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[ Go to July 1997 Table of Contents ]
WinLab Reviews
-- by Marc Spiwak
Sony's two new 17-inch monitors, the Multiscan 200sx and the Multiscan 17seII, show yet again why Trinitron technology has earned such a good reputation. Using a cylindrical, or vertically flat, CRT, Trinitron technology reduces glare and eyestrain. Sony uses an aperture grille, rather than a shadow mask, in both monitors to deliver a brighter picture with more contrast. The 200sx and 17seII offer preset and customizable resolution settings and similar controls, though the 17seII's are more accessible. Both monitors meet Energy Star and VESA DPMS standards and furnish a limited warranty of three years on parts and labor, and two years on the CRT. Multiscan 200sx The Multiscan 200sx is Sony's entry-level 17-inch monitor. It has an aperture-grille pitch of 0.25mm and provides a 15.9-inch viewable image. Horizontal scan ranges from 30kHz to 70kHz; vertical scan ranges from 50Hz to 150Hz, which is 30Hz higher than the unit's closest rival, the Princeton EO70. The monitor measures 16.8 by 16.2 by 18.5 inches and weighs 45.4 pounds. The 200sx showed a bright, sharp image with well-defined text. Though it supports resolutions up to 1280x1024 pixels at 65Hz, the image is easier to look at when set to 800x600 and completely flicker-free with a 75Hz refresh rate. Sonera Technologies' DisplayMate detected that the monitor had trouble displaying the complete gray-scale range. In addition, convergence tests revealed a reddish tinge on pure white lines. There's no control to correct the problem. However, the Sony did display near-perfect screen regulation, something the Princeton EO70 scored poorly on. Screen regulation is important for maintaining a distortion-free image. Multiscan 17seII Offering the best Trinitron picture to date, the Multiscan 17seII has no discernible defects. It displayed beautiful even colors, full gray scale, excellent focus and detail, tight convergence, and a rock-stable image. Even DisplayMate failed to uncover deficiencies. The 17sell, therefore, just might be the best 17-inch display we've ever come across. The 17seII has an aperture-grille pitch of 0.25mm and a 15.9-inch viewable image. It supports resolutions up to 1600x1200 at 60Hz, compared to the Compaq V70's 1280x1024 at 60Hz. Horizontal scan ranges from 30kHz to 85kHz, and vertical scan ranges from 48Hz to 150Hz. The Multiscan 17seII also has dual inputs: one with an HD15 connector and another with five BNC connectors. The unit measures 16.8 by 15.9 by 17.7 inches and weighs 44.1 pounds. Both Sony monitors have great displays. Only the contrast and convergence problems keep the 200sx off the WinList. The 17seII, however, is practically perfect in every way and earns a place on the WinList next to the Compaq V70.
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