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- 120 Hz refresh rate
- 2 ms response time
- 3D capable, with NVIDIA 3D Vision Kit included
- Adjustable height and tilt
- Some reviewers had trouble with a greenish tinge
- Details wash out at very deep color/blacks
- Must use current-generation NVIDIA-powered graphics card for 3D
- Expensive if you don't plan to use 3D
- Not the best value
The 23-inch Asus VG236H is extremely expensive for a widescreen LCD monitor that uses a twisted nematic (TN) LCD panel, but it offers something most don't: 3D capabilities, including the NVIDIA 3D Vision Kit (*Est. $130 if purchased separately) required to turn a NVIDIA-based graphics card into a 3D display system. It also offers a 120 Hz refresh rate -- much faster than non-3D capable monitors -- and a requirement for showing images in 3D without annoying flicker. Its 2 ms response time also makes it suitable for high-action gaming.
Professional testing suggests that color balance is excellent, though some find it has a faint touch of green. Shadow detail is lacking, as is color accuracy, which shifts toward white. Reviewers like this monitor's easy tilt and height controls, but generally dislike the glossy finish of the monitor screen, though it does help to make images crisp. Reviewers agree the screen is best viewed in near-darkness.
Value is a bit of a question mark. Most reviewers test the monitor as part of the VG236H bundle, but it can be bought separately as the Asus VG236HE (*Est. $310) . Buying the NVIDIA 3D Vision Kit on its own as well can save you a few dollars, as long as you shop carefully. For gamers who don't care about playing games in 3D, you can save money with a solid 2D gaming monitor such as the Gateway FHX2402L (*Est. $220) .
A wide variety of sites review the Asus VG236H monitor bundle. AnandTech.com, Bit-tech.net, Maximum PC, Overclock3d.net, HotHardware.com and FlatpanelsHD.com all take the extra step of testing the monitor in 3D mode. Customers from Amazon.com and especially
Newegg.com provide compelling user reviews, with most scores that mark down the monitor coming from those who don't find the 3D useful (or who have trouble with Asus customer service).
| Asus VG236H 23-Inch 3D-Ready LCD Monitor | |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET reviewer Eric Franklin praises the Asus VG236H widescreen 3D LCD monitor's aesthetics, connections and ergonomic touches, but finds that a green tint problem causes color issues. Full-black scenes suffer in detail. Because their test system did not include a NVIDIA graphics card, CNET does not test 3D performance.
Review: Asus VG236H, Eric Franklin, July 20, 2010
Brian Klug of AnandTech.com points out a benefit of the Asus VG236H widescreen LCD monitor: because it has to be capable of showing two 60Hz images at the same time, it puts out 120 Hz, or 120 frames per second (fps). That makes it ultra-fast and smooth -- when not in 3D mode. "The difference is about as subtle as a dump truck driving through your living room," he writes. He also finds the 3D performance better than that of the competition.
Review: Asus VG236H 23-inch 3D Display Review: 120Hz is the Future, Brian Klug, Aug. 7, 2010
3. Bit-tech.net
Clive Webster praises the Asus VG236H 3D LCD monitor's incredibly bright screen and "cool look." The high brightness is necessary for the 3D glasses, which reduce overall light by a bit, he notes. Tilt and height adjustments are useful. Blacks are deep and realistic but carry almost no detail. Webster calls the 23-inch Asus VG236H "the best of the 3D screens we've tested," but notes that that doesn't mean much if you're not planning on using the 3D features; there are better 2D choices.
Review: Asus VG236H Review, Clive Webster, Sept. 29, 2010
4. MaximumPC.comDetails/Subscribe
Maximum PC puts the Asus VG236H 3D LCD monitor through its paces with both movies and games in both 2D and 3D. They call it a "compelling value" for 3D gamers and 3D movie watchers, and find that performance -- including the fast refresh and response times and uniformity of color and picture -- is excellent. The monitor has issues displaying colors that are almost white (they either disappeared or shifted tint) and detail in colors that are almost black. In the right light, the glossy screen acts like a mirror, Michael Brown adds.
Review: Asus VG236H 120Hz 3D Display Review, Michael Brown, July 19, 2010
Overclock3d.net, a gaming-oriented site, reviews the Asus VG236H 3D LCD monitor from the point of those wanting to play the latest 3D games. Bryan Waters finds the display performs well on standard test suites compared with other TN panels (the most common choice of gamers due to their quick response times), and finds good performance with standard 2D driving and shooting games. Otherwise, Waters adds, "If you don't plan on using the 3D, look elsewhere," because the monitor is overpriced.
Review: Asus VG236H 3D Vision Monitor Review, Bryan Waters, July 21, 2010
HotHardware.com runs the Asus VG236H 3D LCD widescreen display through a variety of benchmark tests, in particular describing the 3D installation in detail. Performance with 2D and 3D imagery is praised. The monitor earns a Recommended designation.
Review: Asus VG236H 120Hz 3D Vision LCD Monitor Review, Mathew Miranda, July 19, 2010
"For gamers looking to break into 3D gaming, it's hard to look further than the VG236H," writes reviewer J.R. Nelson of the Asus VG236H 3D widescreen LCD monitor, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars. He praises its smooth performance at 120 fps, the multiple inputs and the fact that it includes the 3D Vision Kit; he still finds it a bit pricey, however, and says it has the poor viewing angles common among TN panels.
Review: Asus VG236H Review - Asus' 120Hz, 3D Display, J.R. Nelson, July 19, 2010
Rasmus Larsen puts the Asus VG236H 3D LCD monitor through a series of benchmark tests and compares it to a couple other 120 Hz displays, finding it too bright for everyday use but suited to 3D gaming (where the glasses dim the display). The color temperature is accurate, he writes, and the display's colors are good right out of the box without calibration. He does not like the screen's reflective finish, but finds its performance comparable to competing 3D-capable monitors. The Asus VG236H earns a Highly Recommended award.
Review: Asus VG236H, Rasmus Larsen, Aug. 19, 2010
True to its name, BenchmarkReview.com puts the Asus VG236H 3D widescreen LCD monitor through a series of benchmark tests, including 3D gaming tests. The reviewer finds none of the green tinge/color issues some other testers complain about, and praises the monitor's functionality and value.
Review: Asus VG236H 120Hz LCD Monitor 3D-Vision Set, Olin Coles, Oct. 12, 2010
Alexandre Botella's review of the Asus VG236H 3D monitor isn't as long as some, but he succinctly tests and sums up the pros and cons of the widescreen LCD. However, 3D is not tested. Overall, he gives the Asus VG236H 5 out of 5 stars.
Review: Asus VG236H, Alexandre Botella, June 21, 2010
11. NewEgg.com
More than 100 reviews at Newegg.com give the Asus VG236H 3D monitor an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, praising its picture quality and performance in both 2D and 3D. Complaints include Asus' customer service, problems using multiple VG236Hs at once and the glossy, reflective screen finish.
Review: Asus VG236H 23", Contributors to Newegg.com
12. Amazon.com
Nearly 20 reviewers give the Asus VG236H 3D LCD monitor an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, with just more than half awarding a perfect score. Those who mark down the monitor note that its early adoption of 3D carries a price penalty, and that there are better options if you are not using 3D. There is no built-in audio, and 3D is only available via the DVI port.
Review: Asus VG236H 23-Inch 120 Hz 3D Ready Panel Monitor, Contributors to Amazon.com
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