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BenQ E2400HD 24in Full HD Monitor Review

Author	Ardjuna Seghers
Published	6th May 2009
Manufacturer	BenQ
Price	£182.10 (Exc VAT)
as reviewed	£209.42 (Inc VAT)
Latest Price	Click here

Design
Features
Image Quality
Value
Overall

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Keeping in mind that even the cheapest IPS and P/MVA panels will give superior performance to the best TNs in everything but response times, how does the E2400HD hold up in the all-important image quality stakes?

Despite having the same lineage as the M2400HD, we found the E2400HD we received to be slightly inferior to its more expensive cousin - something that can happen due to the variability inherent in LCD display technology.

On the positives side, viewing angles are good for a TN, with minimal contrast or colour shift when viewed from the side. Even from above the picture remains watchable, though as this is still a TN things deteriorate quickly from below. After adjustment colours were decent and text is razor-sharp.

However, there was some backlight bleed from the lower edge of the screen, some very slight banding and again, like most TNs, the E2400HD failed to distinguish between the darkest greyscale tones. Mind you, its superior viewing angles still give it an edge over many TN displays depending on usage.

For gaming, whether PC or HDMI-equipped console, it's certainly adequate. Although it already has the ideal resolution for high-definition consoles (1,920 x 1,080), the E2400HD offers a few aspect ratio controls, namely Overscan (to hide edge noise), Full and Aspect, the latter of which scales the image as large as possible without distorting the ratio.

Movie mode gives vivid - if slightly oversaturated - colours with a blue cast, and though the high sharpness settings are horrible for text they work well for emphasising detail in video material. Together with Dynamics (for gaming) it's the only mode offering dynamic contrast and both are worth activating if you value punch above accuracy in entertainment material.

The area where BenQ's recently-reviewed monitors have been most competitive is price, but while its E2400HD is certainly affordable, it's not quite as cheap as expected. At £209.42, there are plenty of cheaper 24in monitors available online, though finding one with image quality and especially outputs to match is not going to be easy.

As it stands, the E2400HD is the cheapest 24in monitor we've reviewed, but only by a bit. Having come down in price since our review, BenQ's own M2400HD gives you an integrated USB-hub, separate webcam and (on our sample at least) slightly superior image quality for only £17 more. Unfortunately, it's only available in white, but as long as that's okay with you it offers far better value.

Verdict

A decent display at a decent price, BenQ's Full HD E2400HD is definitely worth considering. But, if you don't mind a white rather than black chassis, the company's own M2400HD gives you more for the money.

Latest 4 of 5 Comments

Have your say: Leave a comment below about this article.

Xiphias said on 7th May 2009

No 1:1 mode? That's disappointing for a BenQ.

For monitor reviews I'd love to see what you make of the 2209WA, it's definitely the most interesting mo... more

Jay said on 7th May 2009

@Xiphias
1:1 is used for outputting a smaller resolution on a higher resolution screen without streaching and is usually far more usefull on a 16:10 screen for 16:9 content ... more

Xiphias said on 9th May 2009

Jay: True, although I believe most console games are supposed to output in 720p so unless the consoles themselves have good scaling you might want it for that anyway.

... more

ShaunnyBoy said on 9th August 2009

After reading a few great reviews online about the BenQ E2400HD I decided to go with my instincts and go with the purchase. I am amazed and grateful that I took the risk and purcha... more

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