Eizo S2242W Review

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This page contains notes I made while testing the Eizo FlexScan S2242W

by Patrick Herold

May 15, 2009

CHROMiX

All tests were done at 6000 Kelvin, Gamma = 2.2, 100 cd/m2 unless otherwise noted.

Contents

Overview

The Eizo FlexScan S2242W-H is a wide-gamut display which retails for around $800.

Comparing 2D gamut between S2242W, LaCie 324, and AdobeRGB

Color Gamut

Wide! The gamut volume will depend on the measuring instrument and the software used. Using ColorThink Pro, it calculated gamut volumes anywhere between:

Using EasyPIX, the profiles came out in the middle: 1,160,000.

This puts it very similar in size to the LaCie 324, although the S2242W has a bit more gamut in the deep blues.

Native white point

Native white point = 5620 K

Evenness

See Angle of view.

Brightness

= .10 (at 100 cd/m2 brightness) measured with a DTP-94
= .28 (at 300 cd/m2)

Black level

Minimum I got ours at was .09 cd/m2 using CEDP (this is very good for an LCD.)

Angle of view

The screen has a very slight yellowish cast when images are viewed off-axis. You have about a 12 inch diameter of movement of the head where the color and brightness is uniform when looking at one spot on the screen. Colors and density are effected about the same. Horizontal and vertical about the same.

Resolution

This screen packs a 1920 x 1200 dpi resolution into a 22 inch diagonal screen. What this means is that at this resolution, everything looks a little bit smaller. However, because everything is smaller, you can fit more onto the screen area. As Eizo says: the "S2242W shows 24.1" of data on a 22" screen". People working in a multiple-monitor setup will probably find it strange to have this monitor in the system, with everything on it being smaller. Perhaps it is best used by a one-monitor user. The extra screen real estate comes in handy there.

Internal LUTs?

Yes. This is unusual for a display at this price point. In addition, the DDC feature interfaces successfully with CEDP and the software shows adjustments being made to the monitor graphics card (as well as the video card.) Having internal graphics is almost a necessity for any wide gamut monitor since banding would be so likely otherwise.

Calibration software

Apparently, Eizo designed this display to be calibrated using the EasyPIX software. This is the only instrument calibration, software solution provided by Eizo. ColorNavigator does not work with FlexScan displays. (I tried it anyway, just to be sure. It "cannot find the Eizo-compatible display.") At this price point, this monitor may be aimed at the less-than-professional crowd, and the EasyPIX software does provide an easy way to calibrate and profile this display. Having worked so much with professional-level solutions I am a little nervous about the EasyPIX software. It is a very simple program, with so few options.


EasyPIX software

This software is a very simple monitor calibration process made by Eizo which uses the "EX-1" device (a slightly modified Spyder3.) This software allows the user to adjust their screen by eye, before going through an instrument calibration procedure. This way, the white point and brightness of the screen automatically match what the user wants them to be, without the user needing to know "what numbers" they are supposed to calibrate to. Profiling this display using the EasyPIX software resulted in a profile that was very similar in shape to a profile made using the i1Pro spectrophotometer with ColorEyes Display Pro.

Rotation

Rotates between vertical and horizontal. There is no "automatic" image rotation though. This display raises and lowers about 3 inches, from more than upright to laid back quite a bit, and pivots about 80 degrees from left to right. (The base stays in one place while the display rotates.) The bottom of the display is about 6 inches off the table when in fully down position.

Highlights / Shadows

I am able to distinguish shadows of 2 L value difference; highlights of at least 2 L. With the display calibrated using CEDP, I can distinguish changes up to L = 97 and down to L = 5. Lower than L=5 looks black.

Banding / grayscale

A gray gradient (CEDP) shows some colored hues, but it's pretty subtle. No banding I can see, even at 60 cd. (Using EasyPix)

Uniformity

Uniformity diagram for Eizo S2242W The uniformity is about average for a screen in this class. Because the panel type does not provide great off-axis viewing, a high degree of uniformity of the screen would not have much benefit. In the uniformity comparison diagram (attached to the bottom of this report) we see average ∆E being in the 1's and 2's between corners of the screen. In our model, there was a large ∆E difference between the center and the lower left corner. Here the average ∆E was 4 and the maximum was 8.

Visually, I cannot see a noticeable difference in the uniformity of this display (with a solid gray desktop.)

OTHER

Back panel, left to right, as looking from the back:

Power switch | Power cord IN | DVI port | Analog port | USB In

Left side, looking from the front:

(2) USB outs on the side

Looking from the front:

Ambient light sensor ; EcoView on/off button : EcoView display  ; S ; M ; 0 ; < ; V ; A ; > ; power ; Blue light.

"S" is signal switch between the two inputs.

"M" button cycles between Custom; sRGB: Text: Picture : Movie modes.


CONs

The only major downside of this monitor for graphic purposes would be the variation in uniformity, and possibly the odd resolution. Depending on the user's needs, this compact resolution might be a benefit.

Links

http://www.eizo.com/products/accessories/lcd/easypix/index.asp


-Pat Herold CHROMiX, Inc.

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