A Tale of Two Monitors (Hansol 710 P)

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Product:	Hansol 710 P
Date:	09/02/03 (219 review reads)
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Advantages: Very stylish, well ventilated case., Cheap, but with the quality of a major brand., Windows, Mac and Linux compatible.

Disadvantages: None.

Although my Hansol 710P (17 inch) monitor is destined for retirement, do not be mistaken: neither defect nor disaster played a role in it's destiny. That 21 inch monitor I've always dreamed of is now within financial reach and if it serves me only half as well as my trusty Hansol, the replacement will not have been in vain.

UPON UNPACKING...

The Hansol 710P is so well cushioned in its large box that the polystyrene blocks consume about 15% percent of the space; thus: most buyers will get a much larger package than they anticipated. Alongside the monitor you'll find a mains power lead, a stand (with easy to follow assembly instructions), a driver disk for Microsoft Windows® (95/98/ME/2000/XP), a fold-out users manual and a three year (repair or replace) warranty. The stand is actually a tilt and rotate base capable of moving the monitor through 17° vertically and 90° horizontally. Assembly is not only obvious, but a ten second process, making the provision of instructions seem odd.

COMPATIBILITY

Aside from supporting all variants of Microsoft Windows®, the 710P is Macintosh compatible - although an optional (generic) adapter must be purchased. Being DCC equipped, the monitor is instantly compatible with the Linux X-Windows system. For those not familiar with DDC, the acronym stands for 'Display Data Channel' and this monitor supports three DDC standards: DDC1, DDC2B and DDC2Bi. Translated: a DCC equipped monitor can inform the video adapter in the computer about its properties, such as maximum resolution and colour depth. Simplified even more: a DDC equipped monitor is essentially a 'plug & play' monitor and should be supported by any present day Operating System (not just Microsoft Windows®).

As you would expect, this monitor is also VESA DPMS compliant. Meaning: when not in use, energy consumption is decreased and you save on electricity.

ONCE UPON A TIME...

In the not so dis
tant past, monitors were often small and had a maximum vertical frequency of 60Hz. Screen flicker was high and IT Departments were full of squinting staff. It wasn't nice, healthy or comfortable and in these modern times, potential monitor buyers should always consider a model with a vertical frequency of - at the very least - 70Hz. Thankfully, the 710P not only has a vertical frequency of up to 160Hz, but a flat, square screen to reduce image distortion and glare. Combined with low-leak radiation prevention and reduced magnetic field emissions, it's not only enough to relieve eye strain but provides good user safety.

TWICE UPON A TIME...

Back in the days of mostly 14 inch monitors, graphic design and software development was a kludgy process. A desktop resolution of 640x480 pixels was all very well for games and word processing, but for large GUI's (Graphical User Interface's) everything got a bit squashed on screen. Fortunately, higher resolutions, and thus, more desktop space, became a reality; unfortunately, cheaper monitors often sacrificed vertical frequency (and gained flicker) to attain it. The Hansol 710P (being a 'cheaper monitor') doesn't suffer from any of these problems. At the highest resolution of 1600x1200 pixels, you get a huge desktop (if desired) and the vertical frequency drops no further than a flicker-free: 75Hz.

THRICE UPON A TIME...

When I was a lad, creamy coloured monitors seemed the defacto standard. After a few months they always ended up a ghastly smokers yellow colour - whether you smoked or not. And they always had such a confusing array of knobs on the front panel. Well bells and whistles are one thing, but thanks to Hansol - knobs are a thing of the past. Not only has this monitor got just four flat buttons to adjust all kinds of settings, but after twenty-nine months of use it's retained the original off-white colour it had upon arrival. And god knows I rarely clean
the thing!

A GEOMETRIC REVELATION

Via the OSD (On Screen Display), you can tweak so much: brightness, contrast, h/v position, h/v size, geometry, moire, languages (English, Dutch, French, Spanish and Portuguese), colour adjustment, zoom settings, recall (reset to factory defaults) and degauss (demagnetizes the screen). As far as screen geometry is concerned, you can adjust incredibly important attributes: pincushion (increase/decrease curvature to both sides), pinbalance (increase/decrease curvature to either side), parellelogram (increase/decrease side tilt), trapezoid (ensures bottom and top of screen is same width), and rotation. Why so important? The video adapter in a computer rarely sends an image that fits perfectly on the screen. We're all familiar with a disproportionate or geometrically incorrect screen image aren't we? With so many adjustable settings, Hansol have ensured it's not only a perfect rectangle but will also fill all available space from edge to edge.

AND THE FAIRYTALE CONCLUDES...

For the price, the Hansol 710P is nothing short of a visual epiphany. Back in September 2000, it cost me £159 (inc. VAT) - a bargain for that time. Although available from fewer stores nowadays, you can still pick one up for around £100-£110 (inc. VAT) - an ideal price to upgrade to a 17" monitor if you're stuck with a 14" or 15" model and short of cash.

Such is the quality of the Hansol brand that upon selling a computer last year, my brother asked if I wanted to swap my Hansol 710P 17" for his 19" Samsung monitor; it wouldn't have made much difference to the selling price. This stylish baby has been so reliable, easy to use and has such a pin-sharp display - I'd have been a fool to let it go.

So, he sold his computer and I not only kept my 17" Hansol, but intend to retain brand loyalty when I purchase a 21" model. I suppose what I'm trying to say is
: me and my Hansol 710P really did live happily ever after.

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