Making this thread to spread the word, and someone asked about a cheap/quality 27" in the gaming sub forum.

Korean IPS LCDs are taking the computing enthusiast world by storm. You can have a 27" LED IPS display for UNDER $500. Most if not all use the same panel found in the 27" iMac.

More information here: http://www.overclock.net/f/44/monitors-and-displays

(there are several threads about different models, along with user experiences/reviews)

I just purchased the one available at microcenter here: http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0384780

located at Tustin, CA. $438 after tax and ewaste fee. If you buy it at MC, have them power it on for testing for dead/stuck pixels. My particular one has DP, DVI, VGA, HDMI inupts, and has an OSD for on screen color adjustment.

One thing to note is that the cheaper Catleaps and Crossovers at the low $300s are "bypass models" which means they have no AD board. This prevents you from using a PS3, etc. that the monitor needs to scale to. You're pretty much buying a LCD panel with a DVI port stuck in it, with no processing.

anyways, good luck and have fun.

 

good lookin out!

 

NP!

Some more tips and caveats:

1. Most if not all ebay specials under $350 with ONLY a DVI-DL connector are "Bypass" models. Meaning they have no "ad board". There is a list of video cards that are and aren't supported. My 5850 is not "supported" but further research just shows that the BIOS/POST screen does not display. Once it loads the OS it works. Make sure to read the fine print and know what you're buying. Some examples of these bypass models:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CROSSOVER-27...item4ab5d8462b

here's a good listing with the warnings on what will not work with it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-CROSSOVE...t_11961wt_1397

2. A monitor with multiple inputs such as DP, DVI, VGA most likely have a AD board, which will make it compatible with most sources, but not perfect. I've read some people can't get 1080p resolution to work on the Auria with a PS3, etc. I bought the Auria knowing that it's more compatible with different inputs. the POST/BIOS screen does show over displayport but not over DVI apparently.

3. If you buy from Microcenter, they have a fantastic 30 day return policy. Also have them test it in store with solid colors (after paying) to check for defects like dead or stuck pixels. Better to exchange it for another right then and there before taking it home. If you think you see a "dead pixel" touch it very lightly--it could be just a speck of dust. These sell out quick though, and arent displayed on the demo floor. You have to ask for it to be brought out from the back or reserve it online at least at the Tustin location.

4. From reading people's experiences, the Korean ebay sellers DO honor their return policy and will exchange the product if defective. Read their listing for their particular dead pixel policy. They also ship fairly fast considering it's half way around the world. Most people seem to get theirs within 5 business days.

If you guys have any more questions i'll try to help based on my experiences.

 

Is there glare on this monitor? What about the font, is it natural and crisp?

 

It's a glossy type screen so there is some degree of reflections if you have light sources behind you. It's not as bad as my iMac at work since there's no glass panel in front of the LCD panel. The LED display backlight is pretty bright though so you really cant see any reflections. It all depends on your ambient lighting.

See the pic i posted in the OP, there's a lamp in the upper left corner and its reflection.

There are also models with "tempered glass" on ebay that replicate the mac look apparently.

The font, graphics, and colors match my iMac. Very crisp and sharp. I have a SLR that i can use to take a better pic. These are all pics from my gnex.

There is somethign called "IPS" glow which with the screen fully black there's some light bleed. This seems to be common and considered normal.

 

Thank you for the update. Font is important to me as I do a lot of writing, coding and Photoshop work. If you can please SLR this beauty

Glossy is not my preferred thing as I do have lots of sunlight in my home office.

 

Ah true, glossy isn't for everyone. I hated glossy but got used to it after I had to trade in my old macbook (pre unibody) for one of the new ones. For a 100+ discount on this IPS I'm willing to forgo the anti-glare coating. Cheapest monitor I can get with an anti glare is a HP ZR2740w for $560 after tax, but it has fewer inputs and no OSD.

Pics as promised:
Front:


Sides:




I dont know how true this test is, or how accurate it represents the screen. A solid black background:


Inputs (DVI and VGA obscured by stand):


One problem I did notice is that the DP plugs in flipped, meaning the release latch is on the inside making it difficult to remove once seated. You'll need needle nose pliers to remove that. Honestly the only real fault I have with this monitor.



Closeup of the firefox icon in the taskbar (look at the front view picture to realize how small this icon is in relation to the overall size of the screen):






There's a power brick that isnt pictured. It's fairly large, i'd say just smaller than a Xbox brick.

 

so how easy are they to be color calibrated?
color gamut?
color space compatibility
is it a true 8-bit monitor?

from the picture you showed, the uniformity doesn't look very good.

i just wonder how these would compare to the Eizo's or NEC monitors.

 

Their OSD allows individual RGB adjustments.

Not a super expert on calibration, i've only used a Huey once years ago on my old macbook.

It is an 8 bit display. Same panel in an iMac (lm270wq1) so whatever that can do this can do feature wise. Read the threads on the forum i posted in the OP.

and as said, i'm not entirely sure if that picture is a good representation of the screen in real life. Looks grey.

 

 

cant really afford it, even at those prices. ill stick with my 24" IPS monitor.

 

Should mention i'm using the color profile created by this fellow for the monitor:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1257538/m...#post_17389912

Seems to work well enough as I dont own a calibrator.

 

Monoprice announces their entry into the low cost 27" IPS market: http://www.macworld.com/article/2012...d-display.html

from the description of it and the general price it sounds a lot like a rebranded microcenter Auria.