Installation, settings, inputs
Both screens only have analogical inputs (VGA or D-Sub 15 pins). A DVI input could have been an asset for the FP767-12. The DVI input avoids the synchronization phase between the clock and the screen. In practice the difference is limited and 98% of these synchronizations with the graphic card signal are made without any problems. From the first time you start your computer the screen image is sharp and has the right position.
Initiating the Mitsubishi screen has been more difficult. We couldn’t get a picture on the screen. First problem, in clone mode the graphic card could see the CRT screen on the main input. And second problem the screen LED was green meaning that the screen was switched on. With windows on the black CRT screen and on the LCD screen in clone mode we realised that the resolution and frequency parameters were abnormally high. Phone call to NEC to understand the failure, one question was enough to understand our issue: Is the graphic card in your computer a NVIDIA? Yes, I’m using a GeForce FX 5950 Ultra for my tests. Answer: this is a problem specific to these series, NVIDIA’s graphic cards formats these screens! And that isn’t a joke.
The problem happens with the DPro930SB, DPro930SB-BK and FP912SB series and all the GeForce 2, 3, 4 and FX graphic cards. When the computer is switched on, the graphic card starts communicating with the screen. The monitor Eeprom, a ROM memory (read only), send to the graphic card the VESA information: maximum resolution, screen refreshing rate, colorimetric etc. Here, this exchange doesn’t work. The graphic card set a frequency not compatible with the screen, 150 Hz in 1920 x 1440 pixels, and modifies the Eeprom information. This operation shouldn’t be possible. But Mitsubishi choose to use a rewrite instead of a ROM memory to simplify their production line. The same memory is used for several screen ranges. The only difference is the information included in the memory. NEC acknowledged that the problem was connected to their memory. However this problem only happened with NVIDIA’s graphic cards. Regardless of the problem origin, the screen needs to be changed and Nec-Mitsubishi’s technical help team come to your place to replace it. The screen new versions no longer have this problem.
With the new screen, we can pursue our tests. This time, the screen switches on. The standard picture setting is 17.3” wide. A couple of adjustments are required. It took us only one minute to get a nice picture (17.7”) without any obvious geometrical defaults. The OSD isn’t aesthetical but it is efficient. Now, the last parameter to adjust is the color.
So, for the installation process, the advantage goes to the BenQ screen. However it has to be said that the Mitsubishi screen is the first one that we met to have this Eeprom format problem. Usually the only parameter to adjust with CRT screens is the picture geometry.
