Need a 24" or 26" monitor - is the Doublesight DS-265W any good?

[fps_dean]

I am in the market for a monitor, looking for a 26" although I'd settle for a 24".

Needs to be good for gaming with low response times. No ghosting is also a good thing!

I was looking at the Samsung T260 but then I saw I could get a IPS Panel for not that much more from Doublesight, but I can't find any reviews for it. I am wondering if anyone here has any experience with this model?

I know it does not have USB or HDMI but it's a monitor and not a TV and I have unused USB ports on my box, so I don't really care.

[GameSinewPCs]

I'm personally not familiar with Doublesight as a brand, so am unaware of their reliability/quality control. However, I do highly recommend Samsung's monitors if the model that you're looking at has all of the features that you require. Most Samsung monitors have high refresh rates, low response times, brilliant pictures, good rotational adjustments, great viewing angles, nice aesthetics etc. There are other companys to consider such as Acer, BenQ, Sceptre, Viewsonic, Asus and Gateway. Again, when buying, just verify that it has all of the features that you require and good reliability backed with a good warranty.

[fps_dean]

The reason I am looking at the doublesight is because it's a IPS Panel at a really good price. Has all the features I need, plus it's IPS so no ghosting, excellent picture quality and although there's no real reviews out there, no one who owns it complains about any noticable input lag.

Life is full of important choices I guess...

[GameSinewPCs]

Usually, unless you're doing specific graphical tasks that demand color perfection or else you're anal retentive about the display (which is fine), MVA or PVA based monitors will work just fine for your needs and in most cases (depending on implementation) you won't notice a difference. Remember that its about real world implementation that matters, and Samsung color, contrast, response, viewing angles etc are all top notch for consumer level products.

[johnnyfiive]

I work at a hospital and when DoubleSight released their dual 15" monitors, we bought 15-20 of them. ALL OF THEM died. EVERY, SINGLE, ONE. They all died right after the warranty expired. I'm being totally serious. They started dropping like flies, one after another. I'm not sure if those had a defect or if they happened to just be a bad batch, but literally every one of them died. We had 2-3 of them last about 4 years. The rest died after 2 to 2 1/2 years of use.

This was the model we had:


After my first hand experience, I highly recommend looking into a more reputable brand. Samsung, Hitachi, ViewSonic, Benq, Acer, etc.

[fps_dean]

Oh thanks for the heads up. Guess I won't be going that route then.

[ShogoXT]

The doublesight DS-263 was extremely popular and reliable, but it was completely bought out. These new ones have had some issues.

[fps_dean]

I've been hearing mixed things. I've heard a slightly above normal amount of dead pixel complaints, which I am worried about more than it dying in 2-2.5 years (different model, and the three-year warranty would cover that).

Owners do agree that the image quality is very good.

Perhaps I should research their warranty a little better.

[fps_dean]

Originally Posted by ShogoXT

The doublesight DS-263 was extremely popular and reliable, but it was completely bought out. These new ones have had some issues.

I found a few sites listing them for sale. I am going to buy one.

[El Fiendo]

If you can find yourself a DS 263, by all means jump on it. They were very successful monitors for a reason (read: always sold out). The only issue is there was a panel lottery involving whether or not there was an A-TW polarizer present with it or not. Some had, some didn't. Really the only difference is that at extreme angles, the screen is more washed out white without the polarizer. With the polarizer its either a deep reddish tinge or deep greenish tinge, depending on the side you view it from.

As for the DS-265, as far as I can tell, avoid it. The only people who have it available is Newegg, last I checked anyways, and they have a piss poor monitor return policy. From what I've heard the power brick on it gets white hot and as you mentioned, alot of people are having dead pixel issues, usually with the top row on the screen. Also, I've yet to see a report that it contains the polarizer and I know many people are reporting it doesn't have 1:1 pixel mapping, which I suppose I should have mentioned I'm pretty sure the 263 does.

If you've got the time, I suggest checking out the pages on [H]ardForum that apply to both the 263 and 265. Both are very, VERY large threads, and will take some navigating, however I've found smaller threads that people started to quickly cut to the chase of the advantages of both.

If you don't mind a new suggestion to the mix, I've heard good things about the HP LP2475. Its also an IPS monitor, around the same price but doesn't come with the polarizer. And frankly unless you plan on sitting at ridiculous angles to the monitor, you won't need it.

One last bit, so you know the 263 is out of production as of a few months ago, and likely any ones you find in stock are going to be returns from previous customers. You might find they have dead pixels or worse, or you might find they were simply returned because the previous owner wanted the 265 or something else. (People were returning them due to lack of polarizer as well, so unless thats a sticking point for you...). I severely doubt you will find one that has never been opened though, just so you know.

[fps_dean]

From what I have seen the dead pixel issue isn't any better or worse than any other monitor. I am just worried about dead pixels on any LCD screen, and most manufacturers/resellers return policies don't cover them.

I could get a 265w on a site other than newegg. I heard it's the same panel as the 263 with a better stand from the people at hardforum. And I did hear the same thing with heat and the 263N as well.

I was kind of hoping for a 26" though. I heard good about the HP too, but most people were saying the DS/Planars were better too.

I could buy a Planar used on ebay for cheap as well. I think the Planar has a bit more input lag though, but not terrible.

[fps_dean]

Where is a good place to buy monitors? People always complain about newegg and monitors....

[SK-1]

I picked up this Samsung 2693hm for a song at BB. My local store still had another one on display about a week or so ago. Might want to check on one, gr8 gaming monitor.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=69865

[El Fiendo]

I think the DS had potential to be better than the HP, but many people believed DS dropped the ball on the 265w. The main thing that killed it for me was a lack of 1:1 pixel mapping, and it sounded 'sketchy' comparitively. Most of the feedback from the company provided by [H] posters showed DS didn't have a clue what their own monitors had. Combine that with all the reported issues, plus features I'll never use (integrated cheap speakers) I decided to look elsewhere.

Mind you my choice of the HP over the Planar relies mostly on availability. I have found that in Canada when it comes to higher end stuff, unless you can make the damn thing, you're SOL. I haven't seen the Planar anywhere so it never factored in much. I can't honestly remember if there are issues with the Planar other than 'I can't get it'.

[fps_dean]

Originally Posted by El Fiendo

I think the DS had potential to be better than the HP, but many people believed DS dropped the ball on the 265w. The main thing that killed it for me was a lack of 1:1 pixel mapping, and it sounded 'sketchy' comparitively. Most of the feedback from the company provided by [H] posters showed DS didn't have a clue what their own monitors had. Combine that with all the reported issues, plus features I'll never use (integrated cheap speakers) I decided to look elsewhere.

Mind you my choice of the HP over the Planar relies mostly on availability. I have found that in Canada when it comes to higher end stuff, unless you can make the damn thing, you're SOL. I haven't seen the Planar anywhere so it never factored in much. I can't honestly remember if there are issues with the Planar other than 'I can't get it'.

Did the DS-263N even have 1:1 pixel mapping?

Honestly that is a feature I'd never use. And if I cannot run 1920x1200, I should be able to use myy video cards to scale some black space for me. I know Nvidia does it, and haven't checked (yet) with ATI.

Monitors should not have integrated speakers, ever. As long as they didn't give too much of a price hike, I guess that doesn't bother me, but if you have a $200+ monitor in this day in age, like you will use integrated speakers unless you're nearly deaf... I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't have anything a whole lot better (and even then, that's still pretty bad audio!).

I just missed a used Planar on ebay. The seller said he tested it and it's near perfect, no dead pixels and will let me return it for 30 days if need be.... if it reposts I will probably jump on that.

[El Fiendo]

Everywhere I've seen shows the DS-263n having 1:1 mapping. It's really only an issue because unless your video card can compensate and add the black bars, it'll stretch everything to fit. As for the speakers, I don't think they hiked the price too much, its more they opted to put in those speakers and remove connectivity (all the extra ports) from the specs.

This has all the monitors in question, and is a handy read that summarizes the bulk of the in depth threads on each monitor.

Also, a very handy website I've found is this one here.

[karolpl2004]

Originally Posted by GameSinewPCs

I'm personally not familiar with Doublesight as a brand, so am unaware of their reliability/quality control. However, I do highly recommend Samsung's monitors if the model that you're looking at has all of the features that you require. Most Samsung monitors have high refresh rates, low response times, brilliant pictures, good rotational adjustments, great viewing angles, nice aesthetics etc. There are other companys to consider such as Acer, BenQ, Sceptre, Viewsonic, Asus and Gateway. Again, when buying, just verify that it has all of the features that you require and good reliability backed with a good warranty.

donw forget dell, they make decent monitors for the price.

[fps_dean]

Originally Posted by karolpl2004

donw forget dell, they make decent monitors for the price.

No offense but I refuse to buy anything Dell. If their computers or the monitors we have at work are any indication of the quality of the rest of their line, then it's definitely not what I am looking for.

Originally Posted by El Fiendo

This has all the monitors in question, and is a handy read that summarizes the bulk of the in depth threads on each monitor.

Also, a very handy website I've found is this one here.

I don't necessarily need an IPS - a good PVA will work, just something that looks good. After using a Samsung PVA for the past couple years I am really used to the vibrant colors.... I have a Samsung 204T now. It looks great but the input lag is probably around 30ms, not great but it could be worse.

I can get a good deal on the Samsung 245T or 275T alike, but how is the input lag on those? I've heard it's a lot higher than rated, then I've heard it's less. Some people said they couldn't notice any, some reviews said it's probably around 5ms, yet some others said they could not run 1920x1200 because it was absolutely unplayable. Anandtech tested it to 27ms which is playable but gameplay will be effected.

[El Fiendo]

I think that TFT Central site there has a review of the 245T. One of the tests they do is a lag test where it not only shows you results compared to a CRT, but also compared to equivalent monitors. All the tests I use the most start around 3/4 of the way down, under Responsiveness and Gaming. As for the 245T, it shows a comparitively high lag time of 52.7ms. I believe I heard the 275T was similar to it as well. The HP isn't stellar but its half the lag time of the 245T. PVAs are generally bad for input lag / response time, whereas IPS are middle and TN the best. TN have piss poor color reproduction though (as you have already mentioned). Of all the IPS I've looked at, I think I'd go for the HP, though I just need to find a way to get it to me seeming no one carries it locally.

As for suggestions on the PVA front, I'm afraid I'm foggy on good alternatives seeming I lost interest in purchasing them to the IPS panels. I do know that I have found they are generally not sought after, being they are said to be inferior in color reproducton and possess the highest lag and response time of all the panel types. The upsides are they can produce deeper blacks, are better at darker colors, have unlimited viewing angles and are cheaper, but most people either don't bother with quality and get cheap TNs, or go for the highest of the quality and get IPS.

Edit goes here:
Just read the last sentence, and realized you might be mistaking Response Time for Input Lag and vice versa.

Response time is the amount of time a pixel in an LCD monitor takes to go from black to white and back to black again. This is the 5ms GTG, 2ms GTG, or 16ms GTG specifications you'll read. Essentially its refresh rate. Higher response times will cause ghosting or smearing across the screen.

Input lag, on the other hand, is latency, or lag measured by the difference between the time a signal is output into a display and the time it is shown by the display. These can be all over the place but generally between 10ms - 60ms. This is more along the lines of you move the mouse and it takes 52ms to show the change on screen. Faster paced games can become quite difficult at higher lag times.

[fps_dean]

I must say the Samsung PVA panels to look great. Too bad they have not brought the input lag down.

To my understanding, the contrast ratios are the best on PVAs, colors on IPS and input lag / response times on a TN.

I got my sister a 19" Samsung TN for her birthday one year, it's kind of painful to look at after being used to this PVA where the colors look so vibrant (but at the same time not overly bright either).

I might get a factory refurbished DS-263N.... they have a few in stock and it is really tempting...

Thanks for taking the time to help me out, it's appreciated. I am kind of a noob when it comes to monitors. I usually buy the best I can afford and use it until it either dies or something that I'd prefer that I couldn't afford 2 years ago becomes affordable (like 24 and 26 inch monitors for example).

[fps_dean]

Well I just checked, my video card will allow for scaling however I want it, so in the event that I need to run a different resolution I'm good

[karolpl2004]

well, spend the extra $$$ and buy a samsung then. im getting one from my friend, its a 22" wide screen, i forgot the model. he's selling me a new one for $180. i can try to find out if he's got an extra one for sale

[fps_dean]

Originally Posted by karolpl2004

well, spend the extra $$$ and buy a samsung then. im getting one from my friend, its a 22" wide screen, i forgot the model. he's selling me a new one for $180. i can try to find out if he's got an extra one for sale

Thanks for offering but I am looking for 1920x1200, at least a 24" if not 26" and either a low input lag PVA or an IPS.... trying to avoid TNs.

[fps_dean]

They had a new DS-263N listed on Doublesight's website so I jumped on that like Ron Jeremy would jump on a porn star.

This better be awesome!

[B1gg3stN00b]

Dell!