In the December 2009 issue of PC Authority magazine we've tested seven of the latest big screen monitors for work and play, and tell you which provide the best blend of value, features and quality. Below is some advice from the magazine explaining the latest in big screen LCDs. For the full roundup including reviews and our verdict on the best screens, grab your copy at your local newsagent.
One thing that became clear while testing this month's monitors is that there are now very few genuinely bad models out there. In fact, taking the six affordable home models in this group as a sample, you could almost say we're seeing little variance in screen quality any more.
All six use the less expensive TN (twisted nematic) panels; all offer 300cd/m2 backlights and sub-5ms response times; all but one have standard 1000:1 contrast ratios (ignoring the increasingly outlandish dynamic contrast claims). And all use 1920 x 1080 panels, a move that several manufacturers have told us has little to do with consumers wanting them, and everything to do with cost savings over the traditional - and superior, in our eyes - 1920 x 1200.
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| LCD lineup: manufacturers are using design, rather than picture quality, as a selling point at the cheap end of the market |
This convergence in specification leads to a market such as we see today, where there isn't a huge amount of difference in the quality of the pictures most LCDs produce. Instead, where we are seeing differences is in design, with "premium" brands such as Samsung and LG deliberately distancing themselves from the common crowd via eye-catching living-room styling - think touch panels, curved edges and glass effects.
Manufacturers we spoke to admitted that using dearer panels to improve quality isn't possible with the current margins - "consumers demand quality but they don't want to pay for it," was a common theme - so instead they use more adjustable stands to create premium products to go with their budget models.
Not that everyone's willing to play along: this month's Acer and Asus LCDs have fixed stands but still cost more than the LG, which is reflected in their reviews and ratings.
The general conclusion is that it's a tough time for LCD makers. Consumers have enjoyed the benefits of a race to the bottom over recent years - 12 months ago, Samsung was on the A List with a $550 24in model; this month's Labs Winner costs just $369 - but it can't last forever.
A number of manufacturers have told us they plan to raise their prices slightly over the coming months as they simply have to make money, so now looks to be an excellent time to snap up that bargain LCD you've had your eye on.