The LG W2261V loses another star

The 22 inch screen LG W2261V originally scored 5 stars back in February. The arrival of the Dell 2209WA, noticeably better (more of an all-rounder and with better ergonomics) caused stars to fly everywhere and this LG monitor dropped to 4. The W2261V now loses another 1: it has been caught red handed!

Our readers alerted us to the problem. They had gone for the W2261V on our advice, reassured by what we had written in the inset: ''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 won’t.''

Some of our readers took care to check for themselves. And you know what they found! Some of the screens do have an LG-Philips panel. We contacted the manufacturer, who, embarrassed, admitted that the situation had been confirmed by Korea. They certify, to reassure us, that the LG-Philips panel has the same qualities as the AU-Optronics that we tested.

We do however prefer to remain cautious. When the screen changes, the LUT (look up table) and colour rendering also changes. The depth of the blacks is not the same and nor is the contrast the same. Responsiveness and display delay will also vary. Colour homogeneity will also change. In other words:

• everything changes except the ergonomics of the monitor.
• The screen with an LG-Philips panel is a quite different screen to the one tested in the lab in February.
• The LG W2261V loses a star and gains a warning, a new conclusion and the zone in the inset containing our interview with LG and their guarantee, is struck out

The new test intro is:

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. This version is still worth 4 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 reference. Due to the lack of certainty, we are are taking another star off the W2261V.

The new conclusion:

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!