[...]One of my criteria is to have built-in speakers.I don't have external speakers nor do I like more tangled wires.The speakers sound better than my old Viewsonic VA1912wb I replaced.That is a welcoming fact.Initially, there was a lot of waviness on screen.The troubleshooting guide suggested video connection as the issue.Turns out that it was my old VGA cable (I didn't want to craw behind the computer initially...).Once I hooked up with the new cable provided, it started working perfectly.I'm running Windows XP Media Center.After I turned off and on my computer, it recognized the new monitor and reset the resolution and refresh rate profile.It now runs at 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz.No driver is needed.I was afraid that I would need to update my video driver since I have a 4 yr+ old computer but I don't.With HDMI, DVI, and SPDIF Audio Output, it will be more than capable to handle my future computer (definitely not with Vista, though).
Of course, not everything is perfect with this monitor.The buttons and OSD menu are not great.But they are within my expectation based on other reviews I mentioned before.In addition, once you move away from the center view by, say, more than 45 degrees, the picture quality starts degrading rapidly.It means that if you want to show someone standing behind you the pictures on your screen, he/she would need to bend down, sit down, or step back in order to appreciate what you are trying to show.These are just minor flaws that I'm willing to live with for what I'm willing to pay.Overall, I'm a very happy customer.August 11, 2009 Update:
Shortly after I wrote the initial impression above, I began to experience some flickering with the screen.This is my description to ASUS Customer Service:
"While in use, occasionally monitor would flicker.Anywhere from showing multi-color vertical bands (partial or full screen) to black or white screen.Sometimes it's vertical and horizontal lines covering the full screen (forming dense grid pattern).This is a brand new monitor (in use for 1 week).I'm using VGA cable. I've unplugged and plugged the cable and made sure connection is good.I've updated my video card driver to the latest version but did not solve the problem.Saw this posted in forum but no solution replied.If not resolved, may need to return the monitor."
ASUS replied in about 2 days making several recommendations.I followed the advice the best I could.See my subsequent reply of findings:
"Firstly, would you please tell us when and after what action this problem occurred?
1. When the computer first boot up.Doesn't matter whether the monitor is on first or on after boot up.The screen flickers with vertical multi-color bands on the right or sometimes the whole screen.At times there are both vertical and horiztonal bands that form white fabric like pattern.Duration could last for 2 sec to good 5 seconds.
2. When in use during any computer session.Very sporadic. Sometimes happens while surfing the net.Not always repeatable.In one particular session, every time I went to dpreview.com, it flickered.But it didn't happen again since.
Secondly, please press Splendid key on LCD about 3 seconds to load the default settings.
Did it and no change.
Please replace another graphic card.
Not possible but I have another laptop to test with.This laptop is much newer... 1 yr old.When switch to ASUS as external monitor, the same flickering happened, for long or short duration.But other than that, I did not experience other instances.
Thirdly, please check if there is any updated BIOS or driver for your other PC components.
Updated BIOS.
Now the only times that it flickers are when the computer first boots up or when it goes in and out of screen saver or when the monitor is first turned on.I've not observed other in-session interruptions as before.
Otherwise please change this LCD to another PC to test."
Today, ASUS told me that this may be defective.I've proceeded to replace my unit via Amazon.Will update again in the future.Up to this point, ASUS customer service has been prompt.August 15, 2009:
Requested Amazon for a replacement on Aug 11.Received a new unit 2 days later.Plugged it in.Not a single problem was observed.All flickering has been gone since.I have to commend the excellent customer services from both ASUS and Amazon.Couldn't be happier.
Click Here to see more reviews about: ASUS VH236H 23 Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black
Product Description:
16:9 Full HD, 2ms, HDMI, SPDIF out and 2Wx2 Build in Speaker
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