ASUS VW192C

Next goes the ASUS VW192C, yet another product from the VW19XX series which includes very similar monitors differing in small details only. Let’s try to make out what is special about this model.

Judging by the specs, the distinguishing trait of the VW192C is that it supports dynamic contrast – this contrast ratio is declared in the specs. To remind you, the point of dynamic contrast technology is in the monitor automatically making the matrix brightness higher or lower depending on the predominance of lights or darks in the current picture. The resulting value of dynamic contrast is calculated as the ordinary contrast ratio multiplied by the brightness adjustment range in that mode. The dynamic contrast mode is meant for watching movies. It can hardly be good for games (for example, you are standing in a dark passage, but the monitor lowers the brightness even more and you can’t see anything at all) and absolutely useless for work.

The declared viewing angles are rather large. As usual, you should not be confused by these numbers. The monitor darkens just like any other TN-based model if you take a look at it from below. The big numbers in the specs are due to the relaxed measurement method (with a reduction of the contrast ratio to 5:1).

The monitor’s exterior should be familiar to everyone who has seen any model from this ASUS series. It is an elegant dark-gray plastic case with a charming bright strip at the bottom of the front panel and a glossy coating of the matrix. As opposed to the above-discussed Acer, the VW192C is going to look good at home as well as in the office. Unfortunately, the glossy matrix, although it looks pretty and increases contrast, may become a problem as it reflects everything in front of the monitor. A bright source of light will become a distracting and irritating flare on the screen.

The simple plastic stand allows you to adjust the tilt of the screen. You can use the holes under the sticker on the back of the case to replace the stand with a VESA-compatible mount.

You can find the following connectors under the cover at the bottom of the back panel: analog and digital inputs, a connector of the integrated power adapter, and an audio input for the built-in speakers. A microphone connector is missing, though.

The control buttons are lined up in a narrow strip at the bottom right of the front panel. They are made from ordinary plastic painted the color of the case and are accompanied with easily readable icons. The Power button is the same shape as the others, but its position at the end of the row of buttons prevents you from pressing it accidentally (as opposed to when the Power button is fitted in between the others).

Quick access is provided to the sound volume and brightness settings and to the Splendid feature (factory-set profiles varying in brightness, contrast and color reproduction). When you press and hold the Splendid button for a few seconds, the automatic adjustment of analog signal is performed.

This is ASUS’s standard menu with all of its characteristics drawbacks. It doesn’t remember the last option you change and always opens up on the Splendid tab although this feature can be accessed by means of a quick button. The lack of an instant-access button to select the signal source is unhandy as you have to move quite a lot through the menu to find this option.