The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    XBRITE-FullHD vs. XBRITE-ECO

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by kingjain, Sep 18, 2009.

  1. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I was doing some reading, and it seems like a lot of people are saying it is worth the upgrade to FulHD. It ends up being $150 more, is it really worth it? I just thought it was resolution that you won't even be able to tell the difference. Apparently it has better colors and stuff.
     
    kingjain, Sep 18, 2009
    #1
  2. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    You won't be able to tell the difference unless your content is HD. If you know you'll never watch it or don't intend to, you don't need to spend the extra money. However, as far as I'm concerned, HD is the future, so if you order a laptop without it, you will be limited in your ability to view higher resolution content.

    This is only an issue, if you intend to use your laptop in a multimedia application, otherwise, save the money.
     
    Krane, Sep 18, 2009
    #2
  3. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Well I do plan to view hd content. It can still play 720p and output 1080p i think. If I were to pop a blue-ray in there, will the 1080 really make it look any better on a 16 in screen? Also, I heard colors and contrast was better on the 1080 because of dual lamps, is this true?

    will i feel pain coming from my 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)?
     
    kingjain, Sep 18, 2009
    #3
  4. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Like I said in the other thread, it depends on whether you can tell the difference between average and high contrast. Many people can't.

    The ECO screen is basically a fine screen for watching movies and playing games. The dual lamp Full HD screen has much better black levels, contrast and color accuracy.

    In contrast levels your HP screen will be close to the Sony Full HD. But the Sony Full HD is much brighter. In brightness your HP screen will be similar to the ECO screen.

    All these screens are measured on Notebookjournal.de

    You seem to forget that there is a large quality difference between them, mainly caused by the fact that the ECO screen is a single lamp display, the Full HD is dual lamp.
     
    Phil, Sep 19, 2009
    #4
  5. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    well thats okay then, i just didnt want some crappy screen. I am picky when it comes to sound and audio, but i guess i can bare it for $150. :D

    i searched notebookjournal.de for screens and could not find it. link please?

    thanks.
     
    kingjain, Sep 19, 2009
    #5
  6. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Not at all. It's just that answering a question with as many nuances as this one can be a difficult endeavour.
     
    Krane, Sep 19, 2009
    #6
  7. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    ECO
    http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/inspection/sony-vaio-vgn-fw41-e-h-933

    Full HD
    http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/inspection/notebook-review-sony-vaio-fw31zj-860

    HDX16
    http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/inspection/hp-pavilion-hdx16-1060-700
     
    Phil, Sep 19, 2009
    #7
  8. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    kingjain, Sep 19, 2009
    #8
  9. iGrim

    iGrim Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    47
    Messages:
    380
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    16:9 screen is a DOWNgrade.
     
    iGrim, Sep 19, 2009
    #9
  10. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    eco is 16:9 as well....right?

    the diff is the dual lamps = better backlight, color contrast, etc.
     
    kingjain, Sep 19, 2009
    #10
  11. iGrim

    iGrim Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    47
    Messages:
    380
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    eco is simply a screen with one lamp. It is not an aspect ratio. At any rate any "HD" resolution is a downgrade due to 16:9 aspect ratio. I would avoid it at all costs.
     
    iGrim, Sep 19, 2009
    #11
  12. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Yes they're all 16:9.

    iGrim doesn't like 16:9 screens but it's the only option for Sony FW.
     
    Phil, Sep 19, 2009
    #12
  13. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    its the only option for most computers no?

    16:9 gives the looks, the mf are all crooks
     
    kingjain, Sep 19, 2009
    #13
  14. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Yes most consumer computers, nearly all, are moving to 16:9.
     
    Phil, Sep 19, 2009
    #14
  15. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    so bottom line, to close this story, is it fair to say the eco is just fine, and looks good, but if you were to put it side by side with a fullhd it would be blown to bits?

    hehe thanks for your input, you have helped a lot the past month or so! :)
     
    kingjain, Sep 19, 2009
    #15
  16. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    As I said before, not everyone is able to distinguish between mediocre contrast and excellent contrast.

    Some people think their ECO screen looks great, some gladly pay more for a higher quality screen.

    The ECO screen is comparable to screens you'd find on average Acer or Asus laptops.
     
    Phil, Sep 19, 2009
    #16
  17. TwiztidKidd

    TwiztidKidd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    372
    Messages:
    484
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I'd also take into consideration the viewing angle when choosing an LCD display.
     
    TwiztidKidd, Sep 19, 2009
    #17
  18. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    ive heard mixed things regarding viewing angle. some say its excellent, some say its terrible.
     
    kingjain, Sep 19, 2009
    #18
  19. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    ECO screen has a narrow viewing angle, typical like you'd find on most laptops screens.

    The Full HD screen does slightly better. But it is still a TN panel.
     
    Phil, Sep 19, 2009
    #19
  20. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    yeah, viewing angle isnt a big deal for me, well not as much as colors and detail.
     
    kingjain, Sep 19, 2009
    #20
  21. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    That's because most detractors don't understand the nature of viewing angle vs distance. From a general understanding of monitors, ALL LCDs have narrow viewing angles. However that's only when compared to all types of monitors in the market. As well, it's only an issue when you're talking about large LCD panels used for viewing tv and movies.

    In the case of laptop monitors, the distance from the monitor to the viewer is measured in inches not feet, therefore, the narrow(er) viewing angle would be insignificant. Still, some people make more of it than I think they should.
     
    Krane, Sep 19, 2009
    #21
  22. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    aren't sony's screens better in general? so by getting the xbrite-eco, aren't you still at an advantage?

    for example, if you were to by the standard monitor on an HP or Toshiba, etc, won't the sony's standard be better?
     
    kingjain, Sep 20, 2009
    #22
  23. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    No, the ECO screen is just an average laptop screen. You can see the measurements on the previous page.
     
    Phil, Sep 20, 2009
    #23
  24. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    grrr...i wish they didnt make you do that stupid 1gb gpu upgrade.
     
    kingjain, Sep 20, 2009
    #24
  25. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Many people are satisfied with an average screen though.
     
    Phil, Sep 20, 2009
    #25
  26. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    yeah I am sure it will be fine. i am picky about sound and video quality though. like i said before, I do not think I will see the difference unless I have my computer beside a fullhd at the same time.

    I can always hook it up to a 26 incher at home and get full 1080p out of it. ;D
     
    kingjain, Sep 20, 2009
    #26
  27. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    kingjain, Sep 20, 2009
    #27
  28. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    706
    Messages:
    4,653
    Likes Received:
    108
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Yes, but unlikely it will be worth it unless the machine is brand new. Think about it like this, people have upgraded car engines too, but would you want to do something like that in a new laptop? Laptop computers are not designed for easy screen upgrades. That's the one thing you need to get right when you make the purchase.
     
    Krane, Sep 20, 2009
    #28
  29. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    kingjain try searching for other sellers than Sonystyle. Sonystyle is usually over priced. Good deals for FW can be found on Google shopping and Pricegrabber.
     
    Phil, Sep 21, 2009
    #29
  30. kingjain

    kingjain Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    actually i got a killer deal from sonystyle.

    Component: 16.4" widescreen with XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology (1600x900)
    Component: 320GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
    Component: Standard Capacity Battery
    Component: WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
    Component: ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD4650 graphics card with 512MB vRAM-good for games and movies
    Component: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz)
    Component: No additional Video Editing Software
    Component: Blu-ray Disc™ playback (Reg. Price $80.00)
    Component: Black
    Component: Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit
    Component: 4GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GBx2


    $850 USD

    what i do want to know is where i can get a standard high capacity battery for cheaper than $215. I dont get why they make batteries so expensive!!
     
    kingjain, Sep 21, 2009
    #30
  31. Phil

    Phil Retired

    Reputations:
    4,415
    Messages:
    17,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Ebay is good for batteries.
     
    Phil, Sep 21, 2009
    #31