22 inch LCD monitors: the 3rd wave! (page 7: Viewing angles, rendering in movies)

Viewing angles

We take pictures of the monitors from a 50° angle from all sides. The claimed viewing angles in a product’s characteristics are often exaggerated especially for TN screens.

There are three types of technologies to choose from: TN, MVA and PVA, the last two being closely related. We could also add ASV – a variation of MVA from Sharp, in decline which we really only find in TVs.

First of all, lateral viewing angles with IPS technology are by far the best. If this is the most important criteria for you, this is the type of screen you need. In second place comes the 245B, a TN panel. In the past (2 years ago), TNs were rather catastrophic from the side angles. Now, it is possible for several people to share a screen, even if they aren’t perfectly in front of it. Finally, we have the PVAs and MVAs, which are more or less equivalent. Beyond 40° from both sides, there is a loss of contrast, which however isn’t too extreme. In fact, there are only really problems when looked from below.

Vertical viewing angles : The IPS screen always offers an image that is almost perfect at 50° and even beyond. In this area, other technologies are largely inferior. The PVAs are behind with a rather abrupt loss of contrast with an image that is still visible though not as flattering (black is more gray, white is pale, loss of depth). It’s the same but even more sudden with MVA panels. Finally, we have the TN screen. From above, the image loses all of its contrast. From below, it turns black. This complicates things when you want to use this screen as a TV and depending on the size of viewers, the monitor may have to be inclined.

TN 2 ms : Asus PG221

TN 5 ms : Belinea 2230 S1W

TN 2 ms : Iiyama ProLite E2201W

TN 2 ms : LG Flatron L226WTQ

TN 5 ms : Nec LCD225WXM

TN 5 ms : Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW S

TN 5 ms : Samsung SyncMaster 225UW

TN 2 ms : Samsung SyncMaster 226CW

TN 5 ms : ViewSonic VX2255wmb

You should not be surprised as all of these 22’’s darken when seen from below. Note that the loss of contrast from the sides is the quickest for the Iiyama.

A complete viewing angle test was not carried out on the 2232BW C series due to a lack of time. However, a quick visual assessment suggests it is equivalent to the S version.

Rendering in movies

wide screen 22 inch monitors: we understand if this characteristic entices you to display movies on these screens. Either way, you will need to back up because no screen in this or any other diagonal size currently integrates a scaler or image correction circuitry. For this you will have to rely on the options offered by graphic (which you can find more information about in this article ATI and NVIDIA correct the twinkling effect of LCDs in movies ).

It’s a different case if you connect the screen to a DVD/HD player. There can rescaling problems and different quality in 1080p and 720p, not necessarily with an advantage for the 1080. We are starting to find special options for this on certain 24 inch products and there is one 22 inch, the Asus PG221, which offers this function. The last menu has the choice of a 4/3 or 16/9 mode, and therefore displays black bands above and below the image instead of a systematic and problematic rescaling. This should be of special interest to those equipped with older generation game consoles such as the first Xbox and PS2. The latest game consoles are in 16/9 format which is well supported by all 22 inch monitors with a slight but negligible vertical scaling. Just verify the HDCP compatibility of the monitor if you have a PS3. Otherwise, you will have a black screen (on the DVI and HDMI connections) !