Hazro HZ27WC review
IPS panels have great viewing angles, excellent contrast and a wider colour gamut than traditional TN panels
The majority of monitors we review are Twisted Nematic (TN) displays, but this isn’t the only kind of LCD technology. Following on from our review of a budget MVA (Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) panel – the AOC e2795Vh – this month we test a monitor with another more refined display technology: IPS (In-Plane Switching).
The HZ27WC is the least expensive monitor in Hazro’s 27in line, and as such it’s stripped down to the bare essentials: a single dual-link DVI connector, a 3.5mm audio input and the DC power connector for the external power supply.
The dual-link input is required because this display as a huge native resolution of 2,560×1,440. This gives loads of room for the operating system, and the high pixel count means that everything looks super-sharp.
IPS panels are designed to have far better viewing angles and colour reproduction than standard TN panels, and the HZ27WC doesn’t disappoint in either area. Hazro claims 178-degree viewing angles from any viewing position, and colours remained accurate even when looking at the screen almost side-on. What really struck us were the colours. We’re not talking about accuracy – the HZ27WC simply displays more colour than any other monitor we’ve seen.
In technical terms, this is referred to as the colour gamut – the range of colours a monitor can reproduce accurately. Because the HZ27WC can reproduce more colours, objects take on more life, and contrast is greatly improved because there are more shades to work with. Test photos that on other monitors looked over-saturated looked more lifelike on the HZ27WC, and the glossy finish on the screen also helps to increase the impact of colours.
Basic Specifications | |
---|---|
Rating | ***** |
Physical | |
Viewable size | 27 in |
Native resolution | 2,560×1,440 |
Contrast ratio | 1,000:1 (1,000,000:1 dynamic) |
Brightness | 420cd/m² |
Horizontal viewing angle | 178° |
Vertical viewing angle | 178° |
Response time | 6ms |
Response time type | grey-to-grey |
Screen depth | 53mm |
Base (WxD) | 300x179mm |
Screen elevation | 82mm |
Features | |
Portrait mode | no |
Wall mount option | yes |
Height adjustable | no |
Internal speakers | yes (2x 5W) |
Detachable cables | yes |
USB hub | none |
Integrated power supply | no |
Kensington lock lug | yes |
Display extras | none |
VGA input | no |
DVI input | yes |
S-video input | no |
Component input | no |
Composite input | no |
HDCP support | no |
Audio inputs | 3.5mm line in |
Environmental | |
Power consumption standby | 1W |
Power consumption on | 70W |
Buying Information | |
Price | £419 |
Supplier | http://www.hazro.co.uk |
Details | www.hazro.co.uk |
Warranty | three years RTB |