CTX PV7221

This 17in monitor capitalises on the latest LCD technology.

Price: £445.33

Manufacturer: CTX

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Verdict

Pros:
Bright image; excellent viewing angles; DVI and D-Sub inputs; pivot function; price.

Cons:
No USB ports; plasticky feel.

Overall:
This is a good LCD panel that offers excellent viewing angles, a bright image with commendable contrast, and a pivot function - all for a sensible price, too.

Jalal Werfalli., Personal Computer World 02 Apr 2003

CTX's latest 17in LCD, the PV722I, is an updated version of the PV720A.

However, there are no built-in speakers this time, but instead it features Multi-domain Vertical Alignment (MVA) display technology, and a D-Sub and DVI input.

Inputs-wise, you have the choice of receiving a digital or an analogue signal, or both at the same time, depending on the output of your graphics card.

In use, this LCD is a pleasure to work on at its native resolution of 1,280 x 1,024. Colour fading is smooth, the picture has good contrast, is brightly illuminated, and the viewing angles are very wide on both planes.

The 25ms response time is also excellent for viewing fast-moving images such as DVD movies.

These features are chiefly due to the MVA technology where the liquid-crystal molecules are angled in more than one direction by protrusions in the glass surfaces, as well as being held in a number of areas or 'domains' within a single LCD cell.

By combining molecules oriented in one direction with areas of molecules oriented in the opposite direction the brightness of the cells appear even over a wide range of viewing angles.

For a portrait view, the screen can be rotated through 90 degrees and, with the bundled Pivot Pro software, so can the picture. You can also detach the screen altogether for wall mounting.

Nevertheless, the OSD options are intuitive, and offer an auto-adjustment function, and a movie mode with settings for tint and flesh tones.

Overall, this is a good choice for any user who wants to dump their aging CRT for a flat panel.

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