ViewSonic VX2255wmb

Verdict: Great colour control in both games and films, and a host of extras, make this a great all-round screen.

The current sweet spot of TFT monitors is in the 22in sector, with anything larger becoming significantly more expensive, and anything smaller costing almost the same. However, 22in TFTs are very hit and miss at the moment, as they vary from rubbish to excellent without explanation. For example, the Hanns.G HW223DP provides a generally good image - even though there's a noticeable lack of definition in dark areas - and costs over £40 less than this screen. So why does this monitor receive an award?

A brighter screen with better contrast offers extra realism to the images it displays. For example, the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW has a huge contrast range for deep, inky blacks and richly detailed shadows. Also, the extra brightness of the backlight, plus the type of liquid crystal technology used, gives colours a punchy vibrancy. These two factors combine to make images appear fresher and more exciting than on the comparatively dull Hanns.G., However, the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW isn't perfect; it was merely the best TFT that we'd seen until this ViewSonic screen.

The VX2255wmb's tall, height-adjustable stand gives it the first win over the Samsung's fixed-height stand, making it easier to manoeuvre into a comfortable position. Admittedly, the glossy black plastic of the VX2255wmb isn't as nice to look at as the Samsung, but the VX2255wmb is by no means ugly. The OSD buttons are hidden on the right-hand side to maintain a clean style, and the central power button and thin strip of silver are nice touches. It's also available in glossy white (suffixed 'wmh') for these strange people who like iPods.

However, while the Samsung might look a lot nicer when switched off, the VX2255wmb wins when the monitors are turned on. Viewing HD film trailers alongside the Samsung, we immediately voted the Samsung to be the best, with its punchier colours and richer contrast grabbing our attention. However, after five minutes viewing, the entire CPC crew changed their preferences to the VX2255wmb (and if you've listened to our podcasts, you'll know how rare such a consensus of opinion is).

Most of us cited the poor skin-tone handling of the Samsung as the reason for the switch; the Samsung made people look purple, while the VX2255wmb handled the tones just right. We then started to notice that the VX2255wmb was also more natural with its colour handling. The Samsung opts for eye-busting vibrancy, and although this gave starker shadows and more piercing sunlight, the VX2255wmb is simply more pleasant and natural when watching films.

In our technical DisplayMate tests, the two monitors performed similarly, with neither monitor suffering anything close to a fail in any test. The Samsung, not surprisingly, given its S-PVA panel and resulting 1,000:1 contrast ratio, proved to be slightly better at differentiating between very dark greys and black. The win was marginal, though, and we didn't see much difference when watching films or gaming on both screens. The VX2255wmb, based on S-TN panel technology, has a lower 700:1 rated contrast level. It also needs to run at maximum brightness to achieve the best results, so it will fade as the backlight ages, whereas the Samsung a stronger backlight.

The S-PVA panel of the Samsung also gives it a slightly wider horizontal viewing angle than that of the VX2255wmb. Again, however, the win was slight, and both screens are fine for audiences of more than one person.

With the more natural colour balance of the VX2255wmb and the in-your-face vibrancy of the Samsung, the game tests were always going to be the most controversial to call. The difference between the two screens varied from game to game. Need for Speed: Carbon - with its reliance on neon street signs and wet nighttime streets - predictably looked more exciting on the Samsung. The VX2255wmb, however, was better when it came to the forested, sweeping landscapes of Tamriel (from Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion). The greens of the foliage and blues of the sky felt a little too sterile on the Samsung in comparison, regardless of how long we spent fiddling with the RGB mix. While this aspect largely depends on taste, we preferred the natural colours of the VX2255wmb to the brash intensity of the Samsung.

While the VX2255wmb sports all manner of extras - a pair of (woeful) in-built speakers, a microphone for hands-free VoIP calling and a 1.3 megapixel webcam that's well hidden in the top of the frame - it's scarce of video inputs. There's only DVI and D-SUB, with HDMI a conspicuous absence. At least the DVI port can accept a HDCP signal for HD movies.

Conclusion

It's a fairly close call between the Samsung SyncMaster 226BW and the ViewSonic VX2255wmb. The Samsung's strength is its vibrant colours and finesse with darker images. However, it can be vibrant to the point of being lurid and doesn't cope well with skin tones.

The VX2255wmb makes every displayed image appear natural and realistic, and has enough brightness and contrast to display a rich picture, whether it's in a game environment or from the latest Hollywood blockbuster. Extras such as the height-adjustable stand are a bonus, making this the strongest all-round candidate for your new screen.

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