HP's 30-inch LP3065 LCD monitor gets reviewed

Although the average consumer isn't likely to be in dire need of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels on their monitor, the competition is still very alive in the expansive LCD market, and while Dell, Quixun, Samsung, and Apple all have highly-regarded units of their own, it's about time HP's LP3065 hit the test bench itself. Touted as "late, but great," HP's rendition of the 30-inch monitor managed to top the 3007WFP in "brightness, contrast ratio, and color uniformity tests," though it was noted that results were still below expectations. ExtremeTech found the screen "easy on the eyes" and very tweakable using NVIDIA's control panel via their GeForce 8800 GTX; furthermore, Photoshop editing, DVD viewing, and handling basic, mundane office tasks all provided "results that were nothing short of spectacular." Overall, the LP3065 provided a "wider color gamut," a trio of HDCP-compliant dual-link DVI ports, and "gorgeous image quality," which may or may not be worth the extra $400 over Dell's basic 30-incher to you -- and while it received an "8 out of 10" rating as well as a coveted "Approved" label, you're still better off throwing down this type of coinage on twin 24-inchers if screen real estate is your number one priority.

[Chris Merchant @ Jan 2nd 2007 4:11PM]

And people say 'Size doesn't matter'. We Americans can never have anything 'too big'.

I scoff.

Look. I'm scoffing.

What? 84" plasma? Sure, WHY NOT?!?

-Chris

[EvanWasHere @ Jan 2nd 2007 4:31PM]

I want one... NO TWO... Now how do I get rid of the Dell 24" I just got???

Evan
http://www.SapphireReview.com

[disciple83 @ Jan 2nd 2007 4:41PM]

you could always ship me your surplus 24" monitor...that is, if you are merely looking to toss it.

[machfive @ Jan 2nd 2007 5:21PM]

Let me know when they make this monitor with the same res, color gamut, and input connectors in a 24" model. I'll finally be able to replace my A7217A. Until these monitors pass 110 pixels per inch, and come within 95% of a CRTs' contrast ratio, people with graphical interests such as photography or design are going to continue to give up the desk space to CRTs.

My dream monitor would be a Brightside-based LCD (or equivilant HDR tech) that's 26" and 2560x1600. Mmmmmmm....116 ppi in a non-CRT...

I'll probably be forced to keep dreaming though.

[Don Wilson @ Jan 2nd 2007 5:31PM]

Dell is still the leading LCD maker, which is why I'm glad I just got the 2407WFP

[jon @ Jan 2nd 2007 5:52PM]

From my experience with photoshop and duel monitors it isn't very good. So for me any anyone else looking for photoshop, image ready or some of their other products going with this is probably better than a duel 24.

[KYDS3K @ Jan 2nd 2007 6:25PM]

jon, your monitors fight each other? COOL!!!

[xVariable @ Jan 2nd 2007 6:50PM]

Yeah, I'm still not willing to get a "proprietary" video card to drive a 30" display. The display itself is already expensive enough, I'm sure as fsck not paying for a new video card, *especially* when I can just get another 24" for FAR less.

It's too bad since such a requirement has effectively stalled sales of ever-larger displays. There's a limit though to what consumers are willing to do...

[John Doe @ Jan 3rd 2007 12:52AM]

xVariable,

You don't need a proprietary card to drive a 30" display. Just a card that has dual DVI out. And you would need to buy 2 video cards or a single card with dual DVI out to run twin 24"ers anyways. So its a moot point.

[FXi @ Jan 2nd 2007 9:30PM]

It's not bright enough for me. When you factor in the fact that they slowly dim over time, that's even worse. 450 and we'd have been talking but no one seems able to do that on a wide gamut screen.

So I go back to waiting :)

[Joe Smith @ Jan 2nd 2007 11:51PM]

i want 4 of these linked to dual 8800gtx's.

[eliasgreydrummer @ Jan 2nd 2007 11:53PM]

Wow... HP Fiiiinally jumped onto the thin bordered LCD screen. Sharp. Now watch... next quarter Dell will release the world's first BORDERLESS LCD (Or maybe, even classier, something along the current styling theme except do a shiny black lacquer border).

[xVariable @ Jan 3rd 2007 1:34AM]

Actually, a second 24" would work just fine connected to the VGA port on my current card (where there is currently a 20" connected. The card's DVI has a 24 incher on it).

In any case, you don't need dual-link DVI, which is a proprietary hack, to run 2 DVI-connected displays. You only need a card with 2 standard DVI or VGA ports, or a combination of those 2. The former is relatively uncommon, whereas the latter is the defacto market standard.

[IBM T221 @ Jan 3rd 2007 2:48AM]

I bought a Dell 3007WFP and used it for six hours before I sold it on eBay. Personally, I like 3800x2400 at 204ppi resolution over all the head movement required for a 30" screen. It's fine for watching video from a distance but doing actual work made my head move way too much. IBM T221 and Viewsonic VP2290b monitors have more than double the resolution, yet they are pricey and require special cards. I also heard that the Dell had buzzing sound problems from the Rev0 to the recent Rev2, but mine didn't do that but I only used it for less than a days work. There is suppose to be a new higher contract version with a new backlight system for the Dell 30"...for those who like the 30" display setup.

[Echy @ Jan 3rd 2007 8:22AM]

I don't know why people with home theater setups don't use these monitors rather than a TV? Who needs expense of a tuner and speakers when its already in the room?

[ConceptVBS @ Jan 3rd 2007 9:17PM]

This monitor is essentially a Samsung in disguise.

[The King @ Nov 7th 2007 7:35PM]

This little monitor is silly. I just bought The New Viewsonic Professional 50" LCD monitor. Destined to be the flagship of the future. It has 7600 x 5200 Resolution, and a refresh rate of 100 HZ, and offers 42 bit color depth with over 1.1 Billion colors. You do need 3 8800 GTX's with 2 in SLI to run it, but heck, I had that set up on my computer already. It's a pretty nice 38 million pixel setup.

[StealingVirtue @ Nov 26th 2007 10:30PM]

Cute.

[Mike @ Mar 27th 2008 3:01AM]

Its an LG LCD... I fortuantly work for a place the repairs these bad boys... have a pair of "Scrap" ones on my desk.

This is one of the few I've seen that actually required a DVI-D Cable and is much happery with Dual Link... Any upper range nVidia 8 series card is pretty cheap these days and comes highly recommended for use with this monitor, we're using 8800GT for testing and does just fine. I'm sure it will work on ATI stuff too, I just have a thing for drivers that work consistantly. :)

Not sure if I would buy these for home, but they're great for office work... nice and big, plenty of res, bright enough, etc...

[Mike Wilson @ Aug 20th 2008 3:51AM]

@Mike
Interesting to hear that you are repairing these. My LP3065 emitts a ticking noise from the back-side every ~4 secs when in power-save mode but HP says this is "by design" and nothing they can fix. I think it stinks. Have you come across this?