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.