Hitachi CML190SXWB 19-inch TFT Display Review

I'm always a little undecided when it comes to choosing between a 19" TFT display and an 18.1" one. The reason is that both displays, while they do differ in screen size by about an inch, have the same fundamental native resolutions. The 19" display's we've tested have all had resolutions of 1280x1024 as do the the 18.1" TFT displays.

The true difference lies in price and pixel pitch.

A 19" display will cost a little more and the pixel pitch is going to be on the order of 0.294mm. Conversely, an 18.1" display will have a slightly tighter pixel pitch of 0.280mm or 0.281mm depending on how exact the manufacturer is in their measurements, and cost a little less for something quite comparable.

Going back to the days of the CRT, where smaller pixel pitches represented (in most cases) a better looking display, we now find ourselves faced with an interesting decision to make - smaller pixel pitches or larger screen size? The difference is just 0.013mm per pixel so it is difficult to even notice most times, and that means in most cases where price is equal, the bigger size is better.

In this look at one of the newer LCD models from Hitachi, we are presented with a 0.294mm pixel pitch 19" display that looks good, and comes in a trendy black enclosure (my personal colour preference for LCD displays). Among the amenities we find a side mounted cable connection causeway for easy access, a swivel base, and support for both analog and digital DVI display signals.

Hitachi CML190SXWB Display:
	Screen Size: 19" Diagonal Resolution: 1280x1024 pixel Pixel Pitch: 0.294mm Luminosity: 250cd/m2 Contrast Ratio: 500:1 Viewable Angle: 85/85/85/85 Pixel Response: 25ms (15ms rt, 10ms ft) Power Draw: 40W Bezel Colour: Black Approx. Retail Price: n/a Manufacturer: www.hitachi.com Inputs: Analog, digital

The control panel consists of a power button, and indicator LED, two function keys, and two selector keys which also do double duty as the auto adjust button. The display it self features 100mm VESA mounting points on the back, a 500:1 contrast ratio and brightness of 250nits.

After scrutinizing dozens of displays it has become apparent that the bezel (the trim just around the actual display) is an important factor for a couple of reasons.

It's most natural job is as a surface for Post-It notes, and as a hand hold for making display adjustments. Visually, a good bezel is one that blends in and doesn't distract the eye away from the information being displayed on the screen. Overly bright LED's are the worst culprit of distraction, and the same can go for shiny name plates.

The CML190SXB has a very simple, and very uncluttered display face which involves a centered Hitachi logo and just five control buttons. I'm not especially thrilled to see the manufacturers logo directly under the display and dead center, as this can easily get distracting. Logos placed off to the left or right hand corner seem to work the best from our experience, and still do their job identifying the make and model of the product.