(Photography by Thom O'Connor, screen images by Rob Magiera)
By John R. Quain
(Figure not available)
(Photography by Thom O'Connor, screen images by Rob Magiera)
The last thing you should notice about your system is the monitor. If you find yourself paying more attention to the screen itself than to what's on it, either your monitor is losing its focus or you're running out of screen space. Either way, it may be time to move up to a 17-inch monitor.
Anyone who works with large spreadsheets, multitasks in Windows, or zaps alien ships in Descent will appreciate a 17-inch display. The monitors in this roundup had an average viewable image size (diagonally) of 15.8 inches, compared with 13.8 inches for the monitors in our latest roundup of 15-inch monitors. The extra 2 inches typically yields 28 percent greater viewing area than the average 15-inch display provides. And while most users find 800-by-600 to be the maximum comfortable resolution for a 15-inch screen, those with 17-inch units will be able to jump up to 1,024-by-768. This yields more windows, icons, and text on the screen at one time.
With street prices averaging around $850 and in some cases as low as $599, 17-inch monitors represent a good compromise between $2,000 21-inch displays and $300 15-inch models. And buying a 17-inch display with your new PC will cost only $200 to $300 more than a system equipped with a 15-inch monitor.
Last year, 17-inch models accounted for about 15 percent of the worldwide monitor market in terms of unit sales, according to Dataquest, a market research firm located in San Jose, California. By the end of this year, they will represent about 18 percent and next year, approximately 25 percent.
Unfortunately, while sales may be on the rise, so are some prices--at least temporarily. Several factors have contributed to, in some cases, a price rise of up to 15 percent. Shortages of the glass used for tubes and of the plastic used in chassis combined with a rise in the price of copper (which is used in significant amounts in monitors) have prevented manufacturers from lowering prices. This was further aggravated by the weakening dollar and by the disruption in distribution and manufacturing caused by the earthquake in Kobe, Japan, which diverted some of the already scarce glass into television manufacturing. The quoted prices in this roundup (which range from $599 list for the TVM AS6G to $1,410 for the IBM 17S/S) reflect these factors, but buyers may still see some price fluctuation. Most monitor makers hope that the component scarcity will ease later this year so that prices start to fall again.
For this year's roundup, we requested 17-inch (measured diagonally) monitors that were MPR II-compliant and could display a minimum resolution of 1,024 by 768 pixels with avertical refresh rate of at least 72 Hz. MPR II is a standard published by SWEDAC (the Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation) that specifies maximum acceptable levels of potentially harmful extremely low frequency (ELF) and very low frequency (VLF) monitor emissions. Most monitors on the market today adhere to MPR II. Nine of the monitors we tested adhere to the even more stringent TCO emissions requirements; six offer TCO compliance as an option.
The vertical refresh rate refers to the number of times the screen is redrawn every second. Over a year ago, the Video Electronics Standards Association upgraded its standard specification for refresh rates from 72 Hz to 75 Hz. Two of the monitors we reviewed--the Delta Socos DA-1765VAF and the Kenitec 617ADX--reach only 72 Hz at 1,024-by-768. The rest reach at least 75 Hz.
We also looked at one monitor that didn't quite fit our filter--Orchestra MultiSystems' Tympani, which has a huge, 0.42-mm dot pitch and runs at 1,024-by-768 with a refresh rate of only 60 Hz instead of our required 72 Hz (see the sidebar "Orchestra's Ensemble"). The Tympani sells for a spectacular $469 (street price), but its performance is less than adequate for most uses other than games.
The monitors we tested had to be shipping during our testing period, which ran from late April to late June 1995. The following monitors didn't make it in time for testing: ADI Systems' MicroScan 5AP ($859) and MicroScan 5EP ($769), a new version of Amax Engineering Corp.'s Impression7 ($699), Corian Industrial Corp.'s ArtMedia TC 1864 ($899) and ArtMedia TC 1882 ($1,099), Daytek Corp.'s DT-1730 ($599), Hitachi America's Accuvue Galaxy GX-17L ($999), Mitac International Corp.'s Mitac L1782 ($689), a new version of Nissei Sangyo America/Hitachi's SuperScan Elite 17 ($1,049), Philips Consumer Electronics Co.'s Magnavox MagnaScan ($849), Portrait Display Labs' Pivot 1700 ($995), Proton Corp.'s GM-1764 A ($619), Qume's QM1791 ($955), Samtron Displays' Samtron SC-728SXL ($950), Tatung Co. of America's Audio 17 ($850) and Tatung CM-17MLP ($950), and Wen Technology Corp.'s Wen JD-178 ($999).
We subjected each monitor to both objective and subjective tests. To determine objective measurements of image quality, ZD Labs used a MicroVision SpotSeeker III and a Minolta Color Analyzer CA-100. The results of these labs-based tests determine the overall image focus and accuracy of the monitor. They judge the focus of a monitor's three electron guns (red, blue, and green) expressed as misconvergence--the amount of deviation from perfect alignment. Misconvergence can make text and fine edges appear fuzzy and indistinct. Look for monitors with the lowest amount of misconvergence; consider any model with a misconvergence score higher than 0.20 mm on our tests to be undesirable.
Another good measurement of a monitor's overall sharpness is its MTF (modulation transfer function) score, which represents the ratio of contrast to maximum usable brightness. Look for a monitor with an Average MTF score greater than 35 percent.
The other prominent labs test focuses on pincushioning. This is the amount of curvature exhibited by straight horizontal and vertical one-pixel wide lines. Once again, look for lower scores: Anything below 0.60 mm is acceptable for horizontal lines; vertical results should be lower than 0.50 mm.
When scanning the test results, bear in mind that no monitor can achieve a perfect score on all the tests. While attempting to achieve the best focus, for example, a monitor maker may sacrifice a little brightness to keep a monitor's electron guns from overshooting their mark.
Due to this balancing act, each monitor model tends to have its own personality. More important, the tradeoffs that are made between different aspects of a monitor's display aren't necessarily apparent in the objective measurements, though they are often obvious to the naked eye. So to judge how well each monitor's overall image appears to human eyes, our reviewers conducted extensive, hands-on subjective tests. We examined each display using a variety of 24-bit-color 1,024-by-768 graphics files and test patterns. We also used DisplayMate for Windows, from Sonera Technologies (800-932-6323), a $79 program designed to reveal geometric and color distortion on monitors.
To see how well the monitors we received measured up against those in stores, we selected a random sample of monitors from the roundup and purchased identical models from different retail outlets. The store-bought versions were then tested for comparison purposes. In every case but one, the store-bought monitors tested within an acceptable margin of deviation. Sampo Technology's AlphaScan 17gx was the exception: The store-bought model's Average MTF score was 49 percent, compared with 58 percent for the model the vendor sent. Though the store-bought version showed acceptable sharpness, the version the vendor sent us was considerably sharper. When we brought this issue up with the vendor, Sampo claimed that the monitor we had purchased was an older version than the one they sent us for testing and that several improvements had been made to the product since early 1995. We recommend that whenever possible, you closely examine any monitor you plan to buy.
All the monitors in this story have noninterlaced (orprogressive scan) displays. In these displays, each image is scanned onto the front of the monitor's cathode ray tube (CRT) in a single pass by three electron guns that sweep across the screen line by line in horizontal strokes. In standard television sets or interlaced monitors, a complete image requires two scans. This is acceptable when you're sitting several feet from the screen and looking primarily at large moving images. But we sit much closer to computer monitors than we do to televisions, and most of what we look at are detailed, static images like word processing text and spreadsheets. For this reason, most computer users should not consider anything but a noninterlaced display.
The image characteristics of what you see on a monitor partly depend on what kind of cathode ray tube (CRT) the monitor uses. The most common type is the flat square tube (FST), which has a slightly curved facade that dips backward in all four corners as if it were the sliced-off section of a basketball. FSTs minimize curvature, but the curvature is still visible.
The other popular tube type is the vertically flat CRT. The screens of these models curve backward only at the sides, like a sliced-off section of a paper towel roll. For many years, Sony's Trinitron tube was the only vertically flat CRT, but now Mitsubishi sells its own DiamondTron tubes based on similar technology. Of the 43 monitors we tested, 5 use Trinitron tubes and 2 use DiamondTrons. The rest use flat square tubes.
Many buyers prefer the look of vertically flat screens, which tend to have bright, saturated colors and outstanding image uniformity. But at higher resolutions they do have one drawback: two horizontal hairlines that cut across the screen and divide the image into thirds.
The two lines are caused by thin dampening wires strung across the back of the screen. Standard FSTs have a metal plate with tiny round holes punched in it called a shadow mask. In each hole are colored phosphors that the electron beams light up to create the on-screen image. Trinitron and DiamondTron tubes use an aperture grille, which is composed of thin vertical strips with rectangular rather than round holes. This construction makes vertically flat CRTs more susceptible to shock and the heat created by the electron guns. The dampening wires are used to prevent the aperture grille from getting bent out of shape as it gets hotter. If you think you might be distracted by these hairlines in AutoCAD files or other similarly detailed images, make sure you see the monitor with your own eyes before you buy.
And if you think the "17-inch" label is misleading (since you typically get an image of less than 16 inches diagonally), you're not alone. Several state attorneys are considering forcing monitor vendors to put a measurement of the actual viewable area on packaging and literature along with the "17-inch" designation.
The 17-inch monitors in this roundup fall into three general categories: those with street prices below $750 aimed at home PC users or users on limited budgets, those priced between $750 and $900 for business users who need more features, and those costing more than $900 for uncompromising desktop publishers, designers, and engineers.
One feature that distinguishes some lesser-priced models from the high-end displays is dot pitch. In standard FST monitors, dot pitch refers to the diagonal distance in millimeters between two phosphor dots of the same color. (In Trinitron- and DiamondTron-based monitors, the distance is measured horizontally.) For graphics-intensive work at resolutions above 1,024-by-768, a 0.25-mm or 0.26-mm dot pitch is preferable. Business and home users will find that a dot pitch of 0.27 mm or 0.28 mm suffices for most applications running in 1,024-by-768 mode or lower. The odd man out in terms of dot pitch in this roundup is Orchestra's Tympani, which has the lowest price but also the largest dot pitch (0.42 mm).
Another main feature that divides 17-inch monitors into different classes is the display's available resolutions. Typical low-end models will comfortably meet the 1,024-by-768-pixel requirement with a vertical refresh rate of 75 Hz. But when the resolution is raised on such models to the sharper 1,280-by-1,024 mode, the vertical refresh rate may fall to 60 Hz. This can create noticeable image flicker. Consequently, at least one monitor maker (NEC) provides a "recommended resolution" rating and a maximum resolution rating.
Most business users will find that anything higher than 1,024-by-768 on a 17-inch display results in text and icons so small they make you squint. If you want a better resolution to work in high-end graphics or CAD applications, however, make sure it's available with an eye-saving vertical refresh rate of 72 Hz or higher. Two of the best units in this regard are the Nanao FlexScan F2*17EX and FlexScan F2*17TS, which can handle 82 Hz in 1,280-by-1,024 mode.
Most manufacturers now offer full digital controls and pop-up on-screen menus to help you navigate through brightness, contrast, size, and position adjustments. Although they may sound like minor features, such controls make a world of difference when it comes to getting the best picture possible on your desktop. The easier the controls are to use, the more likely you are to correct any small aberrations.
The more expensive monitors in this roundup offer more control than ever. The Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 17TX, for example, allows you to adjust convergence on different parts of the screen as well as correct trapezoidal distortion, moir patterns, orthogonality, and parallelism. Still, some monitors, such as the Sony Multiscan 17sf and the Radius Precision View 17, still lack on-screen help. The Sony, the Radius, and Orchestra's Tympani fail to include a degaussing button, which allows you to disperse electromagnetic buildup on the screen without powering down the monitor.
Others, such as the NEC models and the Nokia Multigraph 447X, distinguish themselves with particularly astute designs. The on-screen menus on NEC's models use plain English terms to describe image adjustments and use animated icons to demonstrate what aspect of the picture you're about to adjust. The Nokia Multigraph uses just two buttons to set up its extensive adjustments.
This fall, users will be able to exert even more control over new monitors. With the long-awaited introduction of Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 95, comes a wave of new monitor standards. In an attempt to match a monitor's capabilities with those of an attached graphics adapter, Windows 95 will support a Plug and Play standard for monitors. But you may see manufacturers quoting several different acronyms to designate Plug and Play compatibility.
The first is DDC1, for Display Data Channel 1. Monitors that are DDC1-compliant use one of the pins on a standard VGA cable to send basic information (the monitor's model, make, frequency range, and preset resolutions, for example) to the graphics adapter. The communication is one-way, and the graphics adapter must be DDC1-compatible as well, but this simple method should prevent your PC from ever booting up in a resolution your monitor can't handle.
The basic DDC1 specification was later expanded to include two-way communication between the monitor and graphics adapter using two pins on a standard VGA cable. This specification is called DDC2B, and it has the added benefits of being much faster than the DDC1 specification and of allowing the operating system to query the monitor (via the graphics adapter) and find out what its features are. To be Windows 95 Plug and Play-compatible, a monitor must be both DDC1- and DDC2B-compatible. If you have a compatible graphics adapter, you will be able to switch resolutions on the fly without rebooting. In this roundup, 18 monitors are Plug and Play-compatible.
Taking control one step further, some monitor makers are considering adopting new standards for two-way communication and connectivity with other devices. The main contenders are the ACCESS.bus, jointly developed by DEC and Philips, and the Universal Serial Bus (USB), a recently announced spec created by a committee that includes Compaq, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and NEC. The USB spec should be officially released in the fall of 1995.
ACCESS.bus (also referred to as the DDC2AB standard) is offered in only one monitor we tested--the NEC MultiSync XP17. An ACCESS.bus plug looks like an RJ-11 jack; when used with compatible peripherals, like mice and keyboards, it enables you to daisy-chain a series of components together (up to 128) in any order you like and plug them all into the computer with a single jack. And because ACCESS.bus peripherals convey their information directly to the system, software drivers, jumpers, and DIP switches can be phased out and you can plug and unplug components without restarting your PC.
On monitors, ACCESS.bus provides the same information and bidirectional communication between the system and display as DDC2B does. In addition, it allows you to store monitor settings on your hard disk for recall at any time. ACCESS.bus's standard command structure also lets you adjust the screen's image using a mouse or keyboard, so you can see what you're doing without leaning forward to push buttons. Furthermore, it lets you plug standardized color-calibration hardware directly into the monitor. NEC offers the $399 ColorProof calibrator with software for its ACCESS.bus-compatible monitors.
Able to handle up to 65 peripherals, the Universal Serial Bus should offer much of the functionality of the ACCESS.bus--but at a much higher speed. USB is designed to handle up to 12Mb of data per second (versus 400Kb per second for the latest ACCESS.bus specification), which makes it acceptable for telephony and digital video. With its faster transmission speed and backing from Intel and Microsoft, USB is expected to win out over ACCESS.bus eventually; indeed, few vendors have jumped on the ACCESS.bus bandwagon.
In the meantime, some models we tested offer proprietary solutions. The Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 17TX includes a RS232 serial-control interface that allows you to change the monitor's settings via the keyboard or mouse. Several of Nanao's monitors also offer a serial interface for adjustment software.
Today's multimedia PCs can create a tangle of cables, speakers, and microphones on desktops. Several monitors try to clear up this mess. These so-called multimedia monitors, including the IBM 17S/S, the Nokia Valuegraph 447L, the Panasonic PanaMedia 17, the Philips 17B, and the ViewSonic 17GA, conceal stereo speakers and a microphone within their chassis.
Technically, speakers and monitors are mortal enemies. Monitors are highly susceptible to magnetic interference, and magnets are the main components of speakers. So marrying these rivals in the same box is a tricky business. To overcome potential conflict, most of the multimedia monitors provide only a small amount of amplification to the speakers--2.5 watts of power per channel or less. Furthermore, the speakers are relatively small compared with external desktop models.
Nevertheless, for users of business apps who are confined to small cubicles, multimedia monitors offer a convenient space-saving solution. Most notably, the IBM unit incorporates a built-in compartment for a video camera for videoconferencing, thus further reducing cable clutter.
On top of the new features, the latest 17-inch monitors continue to improve on existing capabilities. Color adjustments, now available on most monitors, allow you to adjust the intensity of the red, blue, and green guns. Many monitors come bundled with color-matching software that helps match on-screen colors to the output of a color printer. Sonnetech's Colorific color-management software, offered standard or as an option with 14 monitors reviewed here, is the best we saw in this category.
For more convenient color correction, several monitors with serial ports include color-adjustment software that you can control with a mouse. MAG InnoVision, for example, offers a $39.95 software utility and serial cable you can use to set its monitor's image. And hardware solutions provide even more precise and automated adjustment for, say, conducting DTP work in suboptimal lighting conditions. Nanao offers a $275 color-calibration system called FlexColor that is similar to NEC's ColorProof system.
Power management has become a standard feature of 17-inch displays. All the monitors in this review meet the EPA's Energy Star guidelines for reduced power consumption during idle times (less than 30 watts). All use VESA's Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS) standard to communicate with a compatible graphics adapter to achieve the power savings. But even if you have an older PC, you can get some power-down benefits by purchasing a monitor that uses screen blanking. Screen blanking works by recognizing when a screen saver has come on and then automatically dimming the screen and powering down.
Despite conflicting scientific reports about the potential health hazards of ELF and VLF monitor emissions, most monitor makers continue to work to reduce emissions. The basic standard is the 1990 MPR II specification, though the 1992 TCO standard has become more prevalent in Europe. TCO lays out tougher restrictions on monitors, measuring emissions from 30 cm in front of the screen, for example, versus MPR II's 50-cm measurement. TCO also includes the European NUTEK power-down specification.
TCO is gradually gaining acceptance in the U.S. as well. Last year, only three of the 17-inch monitors we evaluated offered TCO compliance as an option. This year, nine monitors come standard with TCO certification and six offer it as an option.
Most monitors come with a standard 15-pin VGA connector to hook up to your PC. But if you're using a professional graphics adapter on your current computer, check its connections. You may require a coaxial BNC input, which is available as standard on more expensive models and as an option on lesser-priced displays. If you commonly switch between two systems, look for a model with multiple connections.
Those working in cramped quarters or from a home office should also look for monitors housed in smaller chassis. Some 17-inch monitors can be as deep as 20 inches; more svelte displays, like the Mitsubishi Diamond Pro, require only 16.8 inches of desktop depth.
Shopping for a monitor is not an easy task. We suggest that after reading the reviews, you select a few units that fall within your budget plans and go out and look at the models in local stores. There's nothing like judging something with your own eyes.
Our Contributors: JOHN R. QUAIN is a contributing editor of PC Magazine. STEVE BUEHLER is the director of PC Labs, West Coast. KATIE BARNES is a frequent contributor to PC Magazine. BRIAN FIKES is a project leader at ZD Labs. GORDON MCCOMB is a freelance writer. SEBASTIAN RUPLEY is the senior editor for the West Coast at PC Magazine. LEON ERLANGER was the associate editor in charge of this story, and MICHAEL J. ZULICH was the project leader.
For home/small-office use:
For mainstream business use:
For CAD/graphics professional use:
Culling 3 Editors' Choice monitors from the field of 43 we looked at for this story was no easy task. Most of the current offerings deliver a good mix of performance and features at reasonable prices. Price-sensitive buyers may have to forego fancy extras such as on-screen controls and Plug and Play compatibility, and the display's image may be less perfect than that of a more expensive model, but such monitors should still suffice. Our Editors' Choice recipient in this price strata is the CTX 1765GMe. This $649 (all prices here are estimated street) unit delivers a sharp, clear picture. We detected some convergence problems on our test unit, but for less demanding chores the 1765GMe is a strong choice. An honorable mention goes to the MAG InnoVision DX17F ($650), which equalled the CTX in almost every measure. Also deserving of merit are the MaxTech GVC M1766LR ($599), Panasonic PanaSync C-1791Ei ($699), and Orchestra's Tuba II ($699). While not flawless, these units were nonetheless solid performers and represent excellent values.
Advantages of a more expensive monitor typically include easy-to-use on-screen controls to adjust screen attributes and a crisper display with excellent focus. The traditional market leaders in this segment, from NEC, offer good image quality and convenient features, but other monitors offer more bang for the buck than the current NEC lineup. For one, the new Samsung SyncMaster 17GLi ($699) garners Editors' Choice this year. This Samsung unit impressed us both on our labs-based and subjective evaluation, exhibiting a bright, sharp picture and good color saturation. The 17GLi's display image might even prove good enough for desktop publishing work, and it delivers such extras as Plug and Play compatibility and on-screen controls--even though its price matches that of many bargain-bin brands. Again, we found a handful of fine runners-up you should also consider, including the LG Goldstar 1727 ($800), Hyundai DeluxScan 17 ($799), NEC MultiSync XV17 ($795), Sampo AlphaScan 17gx ($725), and ViewSonic 17GS ($795).
Detailed work requires a near-flawless picture, so graphics, CAD, and desktop publishing professionals will probably need to opt for a high-end monitor. The Nanao FlexScan T2*17TS ($1,149) was our favorite. It's not cheap, but the sharpness of the T2*17TS's DiamondTron vertically flat CRT was nearly unbeatable. Colors were vibrant, and you get Nanao's excellent image-control facilities. Zenith Data Systems' ZCM-1740 ($899) merits an honorable mention. The Trinitron tube delivered bright, bold images, and the Zenith is a relative bargain among high-end monitors. Buyers of this class of monitor should also look at Nanao's FlexScan F2*17 ($970), as well as the Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 17TX ($1,149), Nokia Multigraph 447X ($999), and Samsung SyncMaster 17GLsi ($949), all of which deliver excellent image quality.
Sales of 17-inch monitors continue to grow. Despite a rebound in prices due to component shortages and other factors, 17-inch units could account for 25 percent of the monitors shipped next year (versus 15 percent last year).
THE ADVANTAGES of a 17-inch display become clear once you've experienced the bigger picture. The extra display size lets you have more application windows open and visible, so you can quickly toggle from app to app. You can also see more of a large spreadsheet, desktop publishing page, or graphic image with less scrolling. And when work is done, Descent is much more fun big in your face.
A THREE-TIERED MARKET is emerging, and monitor makers have been releasing products targeted toward each segment. At the low end are the cost-conscious buyers looking to upgrade to a larger display, often for home use. Monitors in this tier typically sell for less than $750 but exact some penalties in features and image quality. The middle market ($750 to $900) is primarily business buyers. Since the monitors will be used many hours each day, better screen images and more comfortable ergonomics are as important as price. Graphics professionals and CAD/CAM users require near-flawless display quality, as well as the ability to control almost every attribute of the image. Prices here reach $1,000 or more.
STARING AT A MONITOR at close range for 8 or more hours a day makes comfort a concern. Check the vertical scanning refresh rate in the resolution you plan to use. A rate of at least 72 Hz is comfortable; a rate of 60 Hz means noticeable flicker that can cause eyestrain. All of the monitors in this review meet the MPR II standards for ELF and VLF emissions, and some meet the stricter TCO standard.
MORE AND MORE MONITORS are offering extra conveniences. So-called multimedia monitors offer built-in speakers and audio connectors. Plug and Play capabilities are also becoming prevalent, which should make syncing up your monitor and graphics adapter under Windows 95 easier.
MONITOR TESTING is part science, part art. The equipment used can often detect flaws that are not noticeable to the human eye. So in addition to our labs-based tests, we had our reviewers go through a checklist of subjective evaluations of the screen image to determine if any measured flaws were noticeable. Pay as much attention to these descriptions of display quality as you do to the objective test results.
By Steve Buehler
Orchestra MultiSystems has two new 17-inch offerings that didn't quite fit into our main roundup. The Tuba II ($699 list and street), aimed at business and home users, is clearly one of the better performers in the low-priced monitor arena; shipping models just missed our review deadline. The Tympani ($469) is aimed squarely at the budget-conscious buyer; however, its 0.42-mm dot-pitch screen and ability to deliver 1,024-by-768 resolution at only 60 Hz failed to meet our filter requirements. But since its street price rivaled that of many 15-inch monitors, we wanted to see what it had to offer.
The Tuba II has a large 16.2-inch viewing area and a good 0.26-mm dot pitch. It achieved generally better-than-average results on both our labs-based and subjective tests. Text was clear down to small point sizes and color images reproduced well. Average MTF scores and better-than-average pincushioning test results showed good geometric linearity. The monitor had subpar spatial uniformity, but our one real concern was the contrast: Even at its best, the white was not as bright and the black not as dark as on most other monitors.
Still, with good picture quality and such extras as on-screen adjustments for tilt, pincushioning, barrel and trapezoid distortion, and color balance, the Tuba II is a solid performer for business users who are looking for more on-screen real estate.
The Tympani's aggressive pricing results in rock-bottom features and performance. While most 17-inch monitors have a shadow mask with an 0.25- to 0.28-mm dot pitch, The Tympani uses a screen with a 0.42-mm dot pitch--even larger than that of a television set, which has 0.35 mm.
The large dot pitch contributed to the monitor's overall poor focus in our MTF and subjective tests. Text at small point sizes was nearly unreadable, and line resolution was very poor. The misconvergence score for this monitor was also extremely poor, with straight white lines resolving into three distinct color lines at screen corners. There was moderate pincushioning and some narrowing of the screen in the top and bottom center--almost like an hourglass on its side. While The Tympani is rated up to 1,024-by-768, it can achieve that resolution only at a refresh rate of 60 Hz; to reduce flicker to acceptable levels on our tests, we used 800-by-600 at 72 Hz.
The Tympani's image quality and feature set will probably suffice only for an undemanding or occasional user, or someone more interested in running games like DOOM than doing day-to-day business chores.
The Tuba II. List price: $699. The Tympani. List price: $469. Orchestra MultiSystems Inc., 12200 Industry St., Garden Grove, CA 92641; 800-237-9988, 714-389-3861; fax, 714-891-2661.
(Figure not available)
Dot pitch makes a difference: Small type on The Tuba II's screen (left) is more readable than on The Typani's.