HP 2311xi IPS Monitor
by Chris Heinonen on August 13, 2012 12:15 AM ESTHP 2311xi - Brightness and Contrast Ratios
HP rates the 2311xi for 250 nits maximum brightness and that’s exactly what I found it produced. If I turned the brightness all the way down it then put out only 41 nits, which gives you a lot of flexibility around adjusting the backlight level. 250 nits should be enough light output for most people, but if you have direct sunlight on your display for most of the day you might need something even more powerful to avoid it looking washed out.
For measuring the black levels, I made sure to leave the Dynamic Control off for the LEDs. With that enabled, it could potentially turn off the backlight completely, which would result in a black level of 0.000, but one that has no practical implications aside from a totally black screen. By leaving that disabled, we get a real-world measure of the black level. At maximum brightness, our black level is right around 0.4 nits, which is a little higher than other displays we have measured with similar peak white levels. The minimum level was 0.066, which correlates well with the white level change. Black levels are typically a little worse with IPS than with VA panels, which is the trade off for getting the other advantages an IPS display offers for color and viewing angles.
Looking at the contrast ratio, we are almost exact the same at minimum and maximum backlight, right around 620. I went ahead and measured this at 0-100% in increments of 10, and every measurement was between 620 and 625, so it’s a very consistent contrast ratio all across the range. It’s a perfectly normal and average contrast ratio, about what I’d expect from a budget IPS display.
Looking at the Brightness and Contrast numbers, the HP 2311xi is a decent but not exceptional performer. Nothing stands out, but everything about the performance so far is perfectly acceptable with the price involved.
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fishman - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
Sorry, but a 16:9 monitor? Great for a TV, but not for a general purpose computer.kyuu - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
And here I was hoping we'd get one monitor review without 16:10 snobs popping up...seapeople - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
Ok, then go buy the 1200p monitor for the same price.Oh wait.
You can't.
risa2000 - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
I guess I might have googled it, but I wonder why it is not mentioned anywhere? Are there really no other panels than 60Hz nowadays?I am working now on old 19" ThinkVision (excellent LCD, with 75Hz refresh) and 60 to 75 makes difference.
kyuu - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
Yep, monitors are 60Hz pretty much exclusively nowadays, unless you're looking at monitors meant for 3D that do 120Hz.cheinonen - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
Unless it is mentioned, I would assume 60Hz for a refresh rate. With the use of an HDMI input, and not specifically being an HDMI input that supports beyond 1080p, it's likely the internal electronics only support a 60Hz input anyway, even if the panel could support higher.Jumangi - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
Bestbuy has this on sale for $169. Yea its got compramises but for that price the basic display you get is a darn good deal.jaydee - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
Here are all the 23" IPS monitors that I've seen (there could be more) with features listed. It would be great to to get a roundup of all of them... AT has already reviewed the top two on the list.AOC i2353ph, 1080, DVI/HDMI, no USB, speakers
HP 2311XI, 1080, DVI/HDMI, no USB, no speakers
NEC EA232, 1080, DVI/DP, no USB, speakers
Dell U2312HM, 1080, DVI/DP, USB hub, no speakers
LG IPS231B, 1080, DVI/HDMI, no USB, speakers
LG IPS235V, 1080, DVI/HDMI, no USB, no speakers
EddieBoy - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
I think this is a good idea. How about putting together a round up of displays so it is easier to compare their pluses and minuses?mikato - Thursday, August 16, 2012 - link
+1IPS monitor roundup! There are so many people out there with their eye on IPS monitors, but since they cost a bit more, these people are careful and do their research. They would definitely like a roundup like this.