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LCD displays have come a long way. LCD displays for your computer are more desirable these days because they offer larger screens, are much more affordable, and are more acceptable for gaming. When gaming with an LCD monitor, one of the issues involves "ghosting". In general, ghosting is a blurriness of the screen when viewing fast paced images or content on a LCD monitor. The reason behind this has to do with the pixel response time of a LCD monitor. The pixel response time basically determines how fast a pixel can be displayed on a screen. If you have a high pixel response time, then ghosting is prevalent. On the other hand, a low pixel response time translates to minimal or non-perceived ghosting. Today, I will be reviewing the LG Flatron 1980U LCD display. This monitor is ideal for gaming because of it's emphasized low 12ms response time. |
If pixel response time was the only important factor when buying a LCD monitor, then all of us would be buying this monitor right away. It is also important for a LCD display to have good contrast and brightness while still providing a clear and sharp picture. Also, there are also additional factors which come into play such as extra features included, design, and setup. The LG Flatron 1980U does deliver screen-wise, but does have an awkward stand.
Packaging/Contents
The LCD display came in a nicely designed box. It would have been nice if it had a handle to make it easier to carry. The package comes with everything you would expect with a LCD display. The package does come very close to Samsung's offering. The AC adapter is just like one that you'd find with a laptop. There is also an analog and digital cable included. If you already have an existing monitor using an analog connection and you have another digital port on your video card, then you will be able to set this up as a second monitor easily.
Because this is a 19" monitor, some may wish to save space on their desk and intend to hang it on a wall. LG has included the necessary mounting brackets and screws in order to enable you to do that.
The monitor does come with the usual errata such as manuals, quick references, and CD-ROM discs. The CD's have special software that you can use to help adjust the color and properties of your monitor which is called the Forte Manager.
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A Closer Look at the Display
The monitor was initially folded flat in the package. I noticed that the monitor was fairly heavy when lifting it up. Most of the weight was because of the stand. Since this is a fairly large LCD display, a good stand is required in order to keep it sturdy. When unfolded, the base of the stand is circular and about one third of it sticks out in front of the monitor. Since the base is fairly wide as well, there are no issues with the monitor tilting at all.
The front of the monitor has a uniform black bezel surrounding the display. What makes this monitor unique are the controls. The controls are touch sensitive. The main power button of the LCD display has a large bump that sticks out underneath. When the monitor is active, it glows blue. If it is on, but there is waiting for a signal, then it turns yellow. The other controls of the monitor are near the power button, but are labeled in thin white text that is somewhat hard to see unless looked closely at. The actual touch controls are tucked neatly behind so that you can only press them if you place your fingers right below the labels.
The monitor looks interesting at the back of the monitor. It utilizes an opposite color scheme which is mainly white. At the center of the back of the display, there is a large LG logo. The ports on the back of the monitor are located right behind the base of the stand. There is a DVI port and an analog port.
Installation
In order to install the monitor, all you have to do is unfold the monitor and place the monitor at the appropriate place on your desk. Next, you have to plug in the AC adapter to a wall socket and plug it into the back of the monitor. If possible, you should use the DVI cable to connect to the monitor if you have it on your video card. Otherwise, there's no problem using the analog wire instead.
As mentioned before, the LCD display includes a CD containing the Forte Manager software. The software is a good way to adjust the color and brightness of your display if you would like to tune it. I preferred to just tune the monitor myself using the menu buttons on the monitor. When adjusting the setting of the monitor, I like how it shows a split screen of your current settings versus the alternative settings you are trying to change it to. This allows you to visually see the differences in color and brightness using the side-by-side comparision.
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Performance
The monitor in general exceeded my expectations. I was expecting lesser quality since I have been used to Samsung monitors, but I was impressed with the quality of this monitor. First of all, there were no dead pixels to begin with. Second, the picture quality was clear and sharp.
With a larger LCD monitor, pixel response becomes more critical because not only are you viewing more pixels on the screen, but with a larger picture, you notice more details in the game which means it is easier to detect ghosting. For instance, I did notice the very slight difference in ghosting when playing the game on this 19 inch monitor and also trying it on a 17 inch monitor which also had a 12ms pixel response time. The monitor probably does not perform at a consistent 12ms, but it is still good for gaming. Keep in mind that there is always going to be a slight delay when comparing a LCD monitor with a CRT display.
Another advantage of a LCD screen is the viewing angle, even at the widest angles, you can still see the picture just as bright and clear compared with viewing the monitor straight-on.
Conclusion
One of the immediate advantages of owning a 19 inch monitor is the amount of visual real estate that you will experience. It makes it easier to view large high resolution pictures and photos and also have a better experience when watching high quality video content. Even simple tasks such as browsing the Internet or checking email will make it that much more satisfying on a larger screen. LG certainly made a positive impression on me in terms of their LCD products. This monitor works well for gaming and has a clear and sharp picture with the natural colors to go along with it.
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