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NEC MultiSync EA261WM (First Look Review)

Wide-screen LCD monitor includes environment-friendly features.

NEC Display Solutions' new MultiSync EA261WM wide-screen LCD monitor, part of the company's EA (Enterprise Advanced) series, targets corporate, education, and government users. However, this 26" flat-panel display has features that make it a very good choice for CAD, digital-content creation (DCC), and engineering applications.

The NEC MultiSync EA261WM display offers WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200), with a brightness rating of 400 cd/m² and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. The display has a fast 5-ms response time and is HDMI capable via an adapter, offering both 720 pixels and 1080 pixels from DVI-D. The EA261WM has a 92% color gamut, supports HDCP, and incorporates a four-port USB 2.x hub. Two downward pointing stereo speakers are built into the display, as is a headphone jack. The 1920 x 1200 resolution is fairly common on large-panel displays, but the extra size of the 26" panel makes text larger and easier to read for eyes that aren't as young as they once were.

The stand for the MultiSync EA261WM provides stable support for the large panel, with a full range of height, tilt, swivel, and pivot capabilities. No jiggle was evident in any position of the display, which is no small feat for a panel this large. If you need to transport the display, the EA261WM has a built-in carrying handle. A cable management cover for the stand helps control the numerous cables.

NEC MultiSync EA261WM

Noteworthy features include a dynamic video mode, an Eco mode, and a carbon meter. Eco mode reduces power consumption and saves energy. The carbon meter tracks carbon dioxide output from the moment the display is powered up for the first time. Power consumption is 99 W in operation, and 2 W in standby or sleep mode.

The NEC MultiSync EA261WM is a moderately priced, high-resolution, 26" LCD display with many extras.

The NEC MultiSync EA261WM is compatible with Windows Vista Premium. I tested it on both Windows XP and Windows Vista x64 systems using NVIDIA Quadro graphics cards and DisplayMate software (www.displaymate.com), running it through extensive display benchmarks.

The display produced near-perfect scores in brightness, contrast, focus, convergence, color purity, geometric distortion, and raster rotation. Color rendition was excellent with clear, vibrant colors and no ghosting or flicker noticeable during any of the display tests. Grays were slightly on the warm side, with grayscale ramps being smooth and step-free. The 0.292-mm dot/pixel pitch, along with excellent brightness and contrast, produced a crisp image.

Connectivity options include one D-sub and one DVI-D connector, in addition to the USB ports. The display is wall mountable using either 100 x 100 mm or 200 x 100 mm VESA mounts.

The MultiSync EA261WM display is covered by a three-year parts, labor, and backlight warranty, with extended warranty coverage available at extra cost. The street price of the display is a moderate $679.99.

The NEC MultiSync EA261WM is a feature-rich, well-engineered, high-resolution, 26" display with a lot of extra features at a moderate price. It's a very good choice for design, DCC, and engineering professionals. Highly Recommended.