Widescreen is the way to go, ViewSonic VA1930WM makes it Affordable!
Written: Feb 07 '08 (Updated Jul 29 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great price, quality picture, easily adjusted/many positions, small size and low weight.
Cons: No vertical view, but not a big deal.
The Bottom Line: You will love the price and quality as well as the features.
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| mongomad1's Full Review: ViewSonic VA1930WM 19 inch LCD Monitor |
I purchased this monitor several months ago for my wife’s HP Compaq Presario PC because I knew she would appreciate the widescreen view I have on my Dell 20 inch 2007WFP. Of course she fell in love with it right away and I found MY Dell PC available more often than not, other than the occasional issues she has with Vista Home Basic. Stupid beta O/S… Well, I kept ahead by adding a second monitor, a 15 inch flat panel, for dual screen action using my XFX GeForce 256MB Video Card to attach it.
I do spend time on hers in order to resolve issues in our home network/workgroup. We had a full on domain with 2000 Advanced Server on one PC, 4 other hosts with DHCP before the Internet router, roaming profiles and all sorts of things going on up in here. I was studying to get my MCSE is the only reason, but I miss it all. I have to tinker on hers so that we can share files, mainly pictures when I make changes with unexpected impacts to the Compaq.
I, too, see this monitor as a real value based on its quality display, looks, functionality, light weight and the space it frees up as compared to the now, seemingly archaic CRT, Cathode Ray Tube, monitor. The LCD, Liquid Crystal Display, eliminates the flicker that gave me headaches when the scanning light technology used on the CRT’s was set or maxed out at 75MHz or less.
Quality of Display
In its native mode or optimal screen resolution size of 1440 X 990 pixels, it really is a sharp, crystal clear image. And it is a great size if you are used to a smaller, regular monitor. Since it is more difficult to imagine the widescreen 19 inch compared to a 3:2 normal aspect ratio that most older monitors and TV’s utilize, the height of this model’s viewing area is 16.1 inches across and 10.1 inches horizontally. This REALLY makes a difference since you can size down windows and see them side by side. This is wonderful for doing research and looking at a website in an open browser while typing in a text editor such as MS Word.
On the Compaq PC we have it attached to, there is no HDMI graphics card. So, the digital image is sent in analog form to this monitor for us in the available VGA mode. This does degrade the optimum performance that you can realize with this display by using its available HDMI port for a true digital picture – one VGA Port and one HDMI Port.
This is nominal unless you are a huge gamer or do intense graphics work. The response time is 5 milli-seconds and the vertical synchronization range is 50-75Hz with a 24-82kHz range for the horizontal. A DVD looks very sharp when played on it, despite its use in VGA mode. We are not gamers, so I can not tell you how well it may work for someone that is, but we do not experience any blurriness or lag on any software we run.
Looks/Functionality
The entire chassis of the screen is black with white lettering for its “ViewSonic” stamp middle justified, just below the viewable screen at the bottom and a colorful bird on a little area in the top left. A bit odd, but it looks sort of cool, I guess. Its mostly black color allows it to blend with most set ups I have seen.
It has a single, substantial, oval post that attaches it to a circular base. It is FAR more stable than the more expensive 20 inch model on my PC and allows it to swivel 360 degrees, though the power, audio and video cables will restrict you a bit, and it moves up and down 3.2 inches. It also tilts up and down around 30 degrees or so. This makes for very easy positioning and repositioning based on different users.
The Dell Widescreen we have is much more cumbersome, though it will go into vertical mode, where you swing it around 180 degrees and have a longer page view versus wider, with software to change the picture to adjust to this set up. The ViewSonic model does not have this feature, though I have yet to use it on the Dell, preferring the width and scrolling down over making this adjustment.
Other Interesting Points
It comes with built in speakers for true stereo, though this is not the best for sound and a pair of speakers or a speaker system, if you do not currently have that, I would recommend over using these. It has a plug on the monitor to stick the supplied cord into your PC’s audio out – standard mini-size nearly all PC's use. They do beat the pants off most PC’s that may have a single speaker built-in the case.
On-screen controls for picture: Auto image adjust, brightness, contrast, input selection, ViewMatch color adjust (sRGB, 9300K, 6800K, 6500K), information (mode, model number, serial number), audio (volume, mute), manual image adjust (H. position, V. position, fine tune, sharpness), setup menu (language, resolution notice, OSD position, OSD timeout, OSD background), memory recall.
My Overall Opinion
For the money, around $200, this is a steal of a deal. Much like going from dial-up to a higher speed Internet connection, though maybe not quite as dramatic, once you own a widescreen you will not enjoy going back to a similar sized regular, 3:2 aspect ratio screen. You never have to use right/left scroll, basically on any Internet page you view.
Spreadsheets are SO much easier to view and manipulate with the extra width afforded by this and other widescreens. This one just happens to be less than you may expect to pay for a regular 19 inch screen in MANY cases. If you are debating, “Is the widescreen a better alternative?” I would say in nearly every case I can imagine an emphatic, “YES!!!!”
Here are your specs all in one area so that you do not have to search above for them and some that are not above as well for the Hardcore!!!!:
Recommended Resolution: 1440 x 900
Windows Vista certified: This display has achieved Vista certification, passing the Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing for guaranteed compatibility with Vista.
ClearMotiv 5ms video response time: Delivers broadcast-quality video.
Dynamic Structure Technology: Innovative liquid crystal composition and pixel matrix accelerate video response for seamless video and intense graphics
OptiSync digital/analog inputs expand your connectivity: Multi-mode input technology supports both digital (DVI) and analog (VGA) signals for ultimate compatibility and configuration flexibility.
Ergonomic base adds ease and comfort: Flexibility comes built-in with the convenient 3.2" height adjustment and 360° swivel.
Multimedia enhanced: Save workspace and enjoy stereo sound with two built-in stereo speakers. Not the greatest.
Stylish slim-bezel design: The full 19" viewable widescreen in an ultra-thin bezel lets you see more without taking up valuable desktop real estate
High 300 nit brightness (typ) and 700:1 contrast ratio (typ)
VESA 75mm wall mount interfaceand Kensington security port
PC and Mac compatible
TCO'03 and ENERGY STAR qualified
Brightness 300 cd/m2 (typ)
Contrast Ratio 700:1 (typ)
Viewing Angle 160° horizontal, 160° vertical @ contrast ratio greater than 10:1
Light Source Long life, 50,000 hrs. (typ)
Panel Surface Anti-glare
AUDIO Speakers 2x1.5-watt
Amplifier 1.5-watt @ THD < 8%
POWER Voltage AC 100-240V (universal)
Consumption 35W (typ)
COMPATIBILITY PC VGA up to 1440x900 non-interlaced
Mac / Power Mac G3/G4/G5 up to 1440x900
Power: 3-pin AC plug
Audio: In Stereo mini audio line in
CONTROLS: Basic Power, 1, down, up, 2, mute, volume / -
OnView: Auto image adjust, brightness, contrast, input selection, ViewMatch color adjust (sRGB, 9300K, 6800K, 6500K), information (mode, model number, serial number), audio (volume, mute), manual image adjust (H. position, V. position, fine tune, sharpness), setup menu (language, resolution notice, OSD position, OSD timeout, OSD background), memory recall
DIMENSIONS: 18.1" x 17.1" x 9.1" (with stand)
18.1" x 13.9" x 2.4" (without stand)
OPERATING CONDITIONS: Temperature 41-95°F (3-35°C)
Humidity: 20-80% (non-condensing)
WEIGHT Net with stand: 11.9 lb.
Net without stand: 9.6 lb.
PACKAGE CONTENTS: LCD display, VGA cable, power cable, audio cable, Quick Start Guide, ViewSonic Wizard CD
WARRANTY: Three-year limited warranty
If this review was informative, please feel free to visit my other Computer Hardware reviews:
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Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 225
Operating System: Windows and Macintosh
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Epinions.com ID:
mongomad1
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Location: Actionville, FL (Jacksonville)
Reviews written: 58
Trusted by: 65 members
About Me:
I would give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
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