Initial report on HP LP3065 30" LCD in dual head configuration

fastonkeys · 22nd October 2007, 03:00 AM

This was one of those purchases I kept putting off, but the $100 rebate per LCD thru 31 Oct finally enticed me to upgrade from my previous dual head setup (2 Sony SDM-P234 23" wide screens). All I can say is WOW...

The 2560x1600/1000:1 contrast ratio resolution on a 30" display is really something.. and having this in a dual-head configuration pretty much allows me to fit everything now without any need to horizontally or vertically scroll. I have these monitors suspended/floated over my mixing board resulting in approx 3.5' viewing distance from where I sit. At first, I thought this would be a problem at 2560x1600 (the most I could tolerate on the Sony's was 1600x1200) but the resolution is so clean & precise that I can clearly see every detail from this distance - amazing.

As you probably know, these are essentially the same spec as the Apple 30" cinema display, but they cost less and run dead-silent. The other factor is that each display supports 3 DVI-D inputs! Very cool.

Definitely one of those purchases that has me asking... why I didn't I do this sooner!? If anyone is interested in some pics to get a feel for the size and real-estate let me know.

HP is providing a $100 per monitor rebate (thru authorized resellers) thru the end of the month.

shanabit · 22nd October 2007, 03:10 AM

Didi you go with ONE or TWO?

fastonkeys · 22nd October 2007, 03:19 AM

I "manned up" and went for two!

shanabit · 22nd October 2007, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastonkeys

I "manned up" and went for two!

Sweet!!!!!

shanabit · 22nd October 2007, 03:26 AM

No pics yet?

tsvisser · 22nd October 2007, 03:29 AM

I like using a single 30" over 2 23" for sure. My one problem with dual monitors is that you have a bezel right in front of you. I like to have a monitor straight ahead of me. I can see that where using it as primarily a DAW interface, this won't be so much of a problem, but if you have to use your machine as a general purpose platform too, its gotta be 1 or 3 monitors for me, and I can't afford the 3 monitor setup just yet.

fastonkeys · 22nd October 2007, 03:37 AM

I agree; having gone thru this, I would attest that one 30" running at 2560x1600 is much better than a dual-head 23" setup. I probably would have been ok with just one 30" display, but I'm not apologizing (to the wife unit) for buying two!

undertone · 27th October 2007, 04:27 AM

A bit late to this party, but I was wondering something about the resolutions available on the current crop of 30" monitors.

Other than the recent Gateway 30" that has multiple inputs as well as OSD and upscaling to 2560x1600, for all the "older" models (except for the Apple 30") my understanding is that they have ONE resolution at which they work (the native 2560x1600) and no other.

Which means that if a video device can't provide that res, you're SOL and your screen is dark. Right?

IF this is true, then all upscaling of lower resolution material must be done by the graphics card (while outputting 2560x1600). When a video is watched fullscreen, I assume the video will get upscaled by the video card, correct?

But what about a game? If a game can't provide 2560x1600, can that get upscaled by the video card? My understanding is that the video resolution for a game is set in hardware which in this case means it won't work unless the game can provide 2560x1600 of res, correct?

BTW, I assume downscaling is no problem? What happens when you boot? Do you see the lo-res bios information? Or does the screen stay black till you hit the logon screen or desktop?

I'm just trying to get a grip on what it means not to have onboard video signal processing. These 30-inchers are dropping in price probably because their replacements, with more generous inputs and video processing are around the corner; some good deals to be had on the older ones.

TIA

matucha · 27th October 2007, 10:31 AM

Well for the price of 30" you can buy at least 3x22" or more. But those are mostly lowly TN panels that can or not bother you.

I went with 30" HP too and I'm very satisfied, it is just another world.

It is not 100% quiet, actually it is making hi-freq noises on the back side, but it can't be heard from the viewer position = works for me.

undertone: the graphics card have to scale the images, it needs to have dual-link DVI ports too. But then it is no problem at all, it will display whatever resolution you like. And if you're concerned with games, this monitor is so big, that you can run things in 1/2 resolution without bluring the image and it is still quite detailed (1280x800).

beau_mckee · 27th October 2007, 03:43 PM

Please post pics!

i own a 22"but i'm thinking to donate to my sister :-)

True North · 27th October 2007, 03:55 PM

It is amazing how far down in price these things have come

You can get the Dell for about $1199

They have the 30" HP on Ebay for $999 Buy it now, and a starting price of $899 !!

WOW

Where on earth did you fit two 30" monitors - between my monitors and my screen I have no room left

oh....and one more thing, pics please

undertone · 27th October 2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matucha

Well for the price of 30" you can buy at least 3x22" or more. But those are mostly lowly TN panels that can or not bother you.

I went with 30" HP too and I'm very satisfied, it is just another world.

I've worked with two monitors for about 7 years now, and I've never really gotten used to the bezel break in the middle of the view. I've considered 3 but a couple of friends of mine have recently moved to Apple 30"s and they share your opinion. I almost got one myself, but the HP with its 3 inputs is more practical since I want to use it for 2 machines (and it's cheaper).

Quote:

Originally Posted by matucha

undertone: the graphics card have to scale the images, it needs to have dual-link DVI ports too. But then it is no problem at all, it will display whatever resolution you like. And if you're concerned with games, this monitor is so big, that you can run things in 1/2 resolution without bluring the image and it is still quite detailed (1280x800).

OK, thanks! Seeing as no store around me carries these monitors, I can only rely on the info I get from current owners.

undertone · 5th November 2007, 06:28 PM

OK! Just got myself one these LP3065's used without a CD: can anyone tell me if there's anything important on the CD's? I downloaded the drivers, but from what I can see, all image adjustments are to be made from the graphic card drivers, right? The detail is great, but I can see going for a 36" with the same res... it never ends :)

fastonkeys · 8th November 2007, 04:59 PM

Sorry guys.. re: repeat request for pics.... I would have already uploaded some but the forum has pretty significant size limits on it. If anyone wants to see my configuration, pm me your email.

Summary:

Two HP 30" LCDs in "dual head" configuration, "floated" above my mixer at just the right distance from the mix position.

I used commercial grade mounting gear from Ergotron; not cheap, but very worth while. The command post is mounted into the floor and the monitors are supported by the HD45 arm. Rock solid and all the wires 100% concealed.

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22nd October 2007, 03:00 AM	#1
fastonkeys Gear Head Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 38	Initial report on HP LP3065 30" LCD in dual head configuration This was one of those purchases I kept putting off, but the $100 rebate per LCD thru 31 Oct finally enticed me to upgrade from my previous dual head setup (2 Sony SDM-P234 23" wide screens). All I can say is WOW... The 2560x1600/1000:1 contrast ratio resolution on a 30" display is really something.. and having this in a dual-head configuration pretty much allows me to fit everything now without any need to horizontally or vertically scroll. I have these monitors suspended/floated over my mixing board resulting in approx 3.5' viewing distance from where I sit. At first, I thought this would be a problem at 2560x1600 (the most I could tolerate on the Sony's was 1600x1200) but the resolution is so clean & precise that I can clearly see every detail from this distance - amazing. As you probably know, these are essentially the same spec as the Apple 30" cinema display, but they cost less and run dead-silent. The other factor is that each display supports 3 DVI-D inputs! Very cool. Definitely one of those purchases that has me asking... why I didn't I do this sooner!? If anyone is interested in some pics to get a feel for the size and real-estate let me know. HP is providing a $100 per monitor rebate (thru authorized resellers) thru the end of the month.

27th October 2007, 10:31 AM	#9
matucha Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 1,931	Well for the price of 30" you can buy at least 3x22" or more. But those are mostly lowly TN panels that can or not bother you. I went with 30" HP too and I'm very satisfied, it is just another world. It is not 100% quiet, actually it is making hi-freq noises on the back side, but it can't be heard from the viewer position = works for me. undertone: the graphics card have to scale the images, it needs to have dual-link DVI ports too. But then it is no problem at all, it will display whatever resolution you like. And if you're concerned with games, this monitor is so big, that you can run things in 1/2 resolution without bluring the image and it is still quite detailed (1280x800). __________________ Matous Godik

27th October 2007, 03:43 PM	#10
beau_mckee Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 240	Please post pics! i own a 22"but i'm thinking to donate to my sister :-) __________________ www.myspace.com/closureinmoscow

27th October 2007, 03:55 PM	#11
True North Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada) Posts: 2,307	It is amazing how far down in price these things have come You can get the Dell for about $1199 They have the 30" HP on Ebay for $999 Buy it now, and a starting price of $899 !! WOW Where on earth did you fit two 30" monitors - between my monitors and my screen I have no room left oh....and one more thing, pics please __________________ "In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey" - Beck, Loser "I do use compressors/limiters but not for controlling dynamics, I use EQ for that!" Jp22 (damn I miss him) "Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -- Will Durant, historian (1885-1981) "I try to get a boom out of the bass drum, in one of my albums, my CD, boom, I try to get that big boom, I could not get a big boom, I paid bucks, and could not get the boom" - Recording Expert, Tad Donley

22nd October 2007, 03:10 AM	#2
shanabit Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 897	Didi you go with ONE or TWO?

22nd October 2007, 03:19 AM	#3
fastonkeys Gear Head Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 38	I "manned up" and went for two!

22nd October 2007, 03:26 AM	#5
shanabit Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 897	No pics yet?

22nd October 2007, 03:29 AM	#6
tsvisser Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NYC and HI Posts: 574	I like using a single 30" over 2 23" for sure. My one problem with dual monitors is that you have a bezel right in front of you. I like to have a monitor straight ahead of me. I can see that where using it as primarily a DAW interface, this won't be so much of a problem, but if you have to use your machine as a general purpose platform too, its gotta be 1 or 3 monitors for me, and I can't afford the 3 monitor setup just yet.

22nd October 2007, 03:37 AM	#7
fastonkeys Gear Head Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 38	I agree; having gone thru this, I would attest that one 30" running at 2560x1600 is much better than a dual-head 23" setup. I probably would have been ok with just one 30" display, but I'm not apologizing (to the wife unit) for buying two!

27th October 2007, 04:27 AM	#8
undertone Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 52	A bit late to this party, but I was wondering something about the resolutions available on the current crop of 30" monitors. Other than the recent Gateway 30" that has multiple inputs as well as OSD and upscaling to 2560x1600, for all the "older" models (except for the Apple 30") my understanding is that they have ONE resolution at which they work (the native 2560x1600) and no other. Which means that if a video device can't provide that res, you're SOL and your screen is dark. Right? IF this is true, then all upscaling of lower resolution material must be done by the graphics card (while outputting 2560x1600). When a video is watched fullscreen, I assume the video will get upscaled by the video card, correct? But what about a game? If a game can't provide 2560x1600, can that get upscaled by the video card? My understanding is that the video resolution for a game is set in hardware which in this case means it won't work unless the game can provide 2560x1600 of res, correct? BTW, I assume downscaling is no problem? What happens when you boot? Do you see the lo-res bios information? Or does the screen stay black till you hit the logon screen or desktop? I'm just trying to get a grip on what it means not to have onboard video signal processing. These 30-inchers are dropping in price probably because their replacements, with more generous inputs and video processing are around the corner; some good deals to be had on the older ones. TIA

5th November 2007, 06:28 PM	#13
undertone Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 52	OK! Just got myself one these LP3065's used without a CD: can anyone tell me if there's anything important on the CD's? I downloaded the drivers, but from what I can see, all image adjustments are to be made from the graphic card drivers, right? The detail is great, but I can see going for a 36" with the same res... it never ends :)

8th November 2007, 04:59 PM	#14
fastonkeys Gear Head Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 38	Sorry guys.. re: repeat request for pics.... I would have already uploaded some but the forum has pretty significant size limits on it. If anyone wants to see my configuration, pm me your email. Summary: Two HP 30" LCDs in "dual head" configuration, "floated" above my mixer at just the right distance from the mix position. I used commercial grade mounting gear from Ergotron; not cheap, but very worth while. The command post is mounted into the floor and the monitors are supported by the HD45 arm. Rock solid and all the wires 100% concealed.

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