I thought this review needed some more info in order to be more helpful for the readers/buyers.
==================== REVISED REVIEW ==========================I want to start this review with a strong suggestion: to avoid this philips monitor model (170C5BS). I had lots of trouble with it and they only ended because it was finally replaced with a different model. I let you read my experience which I hope will help you to have an opinion about it.
__________________________________ FIRST OF ALL SOME PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:
12ms response time (On-Off) SXGA, 1280 x 1024 resolution sRGB ready TCO '03 compliance Lower power consumption (so low that had problems with it, read on...) Embedded power supply (meaning that if it's faulty or has problems you have to send back the whole monitor and this is what happened) SmartControl (PC software that comes with the monitor, never installed really) ____________ MY EXPERIENCE
I
bought this some time ago and even paid half-a-fortune for it. The monitor looked nice and appealing. 17 inches and a good brand (or is it?), what could go wrong?
After a few months however, THE problem started. The brightness started to change all of a sudden like it used to happen on the old style monitor and TVs when their power supply was near a collapse.
I decided to cope with it since it only happened once in a while and for a second or two.
Shortly after it became more serious, it kept doing it so often and for longer periods of time, I had the impression the monitor was going to die. It was even hard to describe to the Philips assistance but what I experienced was an frequent flickering of different colours overimposing on the screen... if you can guess what I mean.
The assistance was very efficient (although costed a bit to call them, not a free number) and they scheduled a substitution for my product. They told me to put the monitor in its original box (which by luck I kept), print a swap form and a currier came to replace the item very promptly. I didn't have to pay a thing... a part from the phonecalls.
So they gave me a new one (same model) and GUESS WHAT? It had the SAME exact problem from the very moment I turned it on. I even tried different plugs to be sure it wasn't my house wiring to be faulty or something. It wasn't.
I called the assistance again, I was sure they would have thought I was taking the piss, on the contrary they were very kind and scheduled another swap (again I didn't have to pay a thing).
This time they were smart enough to give me a slightly newer model (the 170C6). My guess is that all those of the series 170C5 had a faulty power supply and they stopped selling them, at least that's what I hope.
____________ MY SUGGESTION
So, after my experience, my suggestion, if you see this monitor on offer anywhere, is to AVOID IT LIKE HELL! And instead, if you still want a Philips 17", search for newer versions such as the 170C6 (which I reviewed too) that is a great computer monitor and has a very professional design, while this 170C5BS, on second thoughts, looked rather cheap.
______________ TECHNICAL SPECS
Dimensions •Dimensions (with base) (W x H x D): 399 x 390 x 174 mm •MTBF: 50,000 hrs •Relative humidity: 20% - 80 % •Temperature range (operation): 5°C to 35°C •Temperature range (storage): -20°C to 60°C •Weight: 4.5 kg
Picture / Display •LCD panel type: 1280 x 1024 pixels, Anti glare polarizer, RGB vertical stripe •Panel size: 17"/ 43 cm •Effective viewing area: 337.9 x 270.3 mm •Pixel pitch: 0.264 x 0.264 mm •Brightness (nits): 250 nit •Contrast ratio (typical): 500:1 •Display colours: 16.2 M •Viewing angle: @ C/R > 5 •Viewing Angle (H / V): 160 / 160 degree •Response time (typical): 12 ms •White Chromaticity, 6500K: x = 0.313 / y = 0.329 •White Chromaticity, 9300K: x = 0.283 / y = 0.297 •Maximum resolution: 1280 x 1024 @ 75Hz •Recommended resolution: 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz •Factory preset modes: 15 modes •User definable modes: 16 modes •Video dot rate: 140 MHz •Horizontal scanning frequency: 30 - 83 kHz •Vertical scanning frequency: 56 - 76 Hz •sRGB
Convenience •Buttons and controls: Customised hot key, Side keys •Convenience enhancements: On screen display, SmartControl •Monitor controls: Auto, Brightness control, Left / right, Menu (OK), Power on / off, Up / down •OSD languages: English, French, German, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish •Other convenience: Kensington lock compatible •Plug & Play compatibility: DDC/CI, sRGB, Windows 98/ME/2000/XP •Regulatory approvals: CE Mark, E2000, EMC, Energy Star, FCC-B, UL, CSA, SEMKO, TCO '03, TÜV/GS, TÜV Ergo •Tilt: -5° to 25° •VESA Mount: 100 x 100 mm
Accessories •Included accessories: AC power cord, VGA cable •User manual
Power •Complies with: E2000, Energy Star, NUTEK •Consumption: 30W •Off Mode: < 1 W •Power LED indicator: Operation - Green, Standby / sleep - Amber •Power supply: Built in, 90-264 VAC, 50/60 Hz
_________________________________________ Higher quality picture and more info can be found here on the website:
www.philips.com
or more specifically: http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/1/170c5bs_00/170c5bs_00_pss _eng.pdf
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Good review! These flat-panel displays can be a bit temperamental, and the symptoms, as you note, can be very batch-dependent. When they go wrong, it's usually "all or nothing". I prefer the power supply to be embedded within the monitor, but each unto their own. Very helpful.
TheChosen1 07.11.2008 09:48
Good review! Thanks for the warning! I was on the market for one of these.
very helpful by (81%):
helpful by (6%):
somewhat helpful by (14%):
