NEC MultiSync 1940 CX
There's nothing outstanding about NEC's MultiSync 1940CX ($279.99 list) other than its sleek lines. Performance is average, and it lacks many of the features found on more expensive models. Still, the NEC 1940CX is more than capable of handling your basic home or office computing needs.
A matte black finish and ultraslim bezel with rounded edges give the NEC 1940 CX a clean, uncluttered look, and the matching round base provides a sturdy perch for the 1,280-by-1,024 panel. You can tilt the panel forward and backward, but that's the extent of the NEC CX 1940 monitor's maneuverability; there's no way to adjust the height or swivel the display. Four silver function buttons and a power switch are mounted below the bottom bezel, but their light-gray labeling makes them difficult to identify without tipping the monitor back to catch the right light. Black lettering would have been a better choice here. These buttons let you navigate through the on-screen menu (OSM) system, where you can adjust red, green, and blue color levels; tweak brightness and contrast settings; change horizontal and vertical size and position; and fine-tune image clarity. There's also an Auto Adjust screen that automatically adjusts the position, size, and sharpness settings, but chances are you won't have to use it very often—the NEC Multi Sync 1940 CX's No Touch Auto Adjust feature kicks in when you power up the monitor. If you'd rather make all these adjustments using a keyboard and mouse, you can download NEC's NaviSet utility from the company's Web site.
NEC MultiSync 1940 CX front view
NEC MultiSync CX1940 side view
NEC MultiSync 1940 CX back view
There are DVI and analog inputs at the rear of the display, but NEC provides only an analog cable; you'll have to shell out an additional $30 or so for a DVI cable if you want to use the digital interface. As always, I was happy to see a removable cable clip, which helps keep things neat and orderly. I was also impressed with NEC's three-year warranty covering parts, labor, and backlighting. Many similarly priced panels, such as Gateway's FPD1975W, are covered for only one year. Still, the NEC 1940Cx is a no-frills display that lacks the features—such as USB ports and embedded speakers—that you'll find on more expensive models.
Digital and analog performance were similar; both turned in mixed results. Our DisplayMate (www.displaymate.com) tests revealed that the NEC 1940 CX had trouble displaying some levels of light and dark gray, most notably at the high end of the spectrum. Very light shades of gray appeared white, and the darkest grays were hard to distinguish from black. If you'll be editing photos or other detailed images, consider a larger (and more expensive) monitor, such as the HP 2065.
The NEC 1940CX's colors were sharp and evenly scaled, with no evidence of backlight bleed or contrast streaking. I was a little disappointed with the monitor's ability to read small text, however. Arial fonts at 6.8 points were clear and legible, but setting them any smaller than that made them appear garbled and indecipherable. Viewing-angle performance was as advertised; slight color shifting occurred at around 170 degrees, but the image remained clear.
The NEC 1940 claims an 8-millisecond pixel-response rate, adequate for most applications but slow by today's gaming and video standards. I saw some artifacts while viewing The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on DVD, particularly in scenes with dark lighting, and a round of Doom 3 revealed occasional motion artifacts and a barely noticeable stutter when the action became fast and furious. Though the gaming and video experience is certainly adequate, extreme gamers will probably find the NEC 1940CX lacking (in which case NEC's MultiSync 90GX2 might be a better fit).
If you're in the market for a space-saving 19-inch LCD monitor with a reasonable price tag—and you don't mind sacrificing a few features—the NEC MultiSync 1940CX is worth a look.
Pros
- Dual inputs
- Stylish design
- Good color quality
- Three-year warranty
- Weak grayscale performance
- DVI cable costs extra
- Limited stand adjustability
You don't get a lot of extras with NEC's MultiSync 1940CX. In fact, you'll have to supply your own digital cable to utilize its DVI input. Nevertheless, this monitor is a good choice for users seeking a general-purpose LCD.
NEC MultiSync 1940CX's Price $260.00 - $288.00
NEC MultiSync 1940CX Specs
- Screen Size: 19 inches
- Type: LCD Monitor
- Native Resolution: 1280 x 1024
- Pixel Pitch: 0.294 mm
- PC Interfaces: Analog VGA, Digital (DVI-D)
- Rated Maximum Viewing Angle: Horizontal: 170 degrees
- Rated Maximum Viewing Angle: Vertical : 160 degrees
- Brightness (Max): 270 cd/m^2
- Max PC Resolution: 1280 x 1024 pixels x pixels