Polyview PT-A718 17 product reviews

I had an idea to run a dual monitor system with a switch, allowing me one monitor always on in front of the terminal, and a second monitor that could be switched to share the display output signal, or not. This would allow me to work, and not have customers leaning over the counter in order to see the job in progress. This little rig was missing only one thing... a second screen.

So, off to my friendly local hardware retailer for a new monitor. He suggested this one as it was a good monitor, had built-in speakers, a good reputation and was at a particularly good price. So I walked off with this surprisingly light box. Upon arrival back at the office, I unpacked it, set it up, and spent over an hour hunting for the driver software CD. No sign of it. "Ah well," thinks me, "I can just download it I guess." But the manufacturer's website had no download section at all! Gasp Shock Horror!

After much hum'ing and har'ing, I plugged it all in, switched it on and prayed I wouldn't smell smoke. My faith was rewarded with a distinct lack of sparks, smoke or strange fizzing noises. Silence never sounded so good. :)

Running Windows 2000 Pro on the main workstation showed me that the monitor had some funky advanced new stuff that registered itself as a "Plug 'n' Play Monitor" and away it went, no hassles at all! The installation had been as easy as clip the base and screen together, attach 3 cables, and power up! What really impressed me was how easy it was to calibrate the screen... the press of a single button marked 'TURBO' does it all for you! But the die-hard hardware junkies will find a very comprehensive (but somewhat awkward) menu system available as well.

To test... I slammed this monitor through a series of graphics applications (such as Photoshop, Zoo Tycoon 2, and a few DVD movies) and could find no major faults with it, though the speakers are a bit on the tinny side. So I unplugged the speaker cable and will keep it purely as a visual display unit only. (My surround sound speakers do a MUCH better job of handling the sounds.)

The space-saving on the desk was remarkable, and commented on by all who noticed it. I now have room to leave clutter untouched for a month before I am forced to tidy up. -rofl- The stylish look of the black-&-silver is also a good thing in my book, as it lends a more modern look than a clunky CRT screen... which should be reclassified as a SWB, (Small Windowless Building).

Overall, quite an impressive unit, well worth the purchase price and is a mighty strong option in the face of the bigger 'brand-name' units that you find floating around at the $600-$1200 price range. I was so impressed, I went and bought another one for home! :) However, be aware that if you are (heaven forbid) still running Windows ME or an earlier version, you will find the plug'n'play configuration will glitch, and you will be CONSTANTLY prompted for the non-existant driver disc on every reboot. Time to upgrade kiddies, no-one supports Pre-2000 O/S's any more so pull finger and upgrade today.