Philips LightFrame2 monitor

LightFrame is a patented software/hardware combination that allows the user to collectively boost the brightness, contrast and sharpness of an open window or area of the desktop, to emulate a television's ability to vibrantly display images.

LightFrame2 includes an auto-start facility that detects the presence of suitable applications; the ability to highlight the entire screen through a keyboard shortcut or the OSD; and integration with Internet Explorer, by automatically scanning a web page for photos and videos.

The latter is temperamental, with the technology either highlighting the largest photo or just the top leftmost one in a series. It throws up inaccurately highlighted areas when borders and fancy backgrounds are used in a web page. To avoid this, you manually drag a frame over the image.

The 107B30's shadow-mask CRT has a 16in viewable diagonal and a fine dot pitch of 0.25mm. Resolution-wise, it can handle a flickery 1600 x 1200, but 1024 x 768 refreshing at 85Hz is more appropriate. The 107B30 also has a visually flat picture, thanks to some clever front glass optics.

LightFrame2 vividly improves the picture when viewing DVD movies or watching TV broadcasts.

In our tests, focus was sharp across most of the screen, but fell a little in the bottom right-hand corner due to misaligned vertical colour registration. Unfortunately, there aren't any colour convergence controls included to correct this.

Screen power regulation was acceptable, but there was evidence of streaking.

Around the back is a captive D-SUB cable, while on the front, five keys offer efficient access to the intuitive OSD menu system.

At £217, the 107B30 is competitive, innovative and performs well. Despite LightFrame2's shortcomings, it should appeal to those who want a monitor-cum-television.

Contact
Philips: 020 8665 6350 www.pcstuff.philips.com

See also:

Philips 150MT

The 150MT is less pricey than many standalone LCD TVs.  06 Sep 2002

Philips 150MT

Is a monitor/TV just another crackpot synergy or does it make sense?  06 Sep 2002

NEC-Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 740SB

A good flat-screen monitor at a great price.  10 Apr 2002

NEC-Mitsubishi Multisync LCD1830

An attractive, rock solid 1,280 x 1,024 display.  18 Mar 2002

Samsung Syncmaster 957DF

A well priced screen with a couple of nifty new features.  06 Mar 2002

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