BenQ VW2420H Design and Interface

The BenQ VW2420H is a very simple design, but one without much adjustment available either. Your inputs are limited to HDMI, DVI, and D-Sub, with an audio input for the integrated speakers. There is no USB port for a hub or DisplayPort here. It does feature a tilt adjust with the stand, but there is no height adjustment or swivel, and there are no VESA mounting holes to allow for a stand with more adjustment range either.

Compared to a similarly non-adjustable TN panel that was just in, the BenQ was much easier to use since the edges of the panel would not wash out and discolor when looking at it from normal desktop distances. The lack of any adjustments other than tilt is something to pay attention to if you need those for your workspace. The audio input is potentially useful if you're not passing audio over HDMI and wish to use the integrated speakers, but the sound from the speakers is weak and tinny—just what you'd expect from small speakers in a monitor—but it will get the job done in a pinch. Adding a headphone output to the display would have been nice to make better use of the audio input/HDMI support.

BenQ VW2420H
Video Inputs D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI
Panel Type A-MVA
Pixel Pitch 0.276 mm
Colors 16.7 million
Brightness 250 nits
Contrast Ratio 3,000:1
Response Time 25ms, 8ms (GtG)
Viewable Size 24"
Resolution 1920x1080
Viewing Angle 178 horizontal/178 vertical
Backlight LED Edge-lit
Power Consumption (operation) 40W
Power Consumption (standby) < 1W
Screen Treatment  
Height-Adjustable No
Tilt -5 - 15 degrees
Pivot No
Swivel No
VESA Wall Mounting No
Dimensions w/ Base (WxHxD) 22.85" x 17.08" x 7.42"
Weight 8.6 lbs.
Additional Features Headphone Jack
Limited Warranty USA 1 Year
Accessories D-Sub, HDMI Cables
Price $330.00

This time BenQ has moved the controls for the OSD from the side of the monitor to the bottom of the display, which I found to be easier to work with. The change in orientation felt more natural for navigating the OSD, though I’m certain plenty of people had no issue using the previous setup either. The main issue is having both tabs horizontally across the top, and then a vertical menu selection. Instead of moving the buttons around, either designing the menus to be all vertically or horizontally oriented would make the UI easier to use.

The menu system has all the options that you likely need to set up the display. I used the User color mode since it allows for a custom color control. If you are setting up your display and plan on calibrating it, you should always use this control to calibrate the 100% white point to be as close to your target (typically D65) as possible. That gives the hardware LUTs the maximum flexibility to calibrate the display correctly.

Viewing Angles and Color Quality
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  • jigglywiggly - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link

    stop doing these cruddy display reviews
    do more 120hz reviews
  • snuuggles - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link

    +1

    This is a high-end site. I'm not clear on why anyone here would buy anything but either:

    1. an excellent s-ips screen
    2. 120hz input screen

    Also, Chris, please do not encourage people here to purchase a "3d" TV as a monitor. As you *must* know, there is no TV on the market today that can accept a 120hz signal and display it, and most TVs have *horrible* input lag. To even suggest that a 3d tv is an acceptible monitor is to further confuse an already confused public.
  • DanNeely - Sunday, December 11, 2011 - link

    For the most part sites review what vendors send them for review.
  • gmkmay - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link

    Just out of curiosity why would you review this when you already reviewed the EW2420? They use the same panel with just slight differences in inputs and presentation. The time spent reviewing this seems like it would have been much better spent reviewing the 750d Samsung TN 120hz monitor that you've said was forthcoming.
  • cheinonen - Sunday, December 11, 2011 - link

    BenQ provided both and I reviewed both of them. The Samsung is coming very, very soon.
  • jmunjr - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link

    Same old story. LCD makers, if you keep making 16:9 LCDs many of us will run the other way... We don't care if it is cheaper, we want better.
  • seapeople - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link

    I want 16:16 aspect ratio, I really like my vertical space. Actually, I'd prefer something like a 9:16 aspect ratio, but I just don't think we'll ever get there.
  • Penti - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link

    Haha, you mean you like to pivot your screen? Just do it.
  • JediJeb - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - link

    With the lack of VESA mounts these days most monitors won't pivot unless you tear them apart and use some sheet metal screws to mount them to a post.
  • TegiriNenashi - Monday, December 12, 2011 - link

    Yes pivot that 16:9 screen to see how ridiculously narrow it is.

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