now.

--
JimC
------

 

[Jim Mohundro]

Sky,

I suppose the "standard" HDMI connection at the monitor is less unstable than the flimsy mini connectionn at the comouter outputs, but the Dell u2415 has no DVI inputs, only the HDMI and a couple of display ports, the latter not matching my GPU, either.

 

[Jim Mohundro]

JimC,

Would the perfectly functional low-fi speakers not driven by the sound card continue to function, or would they somehow be rendered out of commission by the new monitor, if I end up buying the NEC and using its DVI connection?

 

[Jim Cockfield]

JimC,

Would the perfectly functional low-fi speakers not driven by the sound card continue to function, or would they somehow be rendered out of commission by the new monitor, if I end up buying the NEC and using its DVI connection?

You can use the speakers (and connections for them from your PC) you already have.

I don't think the NEC EA244WMi-BK you're looking at has any built in speakers anyway.

You can do the same thing with the Dell, too.

IOW, even though HDMI supports sound over an HDMI connection, you do not have to use it.

Besides, the speakers built into most Displays stink anyway, and you can usually get much better audio quality with a set of amplified speakers connected directly to your computer.

Just read through customer reviews of any speaker setup you want to consider. In fact, there was a thread discussing them a while back here. I'll look for it.

Update: Here's one (malch started one about a set of speakers he found at a good deal a couple of years back):

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/41519556

If you dig through the posts, you'll find a variety of different speaker sets mentioned, at a variety of different price points.

You can also use your video card's DVI port with the Dell if desired. You'd just need to use a DVI to HDMI adapter. Or, you can buy a DVI to HDMI cable for that purpose. Here's an example of one:

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-HDMI-DVI-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00L3KNZZ8

The only down side to that approach is that DVI won't transmit an audio signal. But, if you don't care about using the built in speakers in a display like that Dell, you can just as easily use a DVI connection from your video card (and that might even be better due to some "quirks' you can see from time to time with HDMI).

IOW, if you plan on using your existing speakers (versus trying to use a display's built in speakers using audio over HDMI to that display), then DVI is fine with a 1920x1200 resolution display (even if that display doesn't have a DVI Port, since you can buy a DVI to HDMI adapter or cable to use with a display like that Dell U2415)

--
JimC
------

 

[Peter Del]

I have the Dell U2415 monitor and their sound bar (AC511) which clips to the underside of the monitor; it is surprisingly good.

The first time I rotated it, the cables, which pass through a hole in the stand, did snag, but giving them some slack solved the difficulty.

Peter Del

 

[Jim Cockfield]

Hmmm

I see that the Dell U2415 doesn't have built in speakers anyway.

For some reason, I thought it did (and the optional sound bar for it is USB anyway, so it wouldn't use the display's audio out connections that it would get over an HDMI input)

So, I'd just go with a DVI to HDMI cable like this one instead of a Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable.

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-HDMI-DVI-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00L3KNZZ8

That way, you wouldn't have any "quirks" with the HDMI output from the Nvidia card to worry about. For example, depending on how a given display is detected, sometimes Nvidia will set the RGB range for each channel to 16-235 vs 0-255 when you use a card's HDMI port, requiring some tweaks or utilities to make the settings work better from the card.

So, using a DVI to HDMI cable (like the one I just linked to) would avoid that potential issue, since you'd be using the a DVI port from the card instead. A passive cable (no signal conversion needed) works fine for 1920x1200 at 60Hz with that type of cable (DVI to HDMI).

Then, just use your computer's existing audio out ports for any speakers you want to connect.

I noticed that it had Realtek Audio in some of the info you sent via PM about it. It's probably supports either 5.1 or 7.1 audio via the connections out of the computer. The Realtek chipset in my Dell XPS 8500 does, and it's using the same generation CPU (Core i7 3770) that your computer has in it.

You can buy some pretty good sounding speakers for very little money that should work great with the Realtek chipsets a modern computer like that would normally have included, including sets with front, back, center and subwoofer. For example, even this cheap Logitech 5.1 Setup seems to be well liked by most users:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VAK1FA

I'm really surprised at how well the Realtek drivers and HD Audio Software can work with cheaper stereo only setup, too.

Personally, if I were buying a new set of speakers right this minute, I'd go with this Cyber Acoustics 2.1 setup instead of a setup like that Logitech 5.1 setup (and at $39.99 delivered, it's less expensive, too):

http://www.amazon.com/Cyber-Acoustics-Subwoofer-Frustration-CA-3602FFP/dp/B00BXF5HQ8/

Read through the user reviews for those, as I don't know if you'd find anything better in the under $50 price bracket from what users say about them (and the wired "desktop pod" with power, bass control, headphone jack and aux input could could be convenient, too).

Anyway, after switching from the Microsoft Drivers to Realtek drivers and configuring the Realtek HD Audio Software, the difference is dramatic with the way the equalizer, boost settings, etc. work with a cheaper set of 2 channel Logitech Speakers (Z130 and they're pretty bad compared to more expensive sets). .

I like watching movies, music videos, etc. online, and it's nice to have better sound quality via the way the Realtek chipset works, even with my cheapo speakers.

Do you know what motherboard brand/model you have?

If not, click on the start menu button and enter this in, and press enter on it when it comes up in the search results:

dxdig

Click no when it asked you if you want to check for driver signing (you don't care about that, as we just want to use it to see more about your computer). Basically, it's a DirectX diagnostics tool included with Windows that happens to give you some information about your computer, sound chipsets, etc.

After it loads, you'll see some info on the main screen that includes Manufacturer and Model. That should be your motherboard's manufacturer and model number information. Let us know what those are.

To make sure you have a Realtek driver for it loaded, click on the Sound1 and Sound2 Tabs, and you should see the provider shown as Realtek Semiconductor near the bottom of the right side of those screens. You'll also see a version number (which will likely be one of the 6.xx.xxxx releases).

If so (Realtek drivers installed), then you probably have really nice Realtek HD Audio software installed, too. Or, if not, we can look for it on the motherboard maker's download pages (let us know the manufacturer and model number).

Then, you can use that software to configure it various ways (even with just Stereo Speakers vs 5.1 or 7.1 Surround Sound Setups).

Anyway, since that Dell doesn't have any built in speakers for use with audio over HDMI, I'd go DVI to HDMI with it instead. That way, you'll avoid any potential quirks with the Nvidia drivers setting the RGB output range to 16-235 for a TV vs 0-255 for a Computer Monitor that you'd have to correct.

The latest Nvidia drivers have probably fixed that by now with most modern displays, so you don't need to mess around with settings or utilities. But, you don't need HDMI anyway for a display that doesn't have built in speakers that needs the audio it would provide. For some reason, I thought that monitor had built in speakers (when it doesn't).

--
JimC
------

 

[skyglider]

Sky,

I suppose the "standard" HDMI connection at the monitor is less unstable than the flimsy mini connectionn at the comouter outputs, but the Dell u2415 has no DVI inputs, only the HDMI and a couple of display ports, the latter not matching my GPU, either.

With no DVI connector on that Dell monitor, I recommend not buying it if you plan to continually rotate your monitor. I know I DEFINITELY would not buy it with rotation in mind.

I helped a friend buy a Dell Ultrasharp U2412M monitor that is also a 1920 x 1200 resolution monitor with sRGB color space. It can rotate and has a DVI connector on it.

Image from: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2412m.htm

Maybe check out the U2412M monitor and see if it meets your expectations. It's selling for $250 on amazon with free shipping.

Dell U2412M review on tftcentral

Dell U2415 review on tftcentral

Sky

 

[Peter Del]

This unauthorized quote is from TFTcentral

"The U2415 offers a good range of modern connectivity options. There are 2x HDMI (with MHL), 1x DisplayPort and 1x Mini DisplayPort input interfaces provided for video connections. There is also a DisplayPort out connection for daisy chaining several screens. There is no DVI or D-sub offered here which might be a bit of a pain for older systems and graphics cards. Although a DVI > HDMI cable would be an easy option if you've only got DVI output and no DisplayPort or HDMI. Cables are provided in the box for only DP > Mini DP."

Peter Del

 

[skyglider]

This unauthorized quote is from TFTcentral

"The U2415 offers a good range of modern connectivity options. There are 2x HDMI (with MHL), 1x DisplayPort and 1x Mini DisplayPort input interfaces provided for video connections. There is also a DisplayPort out connection for daisy chaining several screens. There is no DVI or D-sub offered here which might be a bit of a pain for older systems and graphics cards. Although a DVI > HDMI cable would be an easy option if you've only got DVI output and no DisplayPort or HDMI. Cables are provided in the box for only DP > Mini DP."

Peter Del

Yes, both Jim C. and Jim M. confirmed that the U2415 does not have a DVI connector.

Thanks,
Sky