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The IPS226V is a new display from a new line of monitors from one of the world leaders in monitor manufacturers LG Electronics. This model combines an IPS panel with LED Backlighting.
THE GENERAL PRESENTATION
LG’s new line of monitors comprises 4 models: LG IPS2062T (20 inch), IPS226V-PN (21.5 inch), IPS236V-PN (23 inch) and IPS231P (23 inch). The first 3 models are consumer models (or normal user oriented – a user that likes a quality display and would like to enjoy good viewing angles and great colors), the last being a professional display (it is a display oriented to the graphic designers, photographers, etc).
THE BOX
What can you say about the package of a product? I believe that the package is not an important part of the product, but merely a marketing technique. The package used by LG is a standard cardboard box, of good quality and not too many colors used (I actually like a simple box). The first thing that you see on the box is the new message for this line of products: “IPS Teams up with LED”. It is a very clear message that summarizes the essential in this line: the use of an IPS panel (actually according to LG it is a PREMIUM IPS PANEL) with led backlighting technology.
Printed on the box are also some of the features of the monitor like: full hd resolution, mega contrast ratio (refers to the dynamic contrast 5.000.000:1), energy saving, HDMI port.
Inside the box we find the usual: connection cables VGA and DVI-D (but the included cables can be different depending on the country or region) , warranty card and drivers CD with the electronic manual, the stand, a 35W power brick with power cord and surprising 4 screws for the VESA mounting.
ASSEMBLY
Actually the assembly is easy, and the only operation that you have to do is to attach the stand base to monitor using 2 thumb screws. The system used by LG as stand is very basic and it doesn’t allow for any adjustments except for a limited tilt positioning.
SPECIFICATIONS
On paper the specifications look very good.
SPECIFICATIONS
On paper the specifications look very good.
Screen size: 22 inch (21.5 inch)
Pixel pitch (mm): 0.248*0.248
Resolution: FULL HD 1080P (1980×1080)
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Brightness (cd/m²): 250 cd/m²
Panel type: IPS (viewing angles H/V 178° / 178°)
Backlighting: Super LED
Response time: 6ms
Input/Output: VGA, DVI, HDMI and Headphone jack
Power consumption: 35W (27W normal use)
Features: Mega Contrast Ratio (5.000.000:1 dynamic contrast ratio), Ultra-slim LED Monitor (the monitor is very slim and good looking), Smart+ Package.
The IPS Panel used in this display is a IPS6 series, which according to LG, features a low response time (6ms), true color reproduction (“colors true to nature” referred to by LG), super viewing angle of 178 degree, less energy consumption from the use of LED technology.
BUT IS IT REALLY TRUE?
First out of the box the display shows remarkable colors and the quality compared to a TN panel, but what surprised me was that this model doesn’t come calibrated from factory. I know that it is intended to be used by normal consumers (and most will not feel the need to calibrate them), but it is a shame to have an IPS panel not calibrated properly. Don’t get me wrong the quality of the image and colors are great if you compared to a TN panel, but I also use a Dell IPS display and that one came properly calibrated from the factory. So the second thing that I had to do was to calibrate the display. You can use software tools to calibrate, but it is best to use a hardware specialized tool (e.g. DATACOLOR SPYDER 3, Pantone Huey or ColorMunki Create from X-Rite). You can also find calibrated profiles on the internet (google is your friend – sometimes).
Having the monitor calibrated, I took a look at the viewing angles. LG advertises 178° viewing angles, and after some check I have to say that the used panel is very good and respects the specifications. The only problem that I detected regarding the viewing angles is the fact that when approaching the 178° angles the images tend to get a blue coloring tone. But, it is not very obvious and disturbing in any way. It doesn’t affect the clarity of the image in any way.
Response time is what really mater for gamers. After some tests in some FPS, I haven’t seen any signs of ghosting effects or delays. The tests were done in Call of Duty Black Ops (a short movie will be uploaded on my youtube channel in the next days), Medal of Honor 2010 and Metro 2033. I haven’t tested yet any racing games (it’s not that I couldn’t find any, it’s just: I HATE RACING GAMES, but a test will be done – in the name of science – on Need For Speed: Shift).
Below is a short video presentation of the monitor running Call of Duty Black Ops.
Movie playback on the monitor is great and I haven’t seen any delays or any obvious problems. In fact the quality is great. The monitor comes with some predefined modes, including a movie preset that makes the movie view, bright and clear.
Below is a short video presentation of the monitor running a game on Xbox360 and some tests to see the quality of movie playback.
Text viewing is also comfortable. I include here text processing or webpage reading.
THE MENU
Well the menu is simple and easy to understand. The monitor comes only with touch buttons (7 in total including the power button), but they are very responsive. The touch of any of the 6 buttons that are on the left of the power button will open the menu. The menu is set so that when it opens each function will correspond to a button. Pressing on the bezel under the corresponding dot will activate that function. Further advancing in the menu, will change the functions of the touch buttons. The main functions are: MENU, SMART+, MODE, AUTO, INPUT, EXIT.
From the MENU function the user can change the most usual functions: language, contrast, brightness, color scheme, screen position, turn power indicator light off, change the volume for the headphone jack.
From SMART+ you can activate a function that feature a dual web mode that makes the manipulation of the separate screen easier, the Cinema Mode automatically finds the optimal settings.
MODE will allow access to some preset modes: movie, text and other usual presets.
AUTO will auto adjust all the usual functions (contrast, brightness, colors, etc).
INPUT will allow you to change the input port used (VGA, DVI or HDMI).
EXIT = Exit the menu.
As I stated above, the buttons are very responsive and the blue light from the power button is not very disturbing or unpleasant, but after using the display for 2 weeks (give or take a couple of days), I found that pressing the power button to turn the display on and off, made a permanent stain (or better stated permanent smudge). Oh, and not to forget the bezel is a magnet for prints.
CONCLUSIONS
Well, taking into consideration the quality of the display, the products on the market from other manufacturers (Dell, HP) and the prices (in my country the price is about 200 Euro or 268 USD), I think it’s a very good product to buy.
Reproducing the content of this blog, completely or partly, in original or modified, as well as its storage in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form and by any means are forbidden without the written permission of the owner.
Using the content of this blog with explanatory or justifying title, in articles, studies, forum discussions is allowed only clearly and precisely indicating the source.
