NEC MultiSync LCD175VXM+

The snappily named NEC MultiSync LCD175VXM+ may be the only standard-aspect 17in TFT in the Labs this month, but it holds its own with its larger rivals. Image quality is simply superb, with accurate colours and the added sharpness that comes from cramming a 1,280 x 1,024 resolution into a smaller space than the 19in panels here.

Its greatest strength is realistic colours. Our test images of outdoor scenes, people and everyday objects such as fruit appeared exactly as you'd expect them to. Tiny details were clearly visible in dark areas of our test videos, and we were impressed by the overall brightness and vibrancy of the display.

It's a good job it needed little in the way of adjustments, though, as we have to point out the appalling OSD: the few options on offer are displayed in tiny icon form rather than text, and scrolling between them is unintuitive; plus, there aren't even basic options like selecting the video source or moving the OSD.

But in all other respects, this is a fine TFT, with DVI and VGA inputs, a set of 1W speakers and a rare headphone jack, too. The stand has 50mm of height adjustment thanks to its hinged design, and the buttons are placed right in the middle at the front for easy access. The NEC also has one of the thinnest bezels this month at just 14mm.

At £120, it certainly isn't cheap - there are several 19in TFTs available for significantly less - so we can't recommend it as good value. But if image quality is your priority, you should certainly have the NEC MultiSync LCD175VXM+ on your shortlist.

Author: David Bayon