Viewsonic VA2012w

The Viewsonic VA2012w joins an ever-growing breed of widescreen TFT monitors. This 20in model combines elegant design with modest features at a competitive price.

Finished in either silver or black, the casing is basic though reasonably attractive. It also features dual video connections (analogue and digital) and a stereo audio input.

A speaker grille runs the width of the unit and sits just below a total of eight control buttons.

These provide direct access to common features such as volume, brightness and contrast control without the need to enter the on-screen menu, although no auto setup button is included.

The menu system isn’t particularly pretty, but it is easy to navigate with large fonts and easy to follow instructions.

Auto image adjust is provided as the first option on the menu - further down you’ll find full manual controls and colour modes, including sRGB.

The stand provided is of the lightweight plastic variety and offers only a tilt adjustment, which isn’t ideal for prolonged work use - the standard Vesa mount allows you to fit a more flexible stand of your choice. A rear compartment door helps keep your cables tidy.

The VA2012w uses a TN panel (click here for more information on the different types of TFT panels) and as such suffers slightly in terms of viewing angles - although far less than other TN panels we’ve seen.

The screen image is also clear and sharp with pleasingly smooth greyscale gradations. It’s better, and by some way, than many TN panels we’ve looked at.

The fast response time will be of interest to gamers. Viewsonic’s Clearmotiv technologies provide an 8ms response time over the entire range of colour transitions.

With a maximum 300 cd/m2 brightness and 600:1 contrast ratio, DVDs and games look great, even from a distance.

While it may lack the flexibility and desirability of more expensive monitors, the VA2012w is certainly worthy of consideration.