Alright.. I'm frustrated. I've tried to research and understand all of the differences with monitors, and the types of panels they use, and the difference between 6 and 8 bit panels. I purchased this monitor a couple of years ago becuase I liked the looks of it, and it's advertising, etc. claimed that it was an 8-bit monitor

http://us.lge.com/products/model/d [...] 20PQ.jhtml

It claims 8-bit (16.8 million colors) on both the specifications sheet, as well as the fact download sheet. It also made the claim on the box. However, according to

http://www.flatpanels.dk/panels.php

It is a TN film monitor. I didn't think there was such a thing as an 8-bit TN film monitor. When I purchased the monitor, I shopped around and thought this monitors picture was superior to the Samsung and the Viewsonic I was looking at the time. It cost a bit more, but I thought i was getting what I paid for.


Does anybody know how you can really tell? And was LG lying when I purchased this monitor? I've been thinking about getting a 24-inch widescreen, but I've about had it because nobody is really up-front about their equipment.

And I know this is under "Graphics Cards", which isn't really where it belongs. But the title of the section of the forum is "Graphics & Displays", however there is no sub-section for displays?

"I didn't think there was such a thing as an 8-bit TN film monitor."

Well, there are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD

LCD displays, being inferior in many ways to prior technology, encourage flat out lying in specifications. You must be a diligent and smart purchaser and do both in-depth research on the exact panel you wish to purchase and the overall display itself as you are aware. All the while wading through the marketing lies.

I use CRTs and LCDs (8 and 6 bit) and only the CRT performs to its written specifications, I expect vendors to lie to get me to buy these days, so should you.

The Monitor section is under the following section of the forum:

Consumer Electronic \ Computer Peripherals \ Flat Panels | LCDs

As for "8-bit" TN panels; the "extra" 2-bits are used for dithering purposes to interpolate 16.2/16.7 million out of the actual 256k colors produced by a 6-bit panel.

The "basic" characteristics of a 8-bit (a.k.a. 24-bit) 24" LCD panel are as follows (without doing research):

Viewing Angles: 178/178
Response Time: 5ms - 8ms
Typically at least $600 online when not on sale.

There are exceptions though. The Westinghouse L2410NM Black 24" 8ms uses an 8-bit P-MVA panel and only costs $410. However, it lacks the following:

Height / Tilt adjustments
DVI Interface

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824255001

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The following is merely an assumption; so far I have not found anything online to confirm:

As with any electronic part, panels are sold in batches by whomever, let's say Samsung for example. Not every LCD panel rolling off of Samsung production line is exactly the same even though the panel model is the same. There will alway be minor fluctuations in build quality.

Every vendor Samsung sells bulk quantities of LCD panels to for building LCD monitors will want check a batch of LCD panels to make sure they pass minimum quality checks. Let's say Viewsonic orders shipments of 24" LCD panels to be made into LCD monitors. If one shipment fails the quality checks Viewsonic will reject the shipment and ask Samsung to send another.

The batch that did not "pass inspection" could either be thrown away (a waste of money) or be sold to a company who wants to buy 24" LCD panels on the cheap to build economic 24" LCD monitors. Here enters Westinghouse.

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Currently the cheapest 24" monitor @ Newegg using an 8-bit panel (of good quality and DVI) is the BenQ FP241VW Silver-Black 24":

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824014133