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At just over $900USD, for a 18.1" TFT LCD the CML181SXW has to be one of the most aggressive priced LCD's on the market today.
79% Rating: 
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Hitachi CML181SXW |
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TFT Display Evaluation Notes
| PCstats TFT Display Evaluation
Criteria: |
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We
evaluate the quality of TFT displays with the help of a program called
Nokia Monitor Test. The software application displays a range of colours
and test patterns that can help diagnose just about any visual problems or
defects a TFT display may contain.
It can also be a very useful tool for properly adjusting a display
to the optimal settings. The software consists of eleven tests which can
be run in steps as adjustments are made to the OSD. As the tests are run
we look for the following problems, only one of which should be inoperable
(broken pixel).
Broken Pixels: What we class as a 'broken pixel' can fall under any one
of the following circumstances: Pixel always on (any colour), pixel always
off, pixel unable to display a shade (red, green, blue, black, white),
pixel shown colour gradient. Pixel Clock: If the number of dot clocks within one horizontal synch
are not properly configured the screen will appear to drift or vertical
stripes may be generated. This should be correctable by the on screen
menu. Phase: If the phase of the display data and dot clock are not correctly
tuned the screen can flicker, or text be displayed blurry. For example
text may appear dithered, or when looking at a test pattern of a one-pixel
black, one-pixel white checkerboard pattern the pattern may be distorted.
This should be correctable by the on screen menu.
Response Time: We look for any streaking associated
with moving a full page of text up or down quickly. Displays with slower
refresh rates tend to show some degree of image streaking or text
discoloration which can be distracting.
Stand Stability: TFT displays are
fragile components and the stand should offer adequately stable support as
well as be easily adjustable. We deduct marks for quality control if there are any predominant
broken pixels
in a display. While many manufacturers may consider a few broken pixels
acceptable, we believe the high cost of TFT displays should translate into
a clear and unblemished image.
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| Display Test System
Configuration: |
| Video Card: |
ATI Radeon 8500 |
| Operating System: |
MS Windows 2000 |
| Display Settings: |
Color Temp: 6500 Kelvin
Resolution: 1280x1024
pixels
Frequency: 60Hz
Colour:
32 Bit | |
| Display
Resolutions: |
| Resolution |
Freq Hor. KHz |
Freq Ver. Hz |
Standard |
| 720X400 |
31.5 |
70 |
VGA |
| 640X350 |
31.5 |
70 |
VGA |
| 640x400 |
24.8 |
56 |
NEC |
| 640x400 |
31.5 |
70 |
VGA |
| 640x480 |
31.5 |
60 |
VGA |
| 640x480 |
37.5 |
75 |
VGA |
| 640x480 |
37.8 |
73 |
VESA |
| 640x480 |
35.0 |
66 |
APPLE |
| 832X624 |
49.7 |
75 |
APPLE |
| 800x600 |
46.8 |
75 |
VESA |
| 800x600 |
37.8 |
60 |
VESA |
| 800x600 |
48.1 |
72 |
VESA |
| 800x600 |
35.1 |
56 |
SVGA |
| 1024x768 |
53.9 |
66 |
compaq |
| 1024x768 |
56.4 |
70 |
XGA |
| 1024x768 |
60.0 |
75 |
XGA |
| 1024x768 |
60.0 |
75 |
XGA |
| 1280x1024 |
63.98 |
60 |
sxga |
| 1280x1024 |
79.90 |
75 |
sxga | |
| LCD Display Test |
Overall |
Test Notes and Observations |
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| Geometry: |
Pass |
LCD's inherent design means that test
grids are displayed very true and very square. In this sense, LCD displays
are really good for CAD work as the line render nice and sharp at the
native 1280x1024 resolution.
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| Brightness and Contrast: |
Pass |
Good shading on the grey scale with
visible differences from 1% to 9% white.
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| Colour: |
Pass |
The white test screen is bright and
very consistent over the full screen real estate. There are no visible
dark patches, or banding of any type at the edges. The red/green/blue test
screen are very bright and lush as well. On the black screen, there were
some bright areas off to one side we will note later in the review.
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| Convergence: |
Pass |
The grid test patterns in RGB
illustrate the worst case situations when different coloured pixels must
work closely together, and since they comprise different parts of a pixel
they do not line up exactly. CRT displays tend to produce better results
under this test as there is more of a blending processor going
on.
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| Focus: |
Pass |
Excellent, all patterns are clearly
visible and defined in both the horizontal and vertical axis.
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| Resolution: |
Pass |
Resolution is excellent at the native
1280x1024 resolution. The image scaling algorithm is very good at
non-native resolutions like 800x600 and 1024x768.
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| Moire: |
Pass |
Excellent, all test patterns were
displayed properly and without interference or 'walking lines' in the grey
or 1pix test patterns.
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Other Evaluation
Notes: |
Pass |
Sound quality from the integrated
speakers is satisfactory, but not especially amazing. I would compare
their quality to that of an alarm clock. The headphone jack offers the
user much better personal sound options, and yields excellent quality
audio. The volume wheel is another very nice touch as well.
The stand swivels left and right
nicely and tilts back with the application of a decent amount of force.
There is no vertical adjustment on the CML181SXW, but this is not
uncommon.
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