User Interface

Dell and Samsung might still dominate the user interface aspect of displays, but they don't dominate the entire feature set if HP has anything to say about it. The L2335 features a seven-button user interface that might be a little awkward than offerings from Dell and Samsung (and even LG), but HP didn't short-change the consumer on features by any means.

HP offers all of the attributes that you would expect on a high end display, including phase control, a scaleable Picture in Picture, Brightness and Contrast settings, and some color controls. HP gives further depth of control on the analog inputs, but like most displays, a certain level of functionality is lost on the DVI controls. For example, the signal position cannot be controlled on the DVI input.

One of the features of Dell's menu is the ability to change the signal zoom, also called the video Scaling. Dell allows us to change from 1:1, Filled or Aspect scaling. HP does the exact same thing as demonstrated below. If you are really an avid gamer who must play Doom 3 without scaling interpolation at 800x600, the HP can display the signal in the center of the screen on an 800x600 pixel palette. A large complaint of mine is that my set top DVD player often doesn't zoom correctly for certain VCDs onto an HDTV. If you are playing a game or DVD that has butchered your aspect ratio, scaling the image to fill the screen may offer some compensation.

In fact, the only significant difference between the features of the HP L2335 and the Dell 2005FPW/2405FPW is the lack of split screen. As you may recall, our 2005FPW can actually split the screen in half and display two different signals across each side of the screen. Although this feature doesn't have a lot of usefulness, when working on an application that isn't too resolution dependant, we can split the screen without losing desktop space like in PIP mode. The L2335 lacks split screen, but does feature all of the other signal goodies found on the Dell line.

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  • hoppa - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    Wish I could afford it!
  • slayer01 - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    I work for LG and repair LCD monitors all day, and LG does make some good panels and monitors. But LG has screwed Dell for the last few years and Dell is probably going to drop them from all the Dell models. LG and Dell have been battling the "mura issue" as of late.
  • bersl2 - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    Now, take *exactly* this display and scale it down to 19"-20" and $750-$800, and maybe then we'll talk.
  • racolvin - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    I'm obviously missing something somewhere. Can someone give me a link that would explain the diff between SIPS and PVA? I have the Dell 2405FPW and so far its been awesome - and yes, I game with it :) There was obviously some preference for a SIPS panel that I just don't understand, and since I had considered the HP before I bought the Dell, I'd like to understand what I missed the first time around :)
  • Questar - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    "...the drab silver bezel reminds us of a circa 1998 HP desktop."

    Or maybe a 2005 model? All HP corporate systems have a silver bezel.

  • Shalmanese - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    What? No solitare benchmark?
  • Gatak - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    I'd like to see colour accuracy with the tested TFT monitors. As a graphics artist and photographer this is very important. More so than response times.
  • Capt Caveman - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    I've had this monitor for over a year. Back then it cost $1400 and was a steal compared to the Sony 23" and Samsung 24" LCDs both over $2000.

    I've always enjoyed playing games on it and glad to see it get some props. I was jealous of the Dell 24" LCD for it's price and supposedly 12ms response time but I guess that's just marketing spin and the L2335 is actually more responsive. Nice Review
  • cryptonomicon - Friday, July 8, 2005 - link

    awesome. so does it take the gaming crown?

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