X-bit labs

22" Monitors Roundup: Part 1 (page 2)

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 08/12/2007 | 08:53 PM ]

BenQ FP222Wa

Response Time Compensation technology is nothing new for monitors with smaller screen diagonals, but RTC-enabled matrixes are yet rare in the new 22” market sector. Striving to make as much profit as possible, the manufacturers prefer to release a simpler product first and then attract the buyer to subsequent models with various improvements.

The FP222Wa is an example of that marketing policy as it is based on a TN matrix with a specified response time of 5 milliseconds. As you know, this number indicates a lack of RTC and, accordingly, a rather low effective speed. The large viewing angles appear in the specs due to the measurement method. They are measured by the reduction of the contrast ratio to 5:1 rather than to 10:1 as for other matrix types. There’s no mistaking it: the vertical viewing angle is quite poor visually.

This monitor has a humble appearance with its simple black stand and light-silver screen bezel. If the latter were not so wide, the FP222Wa might pretend to a certain elegance of appearance, but the bezel is in fact 5-10 millimeters wider than in most competitor products and its light color and flat surface make this even more conspicuous.

The stand allows to adjust the tilt of the screen. It can be replaced with a standard VESA mount if necessary.

The monitor’s got an analog input only (but BenQ offers the slightly more expensive FP222W that has a DVI input as well). The power adapter is integrated into the case.

The monitor’s controls are located on its left panel and are not visible from the front. You can’t see their labels from the front, either. So, if you change your monitor settings frequently, you either have to remember the position of each button or turn the monitor around. The buttons are all the same to the touch and are designed as a single block except for the Power button. It’s hard to explain the reason for this absolutely anti-ergonomic solution. Neat buttons or at least labels cannot spoil a monitor’s appearance while the necessity to look for the buttons may be irritating for the user.

The Input button is an interesting one. The FP222Wa having only one input, its function is limited to displaying the text “Input: D-Sub” on the screen. It’s unclear why they didn’t make this button the last in the row and sealed it with a plastic plug in the model that lacks digital input. The manufacturer doesn’t leave an unconnected DVI connector in the model without digital input, so why is this practically useless button left?

The onscreen menu is quite convenient. It has a logical structure and offers all the settings typical of this class of monitors. Alas, the position of the buttons makes controlling this monitor inconvenient. No matter how clear a menu structure may be, it is no pleasure using it when you have to fumble for the necessary buttons by touch.