Performance Briefs
Flat Panel Monitors (HP CONFIDENTIAL)
Scott Gray (). Updated 8/08/2003

Summary: Most important metrics and features for 18” and 19” flat panels.

Background:

1. Brightness of 250 nits or greater.

2. Contrast ratios of 300:1 or greater.

3. Response times of 25ms (rise and fall) or faster.

4. Viewing angles of 160 degrees or greater.

5. Analog and Digital inputs. Digital should be a DVI-I connector which can act as a digital connector or a 2nd analog connector. Both types of interfaces will assure compatibility with virtually any card. Also, some monitors will not ship with the DVI (digital cable) while some do. Look for monitors that include the cable since the DVI cables are expensive and hard to find as aftermarket accessories.

6. Robust scaling chip in the display. The best available on the market today come from Pixelworks or Genesis. If the 18" or 19" display do not use these types of scalers, the image quality at lower resolutions should not be as good.

7. A good monitor in this size should also have VESA mounting capability so that the display can be used on a swing arm or wall mount.

8. Ergonomic features like height adjustable bases, and tilt and swivel capability are pluses so that the display height can be adjusted for various end users. Ex. Male and females tend to be different heights so their viewing preferences are also different. A monitor that can be adjusted up or down and has the ability to be tilted or swiveled, should satisfy the visual comfort of most end users.

9. Pivot rotation - This feature allows the screen to be rotated 90 degrees so that the monitor can be used for both portrait or landscape applications. If a monitor includes this capability, it is important that the monitor also include the "PivotPro" software which must be loaded onto a workstation or pc for this to operate. Some companies only include trial versions of this software, or list a website where the software can be downloaded for a fee. On the other hand, some companies will include this software with the monitor so no additional costs are necessary to use this feature.

10. 18" or 19" question - In native resolution, the 19" has a slightly larger pixel pitch even though the resolution format is identical in the two sizes. The end result is that the 19" display will have slightly larger text and graphics in native mode thus improving the readability and legibility. Many end users prefer the 19" over the 17" or 18" for this very reason.

11. Lastly, if the end user wants to "tile" more than one display, narrow screen bezels are a benefit so that the displays can be pushed closer together. Bezel widths of 20mm or less would be the best choice for these types of applications. There are several types of 18" or 19" displays that include narrower bezels while some do not. Look for a narrow bezel design over a wider bezel design in the event monitors will ever tiled. There should be no cost up for narrow bezel designs.

Results: HP products either match or exceed these recommendations. HP 18", 19", and 20" flat panels would fall into this category. The HP weblink where you can download the data sheets (quickspecs) for these monitors.

http://psg.inet.cpqcorp.net/application/view/menu_products.asp?pf=0

When you get to that link you will need to click on "Monitors” then “Flat Panel - Performance". Under that section you will find links for the L1825, L1925, and L2025 QuickSpecs.

Conclusion:

HP 18", 19", and 20" have height adjustable stands. Our 18" and 19" also include Pivot.

Dell only has height adjustable stands on their 19". They do not include pivot.

HP offers a DVI-I port that can be used as either a digital input or a second analog input (on all three models, 18, 19, 20).

Dell offers a DVI-D port that can only be used as a dedicated digital input.

Those are the big feature differences between the Dell products and HP products. Of course, Dell is continuously improving their products so they may add more features on newer models.