X-bit labs

20" LCD Monitors Roundup. Part IV (page 16)

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 09/07/2007 | 10:38 AM ]

NEC MultiSync 20WGX2 Pro

We reviewed the 20WGX2 model from NEC in an earlier article and found it to be a good home monitor based on an S-IPS matrix with Response Time Compensation. But it was soon replaced by the Pro-suffixed model, the one I will be talking about right now.

The new and old models coincide in their specs. You can see a high specified contrast ratio, but it is the so-called dynamic contrast. In other words, the 20WGX2 Pro is based on a matrix with a contrast ratio of 800:1 (LG.Philips LCD LM201WE2) but the monitor’s electronics can automatically adjust the backlight brightness twofold depending on the displayed image, thus providing a resulting dynamic contrast of 2*800:1 = 1600:1.

The exterior design hasn’t changed. The monitor doesn’t look compact. It is thick and the rounded-off screen bezel makes it “fatter” visually. Anyway, the company has made a step away from its traditional and rather outdated square-shaped design that doesn’t fit well into a living-room environment.

The simple black stand allows to change the tilt of the screen only. No height adjustment and no portrait mode here.

The monitor has analog and digital inputs and a 4-port USB hub. Two of the hub ports are located at the back next to the other connectors. The remaining two ports are on the left side of the case. The power adapter is integrated into the monitor.

Traditionally for latest models of home monitors from NEC, the MultiSync 20WGX2 Pro is controlled with a 4-position mini-joystick and a few buttons. The joystick doesn’t work too well. On some samples of the monitor it doesn’t react normally at your pressing it rightwards or downwards. If you don’t like it, you may want to control the monitor by means of the Windows-based NaviSet program.

Quick access is provided to the brightness and contrast settings (by moving the joystick), to switching the inputs and to the DV Modes (factory-defined modes you can switch between with a press of a button).