Like a new set of eyes (Sony Premierpro SDM-P82)

Name: upton66

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Product:	Sony Premierpro SDM-P82
Date:	02/07/03 (987 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: So clear, restful on the eyes.

Disadvantages: Pricey

This was my final choice of screen to accompany my new Sony computer and what a revelation. Sparkling bright images, words almost as clear as a page of print, video as sharp and stable as digital telly, its takes up little desk space and looks smart. I am really impressed. £689 with a 3yr Sony guarantee. Silly money I know but this is to accompany my new computer and will hopefully last me several years.

I nearly bought the SDMHS93L 19in monitor at £699 as it was the only one available with my choice of computer at John Lewis. In fact I bought it and tried it out at home whilst I researched alternatives. Worn out looking for the best price for the computer (see my review of internet shopping) I then started the same exercise for the screen. Starting at the Sony website, and having dismissed the 23 inch TFT at £2,231 !! I worked my way back down the range comparing models.

Puzzled that the superior digital input SDMX82 18in at £669 was only £20 cheaper than the 19in SDMHS93L I nearly bought that, as it had the digital input which should offer a theoretically (though admittedly miniscule) better image and offered second and third analogue inputs, not that I need them. I then studied the SDMP82 on the Sony website, quoted at a startling £763. I contacted several Sony shops and their technical help lines but surprisingly no one could tell me the difference and whether it was worth shelling out the extra £100.

Eventually I obtained a detailed spec for the different models from www.sony-cp.com (There is no link to this useful site from Sony.com which is strange) and I eventually saw that the justification in price difference was in the slightly better pixel pitch, the LCD response time the extra on-screen controls, and also I guess the slicker design, ie neat pedestal and narrow frame. Also compared to the SDMX82 this model doesn’t have the built in speakers, which I didn’t want anyway as speakers came with the pc.

With a
little searching of UK websites I found this model at Dabs for £710. Visiting Dabs via YouAtWork, dropped the price to £689, £10 cheaper than the lower spec monitor available with the pc from Jlewis, and which I was trying out already at home.

I was happy to drop to a 18in model vs the 19in as the one inch difference is only half an inch at each corner and about three eighth inch each side, so barely anything you’d notice. With the SDM P82 you get the native 1280 x 1024 pixels on a slightly smaller screen so it should be sharper and brighter than the 19in. As with all TFT screens you get exactly the size it says on the tin, this is exactly 18in across and the picture is right to the edge with not a hint of distortion. My old 19in CRT Taxan screen displays an image closer to 17 & half inches across. Also with this neat design, slim frame and cool grey colour you get the impression of a bigger screen.

Playing the TV, via the computer, to test video images on full screen is impressive. Images are smooth and sharp. There is obviously a slight jerkiness if you look at the full screen picture as close as you would for word or spreadsheet work, but at sensible viewing distance the picture is miles better than our old portable 14in telly. With the TV or video image in compact mode on the screen as you do other work; it is literally smooth as silk, like a painting, amazing.

I have played with the brightness and contrast settings but can’t improve on the factory settings; I guess it depends on the other light in your room.

For word, spreadsheet, email and webpage viewing work I find it very comfortable. Set to the high 1280 x 1024 resolution means everything is pretty small but it is so clear I have no problem at all. Webpages tend to be designed for lower resolution so you get blank areas around them, but for pages with frames designed for larger screens it is a joy to be able to see the whole page without bits missing or bu
ttons you cannot reach. With the smaller icons and buttons you need a good mouse and my new computer came with an optical one so I have no trouble at all navigating.

So back went the 19in to Jlewis and I’ve kept this superb 18in monitor delivered very promptly by Dabs within three working days of ordering. Incidently, as mentioned in my review of internet shopping, I asked John Lewis to obtain prices for ordering in the SDMX82 or SDMP82 but because they are special orders they quoted Sony retail prices plus staggering £50 to £100 admin fees, so be careful, and keep shopping around.

I’m delighted and I highly recommend this monitor.

Summary: