A few months back we brought news of the BenQ EW2420 and other similar monitors from BenQ that were to launch with *VA (Vertical Alignment) panels. Unlike the ubiquitous Twisted Nematic (‘TN’) panels, *VA filters and scatters light in a different way and offers superior viewing angles, contrast and colour reproduction. If you remember back to the Samsung F2380 review on PC Monitors the contrast really was fantastic and colours were also very pleasing. Unfortunately the sluggish response time and ‘black crush’ (greys and other particularly dark shades becoming indistinguishable from blacks) prevented the F2380 from being a great entertainment monitor. A forum lurker over on Beyond3D has managed to get his hands on the BenQ EW2420 and has posted a mini-review. Although BenQ features relatively aggressive response time compensation on the EW2420 (and their other new *VA panels) the reviewer described the responsiveness of the monitor as ‘smeary’ – we assume to a lesser degree than on the F2380 where it felt like a bad drug trip. Such aggressive response time compensation also adds to the input lag of a panel (which is something certain gamers will hate) and it is known from other heavily ‘overdriven’ *VA panels that this can be a particular problem – the reviewer didn’t mention this, though. There was also no mention of the foreboding ‘black crush’ plague but presumably if it were a huge issue it would perhaps have been mentioned somewhere along the line. Praise was given for the excellent contrast, ‘vivid’ colours and high brightness. Like all of BenQ’s new *VA monitors the EW2420 features LED backlighting which improves energy efficiency and can also enhance brightness (and the appearance of whites in particular – not that a *VA panel needs help in this department). Once they reach wider retail availability we expect them to be available for under £200 (under $280) so the overall package is quite enticing. We will try to bring you a full review of one of BenQ’s new *VA monitors as soon as we can.
