Hitachi CM771
Staff Writers
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Feb 3, 2001 12:00 AM
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Hitachi |
RRP: $1195 (time of review)
Unusual in being a flat-faced shadow mask, the CM771 is an innovative monitor. However, minor issues hold it back from truly excelling.
Overall Rating: 
User Rating: No user ratings.
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Hitachi CM771
The graphs show that the CM771 is a top performer, particularly for a shadow mask monitor, placing it competitively amongst the aperture grill models in all the tests. Its no coincidence then that the CM771 differs from an ordinary shadow mask monitor, and presents an unusual variation on the standard flat-square tube theme. Implementing Hitachis ErgoFlat technology, the CM771 possesses what is essentially a flat-faced screen not unlike its aperture grill competitors. Close inspection however, reveals the shadow mask origins of the CM771, which differs significantly in the method used to display the image on screen - such as the absence of the damper wires used in the Trinitron or Diamondtron tubes. Part and parcel with the ErgoFlat package is Hitachis Enhanced Dot Pitch (EDP) arrangement, allowing a very fine dot pitch of 0.22mm.
The housing is a simple design and yet is also aesthetically appealing. The aesthetics reflect the ergonomic considerations that the CM771 embodies, a flat and reasonably narrow bezel, presenting the screen squarely towards the user with only a hint of stylistic curvature along the bottom edge. The OSD is operated with a five-button arrangement, offering one of the more intuitive interfaces for making display adjustments in this months Labs.
The Hitachi CM771 turned out to be one of those interesting cases where slight discrepancies exist between the DisplayMate benchmark results and what the user experiences when sitting in front of the monitor and putting it to practical use. It is obvious that the ErgoFlat technology sets the CM771 apart from the other shadow mask monitors, particularly in DisplayMates colour and grey scale tests, and scored generally respectablly across all the categories. However, the CM771 required a lot of tweaking to get a reasonable image when set at 85Hz and 100Hz refresh at resolutions ranging between 1,024 x 768 and 1,280 x 1,024 at 32-bit colour. The subsequent image suffered slightly from moirŽ effects and blurring of text on the desktop icons. Despite the EDP technology, minor thatch-like pixelation patterns are evident across the screen, which becomes quite noticeable with various shades of grey. Despite being well built and innovative, these issues are enough to recommend the Value Award winning AcerView P911 over the CM771 at this stage.