REVIEW: Eizo S2111W-BK Part 9

Image quality

The Eizo S2111W-K features an S-PVA (Super Patterned Vertical Alignment) panel made by Samsung, which Eizo is combining with a 10 Bit lookup table; this is equivalent to 1.024 internal grey levels. Since the panel itself only has an 8-bit output, the 10 Bit display is achieved using additional Frame Rate Control (FRC)

This is the only way it is possible to reproduce 256 shades of all three primary colours and also neutral grey levels when the RGB settings are under 100 percent. The Eizo S2111W-K displays the finest colour and grey gradients very cleanly, without any trace of banding. Compared to the 6 Bit plus FRC technology setup of current TN panel monitors, the 8 Bit plus FRC display has the clearly visible advantage of fewer wavering patterns ad cleaner colours.

Eizo advertises the dynamic contrast of the S-PVA panel as 3.000:1. The actual contrast, however, will be in and around the region of the previous model at around 1.000:1. Unfortunately, Eizo has not given any values here. In our tests, we arrived at a contrast of 875:1 after calibration.

The maximum brightness of the S2111W-K is 450 Candela per square metre according to Eizo. Unusually, this value is clearly exceeded, since we measured up to 520 cd/m² in our tests. The Eizo S2111W-K reaches a brightness value of 140 cd/m² -pleasant for the workspace- at a brightness setting of 14 percent.

The LCD also includes a "Brightness Stabilisation Function" which is not mentioned in the German information leaflet. This consists of a brightness sensor in the internal electronics that should equalise any fluctuations in brightness caused by heat or cold or by ageing of the light cathodes.

The sensor should also stabilise the brightness quickly after the monitor is switched on. Since there are still some fluctuations – as will all LCDs- in this case, we strongly recommend that you do not modify colour settings until after the warming up period – at best after about two hours.

When the monitor was connected with the PC via analogue input, it occurred to us that the Eizo S2111W-K does not display a proper black colour in this case but just a dark grey. The contrast seems much lower when viewed subjectively. We have also noticed similar behaviour in monitors be other manufacturers in the same price range. However, the image adjustment works perfectly via the designated sensor button. Then, even morié patterns present no problem for the monitor; the image is stable.

Schematic representation of the direct background lighting.

Eizo has implemented its direct background lighting technology in the S2111W-K and is advertising this as being particularly bright. The light cathodes of the backlight are not positioned at the edges of the panel as is the norm, but are instead distributed across the entire display surface in a U shape (U-Shaped CCFL, CCFL = Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp).

We measured the light intensity at 15 points on the screen in order to determine the brightness distribution quality. As can be seen on the picture below, the light intensity in the top half of the screen is very even, but then lessens towards the bottom.

Measurement of the light intensity at 15 points in Cd/m²

On the very left, the brightness is lower than on the very right hand side. This is surprising because when you look at the monitor with the naked eye, the image seems to be brighter towards the left hand side – in exactly the place where the brightness measured is lower than on the right hand side. How can this be?

As our measurements established, this phenomenon is certainly not as result of the background lighting. The cause seems much more likely to be an incorrect activation of the pixels. For example, if an average Gamma value of 2,22 is calibrated in the centre of the picture, the Gamma values for dark and bright tones are significantly lower on the left hand side yet increase slightly towards the right hand side.

Lower Gamma values mean brighter grey tones; higher Gamma values mean darker grey tones. The effect that causes the brightness to seem higher on the left hand side although the light intensity is lower there than on the right hand side occurs as a direct result of this irregularity.

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