Great LCD widescreen monitor. Unbelievable value.

Author's Rating:

Pros: Best LCD widescreen monitor for the money. PERIOD.  Great for gaming.

Cons: None.

The Bottom Line: 
Recommended for anybody looking to enhance their computing and gaming experience.  There is nothing better at this price on the market right now.  Great for the Xbox 360.

Author's Review
I just built a new computer, equipped with a dual core CPU, big video card, and all the trimmings.  I knew my 17 inch CRT was NOT going to allow me to get the most out of it.  So I decided to start shopping for a widescreen LCD monitor.  I also wanted another place to plug in my Xbox 360 since our HDTV is in our family room and my wife fails to appreciate my ability to throw beautiful fade routes in Madden '09.  Go figure.

So, I figured I would kill two birds with one stone and get a monitor that would allow me to enjoy my computer AND my Xbox 360.  I knew I would need a monitor with a DVI connection (for my high end graphics card on my PC) and a connection for my Xbox.  Unfortunately, the only monitors that offer HDMI input are fairly expensive.  However, you can purchase an adapter that allows the Xbox to plug into the VGA input on any monitor, while still maintaining high resolution.

I went to Best Buy and Circuit City, looking at Samsungs, Viewsonics, and Acers.  The prices ranged from $400 down to $250, depending on a few bells and whistles.  When I looked online, I found the Hannspree Hanns G Hi-221DBP Widescreen LCD monitor on Newegg.com.

It had everything the "Big boys" had. A 5ms pixel-response rate (crucial for gaming), resolution up to 1680X1050, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and had similar brightness, viewing angles, etc.  The only difference was the brand name....and the price.  $160.

I thought "what's the catch?"  And then I read the reviews on Newegg.com and they were a perfect 5/5 (with over 100 reviews).  The only thing lacking is the HDMI and/or component input, but again, if you're hooking up a computer and/or a gaming console, you don't need those extra inputs. 

Now, there were some Acer and Viewsonic monitors online that were similar in price (10-20 dollars more) but they were REFURBISHED.  This was a brand new monitor.  And while refurbished monitors carry a 3 month warranty, the Hannspree Hanns G came with a 3 year parts, 3 year labor warranty.  So, with nothing to lose, I ordered the monitor and received it within three days (with FREE shipping, I might add).

The monitor comes with a very easy to assemble stand that allows it to tilt, but there's no height adjustment.  I found the height to be perfect, so that's no problem.  There were no dead pixels and setup was a snap.  It also "warms up" rather quickly.  I didn't even have to install the software, just plug and play.  The controls for the monitor are located on the bottom of the monitor and they're easy enough to use.  Adjusting brightness, horizontal and vertical, and contrast is very simple. 

The monitor does also come with built in speakers, which I haven't tried since I have a Bose system, so I can't comment on those.  The reviews I read said they weren't anything special, but you're not buying the monitor for the sound of the speakers, and at this price point, the speaker quality irrelevant.

Do keep in mind that a VGA cable is included but a DVI cable is NOT. You can pick one of these up at any store or online for much cheaper. 

The picture is fantastic.  (Remember to set your computer's resolution to 1680 X 1050 to get the best resolution).  The picutre is more crisp and clear than my wife's 19 inch Viewsonic LCD, in my opinion.  The viewing angles are great.  Movies, photos, and games look incredible (Battlefield 2142 with the visuals maxed out looks amazing on this thing).

As far as the Xbox???  Wow.  I hooked it up using the VGA adapter and it works brilliantly.  I daresay that Gears of War 2 darn near brought a tear to my eye and looked even BETTER than my Sony HDTV.

If you are in the market for an LCD screen for computing and gaming, look no further.  Take the money you save ($100 bucks or MORE!) and buy a high end speaker system to complete the experience.  I can't say enough about this product. 10/10 for me.  I will certainly buy Hannspree (or Hanns G) in the future. I can't say enough about newegg.com, as well.