A Guide to Choosing the Right 19" LCD Monitor - 7 Models Reviewed
by Kristopher Kubicki on November 30, 2004 12:04 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
ViewSonic Q190MB
Rounding up our 19" battleground, we have the entry level ViewSonic Q190MB. It's been a while since we had the opportunity to check out any ViewSonic LCDs, but we saw one of ViewSonic's Optiquest "budget" LCDs on sale and figured that we had to give it a shot.
ViewSonic's Q190MB sports another very plain design, but there's more to a monitor than just what the bezel looks like.
| ViewSonic Q190MB | |
| LCD | 19" SXGA LCD (Active Matrix) pixel pitch: 0.294mm Anti-glare coating |
| Scanning Frequency | Horizontal: 31-80kHz Vertical: 56-76Hz |
| Response Time | 25ms (Typical) |
| Contrast Ratio | 700:1 (Typical) |
| Compatibility | 1280 x 1024 (Native) |
| Brightness | 250 cd/m2 |
| Viewing Angle | 170 / 170 (Horizontal / Vertical) |
| Power | Working: 55W |
| Warranty | 3 years parts and labor |
| Interface | DVI 15-pin D-sub |
ViewSonic's claim of a 700:1 contrast ratio seems a bit high, but as we mentioned in the previous pages, contrast ratios are not very good specifications to measure a monitor's performance, since they are measured inconsistently. Looking a little closer, the Q190MB seems almost identical to our NuTech L921G, albeit with a higher price tag. It is our expectation that the two monitors will perform nearly identical, but we have been fooled before.
ViewSonic doesn't have a very fancy user interface or ergonomic control, but menus were easy to navigate and manage. The Q190MB doesn't have all the features of the VX or VG series monitors, but the panel used in the monitor construction is slightly better. It's a surprise that this monitor is geared as an entry level unit.
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archcommus87 - Saturday, December 4, 2004 - link
Additionally, what are your thoughts on response time? I see that many of the monitors reviewed here are 20-25 ms monitors, however so many people claim that anything over 16 is simply unacceptable for gaming. Is this true or would 25 be plenty fine?archcommus87 - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
So SOME out there are actually 4:3 physicall. How do you know which ones? They do list l x w x h, but I'm assuming that includes base. So you must read a review or physically measure it yourself to know this?Kristopher: What is your opinion on the quality of the image when it is upscaled in such a way, say trying to run a game at 10x7 on a 19" 1280x1024 monitor.
GOSHARKS - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
KristopherKubicki, that may be the case with some models - BUT you imply that ALL 17-19" LCDs that are 5:4 in resolution are in reality 4:3 physically, which is incorrect and confusing for people reading your review."Most 19" and 17" LCDs have an aspect ratio of 5:4 (1280x1024). This is OK, but you're looking at a 5:4 signal crammed in a 4:3 box."
KristopherKubicki - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
archcommus87: LCDs will naturally interpolate pixels if you choose a non-native resolution. Only a few monitors will scale the image down to the correct pixel size (ie the Samsung 192T). Of course, if you do that you just turned your 19" LCD into a 17" one.Kristopher
KristopherKubicki - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
GOSHARKS: As i stated above in the comment addressed to #14, there are LCDs that are not the correct aspect ratio. A few viewsonic models come to mind. That was the only thing I was addressing in the aspect ratio portion of the guide.Kristopher
KristopherKubicki - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
Peter: For these LCDs you are correct, they are all the correct aspect ratio. However, we have looked at 17" and 19" pannels in the past that are 4:3 (and not surprisingly they did not get good reviews).Kristopher
archcommus87 - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
Are the options presented thus far really the only options for running games at resolutions other than native? If so how could anyone want an LCD for gaming? Unless you're positive you'll always have a beefy enough computer to run games at 1280x1024 or higher. Or unless you don't mind playing the game with black around all sides.vailr - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
No information as to "color accuracy". Maybe this device would be useful?****************************
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Peter - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
Or does the Anandtech high-tech lab not feature such an old fashioned tool like a wooden stick with a scale on it?http://emoties.murphology.com/strips/displayimage....
Peter - Friday, December 3, 2004 - link
... and I had said exactly that in #14 already. No correction so far? Boo...