When first introduced, LCDs were much more expensive than cathode ray (CRT) monitors with similar screen sizes. Now, LCD prices are lower than ever (though not quite as cheap as CRT). Many makers have discontinued their CRT products and here is a huge range of LCDs on the market.
The biggest single advantage of LCD is its tiny footprint. LCDs are quite slim, front to back, while a CRT with similar screen size is many times deeper. The surround around the display area is also much slimmer than on most CRTs. The elegant appearance allows LCDs to be located in almost any room and fit on shallow desks. Other advantages include lower power consumption and reduced electromagnetic radiation.
Early LCDs did have some disadvantages. Their colour was not as accurate as CRTs, while colour saturation and contrast were lower - all very important issues for photographers. Slow response times meant that fast-moving games or DVDs were blurred. Recent LCDs have dramatically improved, though CRT is still the king in both these areas.
Resolution is another issue. A LCD has a fixed native resolution set by the number of pixels in the display. It can’t display a higher resolution, and image quality at lower resolutions is often quite poor. CRTs have a wide range of resolutions, all with good image quality, and their top resolution is higher than LCD.
LCD and CRT monitors compare sizes slightly differently. Both measure the diagonal of the display. However, LCD measurements are the full ewable area, while CRT measures the size of the tube and the viewable area is slightly smaller.
CRTs use a VGA connection to the computer. All LCDs also offer VGA, although many also offer DVI. When using a VGA connection with a LCD, the image has to be converted from digital to analogue by the computer, and back from analogue to digital by the monitor, with a slight loss of image quality. DVI is digital all the way, giving better image quality, particularly for text. To use DVI, your computer must have a DVI connector.
Traditional computer monitors had a 4x3 aspect ratio, as do many LCDs. Some LCDs are widescreen. 4x3 is great for general use. Widescreen’s big advantage is for watching DVDs, though the wider but shorter image is not as convenient when working with documents. A small warning about widescreen: Many older computers don’t support widescreen resolutions. If you’re thinking widescreen, carefully check that your computer and its video board support the monitor’s resolution.
One problem with LCDs is defective pixels. LCD panels are very difficult to make. A 1280x1024 panel has nearly four million sub-pixels and a transistor for each sub-pixel. If a transistor is faulty, the pixel will be either always on, or always off. It it’s always on, the sub-pixel will be constantly bright (sometimes called “stuck”). If it’s always off, the sub-pixel is always dark (sometimes called “dead”). Either way it’s very distracting.
Every maker has a different warranty policy for defective pixels, usually more enerous at the premium end of their range. However, most do replace monitors which have pixel defects immediately after purchase - though often only for periods as short as seven days. Immediately after delivery, check the monitor for defective pixels and take it back straight away if any are found.
HOW WE TESTED
We connected each monitor to our test computer. We compared the image quality to our normal LCD and to the other monitors in the test. We found very similar rightness and colour accuracy in all the monitors. Sharpness is governed by the number of pixels and this was almost identical for all monitors. All had response times between ms and 8ms – okay for movies, just okay for action games.
WIDESCREEN ASUS VW192T
The ASUS VW192T is an elegant widescreen monitor with a dark coloured surround. Image quality is sharp, clear and attractive. All control buttons are in a row under the bottom right corner of the display screen. Control labels are clearly printed in white on the black background. While in a smallish type size, they are easy to read.
The monitor can be tilted, however there is no height adjustment. Resolution is 1440x900, while response time is 5ms. Video interfaces are VGA and DVI. An Audio In connector and built-in speakers are very useful when watching DVDs. Bundled cables are VGA, DVI and audio.Asus’ defective pixel policy is seven-day zero bright subpixels, otherwise a maximum of three bright or five dark sub-pixels.
RRP: $449 inc. GST
Site: www.asus.net.nz
Pros: Attractive appearance, convenient controls, good image quality
Cons: No height adjustment
Verdict: An elegant widescreen monitor, suitable for any room.
TESTED & RATED prices listed as RRP are those recommended by the distributor. You will save by shopping around. Check warranty details carefully. NetGuide is not responsible for changes in availability or pricing.
MID-RANGE
PHILIPS 190S7FS/75
The Philips 190S7FS/75 has a 4x3 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1280x1024. Response time is 8ms. Image quality is very good. The silver surround is a bit chunky but not unattractive. Control buttons are midway along the lower edge of the surround. Button labels are printed on the front of each button in a contrasting colour, though type size is small. The buttons and menus are intuitive and easy to use. The foot is attached to the stand at the factory and only has to be swivelled into place when the monitor is unpacked. The monitor can tilt, but there is no height adjustment.
Interfaces are VGA and DVI. A VGA cable is included. A DVI cable is not included. There is no built-in audio. Philip’s pixel defect policy is three bright or five dark. There is no initial zero defect policy.
RRP: $520 inc. GST
Site: www.philips.co.nz
Pros: Strong and stable stand, good image quality
Cons: No DVI cable, no audio
Verdict: A typical mid-range LCD
BENQ FP92W
The BENQ FP92W is a widescreen monitor with resolution of 1440x900. Response time is 5ms. Image quality is sharp and clear with good colour rendition. The screen surround is silver and slightly chunky in appearance, though not unattractive. All control buttons are on the left-hand end of the monitor, rather than on the front. All are clearly labelled with black type on the silver background. It’s possible to find a button by touch, but to read a label it’s necessary to lean around to see the end of the monitor. The onscreen display is easy to use. The monitor can be tilted, however there is no height adjustment. The foot must be clipped onto the stand during installation, although this is quite a simple task. Interfaces are VGA and DVD. There is no built-in audio. A VGA cable is included, but a DVI cable is optional.
NZ approx. price: $430
Site: www.benq.com
Pros: Good image quality, DVI and VGA
Cons: Controls on left end, no audio
Verdict: A good monitor for normal use, but no audio for games and DVDs.
PREMIUM
SAMSUNG SYNCMASTER 940B
The Samsung Syncmaster 940B is a premium unit with features not found on any of the other units tested. It’s the only unit with height adjustment. It’s the only unit with a turntable under the foot to make it easy to turn the unit in any direction. It’s the only unit that can rotate from portrait to landscape mode; great when working on text documents or editing large portrait-mode pictures. No assembly is required after unpacking: just plug it in, turn it on and load drivers for the portrait/landscape mode.
Image quality is very good. Aspect ratio is 4x3, with the usual resolution of 1280x1024. Response time is 8ms. Interfaces are VGA and DVI, with cables for both ncluded in the box. There are no built-in speakers. All the control buttons are clearly labelled in a contrasting colour to background. The 940B has the best pixel defect policy of all units tested - zero bright or dark dots for the duration of warranty.
RRP: $549 inc. GST
Site: www.samsung.com.au
Pros: Excellent defective pixel policy. Portrait and landscape VGA and DVI
Cons: No audio
Verdict: Full features and good value.
ALSO AVAILABLE
The ViewSonic VG2030wm 20-inch LCD monitor is aimed at multimedia and graphic professionals. It features an ultra fast response time of 5ms and frame rates up to 200fps (frames per second), enabling digital HD broadcast-quality full motion video. The screen incorporates a high 1680x1050 resolution for increased clarity and clearer details, as well as high brightness, an anti-glare panel surface, a widescreen ratio of 16:10 (good for viewing multiple document windows) and HD format video, ideal for multimedia files. The monitor supports both analogue and digital video input, connecting to numerous multimedia playing devices and displaying both analogue and digital signals for minimal adjustment between technologies.
RRP: $499
www.viewsonic.com.au
NOT TESTED
The LG Flatron L19535 19-inch LCD monitor delivers an ultra fast response time of 5ms in a modern narrow-bezel design. It is ideal for mobile imaging in TV, film, gaming, pictures and animation. Resolution is 1280x1024. The Auto Adjustment feature automatically sets image position, phase and pitch, and it supports Windows Plug and Play.
RRP: $399 ex. GST
www.flatron.co.nz
JARGON BUSTERS
Pixel – A group of three coloured dots (one each of red, green and blue).
Sub-pixel – One dot in a pixel.
LCD – Liquid Crystal Display. A thin screen display technology.
Stuck or bright dot – Sub-pixel always on.
Dead or dark dot – Sub-pixel always off.
DVI – Digital Video Interface. Digital connection for the cable to the computer.
VGA – Video Graphics Array. Analogue connection for cable to computer. Aspect ratio – Ratio of width to height of display. Traditional monitors have a 4x3 aspect ratio. Widescreens are typically 16x10. Resolution – Number of pixels in display. Expressed as width then height.
CRT – Cathode Ray Tube. Traditional TV and monitor technology.
Response times – Time in milliseconds (ms) for a pixel to go from black to white.