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| KDS 17-inch Rad7c |
The KDS is a very nice looking unit in its metallic and gray case and its aspect ratio is wider than it is high, which is refreshing I think, with the speakers running top down on both sides. The image quality is quite good, with a nice contrast right off the bat. I did have to fiddle with the color settings to get it to match closer to my CRT, but the buttons (on the side of the case, off the front like the Envision) were very easy to use.
As far as manhandling, it fared about the same as the Envision, with only tilt up and down support and no side-to-side. Its visibility was basically OK from extreme angles, a bit better than the Envision, though. The display is crisp and bright with a great contrast ratio. Colors seem vibrant and true to form.
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Running the Passmark MonitorTest 2.0, I noticed some pretty apparent banding in the RGB color gradients and significant interference in the tight moiré test pattern, and some in the larger moiré pattern test (about the same amount as the Envision LCD). But I also found similar tight moiré interference in the analog mode on the higher end models as well, so I can’t necessarily fault the KDS or Envision LCDs specifically. But overall, the KDS performed about the same as the Envision, with perhaps a slight bit more color banding. The ghosting seemed not to be a bad issue for faster moving images, perhaps slightly better than the Envision.
With all that in mind, I would say the Envision and KDS units performed about the same, and I would have no recommendation of one over the other. Keep in mind the Envision costs about $75 less, but the KDS does offer a pair of nice speakers and has slightly better ghosting, so it’s a bit of a trade-off between them.
I am still a champion of using good, expensive CRTs in graphics work, but if you have a dual display setup, it is very nice to free up the space and radiation of a CRT with a 17-inch or higher LCD for the secondary display. If money is not much of an issue, or for professional office use, I cannot recommend the Hitachi unit enough. Of course, if you need only one primary display, and you need it to be an LCD, then the Hitachi will suit you the best (though the Viewsonic will do very well, too).
Ultimately though, regarding the battle between the Hitachi and Viewsonic models, it comes down to user experience. My best advice would be to sit down and look at them both before you buy. You may enjoy the higher crispness in the Viewsonic and may think the Hitachi soft.
If you need high color fidelity on the second display, I would seriously suggest another CRT, or if it has to be an LCD, go with the Hitachi. But if having a high-end display is not an issue for your secondary display, then I would suggest buying one of the budget 17-inch LCDs over a moderate 17-inch or 19-inch CRT.
The much cheaper KDS and Envision LCDs were both good units as secondary displays, for text windows especially, but were noticeably weaker than the higher end models in color and tight moiré patterns. But at half the price, they are the clear winner for someone looking for a second display for relatively inconsequential tasks (web surfing, palettes, text apps). I just wouldn’t be able to justify the price difference between the higher end models and the EN7100e for myself at home, but I wouldn’t mind spending the extra $300 or so to get the EN7100e or Rad7c 17-inch LCD over a 19-inch CRT. It’s worth it to get rid of the bulk and radiation; I mean, I have very little hair left to lose.
But if all things were equal and money grew on trees, I would undoubtedly have an 18-inch Hitachi unit tucked under each arm with a third balanced on my nose while I barked like a seal. What a pleasant little display.
Now that that’s done, I’m gonna have a Jolly Rancher. Hell, I’m gonna have two, you can’t stop me!
Dariush Derakhshani is 31. Nicely bald. Slowly going insane. Has fear of commitment. Contributing author for Maya: Secrets of the Pros and Maya Savvy. Animator. Teacher. A few awards and a couple degrees. Stout little man making reality at Sight Effects in Venice, CA. Flat feet. Can be found skulking about at www.painfulurination.com. You can reach him at koosh3d@earthlink.net.
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