Are 17" LCDs Dead?

ViewSonic VP171s: A Very TN-Style Delivery

Unfortunately, the first test is fatal for the VP171s. Color rendering is only what you'd expect from a TN.

It's not fabulous, as you can see.

Black level is nothing out of the ordinary, but it's still the most interesting of this comparison despite all that. Brightness is well controlled.

Contrast, however, is not the most stable we've come across.

Optimum contrast is obtained at 80% brightness, which is in fact bright enough. Extending beyond this point degrades the contrast. This drop in contrast is not too bad unless you set it below a brightness of 40%.