Hanns.G HW191DP review

The Hanns.G HW191DP is one of only two TFTs in this group to feature a DVI port, and adds to this with a set of integrated speakers. A three-year on-site warranty is reassuring, and Hanns.G performed reasonably well in the last PC Pro Reliability survey. This 19in TFT has the features to give it a good start.

Image quality doesn't quite follow suit, however. In testing, gradient ramps appeared perfectly smooth, with good distribution towards the top end of the spectrum meaning plenty of detail in light areas. The lower end is a bit more compressed, with lower greys sinking to black a little too soon, but overall contrast isn't too bad.

We chose to stick with the Default colour settings, as the 6,500K colour temperature was a little too warm. Our greyscale tracking test showed an almost neutral tone, with just the slightest hint of blue. And our real-world tests backed this up: Crysis looked vivid, although the problems in dark areas noted in the gradient tests undermined things somewhat, with detail lost in the smudge of black. It was the same with our more atmospheric test videos.

That's forgivable at this price, but the one thing we couldn't ignore was the control scheme. With faint labels and buttons sunk into the side of the frame it's a nightmare to make any tweaks, and all too easy to switch the monitor off when all you want to do is adjust the picture. It's not a deal-breaker, but when the Hyundai offers more at a similar price it's enough to keep the Hanns.G from winning an award.

Author: David Bayon