VQL-22WSHD LCD Monitor

 

As production costs of LCD monitors continues to fall, so increases the prevalence of "component brand" devices, products comprised of commonly available OEM (original equipment manufacturer) core components, but designed, assembled and marketed as a distinctive brand.

Such is the case with Canadian-based VisionQuest and the VQL-22WSHD LCD Monitor, a stylish, widescreen PC monitor using the same or similar parts you might find in a more recognized brand, but less expensive.

The 22-inch widescreen VQL-22WSHD LCD may not win any "bells and whistle" contests, but the objective here is bang for the buck, and this one takes a solid shot with a suggest retail price of $299.99. (Note: Staples lists it at a screw-you price of $324.99 while TigerDirect lists it as a steal at $279.99)

For a 16:9 widescreen with a 1680X1050 optimum resolution, that's a pretty sweet price. Add to that an excellent 2ms response time (the transition time of pixel/image changes,) and this monitor is easily suited for high end games and video -- including high definition video --, not to mention regular web surfing and general productivity.

Speaking of general usage, the VQL-22WSHD also accommodates audio directly from a PC sound card, pumping out stereo sound from a pair of 2.5-watt speakers hidden internally. That said, audio quality is only good enough for chiming alerts and basic web audio; you gamers and videophones will likely to want to use a decent set of headphones if not a bigass external sound system, which you probably already have on hand anyway.

Aesthetically, VisionQuest delivers a very clean and sleek looking unit of sharp design; a large display with a reasonably small footprint, its minimalist up and down tilt stand accomplishes its hardy purpose while doing a nice job of being barely there.

As well, VisionQuest has kept the VQL-22WSHD's control buttons to a minimum, recessed underneath for easy but otherwise inconspicuous access to power, input select, screen and volume adjustments. The unit's sharp blue LCD power light could possibly be just a wee bit less bright -- it's a distraction otherwise -- but the same can be said of any device with a blue LCD power light, the piercing bane of low-light ambiance and midnight oil sessions.

On top of the aforementioned audio input, the VQL-22WSHD features two D-Sub inputs (VGA) and one DVI-D (DVI-D cable included) input, that latter of which is HDCP-enabled, which means VisionQuest was kind enough to embed a license to actually display the copy protected high-def content it's capable of displaying but couldn't without it (HDCP is a Digital Content Protection protocol usually found on HD DVD and Blu-ray movies that restricts a high def signal to a non-compliant monitor… or piratey type devices).

All told, if you're seeking a 22" widescreen LCD monitor and bright blue lights do not intimidate you, the VQL-22WSHD has got bang-for-you buck written all over it (I'm looking at you Lenovo D221 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor and your measly 5ms response time, no speakers, HDCP non-compliance and the nerve to cost more).

Details
Reviewed: Nov. 14, 2007
Type: Peripheral
From: VisionQuest


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