Hanns-G HG281DPB Monitor Review

Ask any gamer how big of monitor is the perfect monitor and you might just get a response of "the bigger the better". Today Benchmark Reviews takes a look at a LCD monitor aimed squarely at the "bigger is better" gaming crowd. The Hanns-G 28" LCD HG281DPB monitor seems to fit perfect with the typical gamer looking for the largest LCD screen they can get without breaking the bank. Featuring an Active Matrix TFT, 3ms response time, 1920x1200 resolution, and at a cost of under $600. On paper the specifications look great, but how would it actually perform in reality? I had to give it a shot.

The last Ten years have brought about some significant changes in the computer industry. Most are familiar with the term "Moore's Law" which states "the number of transistors that can be inexpensively placed on an integrated circuit is increasing exponentially, doubling approximately every two years". (Intel was kind enough to change the two years to 18 months) Basically what this meant to the average consumer is that every two years your identical investment bought a computer that was twice as fast. Unfortunately, Moore's Law never applied to monitors. For years the typical desktop monitor was a small CRT screen inside a very large case. The screen may have been small, but the foot print and the electric bill was anything but small. The invention of the LCD computer monitor has changed the look of the standard workspace, and over the last few years, the competition in the LCD computer monitor market has become intense. The advances that LCD monitors have made over the last 5 years is amazing. They seem to be getting larger, faster and cheaper all at the same time. The typical LCD desktop monitor has jumped from 17" to 19" to 22" or even 24", and the prices keep falling. Currently there seems to be a rather large jump from 24" to 30" in both price and performance. This is where the Hanns-G 28" LCD Monitor comes in. Priced similar to the high end 24" monitors and carrying the same resolution it tries to fill a niche market of those that desire a larger monitor but lack the actual need for the ultra high resolutions or the bank roll to buy the 30" monitors.

The saying "you get what you pay for" is often the case. Sometimes this isn't such a bad thing as long as you know what you are getting and what you are not getting. If you are looking for a monitor to do your professional photo editing on, where displaying the perfect color is critical, you probably need to look elsewhere. But then again, if you are a professional photographer your lens most likely cost more than this monitor. If you are simply looking for the most desktop space to open multiple application windows, two cheap 24" LCD monitors might be a better fit. But if you are a gamer wanting to play on a "BIG" screen, (or for that matter simply need a bigger monitor to help you see small text) then this may just be the monitor you've been longing for.

About the company: Hanns-G

I wish I could provide you with an informative background of Hanns-G but honestly I don't know that much about the company. What I do know is that they are a branch of HannStar which is most known for the small LCD monitors made for children. If you have ever seen the little 9" LCD monitors that look like an apple or a football, most likely those are HannStar. The good news is that they seem to like to compete in the low cost sector of the market and with the current product being reviewed they really don't have much other competition at this price point. From the research I did, I can tell you it seems they favor the budget offering in all areas, warranty included. Don't expect to get a new replacement monitor just because you have a couple of stuck pixels.

Hanns-G Features & Specifications

Closer Look: Hanns-G 28" LCD

I must admit, the primary reasons for choosing this monitor had more to do with price than it did with other factors. All I pretty much cared about was that the monitor supported at least 1920x1200, had a fast response time for games, and was cheap. I would love to have one of the new 30" LCD monitors running at 2560x1600 but couldn't justify the high price tag so I had to look at other options. My previous big screen gaming monitor had been a 32" LCD TV which was limited to 1366x768. While it was nice for some of my racing games, it really didn't work that well for first person shooters such as BF2 and COD4. I missed the option to run at the higher resolutions and the small text wasn't really clear enough to use as an every day desktop monitor. This really should come as no surprise given that the intended use of an LCD TV is watching TV, not using it as a desktop monitor. The nice thing about the Hanns-G monitor is that it is a computer monitor first, and can be used as a HDTV monitor as an option. Keep in mind that this monitor does not have a built in tuner of any kind, however it does support HDMI and component input so you can connect your HD satellite receiver or an HDTV tuner to the monitor.

The monitor arrived in a nice colorful box with the typical detailed specs clearly listed. The monitor does support a full 1080p for all of your Blu-ray and HD DVD needs, as well as your XBOX 360 and PS3 needs. This monitor is also HDCP compliant. One thing that I do have a small issue with is the method of rounding up the listed size of this monitor. Hanns-G has labeled this monitor as a 28" LCD, the model number has 28 in it, the box even has a very large 28"w printed on the front cover, but in much smaller print they point out that the monitor is in fact only a 27.5" monitor. This practice was used extensively by the older CRT monitors where a 21" CRT might only give you a little over 19" of viewable display, but for the most part was abandoned with the arrival of LCD monitors. Today almost all LCD monitors are correctly listed at the true viewable screen size all the way down to 1/10 of an inch. A 20.1" monitor is listed as a 20.1", not as a 22" or 23". Granted Hanns-G may be a new player to the desktop LCD market, but adopting an outdated method of measuring their monitors is just wrong and deceptive.

The monitor arrived undamaged and nicely packaged. It would have been nice to see a little more protection surrounding the entire monitor but everything arrived just fine. The monitor is supported on the four corners by Styrofoam and the monitor and all accessories are packaged in plastic bags.

The monitor is actually very slim considering we are dealing with a monitor that is over 26" wide. The monitor itself will swivel and tilt on a fairly solid base but there is no option for adjusting the height of the monitor. Adding a height adjustment would have been a welcomed addition. The monitor has a depth of 8.4" with the base unit. This is actually .6" less than my Dell 24" monitor.

The exterior of the monitor has an attractive flat black finish with an approximately 1" glossy black border around the screen. The base unit is black and silver with a flat finish. The bezel size is not that bad. It is larger than my Dell's bezel but nothing like most of the LCD TV's that like to add on a few inch's of plastic around the screen. The bezel is small enough to run an extended desktop with another monitor next to it without much concern.

HG281DPB Detailed Features

The accessories included with the Hanns-G monitor are pretty basic but cover all your needs. You get a power cord, VGA cable, DVI to HDMI cable, VGA to Component adapter, and a couple of audio cables. You will notice that there is no remote for the Hanns-G monitor. Keep in mind that this is a primarily a computer monitor and using it as a HDTV monitor is for the most part a bonus. While I would have welcomed a remote to turn on and off the monitor and to switch the inputs from HDMI to component, unfortunately a remote is not even an option.

If you were expecting the typical assortment of LCD TV connections on the back of this monitor you may be in for a shock. The connection options are about as sparse as you can get. The good news is that what is there pretty much covers what you will need for a computer or high definition hookup.

The image above gives a good comparison of the Hanns-G to the Dell 24" 2405FPW. While the Hanns-G monitor doesn't really dwarf the 24" Dell, it is still noticeably larger. I have been using this monitor of over a month now as my primary monitor, and I have noticed one significant change. I now find myself using non-maximized windows much more than I ever did in the past. The actual screen width is so large that trying to read a web page that is over 26" wide is actually a little difficult. It took quite a bit of adjusting but I finally was able to get the colors very similar to the Dell monitor, the contrast is still lacking compared to the Dell. Blacks are deeper on the Dell than on the Hanns-G. I doubt you would notice it as much if they were not side by side though.

Hanns-G 28" LCD Menu and Interface

The menu on the Hanns-G is also very sparse. You may get quite accustomed to what is offered in the menu given that you will be spending quite a bit of tinkering time here when you first set this monitor up. The factory settings of this monitor as so far off it's not even funny. If you intend to leave the settings at the factory default I would highly recommend some very dark glasses. You know the kind you see glaucoma patients wearing, those would work quite well here. The monitor is so bright that it will give you a headache at the default settings. The first adjustment you will need to make is to the brightness setting. I would suggest a maximum setting here of 50. You will also have to make some adjustments to the contrast and color settings. This will most likely vary from monitor to monitor and given your individual taste on contrast. I ended up setting my contrast at 55. Color will also need some significant adjustments and you will most likely never get it perfect.

After many many adjustments I was able to get the color very close to my Dell 2405FPW monitor. (They most likely are both wrong but at least they match) Given that my intended use for this monitor was gaming, I'm happy with the results after my adjustments.

The buttons on the the Hanns-G monitor are located behind the lower right hand side of the monitor. You will need to reach your hand slightly around the back of the monitor turn it on. While it is nice that they are hidden, this can be a bit of a pain depending on your monitor location. I'm glad the monitor swivels because I have to swivel it a couple of inches every time I want to turn it on or off. This may or may not be an issue for you. Windows has had no problem putting the monitor in a sleep mode or bringing it out of sleep, I just have a habit of turning off my monitors when I'm done using them.

LCD Monitor Testing & Results

Given that my intended purpose for this monitor was as a large gaming monitor, I figured I would focus my testing on how it performed as a gaming monitor. I will tell you that the monitor puts off about as much heat as my Dell 24" LCD monitor does, maybe a bit less. The back of the Hanns-G monitor is actually much cooler to the touch than the Dell monitor but both put of a noticeable amount of heat, which for the most part is about average. I have been using this monitor now for over a month as my primary monitor and during that time I have used it for both work and play. As an everyday desktop monitor it may take you a little while to get used to the size of this monitor. It may be the same resolution as a 24" monitor but it is quite a bit wider. You will need to actually turn your head to read the text of a web page if you have the window maximized. As I stated earlier, using this monitor actually made me change the way I used application windows. I rarely run a browser window maximized now. I even run Word in a non maximized window.

So, after a month of using this monitor for gaming, what is my take on it? I like it. I wouldn't mind a 30", but until those drop in price, I'm very content. Gaming on this monitor is very enjoyable, it is a noticeable improvement even over a 24" LCD. It may not have the resolution of the 30" LCD monitors but it doesn't have the price tag or require the extreme hardware to push those resolutions either. The idea of playing a game on a 17" or 19" monitor would make me cringe. I was a little surprised to discover how many readers are still using a 1024x768 resolution to browse the web. If you are one of those readers, you really should make the jump to 1920x1200. That for the most part means a minimum of a 24" monitor. It seems a little strange that we will spend so much money on a CPU upgrade or video card upgrade to play the newest game but we will keep the same monitor for years. We often forget just how critical our monitor is to our overall computing experience. If you don't believe me, turn your monitor off and just see how easy it is to get that next head-shot.

If you think that there probably isn't that much difference between using a 17" monitor running at 1024x768 vs a large LCD monitor running at 1920x1200 you really need to give one a try. You will quickly wonder how you ever got by on that 17" or 19" monitor. Playing a racing game on a large monitor is an entirely different experience than it is playing it on a 17" monitor. You will find your self moving both your head and your eyes to cover the screen just like you would do if you were actually driving a car. Playing first person shooter games can also yield some unexpected improvements. Those hidden snipers you never could see before may all of a sudden stand out. Getting head shots becomes much easier. Keep in mind the other player's head is much larger now and therefore much easier to hit. The downside to this is you may frequently be accused of using an aim-bot or hacking. I've actually started taking it as a complement in BF2 every-time I get a kick-vote against me for someone claiming I must be using an aim-bot. Real time strategy games also benefit greatly from the increased resolution. You will be able to see much more of the battlefield with the higher resolution monitor than you every thought about seeing with that small 17" or 19" monitor.

There are a few negative however to running at such a high resolution. Your video card may not be up to the challenge. Your frame rates will most likely drop at the higher resolution. Running any of the newest games at 1920x1200 requires a fairly powerful video card. The good news is that video card prices are dropping and with the arrival of the 8800GT cards sub $200 performance is not out of the question.

As a gaming monitor I ended up being quite pleased with the Hanns-G. The picture was very clear and crisp, the colors were very acceptable (after tweaking), contrast was ok, I experienced no ghosting whatsoever, and I think may actual game-play performance improved. As far as using the monitor as a HDTV I have watched quite a few movies on it and I'm very pleased with the performance. I see this more as an added perk for this monitor, but a very nice perk nonetheless. I would suggest avoiding using the speakers unless sound is of very little importance to you.

Hanns-G Final Thoughts

I'm really glad to see the arrival of the Hanns-G HG281DPB LCD Monitor. Having a product like this on the market makes it a little harder for some of the the 27" LCD models to justify the $1,000+ price tags. Sure they may have more features and better color accuracy, but there are quite a few of us gamers out there that really don't need all of those extras. We just want a nice large LCD screen running at a high resolution to shoot people on. Not all of us have unlimited budgets to justify the biggest baddest video card, the $1,200 CPU, or the $1000+ monitor. Some of us live in the real world.

Gamers will love the 3ms response time, the 1920x1200 resolution, and the 27.5" screen size. Would I love this monitor at $1,200? NO. Is it worth the money at under $600? YES. The saying you get what you pay for often is very true, and probably applies here. You get a very large LCD monitor running at a nice resolution of 1920x1200, fast response time, and the ability to connect your PS3 or 360. What you don't get is the best contrast ratio, the most accurate colors, the ability to connect multiple devices at the same time, or default settings that are anywhere near usable. But you also don't get a price tag that will break the bank. Currently a cheap 24" can be had for under $400 and the Hanns-G is under $600. Is the extra 3.5" worth it, maybe, maybe not, Keep in mind that the difference between a 20" and a 24" monitor is a much larger percentage gain than the difference between a 24" and a 27.5". If you are currently using a 24" monitor you may have a hard time making this leap, but if you are currently reading this article on a 17" or 19" you really need to figure out how to make the jump to 1920x1200 either with a 24" or higher.

On a negative note, my monitor did arrive with two stuck pixels. I was able to rub one of them out with a plastic stylus, but the other is still stuck. Hanns-G does not consider two stuck pixels enough to warrant a replacement monitor.

HG281DPB 28" LCD Monitor Conclusion

The packaging offered a clear presentation of the contents and product specifications, while still remaining attractive and inviting to consumers. I would say it is the typical retail packaging, very similar to what other monitors are boxed in. I would like to see a little more protection over the actual LCD screen inside the box but that may have more to do with my past experience with FEDEX.

The HG281DPB holds true to its monitor heritage, it looks like a computer monitor should. Nothing flashy, no bulky speakers attached to the side, a slim bezel around the edge of the monitor and black in color. Looks right at home next to a Dell Monitor. The stand is basic but does a nice job keeping the monitor secure. It looks very much at home on a my desk.

Construction is acceptable for the price. I'm a little bothered by the stuck pixel and the fact that it takes quite a few stuck pixels to be considered a warranty defect by Hanns-G. Other than that, I am pretty happy with the overall construction of the monitor. It feels solid, and doesn't give the impression of being cheaply made.

The functionality of this monitor really depends on your intended use for it. If you are a professional photographer and intend to use this monitor to edit your photos, you probably need to look elsewhere. If you are wanting this monitor as an HDTV you might be better off getting an actual HDTV with a built-in tuner rather than this LCD Monitor. However, if you are just looking for a large LCD screen to play games and also use as your primary desktop monitor you should be very happy with this monitor. Don't expect it to match the high end 27" or 30" LCD monitors out there but they may set you back 2 or 3 times what the Hanns-G will.

Currently the 28" widescreen LCD monitor is available from Amazon for $260. As a gaming monitor I feel the Hanns-G HG281DPB offers a great value. When you consider that just 2 years ago a typical 20.1" monitor cost about as much, I really glad to see a product like this one. At this low price, it may be a perfect fit for the gamer on a budget.

In conclusion, if you keep your expectations in line, you will be very happy with the HG281DPB. Hanns-G positioned this monitor to be a low cost entry level 27.5" LCD monitor and in doing so, they have given us a new option of having a very large LCD screen to play our games on without spending a fortune on features we may not need or even care about. Is it the best LCD monitor available? Absolutely not. It is a very nice LCD monitor to play games on? Yes. Keep in mind that my ratings below are based solely on how this monitor rates as a gamer's monitor.

Pros:

+ Extremely affordable for a large LCD Monitor
+ 3ms Response time
+ 3 Year Warranty
+ Option to connect High Definition devices
+ Slim Bezel
+ Great for Gaming

Cons:

- Poor default calibration
- Lack of multiple simultaneous connections
- Cheap speakers
- Possible stuck pixels

Ratings:

• Presentation: 9.00
• Appearance: 9.00
• Construction: 8.50
• Functionality: 8.00
• Value: 9.25

Final Score: 8.75 out of 10.

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