X-bit labs

20" LCD Monitors Roundup. Part IV (page 18)

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

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

Philips Brilliance 200P7ES

Notwithstanding the current profusion of widescreen monitors, the classic screen ratio of 4:3 hasn’t been completely defeated. It proves to be most expedient for such applications as CAD/CAM programs and multi-monitor configurations.

The Philips Brilliance 200P7ES belongs to this category. It is a 20” monitor with a native resolution of 1600x1200. Similar to Dell, Philips is producing a twin widescreen model 200WP7ES, but we haven’t got it.

This monitor is based on an S-IPS matrix with Response Time Compensation. The manufacturer specifies two numbers as measured according to the ISO (the time it takes to perform a black-white-black transition) and GtG (the arithmetic mean of all possible transitions between halftones of gray) methods.

The monitor features a neat light-gray case without any embellishments except for the name of the brand emblazoned under the screen.

Despite its rather large dimensions and thickness of the case, the 200P7ES doesn’t look bulky thanks to the lucky combination of shape and color.

The stand allows to adjust the height of the screen, turn it around the vertical axis (only the top part of the pole rotates then) and into portrait mode, and change the tilt of the screen. If you are not satisfied with all that, you can replace the stand with a standard VESA-compatible one.

The monitor has analog and digital inputs, an integrated power adapter and a USB hub.

The hub is situated in the corner of the case and offers four ports: two on the rear and two on the side panel. The latter two are so close to each other that it is hard, if possible at all, to use them simultaneously.

The monitor offers a generous seven control buttons plus a Power button and provides quick access to the automatic adjustment feature, to selecting SmartImage modes, and to the brightness setting. There is no dedicated button on the front panel for switching the inputs. So you can’t change the input without entering the menu.

The SmartImage feature is a set of predefined modes for different applications such as text, movies, etc. Note that not only brightness and contrast, but also color saturation is varied between the modes, which may result in a distorted reproduction of colors. It depends on your personal taste whether you’ll like it or not.

The monitor’s menu is good, yet the developer should still work to improve its ergonomics. The abundance of controls feels like an inconvenience at times.