Sony's SDM-M81 LCD is for graphics designers and business professionals who need high resolutions and vast amounts of screen real estate. If the AU$4,999.01 price tag doesn't scare you away (it shouldn't if you've seen prices for other 18-inch LCDs), and you're not using the monitor for video applications, then this monitor is a must-have. With a viewable area of 18.1 inches at a native resolution of 1,280x1,024, the M81's image is crisp and clear, taking up a fraction of the desk space of a 19-inch CRT with an equivalent viewing area.
Equipped for both analog and digital (DVI) input, the M81 is easy to set up in either mode. Two different test beds recognised the plug-and-play device instantly. An included calibration utility sets the pixel timing, brightness, and contrast levels using the straightforward menu system.
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You have to provide the digital cable yourself if you want to use the digital input--Sony includes only an analog cable. The built-in speakers are weak with virtually no bass, but sound aficionados know better than to expect much from monitor speakers anyway. The monitor does have a headphone jack and a line-in jack for connecting the monitor to your computer's sound card. You can attach the M81 to a mounting arm or a wall if you decide not to use the stand.
The M81 demonstrated essentially no ghosting or streaking with the standard battery of DisplayMate (Web site) tests. We noticed a barely perceptible loss of intensity in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen on some of the colour uniformity tests, but text as low as seven points was sharp. The saturation and degradation of both colour and greyscale was dead on. LCDs in general are still considered lacking when it comes to moving image quality, and unfortunately the M81 is no exception. A Braveheart DVD that looked great on a CRT exhibited the blurry pixel distortion typical of flat panel latency
Overall, the M81's image quality is exceptional in both analog and digital modes, as long as you're not planning on turning it into an entertainment centre. Setting up the display takes virtually no time and the large screen takes up very little space. If you need the room that an 18-inch screen affords, the Sony SDM-M81 is a great monitor at an aggressive price.
Sony SDM-M81
Company: Sony Australia
Price: AU$4,999.01
Distributor: Sony Style
Phone: 1800 017 669
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