The next best thing to a Sony CPD-M151/BQ
Written: Oct 31 '00
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Pros: Great image quality, easy setup/installation, USB hub, integrated speakers
Cons: Small front panel buttons make it hard to navigate through the OSD
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| dmatsumo's Full Review: NEC MultiSync LCD1525M 15 in. Flat Panel LCD Monit... |
I was sorely disappointed when I found out that Sony had discontinued the CPD-M151/BQ, definitely the *best* LCD monitor I have ever used, period.
My company needed to get some LCDs quickly, so I was pretty much out of options. The IBM LCDs are definitely the worst I've ever used, and because of past experiences with these panels, I won't even bother trying out the newer models. Eizo LCDs are known to be very good, but since they're in the $1100 range, they are a bit too pricey. Because I never did like Viewsonic's CRTs, I basically ruled out their monitors, though my opinion may change if NEC ever discontinues their black LCDs.
So basically, this process of elimination left me with NEC as the only other viable option. I was too thrilled, because the current NEC monitors we use (the LCD1510+) wasn't the greatest (I'll write a review soon). However, I didn't have much of a choice, since the monitor had to be black in order to match the robotic system it was going to be mounted on.
I was pleasantly surprised as soon as I powered up this monitor! The screen is very bright, almost as bright as the Sony monitor. The 1525M also has an excellent viewing angle, which makes programming on it more comfortable, especially when the monitor is configured for a specific person's height. I was very happy with the image scaling as well! When you display an image at a resolution other than the LCD's native (optimal) resolution, or open a full-screen DOS session, you'll see poorly-scaled text or images. The result looks like features that have very jagged edges. The LCD1525M did an excellent job working at non-native resolutions.
As far as other features go, the monitor comes with a base that contains a power supply and a USB hub. In the back of the unit, there is also an Audio Input plug so you can output the sound from your computer speakers to the monitor.
Initially, we were very concerned that this monitor wouldn't work for us. The target setup wasn't an employee's desktop... it was supposed to be mounted on one of our robotic systems! Since the power supply was seemingly part of the base unit, I thought we might run into some small problems that would require some special wiring. At the same time, because the monitor has arm-mounting holes in the back, I couldn't believe that this was the case. After opening up the base, we found that they simply mount the typical LCD monitor power brick inside! So taking the base off was no longer a concern. I guess if we had read the manual first, we would have seen that the power supply was removable, but then again, who ever reads a manual for a computer monitor? =)
Unfortunately, we don't use USB in our systems, so I never had an opportunity to test out the LCD1525M's hub. We also don't need sound cards, so I haven't tested the sound quality of the embedded speakers, either. However, I do highly recommend martet01's review of this monitor, also found on this site. The URL is:
http://www.epinions.com/cmd-review-3B9-6F5912F-39FED894-prod1
Finally, I'd like to talk about the onscreen controls. I am not as pleased with the NEC's buttons as I was with Sony's. They are somewhat on the small size, and difficult to work with. I have small hands, and even I have trouble with this. Thankfully, once you've set up the monitor, you don't need to play with the controls much. I think the greatest feature found on the LCD1525M is the Auto Adjust feature. Every time I've used it, it's nailed the perfect screen size and position! You can't ask for anything more. I guess the screen would also have to have the colors calibrated, but since this monitor wasn't destined for desktop publishing or imaging work, that's not a concern.
One last thing that I just remembered about this monitor. Initial display times can be a bit on the slow side. When I boot up the system and enter the BIOS, I see a ghost of the image, and then all of a sudden the screen brightens up and looks fine. The initial Windows 2000 boot-up screen does the same thing. However, watching full-motion videos on the monitor is fine, and looks wonderful...
So all in all, this is a terrific monitor, especially when it's under $900 online! Great image quality, easy setup, and a thoughtful design for desktop and robotic system use! It's a great replacement for the now discontinued Sony CPD-M151/BQ.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 900
Operating System: Windows and Macintosh
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Epinions.com ID:
dmatsumo
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Location: San Jose, CA
Reviews written: 81
Trusted by: 19 members
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