How we tested
Interoperability
How will the monitor work with your existing equipment; which connectors does it have?
Futureproofing
Does the monitor support emerging standards and different inputs? Will it look -old" very quicky?
ROI
Does the monitor provide good value for money and do the features justify the price?
Service
How long is the warranty and what is the vendor's policy on repairing the monitor if it has dead pixels?
We used DisplayMate for Windows Video Edition to adjust each monitor according to the application's instructions and patterns. Once setup was completed, we looked at subjective image samples, movie clips, and patterns to get a feel for the image quality and clarity. Our test rig stayed the same for all units, comprising of a Intel 875 mainboard and Pentium 4 3GHz CPU, 512MB DDR RAM,
As we said last month, if you are looking to upgrade from a CRT monitor to an LCD, particularly in the larger sizes, it's worth checking if your existing graphics card has a DVI port on it, or buying a graphics card that supports it. The difference in image reproduction on some monitors between the 15-pin D-Sub port and the DVI port is amazing; somewhere around a 10 to 15 percent improvement in visible image sharpness.
When buying an LCD monitor, look out for...
- Extra features that may suit your business, eg, S-video and composite inputs, TV tuners, widescreen panels, and features like the BenQ picture frame.
- If you are looking for superior picture quality in the office, then ensure that your PCs and LCD monitors have DVI interface.
- In-built speakers are a bonus on some models, particularly if you are aiming to reduce the desktop clutter around the office, but many offices may not need them.
- If your business plans to put these monitors in a stylish environment where clients could potentially see the rear of the units (eg, reception desks or customer service areas) then ensure that the cable routing is good and that there are no stickers or awkward styling on the rear casing.
- Company: Honest John's Realty. This real estate chain wants to install large LCD monitors for in-store displays and customer service environments.
Approximate budget:Â $4000 per monitor.
Requires:Â 25 LCD monitors.
Concerns:Â Image quality, impressive looks, and ease of adjustment are all important factors.
Best solution: The winner here is clearly the Eizo FlexScan L985EX: its functionality and configurability have been implemented impeccably; it would be very hard to find fault with this display.
Company: WhizBang Productions. This media production company wants to install 20in LCD monitors for its video and animation workstations.
Approximate budget:Â $3000 per monitor.
Requires:Â 5 LCD monitors.
Concerns:Â Suitability for graphics work is the most important consideration.
Best solution: The Samsung SyncMaster 213T is perfect for its sheer flexibility and presentation. The 16:9 format is perfect for media production and is the way of the future.
Editor's Choice: Eizo FlexScan L985EX, Samsung SyncMaster 213T
Eizo's FlexScan L985EX is a well-designed LCD monitor with impressive image quality and all the adjustments you could ask for. If nothing else, it has great show-off value, which can be very important in a customer service context. Samsung's SyncMaster 213T with its widescreen format and excellent picture is an ideal choice for media production or (dare we suggest) displaying DVDs in widescreen format. An object of desire, no doubt.
Final Words
If you are in the business of graphic art, design, marketing, or journalism, then the portrait/landscape swivel mounted displays would be well worth your consideration. Alternatively if you do a lot of digital image editing and you are tired of having to run dual displays, then the 20in and larger LCDs may have space for both your work and your palettes and tool windows. The 18in units are very hard to place, really. While obviously significantly cheaper than their 20in cousins and slightly more expensive than their 17in counterparts, they sort of fall into a black hole when the decision needs to be made which way to go. If you definitely need a larger-than-average display panel in your office, then it may be worthwhile in simply going the whole hog and getting a 20in panel. That way you will never need to wonder "What if... ?" That is, until the 30in units start to ship.
16:9 ratio on the Editors choice Samsung 213T ???
Did you even review these montiors? How you could get such a fundamental thing wrong is beyond me.