17" LCD Part I: Six Sexy Panels

Features
By
published

Conclusion

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NameL712X-174TFT 7020PV 720a170B2MLM 1711
ManufacturerADIAG NeovoCompaqCTXPhilipsSolarism
Price in US $$659$917$820$685-$1099
TechnologyTN + FilmMVATN + FilmTN + FilmncIPS
Panel manufacturerCHI MEYFujitsuAcerAcerAcerSamsung
Response time40 ms25 ms25 ms45 ms40 ms40 ms
No of colors displayed16 million16 million16 million16 million16 million16 million
Contrast rate300 : 1400 : 1400 : 1350 : 1400 : 1400 : 1
Brightness250 cd/m²220 cd/m²250 cd/m²250 cd/m²250 cd/m²600 cd/m²
Vertical angle of vision110016001400115016001700
Horizontal angle of vision120016001500120016001700
Screen (diagonal measurement)17 inches17 inches17 inches17 inches17 inches17 inches
ConnectionVGA + S-VIDEO + DVIVGA + S-VIDEO + DVIVGA + DVIVGAAnalog + DigitalVGA + S-VIDEO + DVI
Integrated loudspeakersNoNoNoYesYesYes
Pivoting functionNoNoNoYesYesNo
Size (mm)486 x 479 x 214432 x 407 x 175436 x 424 x 178438 x 447 x 166414 x 406 x 180450 x 430 x 200
Weight6 Kg7 Kg6.5 Kg7.5 Kg7 Kg8.1 Kg

Six screens competed in Part I of this test. Of all the displays, Solarism was the only one that stood out from the rest. What it has going for it are bright, luminous colors that are unbelievably comfortable to use. On the other hand, the response time is rather poor, which limits its use for games such as Quake.

Next in line is the Philips screen with its exceptional ergonomics. Tied for third place are the ADI and CTX, two monitors without a particular defect except for a slight tendency to veer towards a dominant color. The CTX has a slight advantage in that the PV720a has a pivoting function.

The Compaq and NEOVO screens bring up the rear. Our opinion is that they are only good enough for office use in a corporate environment.

Vincent Alzieu