Performance
We tested the Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP through the DVI connection and it
delivered high scores across the board in our DisplayMate
tests, excelling particularly in sharpness and colour. Most monitors
have no problem displaying legible fonts at 6.8 point and above, but
things usually deteriorate as the size gets smaller. The Dell is not
immune to this issue completely, rendering fonts thinly.
The Dell did well in our colour tests, showing primary colours smoothly, uniformly and consistently. It should be able to accurately display different shades of the same colour in a given scene.
One problem we did see was when viewing the display on the Preset Mode Cool was that the screen looked too blue and unnatural. For example, when we typed in Word or viewed a Web site with a white background, the page was not white, but very light blue. The effect was just too extreme and should have been more subtle. This is a minor quibble, however, as there are six presets to choose from as well as a user customisable mode.
DVD playback on the display was as good as we've ever seen on a monitor. Even when viewing medium shots with our eyes very close to the screen in Kill Bill Vol 1, we found the image retained its detail. We had a little PVP action while testing the display with World of Warcraft. It's hard to make this game look bad and the 2408WFP continues the tradition of displaying WoW excellently. The colours, detail and image integrity were as good as it gets.
We noticed a little backlight bleedthrough on the top corners in a pitch-black testing room, but saw absolutely none in normal room lighting.
Conclusion
The Dell UltraSharp 2408WPF display performed outstandingly in
our tests, delivering quite possibly the best
image we've seen for DVD playback. This monitor is a great entertainment display, whether it is
games, DVDs, or -- making use of its 1,920x1,200-pixel resolution -- HD movies.
Rest assured, it does not drop the ball on the basics.
Additional editing by Shannon Doubleday
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martinws 26 November 2008
Good: Lots of ports.
Bad: Poor colour management.
Comment: The monitors default colours were awful with the reds so over saturated they were 'glowing'. After a good two days trying the various settings I found no way to display the colours in a satisfactory way, they were either 'bleached out' or the reds so strong they just continually distracted you.
So I decided to phone Dell to return the monitor, Customer Services tried to blame me for the order saying 'I knew what I was buying so they were not prepared to accept the return'. I explained there was nowhere on their web site which stated the reds would be so strong they 'glowed'. Eventually they passed me on to technical support, where they said it was a known issue, but the colours were quite acceptable for 'gamers'.
They were prepared to accept the return and I could wait for a new version of the monitor which will fix this issue in January 2009.
Perhaps I just got a bad one, however tech support could not guarantee another monitor would not have the same issue.
I really wanted to keep hold of this monitor. It's size was great, adjustability excellent and the range of ports was very generous but if the monitor cannot handle colours properly this monitors going back to Dell.
Tech Support at Dell were very helpful and understanding, but this review is about the monitor. For me, bad Colour Management = Poor Monitor.
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