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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Ninjahedge - Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - link
Erp,I know why. i have been doing the multipliocation about desktop space, but the thing is also this.
When you get 2 stands, 2 usb hubs, 2 power supplies and 2 of every other piece of support equipment included on two seperate 1600x1200 screens AND you are able to buy each for $400 and $450 through special offers 3-5 YEARS ago, you wonder why some of these computer monitors still feel they need to MSRP at $1400 ($1200 on sale if you are lucky).
I know the resolution is better than a TV, but I am starting to see TV's creep down below $1000 for 1080p sets at 120Hz.....
Am I chastizing the companies for charging so much? No. It just gets annoying to see a slew of 1080's for $300-$500, but as soon as you bump a little above it the price soars in a non-linear fasion on a technology that is far from new.
Toilet Duck - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
Here is a pretty nice Acer with an adjustable and sturdy base that Ive bought for a few work systems:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
Necrosaro420 - Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - link
juzz86, I have the EXACT same monitor, and I have 2 lines that pop up on mine as well, started a little over a year after I purchased it, and they are on the right hand side, but are not quite 1/2 thick, more about 1/8th. And yep after it warms up, they go away.juzz86 - Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - link
It's a strange issue hey? Must have something to do with the brand of panel used. It would be interesting to see whether owners of other S-PVA models had experienced the same thing, or whether it is just limited to the 2408WFP. Should get some kind of poll/thread going!ReaM - Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - link
Hey, have you guys read about Dell releasing new 21 and 23 inch IPS Monitors?Crappy is that they are also 1080.
Cmon, man, I had a 1280x1024 since like 2002 and there is still not much improvement with that 1080p.
I even could work with 1600x1200 on the CRT, but the symbols in WinXP were too small.
Let's make a pact. We shall refuse to buy 1080 monitors. They should really vanish off the shelves!
I have nothing against 16:9, if it had 1200 vertical lines, but 1080 is a step back.
anactoraaron - Friday, May 21, 2010 - link
I have 2 of these and one D300s. With the D300s, you could get 1/1250th at 2.8 and not have to deal with the lack of color accuracy (not to mention the grainy images). You should go out and make a "business" purchase of a D300s, they cost twice what the D80 was new and there is just no comparison.sviola - Monday, May 24, 2010 - link
Hey Brian,You could do a review on 23"+ 120 Hz monitors there are two that have been recently released (one from Acer and one from Alienware) and there are more in the way (from LG, Samsung and Asus).
ProDigit - Monday, May 24, 2010 - link
Hi,After looking a bit around, I as well would love to have this same review of this monitor versus the Samsung P2770HD.
That monitor has a built in TV tuner, and has a remote control, and better speakers, reasons enough for me to pay the $70 surplus!
So far, the spectre of this article doesn't seem to be a bad buy, that is if you are limited to watching movies via pc, or DVD.
The Samsung will add the option to watch TV as well.
On the other hand a Digital HD tv tuner box costs about $70; uses an HDMI or DVI connector, but you'll be needing 2 wall sockets, and won't have a remote to adjust colors or contrast on the monitor.
I'm really interested in the color gamut and other color/brightness/image quality checks you do on those monitors on this Samsung monitor, which in my eyes is the only competitor for the spectre. (the others like Acer often are more expensive, offering you tilt options etc.. most of us don't really need).
HollyDOL - Wednesday, June 2, 2010 - link
well... for FRC I guess you could try with fast motion camera and taking a movie of whole screen in one color... Then checking the shooted movie should be able to show flickering between lighter and darker color...as for dithering I'd try something from Eizo Monitor Test, think some of the included tests should be able to show dithering. Though again I think you'll need to take very high resolution image of the screen to be able to zoom on separate subpixels to check the color information...
Can't think of any easier, more reliable method though.
As for me I detect FRC/dithering with my headache... two hours with FRC and I am done for. Though that's pretty much subjective and won't be of any help...
HollyDOL - Wednesday, June 2, 2010 - link
P.S. What color patterns do you use? I would love to try with my screen...