CTX S530

This is the first LCD monitor to promise no dead pixels.

Whatever you use your monitor for, having a pixel on the screen that's constantly the wrong colour can be very distracting.

This is why CTX has taken a bold step with its latest 15.1in XGA display, the S530.

As well as a three-year warranty, the S530 comes with a 101-day guarantee against pixel faults, including any that may develop during this three-month period.

This is in line with the ISO 13406-2 Class 1 standard, which is a rating for monitors that allows for no dead pixels whatsoever - essentially, they're perfect.

CTX is also following the trend for more aesthetic products, giving the S530 a two-tone champagne and black finish with a minimal three-button control panel.

It sits rather low and there's no height adjustment on the stand, which is a bit of a disappointment.

In terms of performance there are no real surprises, which may discourage those looking for outstanding image quality.

It's pretty bright and the 120/100 degree viewing angles aren't the best that are currently available.

It's an analogue-only product, fed by a captive cable, so signal calibration is the key to decent image quality.

The S530 performed extremely well in this regard, requiring no manual adjustment for jitter-free images.

The average 300:1 contrast ratio means that some shallow tones are lost at the top and bottom end of the grey and colour scale, but this is unlikely to adversely affect general use.

If you're not after the ultimate in performance, but want a solid, inexpensive product that comes with peace of mind as standard, the S530 would be a good choice.

SPECS

• 15.1in. LCD
• 1,024 x 768 native resolution
• Captive VGA input
• 372 x 171 x 355mm (w x d x h)
• 3.7kg
• Brightness 250cd/m2
• Contrast ratio 300:1
• Viewing angles: horizontal 120 degrees, vertical 100 degrees

DETAILS
Price: £299 (£254.46 ex VAT)

Contact: CTX Europe 01923 810 800
www.ctxeurope.com