REVIEW: ViewSonic VX900

Author: Andreas Roth
09/03/2002

Translation by Johannes Post

Manufacturer: ViewSonic

Warranty LCD/Backlight (Years):	3/3 incl. Pickup Service
Max. pixel faults (according to ISO 13406-2):	Classe II + Zero Pixel Defect Policy
Panel size:	19"
Pixel size [mm]:	0,294
Native resolution:	1.280 x 1.024
Visible screen size/diagonal [mm]:	376 x 301 / 483
Video-In, connector:	D-Sub analog / DVI-D digital
Vertical frequency [Hz]:	50 - 85
Max. horizontal frequency/ video bandwidth [kHz/MHz]:	30 - 82 / -
Color mode preset/user:	4 / 1
LCD pivotable / portrait mode:	No / No
LCD display arm option:	Yes
Features:	D-Sub cable, DVI-D cable, power cable, internal power supply unit, speakers, audio cable
Dimensions (W x H x D) [mm]:	442 x 475 x 181
Weight [kg]:	7,6
Compliance:	TCO99, TUEV GS, ISO 13406-2, CE
Power consumption On/Stand-by/Off [Watt]:	< 46 / - / -
Test date:	03.09.2002
Rating:
Picture stability:	++ (digital) + (analog)
Viewing angle dependency:	++
Contrast:	++
Color space:	++
Subjective impression of image quality:	+
Shades of gray resolution:	++
Brightness allocation:	++
Interpolation image quality:	+
Fabrication of case/frame, mechanics:	++
Operating, OSD:	+/-
Suitable for occasional gamer:	+/-
Suitable for hardcore gamer:	-
Suitable for DVD/Video:	++
Price [incl. VAT. in Euros]:	1.400,00

++ very good, + good, +/- satisfactory, - bad, -- very bad

Introduction

From a design stand point, this 19 inch monitor has quite some appeal. It is mainly held in black. Only the panel is bordered by a silver frame. This explains why this monitor complies with the TCO99 standard. The control elements and speakers are integrated below this frame. Of course it looks bigger compared to devices with a thinner frame, but it still looks charming in its own way.

Scope of supply

Alongside the LCD we found the following its in the carton: a CD (containing a manual, a software called "Colorific" and drivers), a quick manual, an analog and a digital monitor cable, a cable for connecting the monitor to the sound card and a power supply unit with power cable. Colorific is color calibrating tool the monitor. The CD also comes with software called "True Internet Color". Making settings with Colorific is relatively simple, only that the color calibration with the accompanying color stencil is a little long winded in my humble opinion. True Internet Color is intended to help displaying certain colors in an exact, standardized manner. Say i.e. if you want to buy a blue sweater, then it is only reasonable to want the blue of the sweater (according to the manufacturer's instructions) to perfectly match with the blue that is being displayed on the web site. Unfortunately, the majority of web sites were not designed using this software a similar one. Even Viewsonic itself didn’t make use of such on their web site by the way, imposing the question for everyday use in general upon me.

Setting it up

The monitor can be up and running in just a few minutes. The connectors on the back are very easy to access.

Options

The OSD offers the following functions:

Brightness
Contrast
Automatic synchronization
Input selection (analog or digital)
Audio menu:
Volume, balance, mute, treble and bass
Color calibration:
9300k, 6500k, 5400k, 500k and user
Monitor info:
resolution, frequency serial number and model number
Manual picture setup:
horizontal size and position, vertical position and fine adjustment, focus and scaling (1:1, full screen, full screen with height / width ratio)
Configuration menu:
language (German is available), information on resolution, OSD (Position, interval and background) and button sound.
Factory settings

Each push of a button is followed by an annoying peep sound, which can be turned off admittedly. Operating the OSD is solved to a satisfactory degree. Unfortunately, all buttons are very sensitive resulting in involuntary triggering of other menu items. So you often happen to find yourself again in places on the wrong end menu unintendedly. Another minus is that values are represented in bars and not numerical values.

Speakers

The sound delivered by the speakers is sufficient for playing back sounds of the operating system. But in order to listen to music at an enjoyable level one needs separate speakers. A microphone is embedded in the monitor's foot and the rear side holds a head phone connector.

Image quality

The picture makes a fairly good impression and is able to convince us. Directly compared to the 191T by Samsung, however, a noticeable lack in color brilliance surfaces.

Office applications and DVDs will have absolutely no trouble with this device. And the occasional type of gamer might be pleased with the image quality just as well, although the device showed distinct ghosting effects in Quake III. The 3D benchmarking test 3D Mark 2001 SE was passed without any problems by this display. Also some color shifts become visible during scrolling, but this doesn't turn out to be too much of an annoyance.

By and large one gets a recommendable monitor with design appeal and a very good list of features at a very good price.

Service

We would like thank Viewsonic, for making this device available to us for reviewing purposes. The entire communication was explicitly friendly and efficient. This experience meets the expectations corroborated by the continuously positive reports already posted in our board. Every customer receives an excellent support next to a good monitor

Overall rating: GOOD

Technical specification: ViewSonic VX900

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