NEC MultiSync LCD2080UX

The high-resolution desktop panel market is finally gaining momentum, with the recent arrival of Samsung's SyncMaster 213T, ViewSonic's VP221b and, of course, LG's 23in widescreen behemoth. The 2080UX offers the same 1,600 x 1,200 native resolution afforded by the Samsung and ViewSonic models, but with the viewable diagonal reduced from 21.3in to 20.1in.

Given the near-perfect sharpness of LCDs, the slight reduction in screen size makes no difference to image legibility. In fact, it's a bonus, since the unit looks noticeably less imposing on the desk. With its 16mm all-round bezel, it's svelte from the front, although if you peer round the side it's fairly chunky at 88mm deep. And if looks are important, it's available in black for the same price, although this knocks its TCO compliance down to TCO 95.

Features-wise, the 2080UX is no minimalist. You get three physical inputs: the first is a DVI-I that can cope with an analog or digital signal, and next to this are both analog D-SUB and DVI-D. However, the front-panel signal-select button only allows selection between the DVI-I and whichever of the D-SUB/DVI-D inputs is connected. But you'll be pleased whichever input you choose. When we hooked up the panel to an analog video signal, we initially thought we'd forgotten to disconnect the DVI-D cable and were still running on digital.

Mechanical design features extend to a portrait-mode rotation ability, fast becoming a standard feature on higher-end panels. Probably more useful from an ergonomics point of view is the well-engineered height-adjustment base, with 130mm of vertical travel.

Panels aren't the usual choice for colour-critical applications, but NEC-Mitsubishi is evidently trying to fix that. The 2080UX has OmniColor adjustment, which eschews relatively crude three-axis RGB adjustment for six-axis CMYRGB, plus a saturation control - most impressive. There's an sRGB mode too, of course. Also present in the OSD is an auto-brightness option, which continually adjusts screen intensity depending on the amount of white on screen. We found the effect distracting, but for certain applications it may help reduce headaches arising from prolonged periods working with documents on white backgrounds.

Loading up DisplayMate Multimedia Edition 2.1 to test the panel's technical performance, we were immediately struck by the colour-fade uniformity and lack of stepping or banding on graduations. Out in the real world, the 2080UX looks just right, colours appearing well balanced without being dull and with plenty of contrast.

Its viewing angle is rated at a high 176 degrees in both the vertical and horizontal planes: it's not quite that good, but for an individual user its performance far exceeds anything that would present problems. The pixel response time of 25ms is fine, and DVD performance doesn't suffer unduly.

It all adds up to a great screen. The comparatively smaller size to previous 1,600 x 1,200 panels, while objectively minor, makes a positive difference in everyday use. The display feels less overbearing; you can forget about it more easily and just concentrate on the work in hand. Add the extensive colour controls and adjustments, plus quality, which is at least on a par with its immediate competition, and you're left with an excellent display.

Author: David Fearon