Like most Acer LCDs, the 1951D has a glossy finish and a firm focus on entertainment. The ports are all on the back of the base, keeping cables neat, and there’s a choice of digital or analogue inputs.

The 1951D required some initial setup, so it’s a good job the buttons are positioned cleverly on the front of the base. Plus, the onscreen display is basic and easy to navigate. We opted for the User colour tone in order to be able to reduce the individual RGB settings from maximum to about halfway, since colours were oversaturated. Finally, we raised the contrast slightly.

In a darkened room with a DVD playing, the Acer is a joy to watch thanks to the bright 300cd/m2 CrystalBrite display. Whites are strong and motion is fluid, despite the stated 8ms response time being slower than many this month. We noted an excellent level of detail in dark indoor scenes, and the whole image has good vibrancy and sharpness.

It has its weaknesses, though. The 700:1 contrast ratio means the black level is disappointing. Also, the backlight is uneven, particularly towards the lower corners. As with the similarly-glossy NEC, if you move away from looking head-on, whites turn slightly yellow. Plus, while the stand is stylish, it only tilts back and forwards, and the three-year warranty has no defect-free component.

But with a pair of 1.1W speakers that put the rest to shame with good volume and bass response, the Acer is great if entertainment is your top priority. There’s a DVI cable in the box and, at $430, it is one of the more affordable options this month.