Customer Reviews

LG Flatron L1980U Ultra Slim 19" LCD Monitor (Black)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this monitor to replace a 17" viewsonic I was using before. The viewsonic was 12ms response time and I believe this is billed as being 8ms. I didn't notice a difference in the quality of my video, but I didn't need it to be perfect. I use this monitor for a combination of watching movies and playing some first person shooters. So far, I am pretty impressed with it. Obviously if you choose this monitor you are choosing partially for a style factor. If picture quality was the number one component in your search for a monitor, look elsewhere; there are better monitors to be had for better prices.

This monitor looks sleek on my desktop. The bezel around the sides blends in far better than other monitors and you really feel immersed when sitting in front of it. I'm not sure how much I'll use it to bend around like it shoes in the pictures, but it does make it kind of fun and easy to adjust the height. I also like the heat sensitive buttons. I didn't mess with the monitor settings when I got it (I prefer to do that manually through the PC if I need to) but it's easy to just slip my finger under the monitor edge briefly and it turns on or off without needing to 'press' a button. It is certainly very attractive, whether on or off. I've also found the viewing angle to be pretty decent as you can walk around to the edges and the image isn't distorted as badly as you think it would be.

I'd suggest this monitor if style is important to you, and like me maybe the EXACT response time of the monitor isn't as important. My monitor did not have a single dead pixel, and as most monitor warranties tend to be pretty lame anyways I wouldn't pick it for that reason either. It is a little overpriced, and that is probably one of my biggest complaints. But if you can catch it with a rebate or on sale somewhere, and you are looking for a sleek and stylish monitor I think this is a good choice.

Some problems:
- the forteManager software does not work on my computer;
- I have problems switching between the digital/analogue inputs: the DVI cable has to be physically detached in order for the analogue input to register and work (admittedly, this may depend on what you are trying to connect, in my case it was a DIVX player);
- the stand is not stiff enough - the monitor simply refuses to remain in certain positions, which can be extremely annoying.

Things I like:
- the picture quality;
- fast response time;
- the design.

I have a 1980Q but similar to 1980U - wanted to share me experience to give help to others. LG customer service has not gotten back in 3 days yet...

Bought from Best Buy - after rebates the price is $440 I think.

Cons:
Setup is pain in the rear - if you have no help. That is why I wrote this. Took me several frustrating evenings to figure all this out. Viewing angle is small compared with Dell 1905FP. Heat sensitive buttons are novelty that gets annoying when trying to use them. Monitor stand does not bring monitor up high enough - 1905FP has better height adjustment to make monitor flat and at eye level. But looking down is not terrible - you can tilt monitor to proper viewing angle.

Pros:
Magnificent looking video/monitor. Have Dell 1905FP at work. This monitor looks just as good or better to me. This monitor is extremely bright and crisp. Very fast response - LCD test programs exhibit little to no smearing - especially compared with 1905FP - used freeware CheckScreen.

Setup-
1. Using VGA/analog connector the video looks like phase is not adjusted properly - but it cannot be fixed through adjustment - (I think their analog video receiver on monitor is poorly designed). -> Solution use DVI-I connector and whala magically looks awesome. My 1905FP at work looks great with VGA connector - must be a problem specific to this monitor hardware.
2. ForteManager is a complete peice of garbage - it slowed my system to the point where it is not usable. Had to use msconfig - to disable from startup. But you don't need to run this program to use monitor. Tried cleaning registry with their diagnostics as they suggested - but this did not help any.
3. For some reason 1980U driver always wanted to be installed. To force right driver select - choose driver from list - don't let windows search. Then pick 1980Q(D) for digital input.
4. Windows complains no profile to use. -> Solution - Download files I think they are imu files or something they will be with device files. Right click on it for your monitor and select Install Profile.

Overall (4 stars all for monitor) - (-1 star) for cost this monitor should not be this hard to setup, and Fortemanager 2.0 has major issues. As usual customer service is either slow or ineffective.

Hope this information helps others - good luck.

Note: I did not purchase this from amazon.com but I felt amazon.com buyers should be aware of the following before they buy. I purchase a lot from amazon.com and always take a look at the reviews of items before I buy from any merchant and would like to share my opinion on this item that may help others before they decide to buy this item.

Cons:

1. Deceptions:

a. The "3-Year QuickSwap Replacement Program" is PARTIALLY correct! It's 3 years parts/labor and ONE year on the backlight!

b. This is NOT a true 8bit monitor, i.e., it is ONLY capable of rendering 262K colors, up to 16.7M by interpolation. (http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=2415)

2. Manual power on/off? What if the touch sensitive on/off fails?

3. My CD was man-handled - usually this is automated, but my CD's came fingerprint coated and scratched (was this unit used?).

Pros:

1. Sealed panel to prevent dust getting into the backlight.

2. Attractive and thin sleek design

3. Inverter brick

4. Pivoting (Although it's not as stiff as it could be to lock in a position)

5. They pay for shipping both ways on warrenty coverage for the 1st year - 2nd/3rd - it's split 50/50.

Overall: Not pleased with this purchase and will be contacting ******** for a return due to deceptive warrenty practice on behalf of LGE. For this amount $, when monitors are capable of 8bit color depth (Dell 1905FP - 8bit SIPS) quality and have a 3 year part/backlight warrenty - this is unacceptable - I will not participate in lowering the standards of consumer warrenty protection.

Nice monitor but has some dirt specks on the inside which is able to be seen against a white background. There are no drivers for my 64 bit system.