How we tested the HDCP monitors

For computer graphics-based tests, we set each panel to its native colour temperature and calibrated it using a Datacolor Spyder2 Pro calibration system.

Using this device ensures that the displays are set up with optimum brightness and contrast settings and gives us a measurement of maximum brightness as well as the range of displayable colours.

We also ran Displaymate to evaluate the monitors without calibration. A variety of useful test patterns is displayed but we found that the most important differences were revealed by the ‘coloured bars’ test.

We ranked the displays from best to worst and then awarded a score out of 10. We’ve combined this score with the colour measurements from the Spyder2 Pro calibrator to produce an overall result.

Our Greyscale test is a combination of Spyder2 Pro results and a subjective test scored out of 10 and based on our smoothly shaded greyscale test image.

Because the monitors in this group test support different resolutions, direct quality comparisons are difficult. Of course, the higher resolution displays – The Viewsonic VP233wb and Dell 3007WFP – are capable of displaying far greater levels of detail than their rivals.

Watching high-definition 1080p video allows those monitors with the available resolution to shine. Again we scored each display out of a maximum 10 points.

This article is part of a group test of HDCP Vista-ready TFT monitors.
See also
Dell 3007WFP
Samsung SM205BW
Samsung SM215TW
Sony MFM-HT205
Viewsonic VP233wb
The HDCP chain
How HDCP works

Performance graphs and table of features can be read via our pdf downloads

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