Cornea LCD Review
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Today, LCD flat panels have become very popular as computer monitors. As opposed to CRTs, LCDs are much smaller, less straining on the eyes, use less power, and damn good looking. The technology behind them now is considered to be much more advanced than any “super flat” CRT. Not only are they thin in general, but the screen surface is as flat as flat gets... With that said, we will look at Cornea System’s MP704 17inch TFT LCD display in this review.
Cornea Systems MP704 17" LCD Monitor Review
Product: Cornea Systems MP704
Type: 17" viewable diagonal TFT
Price: USD$480 (pricewatch)
Availability: Now
Reviewed by: kaoman
Review Date: October 2002
Edited by: SPeeD
Introduction
You have probably noticed by now that LCD’s can be found everywhere. For example, my local McDonald’s replaced its menus above its counters with multiple 30 inch LCD screens this summer. Sony has a 60 inch LCD television called the XBR Grand WEGA® Rear Projection Television running for $4999.
Liquid crystal displays have come a long way since their discovery till the applications of them which we now enjoy. Liquid crystals were first discovered in 1888 by Austrian botanist Friedrich Reinitzer. He observed that melted cholesteryl benzoate becomes a cloudy liquid, and then clears up as the temperature rises. On cooling the substance, the liquid turns blue, finally crystallizing.
Eighty years afterwards, RCA made the first experimental LCD in 1968. Ever since then, LCD technology has been steadily developed by manufacturers to increase their potential while bringing down costs.
Today, LCD flat panels have become very popular as computer monitors. As opposed to CRTs, LCDs are much smaller, less straining on the eyes, use less power, and damn good looking. The technology behind them now is considered to be much more advanced than any “super flat” CRT. Not only are they thin in general, but the screen surface is as flat as flat gets. The only two major concerns among enthusiasts with LCDs are that a) they refresh slower than CRTs and fast animation will look blurry or glitchy and b) they are not worth the price. Well, times have changed and LCD quality has improved tremendously since they first started appearing as monitors. And the price of them has fallen vastly. Take this report from ZDNet for example:
“Falling LCD screen prices, combined with rebates, have helped push many brand-name 17-inch flat-panel displays below the $500 mark. While that price is still a couple of hundred dollars higher than a top-of-the-line 19-inch CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor, it's close to the price level of 15-inch flat-panel monitors just a few months ago. Many of these 15-inch displays are now selling for $299 to $399.”
With that said, we will look at Cornea System’s MP704 17inch TFT LCD display in this review.
MP704:
Although Cornea Systems, Inc. may not be very popular (I have never heard of the company until one day looking for cheap LCDs), they specialize in LCD display panels. Their product line consists of ten different flat panels; five CT models and five MP models, with the CT series having more unique designs and capabilities (ie. w/ tv tuner) than the MP series.
The MP704 is Cornea’s “ergonomic” 17in. display. It is important to note that the size label of LCDs is full, viewable size, whereas CRTs are usually classified as for example, 19 inches (17.1 viewable), etc. An 17in. LCD is approximately the same size as a 19in. CRT.
“The MP704 is ergonomically designed for easy adjustment to the most comfortable viewing angle, enabling enhanced work productivity. One of Cornea Systems' top sellers, the MP704 is ultra-slim with a cutting-edge, stylish design and excellent resolution.”
Specifications
| Panel | |
| Type | 17" viewable diagonal TFT type |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.264mm (H) × 0.264mm (V) |
| Viewing Angle | Horizontal: 140° |
| | Vertical: 110° |
| Display Area (HxV) | 337.92mm x 270.336mm (13.30" x 10.64") |
| Backlight MTBF | 50,000 hours |
| Display Colors | 16.7 million (dithering) |
| Contrast Ratio | 450:1 (typical) |
| Brightness | 250cd/m2 (typical) |
| Response Time | |
| Rising/Falling | 25ms |
| Scanning Frequency | |
| Horizontal | 31-82Khz |
| Vertical | 56-75Hz |
| Recommended Resolution | 1280x1024 @ 75Hz |
| Input Signals | |
| VGA | RGB Analog |
| Compatibility | Windows®95/98/2000, Mac, Unix, OS/2 compatibles |
| User Controls | Brightness, Contrast, Auto-Adjustment, Clock, Phase, H/V Position, Color Control, 5 OSD Language |
| I/O Connectors | VGA 15 pin mini D-sub, DC Power-in |
| Power | AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz Input
12V, 3.3A Max DC Output |
| Power Consumption | 36 watts (typical) |
| Power Management | VESA DPMS Compatible |
| Plug & Play | VESA DDC 1/2B |
| Temperature | |
| Operation | 0°C-50°C (32°F-122°F) |
| Storage | -20°C-60°C (-4°F-140°F) |
| Dimensions | 414mm × 369mm × 170mm (16.30" x 14.53" x 6.69") |
| Weight | |
| Net | 4.9kg (15.87lbs) |
| Gross | 6.7kg (23.81lbs) |
| Regulations | UL, cUL, CE, CB, FCC-B, VCCI, TCO95 |
| Feature | Kensington Security Slot |
| Warranty | 3 years parts, 3 years labor, 3 years backlight, 1st year advance swap |
What we are looking at here is the basic 17inch LCD panel. The MP704 is missing some special features; probably to cut down on cost. It has no TV-tuner, DVI input, or above average viewing angles. The MP704 does however have good power consumption, great contrast ratio, superb clarity despite using a VGA input, very thin and sleek design/casing, and an attractive price.
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