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Plus, how we work out the ratings.
At the end of each review, you’ll find Image quality, Features & Design, Value for money and Overall ratings. These aren’t simply plucked out of the air; they’re calculated using a mixture of objective benchmarks and subjective scores.
Image quality
We begin by connecting each monitor to our eight-way IHSE DVI splitter for simultaneous side-by-side comparison. Using DisplayMate Multimedia Edition 2, we first use an ANSI setup screen so that eight dark and light shades of grey are visible at once, adjusting each monitor’s brightness and contrast until the optimum balance is found.
Then we display an obstacle course of technical images designed to highlight any potential problems or limitations of each LCD. These include checking for colour purity by displaying full-screen colours, and colour-tracking errors by looking for any colour tints on a series of progressively darker grey squares. Colour and greyscale ramps are examined for stepping — the fades should be completely smooth.
But we’re more interested in how the LCDs perform in the real world, and this is where the majority of the quality scores are awarded. We first look at the quality of the Windows Desktop and Microsoft Office applications, since these are the screens the majority of users will spend most of their time looking at. While most LCDs pass these tests without problems, some are truly outstanding, and others are merely acceptable. We check the Desktop for the clarity of text beneath icons (which over-bright screens often blow out), the evenness of white areas as well as any graininess, glare or reflections.
We also view a selection of digital photos, each one chosen to expose different attributes such as the shadow detail in a landscape image, highlight detail in an indoor shot with harsh backlighting, skin tones in a portrait photo, and the overall sharpness and colour realism in each image.
We then play a selection of DVDs and video clips, chosen for their high dynamic range (dark and bright scenes) and for fast movement. We check to see how well the panels reproduce the detail, whether they smear fast sequences and whether any artefacts are visible. Finally, we play a 3D game — Far Cry — since the fast movement can highlight response time issues or problems with internal electronics that appear as colour smearing, blurred edges or tearing.
Features & Design
The Features & Design rating is calculated by awarding points to items such as the video and audio interfaces and warranty cover. Some manufacturers offer three-year on-site swap-out, but some manufacturers only offer return-to-base cover. For stands, we give points for height, tilt and swivel adjustments, pivoting ability and the width of the bezel (with a view to tiling monitors). We also take into account the quality of any integrated speakers and the overall style of the monitor; a panel of judges decides on the ratings here.
We reward the range of video and audio inputs and outputs, penalising any captive cables. Onscreen displays that are simple to navigate and offer a full range of options gain extra points. We also reward sensible navigation buttons, which are well labelled and intuitive to use. Finally, we look at compliancy with environmental standards.
Value for money
The value for money rating is based on an average of the Image quality and Features & Design scores, weighted slightly towards the latter. We then factor in the price of each LCD (including delivery) to give a bang-per-buck result.
Overall
The Overall score is simply a straight average of Image quality, Features & Design and Value for money.
Ratings explained
The star ratings you’ll find at the bottom of each review are relative only to the products on test in any particular Labs. A one-out-of- six rating doesn’t mean the product is the worst of its type to be made, just the least impressive that month. Likewise, a six out of six score isn’t necessarily an indication of perfection.
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| We use a combination of technical (below left) and real-world (below right) images to give each LCD a thorough workout. |
This article appeared in the March, 2007 issue of PC Authority.
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