LED backlighting and 120Hz refresh rates are gathering pace in both TV screens and PC monitors. An ever increasing number of manufacturers are eager to extend their product range and take advantage of these new technologies, both of which are attractive for different reasons. An LED backlight can enhance contrast, brightness and smooth out colour gradients – whilst 120Hz refresh rates can make moving images on computer monitors more fluid and smoooth. We take a look at the treats that four major PC monitor manufacturers (Acer, Samsung, ViewSonic and BenQ) have in store for us in the months spanning from April to June and look at how these products make use of either LED backlights, 120Hz refresh rates or in some cases both. Some bits of this post go into a fair bit of technical detail, so if you haven’t yet acquainted yourself with some of these terms please read this article.

Acer GD245HQ

 

The Acer GD245HQ is a very snazzy looking gaming monitor (as you can probably see) from Acer which is now available in the PC Monitors shop. The Acer GD245HQ looks to have great specifications and includes a 120Hz refresh rate, large 23.6″ viewable area for smooth and stereoscopic 3D gaming; but these specifications are just figures on paper until the reviews start flooding in. 

Digital Versus have done some testing with the Acer GD245HQ and have found it to be one of the most responsive computer monitors to date with very low input lag (useful for gamers). The static contrast ratio was, as it often is, slightly overstated by the manufacturer and was recorded as 900:1. Colour reproduction was fairly average for a TN PC monitor, with the colours displaying a slight blue tint under default settings. It seems that the Acer GD245HQ looks set to be a bright and responsive gaming monitor, but perhaps not the best choice for photography or other work requiring accurate colours. 

Acer GD245HQ key features

• 24” (23.6” visible) widescreen display
• 1920×1080 ‘full HD’ resolution
• 80000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (1000:1 static)
• 300 cd/m2 luminance
• 2ms response time (G2G)
• 120Hz refresh rate
• RRP in UK around £300

  

Samsung SyncMaster PX2370

 

The Samsung SyncMaster PX2370 (now released) is the successor to the XL2370 that impressed us so much here at PC Monitors; so we expect great things. As you can see from the picture, the Samsung PX2370 has taken a page from the XL2370’s book in the aesthetics department and written a second draft. It’s a stunning looking monitor which is sleek, stylish, glossy and glassy but slightly less curvy than the XL2370. We are certainly interested to find out if the stand of the PX2370 is a little more stable than it was on the XL2370 and that’s not something you can usually tell from just a picture. 

Unlike the looks, the specifications do little to distinguish the PX2370 from the XL2370. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing; the XL2370 offered exceptional image quality with the only real weakness being the poor viewing angles and shifting colours that you tend to get on any TN panel. The PX2370 might just be able to surprise us with its colours, and Samsung are eager to promote the “complete sRGB support” of the PX2370. This means that, presumably, the Samsung PX2370 has a preset which can display particularly accurate colours in the sRGB standard fit for photography work. We are also intrigued by Samsung’s ‘Magic Angle’, which is something they introduced with some of their new LED TVs. It is supposed to enhance the viewing angles beyond what you would expect from a TN panel (which is around 160-170 degrees) but we aren’t sure exactly how it works. 

The Samsung SyncMaster PX2370 is also touted to be one of the most energy efficient PC monitors to date. This is not only due to the LED backlight which consumes less power than a CCFL backlight, but also due to Samsung’s proprietary ‘Smart Sensor’ technology. The ‘Smart Sensor’ of the PX2370 combines a proximity sensor with an ambient light sensor to detect your presence (or absence) in the room and turns on and off the monitor as required. Sounds useful if not a little eerie. 

One thing we are really hoping for is a slightly cheaper PX2370 in smaller sizes such as 20-22 inches and we’re eager to see if Samsung shares this desire. 

Samsung SyncMaster PX2370 key features

• 23” widescreen display
• 1920×1080 ‘full HD’ resolution
• 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (1000:1 static)
• 2ms response time (G2G)
• LED backlight
• Samsung ‘Smart Sensor’
• Samsung ‘Magic Angle’ enhances the viewing angle (we’re not quite sure how exactly this works, but it’s magic)
• Retail price around £340
• Now available in UK

 

ViewSonic VX50 and V3D Series

 

PC Monitors has already touched upon the ViewSonic’s planned extension to their LED monitor range, including the VX50 and V3D here. ViewSonic has since hinted that an April, May or June release is likely in the UK, so you could soon see these new models in the monitor shop. But what’s special about these new computer monitors? It’s actually difficult to say, as ViewSonic has given little away specification-wise. What we do know is that the VX50 series will include a 24 inch (23.6” visible) and 22 inch (21.5” visible) model; both of which have an LED backlight. The RRP of the VX2450WM-LED (24” VX50) is set at 299 USD and the 22” VX2250WM-LED is set at 219 USD. The V3D is the first consumer PC monitor that sports a 120Hz refresh rate in addition to an LED backlight but the price is TBC.

ViewSonic also plans to release some slightly less inspiring PC monitors shortly – the VX39, VA31 and VA32 monitors which lack LED backlights (and in the case of the VA series are aimed at the lower price bracket of 149-219 USD)

ViewSonic VX50 and V3D Series key features

• 22” (VX22.. and V3D..) or 24” (VX24..) widescreen display
• 1920×1080 ‘full HD’ resolution
• Built-in ‘SRS Premium Sound’ speakers
• Planned April-June release in UK

 

New BenQ V Series

Last but by no means least (unless you’re talking about the price) is the stunning BenQ V Series – 3 of the 4 members are now available from PC Monitors. The V Series includes four LED-backlit models; the 18.5” V920, 21.5” V2220, 23” V2320 and 24” V2420. The V Series promises to be sleek (14-15mm thick) and as you can see from the picture, very stylish. But the beauty of these computer monitors extends beyond the pleasing aesthetics and LED backlight; BenQ’s proprietary ‘Senseye Human Vision Technology’ (version 3.0) promises 6 presets which optimise colours and contrast to be pleasing for the human eye (sorry to disappoint your pets) in games, movies, sRGB, photos and Economy viewing. The Economy viewing mode can be used if predominantly dark scenes (such as those at night) are being rendered, which could save over 65% in energy consumption over the V Series already impressively low levels.

The first line of LED-backlit monitors from BenQ, which included the 22” BenQ 2222HDL, proved very popular with consumers by offering exceptional brightness and contrast (thank you LED backlight) in a surprisingly low-cost package. Hopefully the new monitors will offer similar if not better image quality and equally impressive prices (prices TBC).

New BenQ V Series key features

• 18.5” (V920), 21.5” (V2220), 23” (V2320) or 24” (V2420) widescreen display
• 5ms response time (G2G)
• 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (1000:1 static)
• 250 cd/m2 luminance
• LED backlight
• ‘Senseye Human Vision Technology’ 3.0
• 14-15mm total thickness
• Now available in UK