ASUS MK241H Specifications and Appearance
| ASUS MK241H Specifications | |
| Video Inputs | DVI with HDCP support HDMI Analog (VGA) |
| Panel Type | TN (ACI 24A1) |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.270mm |
| Colors | 16.7 million (6-bit with dithering/interpolation?) 130% color gamut |
| Brightness | 450 cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | Up to 3000:1 (Dynamic) |
| Response Time | 2ms GTG |
| Viewable Size | 24" diagonal |
| Resolution | 1920x1200 |
| Viewing Angle | 170 horizontal/160 vertical |
| Power Consumption | <130W max stated 74W max, 29W min measured |
| Power Savings | <2W |
| Screen Treatment | Matte (non-glossy) |
| Height-Adjustable | No |
| Tilt | Yes - 30 degrees back/5 degrees forward |
| Pivot | No |
| Swivel | No |
| VESA Wall Mounting | 100mm x 100mm |
| Dimensions w/ Base (WxHxD) | 23" x 18" x 9.6" (WxHxD) |
| Weight w/ Stand | 19 lbs. |
| Additional Features | Integrated 1.3MP webcam and mic (USB connection to PC required) |
| Audio | 2 x 2W Speakers Audio in, Line out |
| Limited Warranty | 1-year parts and 3-year labor |
| Price | Online starting at ~$530 |
ASUS claims an impressive 130% color gamut for the MK241H. That seems rather high, and some of you may be wondering how exactly a display can be higher than 100%. The reason is quite simple: color gamut is usually measured against the NTSC standard, which is getting a little long in the tooth. Modern technology is thus able to exceed that standard, though it requires the use of an appropriate color space in order to do so. Naturally, we'll see whether there's any truth in the 130% claim.
Most of the remaining features are typical of an entry-level 24" monitor. The MK241H includes DVI, HDMI, and VGA inputs and it has built-in speakers (that as you might expect don't sound particularly good, but they'll get the job done if all you need is basic audio). In other areas, the ASUS LCD is more spartan. It lacks height, tilt, and pivot functionality; none of these are absolutely necessary, but we appreciate them nonetheless. The MK241H also lacks any USB ports, but it makes up for this by including an integrated webcam and microphone. That last is one of the few things that sets this LCD apart from other offerings.
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The MK241H uses a TN panel, and the biggest drawback to such a panel is the limited viewing angles. TN panels have improved over the years, to the point where many people are no longer bothered by the viewing angle limitation. Still, they are clearly inferior in this area to PVA and IPS panels. Looking at TN panels from below is the worst-case scenario, and in fact they are practically unusable from this angle. However, this should not be a problem for most users unless you tend to work on your computer while lying down.
The MK241H is a reasonably nice looking LCD whose appearance is marred by the presence of many stickers proclaiming the various features it comes with. It's possible to remove most of the stickers with a bit of effort, but we would prefer not to have to look at marketing material every day we use an LCD. Most of the information would make more sense on the packaging material -- though of course it's already there as well. While the LCD does not come with a full-featured base stand, it's not quite as flimsy as some of the cheapest LCDs we've seen on the market are. It is a little odd that ASUS includes a "warranty void if seal damaged" sticker on the stand, however, as anyone wanting to use a VESA wall mount will definitely want to take the stand off.
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Rasterman - Friday, May 9, 2008 - link
Yeah the figures reported are meaningless, if they were actually useful we wouldn't even need reviews :) I can't believe that a company as big as Viewsonic doesn't send a review site as big as Anandtech a review model, that is just ridiculous, they should be sending you guys a new model of every new monitor without even asking, maybe you aren't emailing the right person. BTW its awesome to see a reviewer actually answer questions and critics to a review, awesome job Jarred!JarredWalton - Friday, May 9, 2008 - link
I'm sure I'm not getting the right person at Viewsonic (and other companies as well), but that's the trick: *finding* the right person. Without an inside contact, it can be tough to get started.Generic PR Person: "AnandTech? What kind of a name is that? http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail50.html">Baleeted!" I'll try to meet with them next CES or something....
PS - Anyone from Viewsonic read this? If so, email me! :-)
10e - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - link
Great review. This is what multifunction fans are looking for. I had this issue a year ago trying to find "THE" multifunction.You may want to mention that in terms of 720p and 1080p the Samsung stretches both to 16:10 with A/V mode off. I tested this and found that problem recently, which was unfortunate due to the fact that I liked it as a high quality TN.
JarredWalton - Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - link
I mentioned this on page 11, but I have highlighted (italicized) the pertinent text. I also clarified by indicating that 16:9 modes will always have the wrong AR. Thanks for reading and commenting!xerces8 - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
A picture says more than 1000 words :http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=6&ma...">http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?...2=49&...
(I can't create a link, seems the post javascript is broken, I cant make bold or italics text either, tried FF and IE7)
JarredWalton - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
You mean, http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=6&ma...">pictures like this one? I don't see any large blowups of their comparisons available for download, so I have no idea exactly how they're testing. What I do know is that I provided images showing LaCie 324 and Dell 2408WFP clearly displaying a 40ms delay relative to an HP LP3065, and I've also provided a picture of the ASUS MK241H with a relative delay of 0ms relative to the same LCD.I've got nine other sample images from each of the tested monitors showing the evidence for my "input lag" conclusions. That's about as close to full disclosure as you'll get. All I get on that comparison you linked is a chart that apparently "proves" the ASUS MK241H has a 54ms average delay compared to a CRT, but then the same site lists the Dell 2408WFP as 69ms, the 2407WFP as 24ms, the LaCie as 41ms, and the Samsung 245T at 59ms. I got more or less the same result on the Dell 2407WFP and the LaCie 324, but nowhere near the same result on the MK241H, 2408WFP, and the 2493HM.
Again, you've got at least one clear sample of my results for each LCD. Sorry, but I have to question their results without better evidence.
Dashel - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
Hi Jarred,Not sure if this is based on the same test or what but there is this:
http://www.behardware.com/art/imprimer/712/">http://www.behardware.com/art/imprimer/712/
Which looks to be the same graph and results. To me your results seem to make the most sense if the 2408 is very similar to the 2407WFP-HC, then the input lag should be close too I would guess. I'm hardly an expert just tryint to be logical.
The thing is I also see anecdotal claims of lag and people who have tested it getting in the 60ms range as well which leads me to wonder if there isnt some sort of defect or difference in some of the panels vrs others.
Example of a test by an owner:
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1032124531...">http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1032124531...
I'd love to hear Dells thoughts on it as well as what and when their revision is due to hit.
JarredWalton - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
I'd like to know what software people are using as timers. I tried about 10 different "timers" and discovered that a bunch are limited to the Windows default timing resolution - about 54ms. So they either scored "0ms" or "54ms" on the delay. I know this because I had screen refreshes where the timer was split in half; the top half would show for example 40.067 and the bottom would show 50.121.3DMark03 at least looks to be accurate down to 10ms - there are again pictures where the timer is cut in half, only in such cases I would see 20.23 and 20.24, so I can be sure that the timer is updated in .01s increments rather than in something larger.
Without a lot more details about what software people use and large images showing the results, I must say that I'm very skeptical. I feel "input lag" testing needs several things to be even remotely acceptable:
1) Run at native LCD resolution in clone mode (because built-in scalers could have an impact)
2) Disclosure of the test software that manages better than 54ms accuracy.
3) You need a high-end camera with a fast shutter speed to capture the results. Simply choosing "Auto" mode and snapping a picture doesn't tell the whole story.
4) Provide at least one sample image at a high resolution that clearly shows what the camera captured.
I met all of those criteria I think. In looking around at other reviews, I have not been able to clearly answer any of those questions. Perhaps that's why some of the other results are so different. I also tested at 2560x1600 to verify that I wasn't hurting the HP LP3065 by running at a lower resolution; since the scaling is handled by the GPU rather than the LCD (the LP3065 doesn't have a scaler), there was no penalty.
DangerousQ - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
I cant believe this set of reviews is so one sided, why no P-MVA panels, I bought a BenQ FP241W about 3 monyths ago and the 6ms response time plus unbelievable colours make this panel really hard to beat, but you try finding any reviews on it. The one review I did find, a long time ago and have lost it now compared it to the 2407 dell and found it a better panel for less money! I know this cos I was going to buy the dell before I saw the review.JarredWalton - Monday, May 5, 2008 - link
Send me an MVA panel - or get one of the manufacturers to send me one - and I will be more than happy to review it. I don't have the means to go out and purchase $500+ test LCDs, so I review what I get sent. Dell, Gateway, Samsung, ASUS, and other major companies are great about working with review sites like ours. Other companies are not. Thus, I take what I can get.