Cheap Sony Vaio PCVD-15XD3 15" Digital LCD Monitor (Electronics) Price

To set up the monitor, we connected the proprietary DVI-D monitor cable to the corresponding port on a Sony PCV-MXS10 PC, plugged in the AC power, and connected the USB cable. The monitor has a built-in USB hub with one upstream and four downstream ports. The monitor tilts but does not swivel. Sony recommends tilting the monitor 25 degrees off the vertical axis for optimum viewing. A jog switch on the side displays onscreen menus that adjust brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, and language. Our test model did not require adjusting, as the default values presented a superb picture.

To test the monitor, we displayed a variety of color images and motion graphics. Rated at a bright 400 candelas per square meter, the PCVD-15XD3 exhibited amazingly pure whites and rich, warm, accurate colors with high contrast. Even difficult silver shades and brushed aluminum looked surprisingly realistic. Nature scenes were stunning, with appropriately cool sky blues, warm floral reds and yellows, and subtle gradations in the hues of a rainbow. Rapid-refresh motion showed no signs of ghosting. Text was razor-sharp for even small fonts.

Colors remained bright and in good contrast from a variety of viewing angles, limits estimated at 150 degrees horizontal and 130 degrees vertical (manufacturer rating not available). Our test model had one defective pixel, an irritatingly bright red one that glowed continuously, distracting from an otherwise impressive experience.

The monitor comes with a weighted base for stability, power supply and cord, USB and monitor cables, instruction manual, and one-year warranty card. Although graphics professionals would need a larger monitor and higher resolution, general-purpose users will be hard-pressed to display images more beautifully on any 15-inch LCD. --Mike Brown, Editor