CTX M730V TFT monitor

When it comes to the world of monitors, CTX knows a thing or two. As well as supplying many of the world's PC manufacturers with their screens, the company sells a monitor every 25 seconds. Looking at the new MV730 it's no surprise.

Finished in a stylish silver, this 17in TFT impressed us instantly with a cracking picture. Our test model was still in the preproduction stages but even so image quality was superb, with crisp text, vibrant colours and pin-sharp definition to the very edges.

Interestingly, we got slightly different results with different PCs and graphics cards, though this may well be fixed in the final model. The display offers 1,280 x 1,024 resolution, with an outstanding average response time of just 16ms.

Along with both analogue VGA and DVI inputs, the M730 boasts an integrated three-port USB2 hub, stereo speakers and S-Video, composite and component video inputs. The latter is ideal for getting the best out of DVD movies if you've got a player that supports this, and the screen can handle both NTSC and Pal video formats. There's another trick up its proverbial sleeve in the form of a built-in camera for video conferencing. When used with the accompanying software driver it delivers images at up to 640 x 480 pixels and, in theory, is ideal for use with Microsoft's Netmeeting and the like. In reality it's a bit of a gimmick, but it's good to have it nonetheless.

Given the price of the larger AOC screen reviewed here (see right) the CTX can't be classed as amazing value for money, but at £599 it really isn't that expensive for what you get. It's great to use and we'll definitely be upset when the courier arrives to take it back.

Contact: CTX 01923 810 800

Specifications:

• 17in diagonal
• 1,280 x 1,024 resolution
• D-Sub, DVI, composite, S-Video and component inputs
• 6.67kg
• 474 x 406.8 x 209.2 (w x d x h)
• 500:1 contrast ratio
• 160 degrees viewing angle
• Three-port USB2 hub
• Stereo speakers
• Camera with microphone