Hyundai ImageFlat L50A 15-inch TFT LCD Monitor Specifications
Display Size	15.1-inches (15-inch viewable)
Pixel Pitch	0.297 mm
Contrast Ratio	200 : 1
Resolution	1024 x 768 @ 85Hz (max.)
Active Display Area	304 x 228 mm
Plug-and-Play	VESA DDC 1/2B
Display Colors	16.2 million colors
Power Management	Energy Sat/VESA DPMS
Luminance	200 cd/m˛ (max.)
Video Input	R.G.B. analog
Input Connectors	15-pin D-sub
Dimensions (W x H x D)	387 x 353 x 188 mm
Weight	4.0 kg
Power Consumption	40 watts (with white pattern)

The bundled accessories and CD-ROM disc

 

Portability usually is not an option one considers whenever purchasing a TFT LCD panel. Space-saving features, performance, and cost are the three most prominent aspects on most peoples' minds when hunting for a CRT monitor replacement for a work environment or for personal use.

Surprisingly, the Hyundai ImageFlat L50A 15-inch TFT LCD Monitor offers portability along with space-saving design. The small base support can be folded into a carrying handle (see photo) for moving the monitor to and from work and home—or even from office to hotel room. (With the last option, we recommend purchasing a hard-shell carrying case for traveling purposes.)

The side profile of the Hyundai L50A TFT LCD monitor.

 

This thin 15-inch TFT LCD monitor from Hyundai has four easy-to-reach control buttons located on the lower-front of the monitor along with a small power status LED. The computer video cable connector and the external main power-block cable connectors are found directly in the middle of the back-side of the panel (see photo). There are no speakers and microphone with this model.

Factory pre-sets include: 640 x 480; 800 x 600; 832 x 624; and 1024 x 768 —-we tested it at 1024 x 768 x 16 with a refresh rate of 60Hz. User controls include: Brightness, Contrast, H/V Position, Color Controls, Languages, Clock, Clock Phase and Test. As with all our monitor reviews, we tested the Hyundai using DisplayMate™ for Windows v.2.0 (Multimedia Edition). We also 'auto-adjust' image display and video sync whenever possible.

A back-side glance at the L50A TFT LCD monitor--note the locations for video cable and power adapter.

 

Obviously, the portability feature of the Hyundai ImageFlat L50A top the list of interesting features, followed closely by the monitor's space-saving design. The OSD (onscreen display) controls were intuitive and easy to use. Although the L50A TFT LCD monitor's innovative base-stand looks rather flimsy, it is not easy to tip it over unless knocked hard from the back.

For performance, the Hyundai ImageFlat L50A did well in terms of displaying the full visible color bandwidth for monitors. There was a slight blue-tint bias to all-white screens, but overall, the bluish tint was within tolerable levels. (By the way, even CRT monitors exhibit this tendency when viewing all-white screens such as word processing documents or spreadsheets.)

No stuck ("dead") pixels appeared on the LCD panel, and the construction of the panel within its frame was solid, i.e., no visible rippling appearance on the TFT screen when tapped across the frame edges with an index finger. We could read text from 6.8 point sizes and above without difficulty. The L50A did exceptionally well displaying DisplayMate v.2.0's "focus matrix screens". These consist of small complex regular patterns that can be viewed in various sizes. Even at their smallest, the monitor displayed the images without 'blooming' or fuzziness.

Video bandwidth index score for the displayed image was 90.6; Gamma correction for the display (white) was 2.22. The Hyundai ImageFlat L50A's own seven color bars test pattern can assist users to fine-tune the color preferences to their own liking.

The Hyundai ImageFlat L50A monitor is portable via fold-up carrying handle cum stand base.

 

Besides the large external power-block (along with the absence of speakers and a microphone), we found that the top LCD panel moved a bit too easily in its base stand. Only after re-adjusting it a few times did we manage to get the view angle we wanted. Perhaps some tightening/loosening mechanism (e.g., thumb screw) could be used to overcome this problem. LCD panel users are notorious for twiddling with their view position.

Do you remember how old passive-type LCD panels had to be viewed via direct line of sight or shadows appeared? Well, today's active-matrix TFT LCD panels has a wider viewing range, but you still may have to swivel or tilt them to show your colleague (or boss) the images displayed if he or she is seated beside you or (even worse) looking over your shoulder. Hence, it's imperative that even today's TFT LCD monitors allow for a good balance of facile movement (tilt/rotate/swivel) and solid (stationary) placement. The L50A is lacking in this area.

If the L50A is portable, it should come with its own custom-made carrying case or padded protective cover. Even if users carry the unit with the panel facing their legs, accidents could happen that destroy the TFT panel.

The Hyundai L50A TFT LCD monitor's own test-screen pattern. N.B.-- image colors have been reduced here for image download optimization.

 

If you tend to move your monitor around a lot or would like to actually take it on the road for short business trips, the Hyundai ImageFlat L50A is a good option. This reviewer knows about no other TFT LCD panel that can be carried about like a common notebook PC or small suitcase as this monitor can be. But if you hardly ever move your monitor, perhaps a more sturdy TFT LCD monitor would be more appropriate for you.

The Hyundai ImageFlat L50A 15-inch TFT LCD monitor sells for S$599 and comes with a two-year warranty (1st year parts & labor; 2nd year parts only).