Hitachi CML175SXW review

The gap in price between CRTs and TFTs has been closing fast. We're approaching the point where performance is the deciding factor between the two. TFT colour and graphic performance is, however, still some way off top-level CRTs. The A-Listed Eizo FlexScan L565 made use of Hitachi's Super-IPS flat-panel technology, came close with its superb colour reproduction, but the hefty price tag and 30ms response time now adversely affect its appeal.

Then there's the feature-laden BenQ FP791. Its 16ms response time appeals to gamers and multimedia buffs alike, although it can't match the Eizo's colour reproduction capability. So the question is whether Hitachi's new panel, the CML175SXW - despite being based upon an evolution of the older TN+Film technology - can meld the colour performance of the Eizo with the versatility of the BenQ.

First tests using DisplayMate Multimedia Edition's green and white purity screens showed the panel to be bright and evenly lit. We followed this with the tricky colour combination test, which displays coloured text on different coloured backgrounds. Most panels struggle when combining green with cyan or magenta with red, but the CML175SXW barely broke stride, presenting impressive and very readable text throughout.

Performance with the 256-intensity ramp tests was excellent. The smooth colour and greyscale fades were outstanding, with virtually no perceptible gradation jumps anywhere on the screen - a tremendous achievement for a TFT. There was a slight sticking point with intensity response, in that some ramps were truncated with colours fading to 100 per cent black too soon. However, we soon forgot about this after seeing the phenomenal blending exhibited in the colour scale and colour spectrum tests - tests that normally prove a severe problem for all but the very best TFTs.

In our real-world testing, the Hitachi's 16ms response time showed its mettle. 3D action games suffered little lag and ghosting was greatly reduced when watching DVDs. The only slight flaw was, again, incorrect gamma leading to black crushing in dark areas, with low-level detail being rendered black no matter what brightness adjustments were made. However, this is a moot point, as it caused little distraction.

In ergonomic terms, the stand isn't the best we've seen, offering only a 35-degree vertical swivel adjustment. Horizontal viewing angles also weren't outstanding at 160 degrees, but neither limitation is extreme. There's no USB hub, but sound from the 1W stereo speakers is relatively good. The OSD proved intuitive, although it's limited to brightness adjustment in DVI mode. In analog mode, clarity was predictably degraded - text was rendered with poor definition in places. This was in sharp contrast to the clear and vivid digital display, but it was nonetheless usable.

We're more than happy to recommend the CML175SXW, despite its slight truncation of dark colours, as it still offers excellent all-round graphics performance for a TFT. The Eizo L565 gives slightly better colour performance and the BenQ FP791 offers more features, but at £75 less than its nearest rival the CML175SXW is a bargain.

Author: Nick Ross