Eizo ColorEdge CG18 review

The CRT's high level of colour accuracy has traditionally made it the tool of choice for the design world. Eizo's CG18, however, is part of a new breed of TFTs trying to lure people away from their monstrous boxes by offering improved accuracy and new functionality.

Currently, photographers and printers use complex colour-proofing processes between the design and production phases. But now these costly and lengthy methods are being replaced by far more direct Computer To Plate (CTP) methods. Drastically reducing pre-production time, they also offer a filmless environment and lower costs. However, in order for CTP to be viable, graphics professionals must be able to carry out all colour-value checks on screen before printing begins. The display must therefore offer exceptional accuracy.

The CG18 uses Eizo's new ColorNavigator calibration software and compatibility with the terrifically named GretagMacbeth Eye-One (GMEO) spectrophotometer to achieve this, and in doing so it achieves new standards in TFT colour accuracy.

In the absence of a GMEO, we calibrated the CG18 using DisplayMate and the extensively featured OSD. However, simply pressing the 'auto' button still provided a highly accurate display.

We were immediately impressed with the CG18's colour and greyscale ramp performance - the best we've ever seen from a TFT. Banding was practically non-existent and a full range of shades for every colour was produced immaculately. The same can be said for the colour scales, which highlighted this screen's phenomenal colour blending. Most TFTs fall down when it comes to producing DisplayMate's colour spectrum test but, again, the CG18's blends were outstanding.

Our only slight disappointment came in the colour combinations test - cyan text on a green background (and vice versa) was mediocre. That said, overall performance was still good.

Our real-world tests produced mixed results, which isn't surprising considering the panel's 40ms response time. The DVD movie began well, with colouring and shading proving again to be very accurate. Predictably, though, whenever anything fast moved across the screen, severe ghosting proved distracting. In our 3D game, results were similar. Colour accuracy was again superb, but the amount of lag spoiled the effect whenever we made sharp movements.

We found this 1,280 x 1,024 screen comfortable in day-to-day use, thanks to the IPS (in-plane switching) panel's superb viewing angles and adjustable ergonomic stand. However, the ghosting of rapidly moved windows and visible mouse trails were distracting.

Eizo admits this panel isn't for video editors, and won't be able to reduce response times significantly until next year. LaCie is offering the spectrophotometer-ready 20.1in Photon20Vision (see above), with a 25ms response time, for less money, making the CG18's price hard to swallow.

Nevertheless, Eizo deserves praise for producing the most accurate colour display we've tested. Until its response times improve, though, this panel will only appeal to those professionals who require the Eizo's superior colour-calibration controls over the higher resolution LaCie.

Author: Nick Ross