ViewSonic
VX2336S-LED
Ratings:
5/5
Price: $188
Website:
www.dabs.com
ViewSonic VX2336S-LED
22inch
panels have just become the standard for computer’s basic users but the release
of VX2336S-LED IPS from ViewSonic has marked the
point where previous generation’s entry-level monitors turn obsolete.
It’s still
a low-price monitor illustrated by a plastic design plus VGA and DVI inputs but
it supports HDVP over DVI so you are able to watch copyrighted movies like
Blu-ray. However, it lacks an adjustable stand and speakers.
The things
it does have are superb visual quality with no change in menu and setting. We
did turn it up, reset the system and ran our calibration software. It was
surprising that there was not much difference between the default output and
the adjusted one. The software also reported a 97% match with sRGB.
The result
was unexpected. For example, flesh tones, in Casino Royal, were actually
modified to be warmer yet we just had to look at either the luxuriant grass or
the attractively azure ocean to distinguish what were real and what weren’t.
Meanwhile,
the improved contrast is one of IPS’s attractions; enhanced color depth really
adds more to the images and increased its own contrast. With numerous colors
used, the monitor can display finer details than other ones which seem
saturated with a single color.
One
downside of IPS is the response time but it has been improved recently and we
didn’t find any problem playing Crysis. We did notice
a remarkable enhancement in the scenes. Deep shadows in the jungle were offset
by outstanding green of the foliage in the tropical sunlight. It’s better than
upgrading a graphic card.
If you’re
using monitor which size is less than 22inch or it’s over 2 years old, you
should upgrade to VX2336s-LED. Unless you desire an adjustable stand, HDMI
input or 120Hz support, VX2336s-LED is worth your choice.
Overviews
Consideration: Accurate colors, excellent contrast
and surprisingly low price turn VX2336s-LED into a great deal.
23-inch
LCD widescreen:
1,920x1,080 resolution; inputs for VGA, DVI
AG Neovo L-W27
Ratings:
3/5
Price: $346
Website:
www.kikatek.co.uk
AG Neovo L-W27
L-W27 is a
LED backlit monitor with Full HD resolution and a choice of input for VGA, DVI
or HDMI. It also has a pair of 2W speakers. Though, that it has a TN panel is
very curious.
L-W27 is
made of glossy black plastic. Stand adjusting is limited to tilt and VESA case
means it can be wall-mounted.
Image
quality is not up to IPS panel’s standard. The color is weak with a tendency of
blues and greens. Our calibration tool reported an 87% match of sRGB and it increases reds to balance the colors.
Menu system
is quite simple but crude, controlled by 4 buttons below the screen. It’s odd
that the real menu button moves to the next section of the selected one. We
changed color temperature to User preset and adjust reds up to 100 when greens
and blues are relatively 85 and 90 in an attempt to match our calibration
tool’s closest result.
You can
adjust brightness and contrast and there’s one Eco mode for brightness
controlling. It also has an option, ACR, for dynamic contrast. Normally,
dynamic contrast causes distracting change in luminosity but here it does make
little difference. Besides, Color Boost section offers a choice for color
enhancement such as Nature Skin or Green Field yet we found the output colors
rather fake.
Despite our
criticism, colors are quite powerful and contrast is very impressive. Only In
comparison with an IPS screen, did we find colors saturated and contrast
reduced but L-W27 overall did impress. In Casino Royal, its displaying wet
tarmac in the airport’s night scene was convincing. Playing Crysis,
the jungle looked luxuriant and the beach was full of sunshine. Just when going
in to detail, we were able to find any difference.
With nearly
$346, L-W27 seems good value – until you consider HannsG’s
HL272HPB which owns nearly the same visual quality and feature yet costs less
$65. This makes the latter a better choice.
Overviews
Consideration: The model comes with various
inputs, a 3-year warranty and mediocre image quality but it’s a little
overpriced.
27-inch
LCD widescreen:
1,920x1,080 resolution; inputs for VGA, DVI, HDMI;
3.5mm audio socket.
Hannsg
HL272HPB
Ratings:
4/5
Price: $282
Website:
www.ebuyer.com
Hannsg HL272HPB
HannsG
HL272HPB comes with 27ich TN screen plus a 1920x1080 Full HD resolution and a
choice of inputs for analog and digital for just $282. It even has a 3-year
onsite guarantee.
The first
impression was good. It has a slim bezel and a glossy black stand. The curved
back consists of VESA mounts for wall-mounting and with the 46mm thickness it
has become one of the cheapest 27inch ones we’ve ever seen. Buttons for menu
are hung in the bottom right of the screen and marked by embossed icons
The basic
menu system offers brightness, contrast, ACR (a kind of dynamic contrast) and 4
presets. PC is the standard while Movie reduces brightness and boosts reds.
Game adds edge sharping effect which made Crysis look
like a cell-shaded cartoon. Eco simply dims backlight. Except for PC, other
presets disable all image control.
There’s
separate section for color controlling but it is limited by primary color’s
temperatures. These options are Cool, Nature, Warm and User, allowing you to
adjust reds, greens and blues separately. Our calibration software detected an
88% match with sRGB but we generally found colors
correct just not deep enough. For instance, in Casino Royal, colors of Le Chiffre’s black suit were washy, derived of sharpness and
definition.
It’s on a
par with TN monitors. Despite regular backlight, there’s much light bleeding,
which washes colors out and reduces blacks, limits contrast. The upside is
response time better than IPS’s one. This accelerates the game. In our tests,
however, we missed the contrast in recent IPS monitors we’ve viewed. In Crysis, the jungle wasn’t so lush and the beach didn’t
glitter with sunshine at all.
However,
you should think about its price. This 27inch screen provides simple controls
and accurate colors for just $282. You’re only missing out deeper contrast and
colors. If you desire the biggest screen for your money, HL272HPB is excellent
value and it wins our Budget Buy award.
Overviews
Consideration: The model may not produce either
the most accurate colors or the best contrast but it has a great choice of
input and a 3-year guarantee.
27-inch
LED widescreen:
1,920x1,080 resolution; inputs for VGA, DVI, HDMI; 3.5
line-in audio; headphone output
