0411WP032 VIEWSONIC LCD new

12/10/04

10:39 AM

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ON TEST

FEATURES

30in 16:9 LCD TV (29.5in viewable); 1,280 x 1,024 resolution; 2 x 10W audio; Integrated motion adapted progressive scan; 3D comb filter; 3:2 pull down; Virtual surround sound; 170 viewing angle; 16ms video response time; dual analogue TV tuners; Fastext; PIP; Eco mode; Sleep timer; Child lock SOCKETS Two x RGB Scart in/outputs; two x component video (one x PAL progressive scan); two x composite stereo inputs; DVI input; VGA input; stereo mini-jack input; VGA output; RS232 service port; two x RF antenna inputs (TV); composite stereo output; subwoofer output CONTACT ViewSonic: www.viewsonic.co.uk
"It does exactly what it says on the box"

ViewSonic N3000W

An affordable LCD debut from a company that appears to be going places THE FLAT FACTS
I 30IN 16:9 LCD TV I 1,700 I RESOLUTION: 1,280 x 1,024 I DIMENSIONS: W: 860 H: 524 D: 207 (mm) I SPEAKERS: YES I TV TUNER: YES I SCARTS: 2 (2 RGB)
oming straight out of the LCD computer monitor market, ViewSonic would appear to have the necessary technological know-how to impress the average man on the street, and an asking price of under 2,000 is not a bad way to make new friends from the start. That said, the company is all too aware of the prejudice consumers have against manufacturers that mainly produce PC peripherals crossing over into an AV market. For this reason ViewSonic has made every effort to include as many features as is possible to influence buyers.

RATINGS

FOR Fantastic connections; excellent results from progressive scan and high definition feeds AGAINST Bland design; noise visible when used with low quality inputs PICTURE.####$ SOUND.####$ LOOKS.###$$ FEATURES.##### EASE OF USE.####$ VALUE.#####

VERDICT ####$

A great debut from a TV that is perfect for multi-screen use
Disappointingly, build-quality and design aesthetics dont appear to come under this remit. The result is a TV with a design that is bland, to the point of being ugly. A simple grey rectangle with equally nondescript speakers lining either side, youre almost grateful that the on-light is a glaring blue. Not only that but the 30 inch 16:9 screen actually has a 29.5 inch viewing area. While ViewSonic will undoubtedly argue whats a few inches between friends? but most will feel that theyve somehow been cheated by this rather silly and unnecessary oversight. But before we get too wrapped up in feeling as though weve been conned, we should sit back and take stock and, in fairness, it quickly becomes clear that the N3000Ws benefits far outweigh the failings. Looking at the sockets on offer at the back of the screen, its more like a telephone exchange than a bargain display. Theres two RGB-enabled Scart sockets, two component video inputs (one PAL progressive scan-enabled) with composite stereo audio jacks to compliment. Plus, DVI and VGA inputs with a stereo mini-jack for PC audio, an RS232 service port and two RF antenna ins. Outputs are also supplied for R/L audio (through composite) and a subwoofer and VGA port for video. The remote control offers a different button for each display making it a chunky affair. Put simply, there was very little that we wanted to connect to the ViewSonic that we couldnt, and the sheer choice of options on offer completely nullified any need for a separate switching box even considering the size of our equipment stack.

Performance

As for picture quality, the screen has a lot in common with any Ronseal product in that it does exactly what it says on the box. Its as capable as the quality of the feed you give it. We found that using the built-in analogue TV tuner (of which there are two, presumably for the more retro picture in picture fans out there), there was a lot of noise. However, once cable, digital or satellite TV is fed through the RGB Scart, the picture improves significantly. Even better still, and this is the N3000Ws major selling point, is running images (DVD or games) through PAL progressive scan. The picture is extremely sharp, with a rich colour-field. A high contrast-ratio brings great clarity to minor imagery although sometimes the blacks can look a little grey (although we do find this to be a universal problem on LCDs, a lot of which are considerably more expensive). As for computer-feeds through the VGA or DVI sockets, its perfect. The screen is a fantastic complement to a media PC, for example. The twin 10W stereo speakers positioned either side of the screen offer a decent virtual surround sound experience, although they dont quite cut it on the deeper bass levels; hence, we presume, the need for a subwoofer out connection. Theres nothing noticeable in the way of distortion interfering with the audio though, even when ear-splitting volume levels are reached. Its essentially an impressive set, especially for the money, and a great debut from ViewSonic. Lets just hope that the company can continue in the same vein after such a positive start. WP
106 WHAT PLASMA & LCD TV

ISSUE 6

1104wv34 Viewsonic N3000W

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6:57 pm

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FACT FILE

q q q q q

30in LCD TV Twin analogue tuners 1,280 x 768 resolution Virtual surround sound PAL progressive scan capable

ViewSonic N3000W

ot a company you may have come across before, ViewSonic is a newbie in the home entertainment market. However, it has bags of experience in building high-quality TFT LCD monitors for PCs and has now taken the plunge into the TV market to an impressive effect. The debut TV is this 30 inch widescreen LCD and, while possibly being the cheapest set in its sector, it has more bells and whistles than the Rio carnival. Theres nothing festival-esque about the design though. Its as unassuming as they come; a pale grey slab with the hint of a darker grey surrounding the screen. Even the company logo is a throw-back to the 70s where serif fonts ruled the day. Theres no glass fronted panel an indication of where costs have been saved to fit in such a low price bracket. Also, the viewing area is 29.5in, rather than the full 30. But around the back the fun really starts. Theres more connections here than a 30 inch LCD under 2,000 has the right to include. Two RGB-enabled Scart sockets lead the way, with two component arrays (one of which is PAL progressive scan compatible) following closely behind. Theyre accompanied by composite audio inputs for each. ViewSonics computer monitor roots are also exemplified by the inclusion of both DVI and VGA inputs (with a stereo mini-jack for PC audio) and a VGA out to hook it up to an external PC screen. Rounding things off nicely are an RS232 port and two RF antennae to go with the sets twin analogue broadcast tuners. Stereo audio outputs are complemented by a subwoofer out. Phew!

LCD TV 1,700

FEATURES 30in (29.5in viewable) 16:9 LCD TV; 1,280 x 1,024 resolution; 2 x 10W audio; Integrated motion adapted progressive scan; 3D comb filter; 3:2 pull down; Virtual surround sound; 170 viewing angle; 16ms video response time; dual analogue TV tuners; Fastext; PIP; dimensions: 860(w) x 524h) x 207(d)mm; weight: 17.0kg SOCKETS 2 x RGB Scart in/outputs; 2 x component video (1 x PAL progressive scan); 2 x composite stereo inputs; DVI input; VGA input; stereo minijack input; VGA output; RS232 service port; 2 x RF antenna inputs (TV); composite stereo output; subwoofer output CONTACT www.viewsonic.co.uk
This means that you can have six separate feeds entering the TV at the same time and the remote control has a button for each. Because of this its a clunky affair, but at least you wont lose it down the back of the sofa. Another cost-cutting exercise seems to be the functions and options available via the menu system. Its pretty bare bones, with picture adjustment tools and tuner set-ups pretty much all there is. However, its well-presented and a doddle to use.

PERFORMANCE

In fact, the same can be said for the N3000Ws all round performance. The picture is as good as the feed you put in. The analogue broadcast images have a lot of noise visible and a fair amount of colour bleeding to boot. But when you put an RGB feed (through decent cabling) into the set, things improve dramatically. Thanks to the 3D comb filter and 3:2 pull down feature the picture is scaled impressively to fill the 16:9 screen mind you, it would have to be thanks to only three image modes, of which only one is widescreen. Theres little evidence of pixel stretching and it retains good details and sharpness. Colours are also vibrant but, like most LCDs, blacks have an overall greyness about them, even with the impressive quoted contrast ratio of 500:1. The coup de grce comes when faced with a high-definition feed, through DVI or component. This is a TV designed for such luxuries and it really tells. Pictures are extremely crisp, colours are strong and solid and even the blacks are deep and impressive. Even at 576p (PAL progressive)

the results were better than a lot of far more expensive equivalents. It delivers a decent, if not brilliant, audio performance too, from the side mounted virtual surround speakers. Bass levels are deep without being intrusive and you can jack the volume up to a more than decent level before you hear any pops. Theres little doubt that if this screen cost 500 more than it does, itd still be a bargain. As it is, its one of the most impressive debuts weve seen from a new company (for this market). A better-built case for the next release is certainly advisable, but for now ViewSonic seems to have got just about everything right Rik Henderson

WHATS GOOD

Price; tons of connections; high definition pictures

WHATS BAD

Picture on low quality feeds; design aesthetics
PICTURE SOUND FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE ALSO CONSIDER.
THOMSON 30LCDBO3BK A colourful and bright set with almost as many connections Reviewed: Oct 04 SHARP LC-30AD1E The best 30 inch LCD on the market, but expect to pay 1,300 more Reviewed: May 04

OVERALL VERDICT

A truly impressive debut from Viewsonic in both connectivity and high-definition picture quality
A chunky affair that wont be easily mislaid
November 2004 s WHAT VIDEO AND WIDESCREEN TV 41