When it comes to monitors, gamers are among the more demanding users
The BenQ XL2720Z is a 27" monitor aimed at hardcore gamers looking to enhance their performance.
The monitor is capable of displaying 16.7 million colours at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 with a pixel pitch of 0.311 mm. With backlight capability and 598 x 336mm display area, the monitor delivers a viewing angle of 170 / 160 degrees. Mounted on the rear are connections for mains power, D-sub, DVI, dpi.2 and USB options, while there are also two side-mounted HDMI ports plus a headphone socket. Touch-sensitive buttons running down the lower right of the monitor's frame provide access to such features as blur reduction, picture mode, display mode and OSD menu.
Included in the box with the monitor is a two-piece stand with height adjustment capability. You also get various leads for power, D-sub, DVI-D duel link and USB. There's also an S-Switch device, which is a wedged-shape unit that acts as a remote control to quickly change the settings for different display settings.
The S Switch connects to a mini-USB port on the rear of the monitor via a 78cm lead, which should allow you to position the device near to hand for when needed. The S Switch can to change between settings for various environments. As well as a scrollwheel, the S Switch has four buttons, allowing you to select an appropriate mode or return to a previous setting. Depending on a short or long press, these buttons will react in different ways.
BenQ has built into this monitor a number of features and enhancements that should appeal to those belonging to the hard-core gaming fraternity and may well appeal to users who are more business orientated. Standard screens have a tendency to flicker, which you might not notice, but it could cause eye fatigue and possibly headaches. BenQ claims that the XL2720Z has been developed to eliminate flicker at various brightness levels.
Another cause of eye fatigue and headaches is motion blur. This effect can happen, especially in fast moving action games, when degradation in image quality can occur due to delayed changes in the colour of pixels brought on by the movement of graphical elements. While not claiming to have eliminated motion blur completely, BenQ has managed to reduce its effects.
One area that gamers are always demanding improvement in is monitor refresh rate. BenQ's answer is the development of GROM technology (Gaming Refresh-rate Optimisation Management). This feature can give gamers a 1 ms GYG (Grey to Grey) respond time with this monitor.
All in all, this combination of technologies makes for a monitor that's more than capable of keeping up with the demands of modern PC gaming. Michael Fereday
A plain appearance that can deliver an environment for gaming.
Specifications
Screen size 27"
Aspect ratio 16:9
Resolution 1920x1080
Pixel Pitch 0.311
Brightness 300 cd / m2
Native contrast 1000 : 1
Dynamic contrast ratio 12m : 1
Panel type Twisted Nematic
Viewing angle 170 / 160
Response time 1ms GTG
Display colours 16.7 million
Colour gamut 72%
Vertical refresh rate 100 / 120 / 144Hz
Input connector D-sub, DVI-DL, HDMI x 2, dpi.2, headphone jack
USB hub Downstream x 3