BenQ VW2420H Monitor Review
by Chris Heinonen on December 10, 2011 2:45 AM ESTConclusion: Good with Caveats
With the VW2420H, BenQ has removed a lot of the extra features like multiple HDMI inputs that were on their EW2420 display, and at the same time they've managed to increase the already superb contrast ratios. The main negatives for the BenQ in my book are the total lack of adjustments beyond tilt, which you can’t remedy with a different stand due to the lack of VESA mounting holes, and the OSD interface. BenQ needs to update the OSD so that all menu selections are horizontal or vertical, and not a combination, unless they want to add a 4-way pad to the front of the monitor. It’s easy enough to fix, and it will make the OSD far more usable.
While there are some good results in our testing, just looking at the uniformity testing makes me hesitate a bit about the BenQ. Overall I think it's a good display, and the color quality is decent after calibration; however, color accuracy drifts heavily at the edges, along with the white uniformity. Still, the contrast ratio is outstanding compared to everything else in our test database.
Right now you can find the BenQ VW2420H online for $250 at Best Buy (plus tax and shipping), which is up to $80 less than what you'll pay at Newegg. It's a reasonable price for a better-than-TN display, though if you're after faster response times or a 3D-capable panel you're pretty much stuck with TN right now (or spring for an HDTV).
I really enjoyed the BenQ from the time I hooked it up until the time I boxed it up, which can’t be said for most things that I review. I wish it was a little cheaper, with more uniform color, and had a better stand for what it is selling for online, but the performance is enough for me to recommend giving it a serious look for a desktop display.
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jigglywiggly - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link
stop doing these cruddy display reviewsdo more 120hz reviews
snuuggles - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link
+1This is a high-end site. I'm not clear on why anyone here would buy anything but either:
1. an excellent s-ips screen
2. 120hz input screen
Also, Chris, please do not encourage people here to purchase a "3d" TV as a monitor. As you *must* know, there is no TV on the market today that can accept a 120hz signal and display it, and most TVs have *horrible* input lag. To even suggest that a 3d tv is an acceptible monitor is to further confuse an already confused public.
DanNeely - Sunday, December 11, 2011 - link
For the most part sites review what vendors send them for review.gmkmay - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link
Just out of curiosity why would you review this when you already reviewed the EW2420? They use the same panel with just slight differences in inputs and presentation. The time spent reviewing this seems like it would have been much better spent reviewing the 750d Samsung TN 120hz monitor that you've said was forthcoming.cheinonen - Sunday, December 11, 2011 - link
BenQ provided both and I reviewed both of them. The Samsung is coming very, very soon.jmunjr - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link
Same old story. LCD makers, if you keep making 16:9 LCDs many of us will run the other way... We don't care if it is cheaper, we want better.seapeople - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link
I want 16:16 aspect ratio, I really like my vertical space. Actually, I'd prefer something like a 9:16 aspect ratio, but I just don't think we'll ever get there.Penti - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link
Haha, you mean you like to pivot your screen? Just do it.JediJeb - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link
With the lack of VESA mounts these days most monitors won't pivot unless you tear them apart and use some sheet metal screws to mount them to a post.TegiriNenashi - Monday, December 12, 2011 - link
Yes pivot that 16:9 screen to see how ridiculously narrow it is.