Sceptre X270W-1080P Review: A Value 27" That Delivers
by Brian Klug on May 17, 2010 10:22 PM ESTOSD, Speakers, Scaling
The X270W’s OSD is relatively utilitarian. I feel like I’ve seen this OSD style on other monitors as well - there isn’t anything wrong with it, it’s just a bit basic and sometimes cumbersome to get used to [1] being exit and [2] being select, with up and down in-between.
There are settings like you’d expect for contrast, brightness, color temperature, dynamic contrast ratio (DCR), an “Eco mode” that boosts contrast way up and brightness way down, and “opticolor” settings for some presets if you so choose. The full walkthrough is in the gallery below if you’re so inclined.
My only main gripe is that it takes 6-7 button presses to change the volume level on the X270W if you’re using the internal speakers. This is just way too many steps to do something simple, and it’s frustrating. I guess that segues me into the next section.
Speakers
Which is, the speakers. There are two speakers at the top, hidden discretely under the vented slots on the top of the bezel. I’m torn about the inclusion of speakers inside monitors. On one hand, if you’re just using the computer for productivity, it’s nice to have the speakers taken care of, since all you need them for are audio prompts and alerts from the OS. On the other hand, if you’re serious about hearing your game (those ever-telling footsteps) or your music, in-monitor speakers are never ever going to suffice.
The speakers are right there under the grille - you can see a sliver of one under the left grille.
I measured the X270W’s speakers using an Extech 407760 USB datalogger in a room with ambient relative noise level of 51 dBA. At 6 inches away, the sound level was 83.5 dBA listening to music at maximum volume on the PC and the monitor. So they go reasonably loud, but the quality leaves much to be desired. It’s a very tinny lifeless sound lacking most of the mid and low frequencies - passable for those OS alerts, but not much more.
The speakers also are default on when using an HDMI connection, albeit even quieter because the HDMI audio is ostensibly normalized. You can watch a movie on them, but hearing quieter dialogue and enjoying the full dynamic range of the audio is obviously far out of the question, and since there aren’t any audio out options, using the monitor with some stereo headsets is also out of the question unless you bring your own HDMI audio splitter.
Avatar Blu-Ray over HDMI: Flawless as expected
While we’re on the HDMI port, everything here worked flawelessly. The display works fine with the HDCP chain tested on the desktop and a Samsung Blu-Ray player.
Scaling
Thankfully, the X207W includes options for aspect ratio aware stretching, overscanning, and full screen stretching. We tested a number of different resolutions and were pleased with the output of the aspect-aware stretching as well as full screen stretching. Overscanning could be useful for HDMI input, but in practice just use 1080P and avoid any issues.
Trying 1280x720 did result in black squares along the edges despite aspect aware stretching being selected. It’d be nice to see a 1:1 option, as that currently only truly exists for 1080P inputs at native panel resolution.
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seamonkey79 - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
I am so very tired of 1920x1080 and the like resolutions... I'm using a computer, not watching TV. My spreadsheets fit very well on a 1920x1200 screen, two sheets next to each other, full height... 1080 doesn't give enough.Although a 27" does give the potential of being a bedroom TV... if I didn't already have a 32" in there, anyway.
juzz86 - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
Agreed. All these 1080p panels are great if you're just a gamer or watching movies, but stiff to those of us who need more space! Dell's U2711 is just about perfect I reckon, packing the majority of a 30-inch's res into a 27-inch space. Pity about the price, but then IPS have never been cheap (excluding H-IPS, AOC do a good-looking 23-inch H-IPS for AU$289).StevoLincolnite - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
I've been tempted to pick up an AOC in the past but generally always settled on a BenQ just because of the name.Article couldn't have come at a better time, been looking at a 26-27" LCD monitor. :)
juzz86 - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
My work BenQ was pretty good. AOC seem to get pretty good reviews, some of their 24-inch models are quite snazzy (2434PW) and they're well-priced. I'm thinking of giving the IPS model a go (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=prod... as that's a pretty good price for some excellent colour representation and viewing angles for the bedroom. Pity the stand sucks.Amoro - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitorhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
This monitor is on sale right now for a reasonable price. It's probably TN though if you're against that. I've been looking for the past couple of months for a 24"+ monitor with 1920x1200 and this is the cheapest in a while. Haven't seen one this cheap since that Gateway FD2400/2401 was on sale.
The0ne - Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - link
Yea, sick of the TV size myself, but it's what the consumer wants I guess. Can't blame people for being sheeps.Basilisk - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
The Hanns-G 28" ('27.5" viewable') gives you those 1200 lines for $300, FS. I love it.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
Mr Perfect - Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - link
Agreed, 16:9 monitors are automatically off of my list.Someone said the display companies are doing 16:9 because the panels are smaller, and so cheaper, then 16:10s of the same size.
numberoneoppa - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
This resolution is a crime for a monitor this size.Brian Klug - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
Hey readers - in the last display review I did (the G2410H) there was a lot of discussion about the CRT not being good enough or fast enough refresh rate to really show a comparison. I'd really like to try something with DVI inputs (but not DVI-A, as we're defeating the point at that rate). I've done some searching and found it considerably difficult to find any new CRTs out there (aka there basically aren't any).If any of you out there have ideas, I'm open to suggestions/sending us something/anything quite honestly. I know the 24" Sony GDM-FW900 is considered the most legendary CRT ever made, but availability is challenging. Just putting out feelers if any of you have some solution in mind or something better.
Thanks Again,
Brian