10 LCD Monitors Tested

We tested various LCD monitors based on the display quality, features and

price. We used a PC with Intel's Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz processor with Asus EAH4850

graphics card. To check for graphics capability, we connected all LCD monitors

to the DVI port of the graphics card to test all monitors. The RAM used was 1 GB

with 7200 rpm 120 GB HDD. Besides quality of picture, other criteria for

evaluation included stability of monitor, screen adjustment ability (height and

tilt angle), and efficiency of adjustment keys present on the panel.

For checking quality of display we used Displaymate benchmark, where we used

two relevant parts. First we used 'set up display' to calibrate monitors for

best possible display and then used 'Video obstacle course' that runs different

tests for known issues like banding, color regeneration, flicker, noise,

brightness level, focus, dot moire interference, dead pixels, etc. Two important

points to note here are that perfect uniform color regeneration is impossible

for any LCD and the best performance of an LCD can only be obtained at maximum

resolution supported.

As LCD monitors are popular for their lower power consumption, we tested

these monitors for minimum and maximum power consumption. To calculate maximum

power consumption we maximized brightness and contrast, plus kept the background

white. On the other hand, for the minimum power consumed, we checked the power

consumed by these monitors in sleep mode.

Below 7k

AOC 717Fwy



Max power consumed: 17 watts



Among all LCD monitors we tested in this shootout, this is the only one with

speakers in front and gives excellent sound audio quality similar to AOC 177Sa.

Design of this LCD is quite sturdy with glossy piano finish frame and round

base. Similar to AOC F19, this LCD monitor also comes with similar color OSD

menu and buttons which make navigation very simple even for a first time user.

The monitor comes with different modes of operation. If your work involves

working on different types of content like text, video, Internet, etc than these

modes can be used for better visual experiences. In our Displaymate Benchmark,

717Fwy's performance was average with visible flickers. With maximum supported

resolution at 1440 x 900 and response time of 5 ms this monitor can be good for

regular office work. To boost quality of display, 717Fwy comes with dynamic

color boost and dynamic contrast ratio of 5000:1. Maximum power consumed by the

monitor was almost same as consumed by LG W1742S which is excellent. Viewing

angle of this monitor is 160-150 degrees which again is good, but lower than LG

W1742S.

Bottomline: With sturdy and compact design and all the necessary

display features this one is good for regular office usage.

AOC 177Sa



Max power consumed: 26 watts



This was one of the few non wide screen monitors we received, and that is in

fact what catches your attention. The unit that we received has sturdy silver

frame with 'V' shaped base to give stability while working. One that stands out

in this LCD monitor is quality of sound from two appropriately hidden speakers

just below screen. On screen display (OSD) was simple to use with buttons

provided at bottom for easy access. Placement of head phone jack in front adds

to usability of this monitor. The maximum resolution supported by this monitor

is 1280x1024 ,with an excellent response time of 5 ms that reduces ghosting

effects. In Displaymate benchmarks, performance of AOC 177Sa was excellent

making it a good buy. This monitor gives a viewing angle of 160 degrees which is

excellent for any LCD. Other factors worth mentioning are include provision to

adjust height of monitors for better viewing, VESA mount ready and RoHS

compliance. Typical brightness provided by this unit was 300 candelas per square

meters which is again very good.

Bottomline: If wide screen is not a big issue for you then go for this

high performing LCD monitor with excellent in built speakers.

LG W1742S



Max power consumed:17 watts



This 17 inch anti-glare monitor comes with a black frame and a round base to

give ample stability. It stands out from amongst the rest due to the different

modes of operations it provides. By pressing the 'f-ENGINE' button below the

screen, one can choose between four different modes. The OSD menu is very simple

and elaborate. One can switch between widescreen and the 4:3 aspect ratio mode.

However, this monitor misses out on inbuilt speakers that could have added to

its multimedia capability. The performance of W1742S in Displaymate Benchmark

was amazing, making it a good buy if you dont want to compromise on display

quality. The maximum resolution supported by this monitor is 1440x900 with a

response time of 5 ms. The typical brightness supported by W1742S is 300 nits

with an 8000:1 contrast ratio, which means images are clearly displayed with

proper color display. The viewing angle of this monitor is excellent at 176/170

degrees, so you don't have to repeatedly adjust the screen position. But in case

one wants to tilt this monitor, it can only be done within a range of -5 to 20

degrees.

Bottomline: Excellent picture quality with different modes of

operations, make this versatile monitor perfect for office use.

Intex IT-1907W



Max power consumed: 33 watts



This monitor has a good looking glossy frame with trendy buttons and non

glossy screen. IT-1907W comes with round base stand that supports its bulky body

as lots of plastic is being used while designing rear side of this monitor. OSD

menu has all the important features but is a bit complicated to use. For

example, if you want to change from widescreen mode to normal 4:3 aspect ratio,

you have to press many buttons, as compared to LG monitor reviewed in this

shootout. Buttons, especially the power button is difficult to use though it

looks brilliant. This monitor comes with inbuilt speakers with average sound

quality. Power consumed by this monitor in our test was higher than AOC 177Sa

with similar feature and setup. Quality of display of this monitor, when tested

on Displaymate Benchmark was average with clear Moire Interference patterns.

This monitor supports maximum resolution of 1440 x 900 with response time of 5

ms which is excellent. Brightness supported by IT-1907W is 300 candelas per

square meter. The contrast ratio is 1000:1 which is quite low. Viewing angle

supported by this monitor is 160 degrees which is decent enough.

Bottomline: Being trendy in looks with all necessary features makes

this monitor a good buy for regular office work.

AOC 831S



Max power consumed: 18 watts



This along with AOC F19 were the only two 18.5 inch LCD monitors we reviewed

in this shootout. Similar to AOC F19, this one also comes with great design. AOC

831S has a wine glass type design with navigation keys for OSD menu hidden from

view just below screen. This monitor, similar to AOC F19 comes with different

modes of operation like text, Internet etc. Aspect ratio of this monitor can be

changed from 16:9 to conventional 4:3. OSD menu is same as that of AOC F19 and

AOC 717Fwy, but navigational buttons are different as explained above. One

important missing feature in this monitor is inbuilt speakers.

Power consumed by this monitor was very low when compared with AOC F19 with

similar screen size. In Displaymate Benchmarks This monitor performed similar to

AOC F19 which is good for regular usage in offices. Response time of this LCD

monitor is 5 ms with maximum resolution supported at 1366 x 768. Again similar

to AOC F19 and AOC 717Fwy, this monitor also comes with Dynamic Color Boost that

enhances display quality. Dynamic contrast ratio in this monitor is 10000:1

which is excellent, but its brightness which is 250 candelas per square meter is

lower than AOC F19.

Bottomline: Good display quality along with loads of display features

and 18.5” screen make this a good buy for people who want a reasonable display

area.

Above 7k

AOC F19



Max power consumed: 30 watts



Among all the LCD monitors we received, this one stands out in looks. It

comes with a photo frame design which adds grace to your desk. With white rear

and piano finish, it looks stunning and enables monitor to be rotated easily.

One can also tilt this monitor up to 15 degrees. Another feature of this monitor

is OSD menu. Buttons along with OSD menu will remind you of mobile phone you use

every day. Usage is quite simple. F19 similar to LG W1742S comes with different

modes of operation like text mode, Internet mode etc. Plus, one can change

aspect ratio from 16:9 to 4:3 with single button click. Inbuilt speakers are not

present in this monitor. This monitor comes with both DVI and D-sub connectors .

With a dynamic contrast ratio of 12000:1, F19 stands out from others in this

aspect. Brightness and response time are 300 candelas per square meter and 5 ms

respectively which is very good. To boost image display with five additional

natural color adjustments, F19 comes with Dynamic Color Boost feature. Maximum

resolution supported by this monitor stands at 1366 x 768 and when we tested it

with Displaymate Benchmark, results were good.

Bottomline: With all the display features plus stunning design, this

one is best for designers.

Samsung SyncMaster 2033sw



Max power consumed: 32 watts



This is the only 20” screen we tested in this LCD shootout and this monitor

with a glossy frame and a round stable base can prove to be a good buy for

designers or gamers. SyncMaster 2033sw has a neat OSD menu with navigation keys

on right hand side with all desired features. It comes with different modes of

operations like text, Internet, movies etc and also has the 'Color effect'

feature that adds four different color effects to the displayed picture. It

lacks inbuilt speakers which were present in other monitors we tested. The

SyncMaster 2033sw comes with both D-sub and DVI interference with HDCP similar

to AOC F19 and ViewSonic VX1962wm.

It has a dynamic contrast ratio of 15000:1, highest amongst all monitors we

tested. The maximum resolution supported by this LCD is 1600 x 900 along with 5

ms of response time. The viewing angle of 170/160 degrees is excellent, so you

do not need a regular readjustment of the screen position. The brightness

supported by SyncMaster 2033sw is 300 candelas per square meter which is again

pretty decent.

Bottomline: The screen size of 20” with plenty of display options,

make this monitor extremely useful for designers and gamers.

ViewSonic VX1962wm



Max power consumed: 34 watts



Among all monitors, this one came with the most stable stand for support. It

is robust in built, with a glossy frame, anti-glare screen and trendy design.

The quality of speakers are impressive, which are neatly hidden below the

screen. The buttons for OSD menu are well designed and hidden below with a

transparent power button, placed in front with blue LED light. Among the

monitors tested in this review, this monitor consumed the maximum power when

compared to others under similar conditions. It has both DVI and D-sub

connectors. The maximum resolution supported by this monitor is 1680 x 1050

which is perfect for HD content and a response time of 2 ms is least amongst all

monitors we reviewed in this shootout. These features make this monitor perfect

for designers and video editors as ghosting effects would be minimum. Other

noticeable features in VX1962 include a viewing angle of 170 degrees,

horizontally and 150 degrees, vertically. The brightness supported by this

monitor is 300 candelas per square meter with a contrast ratio of 6000:1 which

is low. The results in Displaymate Benchmark were pretty decent as well.

Bottomline: It can support resolutions upto 1689x1050 with a response

time of just 2 ms, making it perfect for designers and video editors.

PALAS 150PCUM



Max power consumed:14 watts



What makes this monitor different from all others is its touch screen

ability powered by the Microtouch Cleartek II Capacitive Touchscreen Sensor.

Installing this monitor requires loading drivers for touch screen capability

along with an extra USB cable connected between the monitor and the CPU. Once

you load drivers, one can calibrate sensitivity of touch using 'MT 7 Software

Control Panel'; just double click on 'Control Panel' and click on 'Calibrate'.

Other noticeable features include a wooden finish frame and stable square base.

However, it is bulky and the OSD menu, along with buttons on the left for

navigating to it, were not user-friendly. This monitor comes with different

modes of display i.e. text, movie etc. We set it to a resolution of 800 x 600

for checking touch capabilities though maximum resolution supported by this

monitor is 1024 x 768. In Displaymate Benchmark, the performance was average and

there was visible Moire interference pattern and flickers. The response time of

this monitor is 8 ms which is the highest among the monitors we tested. Also,

the power consumed by this monitor is high when compared to 15” Moserbaer MBI

TFT L5C.

Bottomline: The future of input is 'touch,' but its above average

price could be a deterrent.