LG Flatron W2261V

MARCHANDS	€
Amazon marketplace	109.95
Amazon marketplace	144.90




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Caractéristiques
Screen size	22 inches
Panel type	TN
Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
Response time	2 ms
Inputs (HDMI / DVI / VGA / Component)	1 / 1 / 1 / 0
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Other details	NA
Viewing angles (H/V)	170 ° / 170 °
3D	no
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Alexandre Botella
Test date: June 17, 2009

No more panel juggling promises LG

Rather than an LG-Philips panel as you might have expected, LG has gone for a very good quality AU Optronics for the Flatron W2216V. In view of past history, we did of course ask LG whether they might replace the panel at some point in the future. They have assured us they wont. On anything other than entry-level screens, and on this one in particular, the panel will not change. They have given a commitment.

We strongly suggest you do not play around in the screen service menu as on this screen, in contrast to Samsungs, it is possible to change the settings without necessarily being able to go back on these changes.

Update: 17/06/2009: The version of the W2261V with an LG-Philips panel is now sold as the W2261VP. This is good news, even though there are still some W2261Vs on sale with LGP panels.

Update: 06/04/2009: The W2261V loses yet another star. The W2261V is now being sold with two different panels. We tested the AU-Optronics version, which is still worth four stars. Unfortunately, a second W2261V with an LG-Philips panel is also on the shelves. Same box, same name, but a different screen that should not be sold under the same product name. Because you can't be sure which you'll get, we are are taking another star off the W2261V.

Update: 11/03/2009: This is an excellent screen! The W2261V originally got five stars thanks to a very good showing in all the tests. It even outdoes the Samsung T220 with a Samsung panel. As of March 1st however, it has lost one star due to the implementation of a tougher ratings system that we have introduced as a result of the appearance of better quality screens.

A good screen is a responsive screen with accurate colours at a reasonable price. The LG W2261V ticks all the boxes. It takes over the torch from the Samsung T220…as their physical similarity suggests.

One major change: the T220 was a 1680 x 1050 pixel screen. The W2261V, though, is in Full HD: 1920 x 1080 pixels, which is better both in the office and for watching films. For recent 3D games it doesn’t do so well. You’ll need to turn some graphics options, like ant-aliasing, down, but that doesn't necessarily mean the quality will also be reduced. We are testing to see if the improved fineness of image in Full HD compensates for these changes. Watch this space!

The design is very close to that of the T220. A glossy bezel with a red finish: the similarity is there for all to see. In terms of connectivity, it has what’s becoming more and more common: VGA + DVI + HDMI. Note: the replacement for the T220, the P2270, only has HDMI. The base is a weak point and is about as fixed as it's possible to get. It doesn't pivot, you can't move it up and down or even tilt in back. This is a problem that affects almost all 22'' monitors.

Colours

The tests results are unanimous: the default colour settings are uncommonly good for a general consumer monitor. The average difference between the colours requested by the graphics card and those displayed on the monitor, or the deltaE, is only 2.5. Anything under 3 is rare. If you want to be picky, you can notice a slight blue tinge to the light tones. To get rid of this effect (or at least most of it) or at least largely, readjust the brightness to 82. This will reduce your deltaE by 0.3, giving you a score of 2.2!.

The contrast is around 800:1 at the moment, while average monitiorrs average around 750:1 at the moment.

Gaming

An averge 2 ms TN screen is at 0.8 for coloured ghosting, but the LG does a lot better than this

On top of colour quality, the W2261V also enjoys excellent responsiveness. It isn’t up there with the 120 Hz Samsung SyncMaster 2233rz, but it will still be able to handle games. Even in demanding FPS games like Quake and Unreal which have a lot of rapid movement, the image remains fluid.

While exploring the OSD, you may well come across the option “RTC” which alters responsiveness. If you disactivate it, rapid movements in games are much less precise. One user did report some strange effects in videos when this option is activated. We checked but couldn’t find any. Verdict: it's better to leave this option on.

The second point that will interest gamers is that input lag is under one frame. This screen will be at ease in single or multiplayer games, online or over a LAN.

No miracle for films. With no graphics correction chip, there is a lot of flickering. Good responsiveness and contrast mean you can limit this effect but it remains visible. It is also a TN screen--and that means reduced viewing angles. Only the VA or IPS are not affected and they’re much more expensive.

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Pluses

Default colours good

Responsiveness well above average

Minimal input lag

High contrast

VGA + DVI + HDMI

Minuses

Fixed base, not height adjustable

TN panel = reduced viewing angles

No zero dead pixel guarantee

The W2261V enchanted us at first, but unfortunately we have since discovered that LG is in fact selling two different screens under the same name. The one tested here is good. The other? We have no idea. Manufacturers must lose this habit of swapping panels!