Customer Reviews

Sony SDM-HS93/B Flat Panel 19" LCD Monitor (Black)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Right now Sony has a rebate offer in conjunction with many electronics stores, including amazon and J&R. This allows you to buy the 19 inch model at the same price as the 17 inch! But I believe you have to do so before Jan.1 2005.

I agonized for about two months on what kind of Sony monitor to buy (I had my heart set on Sony because it's been a reliable company with reliable and above-average products in my experience) ... and finally after miles and miles of research I settled on this one.

Why?

Response time and contrast ratio. When you're shopping for LCD's a friend who's a computer whiz said those two factors are imperative in getting a good deal -- not to mention a decent monitor. And when I saw that I could buy the 19 inch version at the same price as the 17 inch version, well, it kind of sealed the deal.

I use the monitor to write, surf the web and play video games. The dimensions of color are amazing. The monitor has no problems keeping up with intensive graphical video games, in fact I'd say the resolution and response time is a marked improvement to my old CRT monitor. Also, if you've been used to using a CRT monitor (the older kind), these flat screen monitors will probably make you go "wow!" ... my old CRT monitor was 19 inches, but this new Sony monitor seems so much bigger. I really didn't think there would be that much of a difference between a CRT monitor and a LCD one, but it's rather impressive.

And the frame its held in, is very, well ... artistic. You can begin thinking of your monitor as a piece of art, instead of a functioning tool.

Out of the box it comes with a standard monitor cable that connects to any video card, a manual, and a power cord. If you have Windows XP, you don't even need the driver CD that comes with it. XP sets it all up for you instantly -- plug n' play. It doesn't have a digital interface, but you can get a connector to "go digital" with your graphics card.

The only downside of this monitor is that it is of such high caliber that to get true font and resolution, you have to use it at a very high setting. Unfortunately my eyesight isn't as good as it once was, so I had to reduce the resolution, which means you get some shadowing on type, but not enough to bother. For those working with graphic design on a daily basis, this monitor would give you the high resolution you'd need to complete complex artistic tasks.

My monitor didn't have the pixel problem that I've read with other reviews of Sony LCDs -- where one pixel point on the screen is dead.

All in all, I'm very happy with this purchase and would recommend it.

Pro: Great monitor, bright, high contrast

Con: zero

This is a great monitor. Really bright and high contrast. The price tag is considerably higher than competiting products. Yet, it's a Sony.

I'd give it 5 stars if the price is lower, or, if Sony adds speakers or digital inputs (DVI).

I have owned this LCD for 3 years and it has been problem free. The design is curvy and nice and that's the best thing I like about it..no ugly complicated plastics or speakers or dots everywhere like others, this minimalist design is appealing. Too bad it has no DVI, but then that was 3-4 years ago. Somehow I am getting only 60hz refresh rate using analogue all this time. Color is really nice and vivid. I will continue to buy products from Sony.

I am very pleased with my purchase of this monitor. I ordered it from Sony's online store, and not here on Amazon, but you'll get the same monitor either way.

The monitor itself is of fantastic aesthetic design. The monitor has a sleek outward concave back with a shield to hide and protect the connections to the power cord and VGA connector. The base is silver as are the arms that support the main screen. Everything, even the base, has a rounded and curving design to it that keeps the monitor from feeling boxy or becoming an eyesore. The buttons on the front are small enough to not be noticed unless you are looking at them and are rounded and sleek. The power button glows a gentle, non-distracting green when the monitor is on and soft amber when the monitor is in sleep mode or not receiving a video signal. The Sony name appears in silver on the front of the monitor. Each letter of the name seems to be expertly chiseled out of stone, even if it is just plastic. The outside edges of the screen are either going to be a foreboding black or dark silvery blue depending on the model you get. The model here is black while the blue color (which I happen to like better and own myself) can be bought at Sony's online store only. Regardless of which you pick, however, the overall design of the monitor will simply blow you way. It's actually attractive, if electronics can be such a thing, and is a fantastic monitor to place on a desk in an office where clients face you to see it's smooth, sleek design, discrete Sony branding, and plain cool look. If only you will be using the monitor and no one else will see it it's still worth it to pick this monitor if only because of its elegant design. I still haven't figured out how but this monitor seems to give of a powerful aura, even if it is just plastic, capacitors, and light. Call me crazy but you'll identify with this if you decide to purchase it the second you remove it from its box.

The display quality is rich and bright and the ghosting that LCD monitors are so typically rumored to experience is totally non-existent on this model. The display has on the fly light level adjustments that you can switch back and forth to with the press of a button if you find the monitor to be too bright for a particular time of day or level of room lighting. The refresh rate is typical for a large 19" LCD at 20 milliseconds. Although some newer LCD monitor have higher refresh rates it's important to keep in mind that most people run CRT monitors at 60 Hz, a much lower and more strainful upon the eyes refresh rate, and never skip a beat. Because of this monitor's speedy refresh rate and rich color one can sit in front of the screen for hours without experiencing any eye strain or discomfort. The screen doesn't experience tearing during fast movement so you can watch action DVDs or play high quality games such as Half-Life 2 or Far Cry without any problem. I've used this monitor for literally hundreds of hours and the thing still runs like the day I got it. It's been reliable, has no dead pixels, and is incredibly resistant to heat due to its fantastic built-in fan grills and cooling.

I do have one minor complaint about this monitor, however. The screen itself is actually quite sensitive. While you can touch some LCD monitors (something little children are apt to do) I would highly advise against doing so to this monitor. The screen does not take pressure well and you can easily see the crystal being depressed when you touch your finger to the screen with even the slightest pressure. I would, of course, also highly advise against testing this if you do decide to purchase the monitor. Just take my word for it; we have little children. As long as you are aware of this weakness and don't go poking your monitor with a knife you'll be fine.

Despite the minor complaint above I can't help but give this monitor the five star score I feel it deserves. Sony's SDM HS93 has been absolutely flawless from the second I took it out of the box and I expect it will remain this way for many years to come. If you are looking for a good, affordable, and elegantly designed monitor look no farther than this fine product from Sony.

Good: Design and Image is clean
Bad: Cost compared to others (but worth it) and does not go into standby