NEC LCD2690WUXI2

[davidwfx]

Does anyone know what's going on with the new NEC LCD2690WUXI2 display?  I'd like to get one but cannot find it in stock anywhere.  Does anyone have one, or has it not been released yet in the US?  

I've been digging around the internet & the forums here but cannot find anything conclusive.  It's not showing up at Amazon or B&H, and the websites that do show it (Provantage, etc) have it as a backorder/"special order" or just "0 in stock".

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

[WillH]

Does anyone know what's going on with the new NEC LCD2690WUXI2 display?  I'd like to get one but cannot find it in stock anywhere.  Does anyone have one, or has it not been released yet in the US?  

I've been digging around the internet & the forums here but cannot find anything conclusive.  It's not showing up at Amazon or B&H, and the websites that do show it (Provantage, etc) have it as a backorder/"special order" or just "0 in stock".

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

It was only released into distribution late last week, so resellers should just be starting to get units in. With all of the Christmas rush I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't appear in stock until after Jan 1.

[WillH]

Will,

Is the new monitor shipping in the SV version at the same time? What will be the retail price? Thanks.

John

The -SV versions of the LCD2690WUXi2 and LCD3090WQXi will be announced at MacWorld in January and will ship in the middle of January. Pricing will be just slightly higher for the LCD2690WUXi2 than for the LCD2690WUXi because of the new sensor that it will ship with. The press release at MacWorld will include all of the pricing info and details.

[davidwfx]

The -SV versions of the LCD2690WUXi2 and LCD3090WQXi will be announced at MacWorld in January and will ship in the middle of January. Pricing will be just slightly higher for the LCD2690WUXi2 than for the LCD2690WUXi because of the new sensor that it will ship with. The press release at MacWorld will include all of the pricing info and details.

Great, thanks for the information.  Will the software and sensor from the -SV versions be available separately, or is it worth waiting to order the -SV version in January?

[PeterAit]

Does anyone know what's going on with the new NEC LCD2690WUXI2 display?  I'd like to get one but cannot find it in stock anywhere.  Does anyone have one, or has it not been released yet in the US?  

I've been digging around the internet & the forums here but cannot find anything conclusive.  It's not showing up at Amazon or B&H, and the websites that do show it (Provantage, etc) have it as a backorder/"special order" or just "0 in stock".

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

I bought one thru Amazon.com about 3 weeks ago for about $1100. Have you checked there?

Peter

[WillH]

Great, thanks for the information.  Will the software and sensor from the -SV versions be available separately, or is it worth waiting to order the -SV version in January?

Yes. All 3 purchasing configurations will be available i.e.:
1. -SV model (monitor with bundled sensor and software)
2. SV-KIT (sensor and software) if you purchased the monitor separately
3. SV-SOFT (software only) if you purchased the monitor separately and already have a supported sensor.

You may save a bit by buying the -SV bundle, but if you want to get the monitor ASAP, I would recommend getting that first, then ordering the SV-KIT when it ships.

[mbalensiefer]

Will,

 I already have a calibration puck. In this case, instead of the monitor with bundled sensor and software,
should I just get the SVII monitor plus the software kit?

~Michael

[WillH]

Will,

 I already have a calibration puck. In this case, instead of the monitor with bundled sensor and software,
should I just get the SVII monitor plus the software kit?

~Michael

As long as it is a supported and good device, then yes - you only need the software.

Will

[bwest5]

Excellent thread.  I am also interested in the 2690WUXi2 product and have several additional questions:

Will NEC and this product be at the 2009 MacWorld in SF?

Does the Spectraview software support Xrite's ColorMunki?  

Can the 2690WUXi2 be calibrated by the ColorMunki without use of the Spectraview software?

Does anyone have any experience and viewpoints on the ColorMunki

Thanks in advance,

Bob West

[mbalensiefer]

Can the 2690WUXi2 be calibrated by the ColorMunki without use of the Spectraview software?

Bob,
 You can calibrate with this device/software with Colormunki, but it is recommened you use their $99.00 software application for best results. You can use your own puck with their software and monitor.

~Michael

Speaking of munkis;
Did you know that Las Vegas churches accept gambling chips?

THIS MAY COME AS A SURPRISE TO THOSE OF YOU NOT LIVING IN LAS VEGAS , BUT THERE ARE MORE CATHOLIC CHURCHES THAN CASINOS.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, SOME WORSHIPERS AT SUNDAY SERVICES WILL GIVE CASINO CHIPS RATHER THAN CASH WHEN THE BASKET IS PASSED.

SINCE THEY GET CHIPS FROM MANY DIFFERENT CASINOS, THE CHURCHES HAVE DEVISED A METHOD TO COLLECT THE OFFERINGS..

THE CHURCHES SEND ALL THEIR COLLECTED CHIPS TO A NEARBY FRANCISCAN MONASTERY FOR SORTING AND THEN THE CHIPS ARE TAKEN TO THE CASINOS OF ORIGIN AND CASHED IN.

THIS IS DONE BY THE CHIP MONKS.

YOU DIDN'T EVEN SEE IT COMING DID YOU?

[WillH]

Excellent thread.  I am also interested in the 2690WUXi2 product and have several additional questions:

Will NEC and this product be at the 2009 MacWorld in SF?

Yes - booth 2510.

Does the Spectraview software support Xrite's ColorMunki?

The new version that will be released right after Macworld will support the LCD2690WUXI2 and the colorMunki.

Can the 2690WUXi2 be calibrated by the ColorMunki without use of the Spectraview software?

Yes. Just as the ColorMunki software can calibrate any display (using video card LUTs)..

[jjj]

Yes. All 3 purchasing configurations will be available i.e.:
1. -SV model (monitor with bundled sensor and software)
2. SV-KIT (sensor and software) if you purchased the monitor separately
3. SV-SOFT (software only) if you purchased the monitor separately and already have a supported sensor.

I live in the UK and believe we do not get the same options here in Europe. IIRC NEC kit comes without software calibration tools, but if I was to get one of these or maybe the 30", would my Spider 3 Elite be compatible with your software if it is indeed present?

I'm thinking of getting the 26" as my two 19"s turned to portrait will sit nicely either side as they are the same pixel height, more elegant in use than using the 30" I'm thinking. Anyone with experience of this sort of setup?

[Elence]

Will,

I didn't find any information about A-TW Polarizer in a new display! Does 2690wuxi2 have it ?

[tomnash]

Yes. Just as the ColorMunki software can calibrate any display (using video card LUTs)..

Will

Is there any reason why the Spectraview software and the NEC bundled hardware device would be superior for calibrating this monitor over the ColorMunki?
If one were planning to get the ColorMunki for other purposes (prints, other monitors, etc.) is there any reason to get the bundled NEC software and hardware?

PS the monitor looked wonderful at MacWorld today -- about the only thing exciting there...

[mbalensiefer]

I think it was in another thread, Tom, that someone (Will?) went over this. This software is specific to this monitor series. You can use NEC's $99 software, and still use your Munki puck to calibrate, however.

Perhaps once we get the software, we'll understand. If Hardware LUTs are involved, then this easily makes sense.

R/
Michael

[digitaldog]

Will

Is there any reason why the Spectraview software and the NEC bundled hardware device would be superior for calibrating this monitor over the ColorMunki?

Yes, it a BIG way. The display has high bit potential in its hardware, it can, with its host software, communicate with the instrument and set all the calibration to a much higher precision then a user trying to push buttons on the OSD. It turns this into a "Smart Monitor" whereby, once you tell the software your calibration target aim-points, you press one button and walk away while the entire system runs the calibration and profiling.

Having one of these great displays without the host software and supported puck is greatly reducing its overall capabilities and quality. Anyone who's got a SpectraView should be using the bundled NEC software and supported instrument! Especially at its very modest price point.

[mlmcasual]

Hi, Heads up..

I do graphic design and after a lot of research ordered the 2690uxi2.  The newer-2 with wider gamut and contrast, lut, uniformity control, ips  makes it an absolute no brainer for a graphics monitor at a fraction of Eizo.
I just received a new 2690uxi2 from Provantage. I had placed the order back in October. I also ordered the nec- spectraview,eye one kit which IMO is an absolute necessity if you buy this monitor.

I have not received the color calibrator kit yet but so far am very impressed.  The uniformity, capability, fidelty and options are a visible day/night step up from even the best non graphics LCD's.  
There are some really nice features I like on here like,

A dedicated panel button that can be used to toggle to srgb color space..
Backlight sensors and a front panel control allows you to set the actuall-true luminosity level in cd/m^2
Uniformity compensation..


Some things to be aware of, the monitor is currently shipping without drivers or cd. So currently I don't even have factor ICC profiles for this monitor! I called NEC lab and they  confirmed it's not available yet. If you get the spectraview kit you will be building your own icc so this isn't an issue but something you need to be aware of. Without even an generic factory icc in place,  not even color managed programs will be right since without an icc windows (and all applications) assume the monitor is srgb gamut.  



If you have any questions for me about this monitor (since I have one) fire away..

[Elence]

Hi, Heads up..

I do graphic design and after a lot of research ordered the 2690uxi2.  The newer-2 with wider gamut and contrast, lut, uniformity control, ips  makes it an absolute no brainer for a graphics monitor at a fraction of Eizo.
I just received a new 2690uxi2 from Provantage. I had placed the order back in October. I also ordered the nec- spectraview,eye one kit which IMO is an absolute necessity if you buy this monitor.

I have not received the color calibrator kit yet but so far am very impressed.  The uniformity, capability, fidelty and options are a visible day/night step up from even the best non graphics LCD's.  
There are some really nice features I like on here like,

A dedicated panel button that can be used to toggle to srgb color space..
Backlight sensors and a front panel control allows you to set the actuall-true luminosity level in cd/m^2
Uniformity compensation..


Some things to be aware of, the monitor is currently shipping without drivers or cd. So currently I don't even have factor ICC profiles for this monitor! I called HP lab and they  confirmed it's not available yet. If you get the spectraview kit you will be building your own icc so this isn't an issue but something you need to be aware of. Without even an generic factory icc in place,  not even color managed programs will be right since without an icc windows (and all applications) assume the monitor is srgb gamut.  



If you have any questions for me about this monitor (since I have one) fire away..

I'm also very interested in this monitor! How looks like uniformity and deepth of black ? Does it use an A-TW Polarizer ?

[mlmcasual]

Yes  I do believe it has an A-TW polarizer I notice no off angle glow.


The back light- luminosity uniformity appears good. overall.  I do perceptual see some coating variation causing very slight winkled paper bag  type clouding  in the lower right corner (about 4by4 inch area)... with certain colors.
This clouding is jusst on the visual threshold of what im able to see.. thankfully its in a lower corner region that will only host the gui.. I imagine they use a pretty thick coatings on this.


(I desaturated the pic in PS. this photo as shown here is exaggerating the effect quite a bit from how it actually looks but I wanted to give you  you an idea of what im talking about)..



 Though I don't see any bad "sparkling"  I can faintly see the grain structure of the coatings but only by purposefully trying to focus in on it. I have seen monitors where the grain structure of coatins are large enough to be visual distracting, this is not all the case on the 2690uxi2.






Color uniformity
Uniformity compensation is simply amazing. Without the uniformity setting to off im jusst  seeing a red bias on the left hand side vs right.. ..  to test, im using a solid color of  srgb(251,240,240).  But then as  I increase the Uniformity setting from off to 1 throuh 5.. it evens out to where I can no longer visuall or perceptually see any diff.  the uniformity compensator definitly does its job!  Ican't imagine any reason to not have this set to full.. except for gaming, video where youd want full brightness..  The uniformity control is absolutely IMO what makes puts this monitor into a pro-graphics level..  BTW, at uniformity setting 5, the brightest it can go is 170 cd/m2

The black levels with medium to low ambient lighting is looks like the monitor is off at full black. with lights out you can definitly see its got some luminosity but also there is zero bleedthrough whatsoever, clouding or edge flashlighting. when I say none I mean 0 nada, nothing, not even perceptually.

Contrast is very good.. The test is the best I have ever seen and turned to a luminosity of 130cd/m2 is so easy on the eyes I can look at it all day without strain. I waited for this monitor because of the 1000 contrast ratio. and am not sorry i did.

The color and color ramp fidelity is very good. To put it to test I put in srgb  mode and put down  patches of 255,255,255, 254,254,254  253,253,253 and can easily see each edge transition..

[Elence]

Mlmcasual, thanks for great overview! My congratulations!   As for me it's the best monitor avaliable on market. (If you prefer IPS Panel) I wanted to buy previous model but after all decided to wait for this!

The back light- luminosity uniformity appears good. overall. I do perceptual see some coating variation causing very slight winkled paper bag type clouding in the lower right corner (about 4by4 inch area)... with certain colors.
This clouding is jusst on the visual threshold of what im able to see.. thankfully its in a lower corner region that will only host the gui.. I imagine they use a pretty thick coatings on this.

This slight variations can dissapear after a week or so, as a spectrum of backlight comes into the norm.

I waited for this monitor because of the 1000 contrast ratio. and am not sorry i did.

Me too and for decreased brightness.
What is the minimal level of brightness ? (with colorcomp off) Can it be set up to 80, 90 cd/m2 ?