Update: Dell has sent us updated information detailing that the 3008WFP uses an S-IPS panel, not an S-PVA as previously advised
The monstrous Dell 30-inch screen has a successor -- the 3008WFP. Listening to complaints from consumers about the lack of video inputs in its predecessor, Dell has responded with a resounding "we hear you" and has gone ludicrously overboard -- and we love it.
Design
Taking on the aesthetics of its smaller 27-inch sibling, this imposing screen has a dark aluminium bezel surrounding the panel, while the screen itself is attached to a piano black and silver stand, all in one piece.
While we prefer the ruggedness of the old 3007WFP's height adjustment, the new mechanism works just fine, as well as offering the required tilt and swivel control. The front section of the neck can be pulled away, cables threaded and then cover replaced for discreet cable management.
Features
The 3008WFP is built on an S-IPS panel and uses a WCCFL backlight, claiming to be able to show 117 percent of the NTSC colour gamut, theoretically allowing for greater distinction between colour tones and providing better colour accuracy. Colour calibration should also be made a little easier thanks to the sRGB and Adobe RGB presets included. The PC/Mac Gamma and RGB/YPbPr input modes make a return from the previous model, however this monitor has a few new tricks up its sleeve.
The first major point is the single biggest change between revisions -- the 3008WFP has ever so slightly trumped its predecessor's single DVI port by including two DVI ports, one HDMI, Composite, S-Video, VGA, and even DisplayPort. DisplayPort is lining itself up to be the successor to VGA/DVI, and Dell expects this to be mainstream by 2009 -- so the screen is future-proofed nicely.
The 3008 is now capable of 1:1, Aspect and Fill scaling modes as a result, offers sharpness control, a dynamic contrast ratio of 3000:1 (which can be turned off, reducing it to 1000:1), user enabled DDC/CI (so your graphics card can adjust your monitor settings) and a Picture By Picture (PBP) mode with a confusing implementation. After a bit of fiddling we figured it out -- first set the source (what appears on the right hand side) using the OSD, from which you can choose DVI-D 1, DVI-D 2, HDMI, Composite or S-Video. Next turn PBP on and cycle through Component, VGA or DisplayPort for the left hand side. Sadly you can't put DVI-1 next to DVI-2 or HDMI -- we can only assume the three digital ports use some of the same equipment so it doesn't lend to sharing the signals.
The introduction of a scaler chip means you no longer need to have a dual-link DVI equipped video card to display on the screen, and lesser devices like laptops and so forth should be able to display up to 1920 x 1200, or in the case of media devices 1080p. 1080i looks fantastic compared to previous Dell monitors, and as an added bonus, our Xbox 360 played 1080p content just fine over the component connection. The PlayStation 3 looked similarly spectacular over HDMI at both 1080i and 1080p.
While it is a non-glossy screen, with a completely black background it reflected enough of our silhouette to be slightly disturbing. On a light background, this was completely unnoticeable. More noticeable is what we can only suppose to be the viewing angles at work -- with the head placed in the middle of the screen and a black background set, the corners seemed as if some white light was bleeding from them -- but shifting our head so we faced these corners caused the issue to disappear. One of the few downsides of having such a massive screen that you need to turn your head to see it all!
If you hook up through HDMI, you can also pass the audio stream through the monitor to your 5.1 sound set-up, or downmix to 2.0/2.1 channel on the fly, assuming that you're using 3.5mm connections for your sound set-up. This functionality won't extend to your consoles if you hook up through Composite or Component though, as no RCA audio connectors are supplied. A power socket is though, which is there purely for the optional Dell soundbar.
For connectivity, four USB ports are featured (two under the monitor, two on the side), and a card reader on the left hand side supports xD/SD/MS/MMC and CF.
Included in the box are DVI, VGA and DisplayPort cables, as well as a cleaning cloth.
Performance
Pushing the screen through DisplayMate, it was capable of discerning all greyscale tones from 0-255. While the gradients weren't the most impressive we've seen and tended to crush to black a little quickly, they were certainly acceptable. Gaming in Crysis was sublime, although running it at the native resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 proved to be a little bit too much for our 8800GTX graphics card. Movies similarly were great, and the pure size of the screen and resolution will mean architects, 3D creators, video editing junkies and desktop publishing kids will love it.
With a crazy number of inputs, 1080p over component and good rendering of 1080i, this screen has set itself up as a potential TV replacement, let alone a huge monitor. This one's the new king.
phentrimine
07/04/2008, 02:46 PM
rating
7/10
Not use this book, but look likes
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VCP-310
25/03/2008, 05:35 AM
rating
9/10
Looks fine with me, my big bro have same model and features. Working fine.
Pros: Fast, Durable and really supportive
Cons: Still have high Price
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Lay
20/03/2008, 11:34 PM
rating
7/10
This 30" panel sounds fantastic, but 2K is killin' it, especially when you consider what similar LCD-based products (top of the line 40" and 50" LCD TV's) sell for. And yes, I know this Dell isn't a TV and vice versa, and maybe comparing the nature and pricing of the two demands even more attention to supply and demand; but it's interesting to ponder, nonetheless.
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Achillesjg
14/02/2008, 09:35 PM
rating
6/10
Sadbuyer, I'm not sure if you checked the specifications, but Dell clearly state that HD content can only be viewed at a Max res of 1900x1200. Perhaps Dell only included this info on their site after you purchased yours.
Pros: No rating yet, as I don't own one...yet!
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blake
13/02/2008, 02:41 PM
rating
8/10
most of the negative comments about color matching on the mac are probably because the monitor controls are software driven for pc only bundled with Dell pc. I read a color matching article on the topic that put it above the mac 30 only after the calibration sw was used.
Pros: inputs
color
brightness
speed
Cons: I'd buy it now if it was $1000. Otherwise - wtf?
Also- if it can't play blueray, forget it. The announcements from Walmart, BestBuy and Netflix this week that they are pushing blueray puts the life of this product at 2 years.
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sadbuyer
26/01/2008, 05:44 PM
rating
3/10
There is a huge flaw on this monitor no one is talking about. Forget trying to view HDCP content (blu-ray and HDTV) at 2560x1600 resolution. The monitor only displays Restricted Content messages. Dell high ups have confirmed this to be a chipset issue and are going to have to redesign the monitor. Stay away.
Pros: Beautiful Design
Cons: Users will be really mad when they try and play blu-ray movies through their PC and Dell won't return it after 21 days!!!
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glock
20/01/2008, 12:17 PM
rating
6/10
I bought this monitor to do Photoshop color work on and the one I got is totally unacceptable for use in that regard.
I calibrated using i1 Photo through every possible configuration (dvi , vga native A98 Manual factory, default , etc., on a mac using OS X with essentially the same result. If you set a NEUTRAL gray background (desktop) it is not consistent in color or density to the eye. Mine was reddish on the right, green/cyan on top yellowish across the bottom , and blotchy brightness-wise across the whole panel.
IT IS NOT THE VIEWING ANGLE-as the colors and effects did not change as you moved your head only the intensity of the defect.
The monitor profiles just fine and the gammut does closely match the A98 color space as they say- even exceeding it in the red/magenta axis, just shy in the green but if you are planning on WYSIWYG color calibrated & profiled workflow this is not gonna cut it.
Using the built-in Digital color meter in OS X the neutral gray desktop reads 128R 128G 128B but LOOKS TO THE VIEWER AS I DESCRIBED ABOVE.
FWIW I POSTED ESSENTIALLY THIS SAME INFO ON THE DELL WEBPAGE FOR THIS MONITOR AND THEY HAVE NEGLECTED TO POST IT ALONG WITH THE MORE FAVORABLE LESS CRITICAL REVIEWS.
I even said that for for less critical applications this would probably be an awesome monitor.
I have 2 older Dell displays (2405's) and an Apple 23" Cinema Display that are not nearly as advanced as this one that I use daily for color work for years now and they do not display the same anomalies as the 3008 WFP .
ALSO their "TECH SUPPORT" is a JOKE. They read to you from the user manual that you get with the purchase.
THERE IS NO MONITOR EXPERT TO HELP SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS OTHER THAN BASIC SET UP FUNCTION and CONNECTIVITY-THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT THUS FAR.
BUYER BEWARE.
But that's just my experience, your mileage may vary......
Pros: Big, bright, large gamut, display port for future longevity
Cons: No good for critical color work. Lack of solid monitor related tech support.
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radiospotz
09/01/2008, 04:38 PM
rating
10/10
I am absolutetly excited. this new edition literally raises the bar big time. Spoecifications are wrong...you are missing so much about this. the contrast ratio is:3000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio – Produces darker blacks for sharper images, crisp text, better color saturation and greater detail for HD entertainment.
The last years modely only 1000 to 1 contrast ratio. Have a feeling the specs have not been updated yet.
Pros: Every connectino in the world. To me, the direction will be for one type of screen for all uses, and this screen is the new standard in my opinion.
Cons: Not enough accurate info yet, but that is cause it is new :-) Just wait, you will be impressed.
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patteh
20/12/2007, 03:40 PM
rating
10/10
$659... if we are talking in 1/4 units...
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Mark
20/12/2007, 09:39 AM
rating
9/10
This looks set to be a real winner for dell. Be interesting to see the power consumption, and whether any gfx card will ever be able to adequately handle that resolution.
Pros: HDMI + DVI (PC + X360)
Cons: The price tag! Ouch! For a similar price I can get a sexy samsung 40" M8...
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