17" LCD Part V: Four Panels Compared

Conclusion

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NamePV 920Pro DviLCD71VMSyncMaster 172XVP171b
ManufacturerHerculesNecSamsungViewSonic
Price US $$549$490$599$550
TechnologyTN + FilmTN + FilmTN + FilmTN + Film
Panel ManufacturerHyDisLGSamsungAU Optronics
Response time20 ms16 ms16 ms16 ms
Resolution1280 x 10241280 x 10241280 x 10241280 x 1024
Contrast500 : 1450 : 1450 : 1500 : 1
Brightness230 cd/m²250 cd/m²250 cd/m²230 cd/m²
Viewing angle horizontal125°140°140°140°
Viewing angle vertical150°120°120°140°
Diagonal17 inch17 inch17 inch17 inch
ConnectivityDVID-SubD-Sub + DVID-Sub + DVI
Hub USBNoNoNoNo
Pivot functionNoNoNoYes
Dead pixels allowed33 white, 3 black ou 6 coloured103 white, 3 black ou 7 coloured
Gamewwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Colourwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Ergonomicswwwwwwwwwwwww

Before comparing monitors, this comparative study surveyed four panel makers: AU Optronics, HyDis, LG, and Samsung.

At the time of the Tom IV 17" Comparative, only AU and HyDis were on the screen. HyDis won.

The advent of two new challengers has changed nothing. HyDis is still the winner, despite its response time of only 20 ms compared to 16 ms for the others.

Once again, it's a landslide victory for the Hercules screen. This screen is even doubly attractive to look at: On the one hand, it has the best panel available, on the other hand its black metal casing is a model of elegance.

In conclusion, as we stressed heavily in the first pages of the article, do not rely on the response times claimed! Alluring features are not enough, you need to rely on the opinion of someone who has tested the screen - preferably your own opinion, if you are given the chance of testing the screen in the store. If you insist on testing the screen in the store, which is very important, you'll be able to check to see whether or not the screen contains dead pixels.