NEC AccuSync 24WMCX Review

24" 1080p LCD Monitor

The AccuSync 24WMCX is NEC's version of what I call a hybrid - computer monitor / HDTV that can handle both computer (16 x 10, WUXGA, 1920 x 1200) and HDTV (16 x 9, 1080p) signals.

I like the ergonomic theory of melding the two into one unit that conveniently inhabits my desktop and can display YouTube from the Internet or 3:10 to Yuma from a Blu-ray player or Turok from an Xbox or Gossip Girls from a cable set-top box.

Of course, the implementation of this concept can become difficult because designers must combine two cultures, computer and TV, each with their own established methods. It comes as no surprise, that when the product derives from a computer heritage, that the computer side tends to dominate over the TV.

For example, all of the 24" LCD hybrids that I have reviewed don't include a remote control, which I consider an essential feature of any TV, but I never expect to see it packaged with a computer monitor.

Because of this background, I find that these hybrids serve you better as computer monitors than TVs. This NEC is no exception. At 24 widescreen inches, it provides ample real estate for your computer programs and the image quality is very good for a computer monitor.

When the AccuSync jumps into the HDTV arena, I expect more of it and am disappointed, especially in terms of picture adjustments and ease of use.

Also, the AccuSync 24WMCX is a monitor, which means it does not have a TV tuner, neither NTSC nor ATSC. So if you want to watch broadcast TV, you will need to plug into a cable or satellite set-top box. Since I have satellite service, the lack of a tuner is actually a plus, especially if it lowers the cost of the monitor.

If you wish to be more self-contained, you can purchase a TV tuner that you can attach to your computer like the Hauppauge WinTV HVR950.

Out of the Box

I'll admit that I rarely admire the looks of my computer monitor because when it's turned on, its bright screen makes it hard to recognize anything more than a black bezel. Then again, when I do turn it off to inspect it, lo and behold, it's basically a square black bezel sitting on a round black stand.

The Power and Control buttons are located in the middle of the frame at the bottom. In the manual, NEC suggests sitting 20" away from the screen, so all the controls are within an arm's reach. Even though they are right in front of me, the problem is that they are black protruding out of the black bezel and I have a very tough time seeing them when the monitor is on.

Of course, in normal day to day operations, I probably only touch those buttons twice, once to power up and once to power down. But when I am trying to work my way through the Picture Menu, I feel like I should be wearing one of those miner's helmets with the little light on them so I can see which button is which.

This 14 pound, 3.4 inch deep monitor can be rotated backwards or forwards from its center, but not side to side. It also does not rotate vertically on its stand into portrait mode. If you want more flexibility, you can detach the stand and mount the monitor on an articulating arm.

The connection panel on the back is what separates this hybrid from the usual breed of computer monitors. The AccuSync supplies one HDMI input, one DVI-D, one VGA (15 pin D-Sub), and one Component (Pr, Pb, Y with RCA stereo audio). Since the connectors are located directly above where the stand attaches to the monitor, inserting the cables can be arduous. Luckily, the monitor is so light that you can turn it on its head to access the panel more clearly.

Also included are a headphone mini-jack and an SPDIF coaxial digital Audio Output. To their credit, NEC does integrate speakers into the unit. Many hybrids go without. But if you are serious about your sound, then you will want to use a separate speaker system. The SPDIF connector allows you to pass through any digital audio source to a properly equipped A/V receiver.

Picture in picture (PIP) capabilities in the traditional TV sense of watching two TV programs at once are not available in this AccuSync, partially because it does not have any traditional TV tuners built in to it.

You also cannot combine different signals on to one screen. For example, you cannot see a VGA source on one half of the monitor and an HDMI program on the other half.

But this hybrid is a good ole computer monitor, and multiple windows have been a staple of computer displays for years.

So, since my computer has a DVD player in it, I can be typing this review on one part of the screen while being entertained (distracted, enlightened?) by the Balls of Fury DVD. And if I really feel stimulus-deprived, I can also open up a window with Friday Night Lights streaming from NBC.com + a little Photoshop. Can you say, PIPIPIP?

Setup

Calibrating a hybrid entails an expanded routine in comparison to setting up a regular HDTV. Let's begin with the added process of tweaking the computer monitor component of this AccuSync.

One of the tricky bits about adjusting any computer monitor is that you are not only dealing with the monitor but also with the video card in your computer. I have an NVIDIA card in mine and it has its own Control panel where you can adjust both desktop and video color settings.

Then the AccuSync has its own Monitor Adjustment menu that you can access through the buttons on the front of the unit. Since I have so much trouble navigating those controls, I was glad to download from NEC's website a program called NaViSet. When installed, you access it through the Window's Control Panel's Display Settings menu.

NaViSet allows you to adjust the monitor's Contrast, Brightness, and Colors with your mouse through the desktop. None of the fuss and muss of fumbling with buttons. It even provides a set of test patterns that you can display while you are tweaking.

I found NVIDIA's controls more responsive and I ended up fine tuning with them. I was able to fairly quickly achieve a bright rich image that satisfied my tastes.

Now, if you think about it, when you feed an outside video source to the monitor, for example from a Playstation 3 or a set-top box, you are bypassing the video card and will need to setup the monitor using only its tools. Basically, we are back to calibrating an HDTV.

To restate our process, we playback the Digital Video Essentials DVD, (the SD version) on a Toshiba HD-A30 HD DVD player attached to the NEC with an HDMI cable. We set the HD-A30 to upconvert the standard definition DVD to 1080p.

Here's where the story becomes grisly, so if you have a weak stomach, you may want to cover your ears and avert your eyes. With this combination of monitor and source, we have taken the computer out of the equation, which means no NVIDIA nor NaViSet controls. The only monitor adjustments are accessed through those pesky buttons on the front.

I know I can cast a light on them, but ultimately that wasn't my biggest obstacle to adjusting the picture. Let's just say that the Picture Adjustment Menu was unconventional. I think I'm open to new experiences so I can live with quirky, though I expect the manual to give me some guidance when the toolkit heads off the beaten track.

For example, there is no explanation of how the Picture Boost menu works. And since that is the only place that you can find Hue and Saturation controls, I expected a little more instruction.

I can even survive with a lack of information if the tools are responsive and don't fight my experimentation. But I was frustrated at almost every turn.

With all that said, with the aid of a feature titled Color Burst, I was able to adjust the picture to a quite acceptable point. I still would have liked to reduce the Saturation a tad, but for general TV watching, I was satisfied.

Performance

When rating performance, again we are talking about a two-headed beast, computer monitor during the day, but when the sun goes down, HDTV.

As a computer monitor, I have no complaints with the picture quality. That's mainly because I can fine tune Color, Brightness, and Contrast to my tastes. Though, for me, I relied on the NVIDIA Control Panel to give me the responsiveness that I desire.

I liked many of the features in the NEC NaViSet interface, but I wasn't able to easily make those subtle adjustments that elevate a satisfactory display to a superior one. Happily, the NVIDIA tools provided that extra enhancement.

As I was running the AccuSync through its computer side paces, I once again realized the dark side of this brave new video distribution world we reside in. There is very little common standardization on the Internet.

I believe that the picture quality of broadcast TV can be inconsistent even though the networks employ teams of seasoned engineers to adhere their video signals to a national standard.

On the Internet, we're in the midst of a video free-for-all. Even the broadcast networks can't decide on a standardized method of streaming video.

My point is that you can't expect consistent picture quality from the different video sources that you can access on your computer. Though if you have been spending much time on YouTube, you already know that. The counterpoint is that you really should demand higher picture quality, even on the Internet and even considering bandwidth limitations.

Now, back to the HDTV side of this equation. After much gnashing of teeth, I was able to squeeze out a picture that I could live with, but never one that I was enamored with. I never felt the image had the proper mix of colors or the right balance of saturation, brightness, and contrast.

If I were more adept at using the AccuSync's Picture Adjustment Menu, I probably could have achieved a more pleasing display. But I swear – and I swore a lot when diddling with that menu – that it fought me every step of the way.

To exacerbate the situation, this AccuSync LCD has a fairly narrow optimum viewing angle. If you sit too far off center, the image begins to wash out noticeably.

Usually you think of viewing angle problems occurring when you sit too far to the left or right of the center of the screen. With this NEC,I observed picture degradation if I was above or below the center. Being able to rotate the screen up or down to match your line of vision really helps.

But if you are a wiggle worm or tend to slouch while watching TV, you may become acutely aware of the importance of maintaining a prim and proper viewing angle. If you are a squirmer, then sit farther away from the screen, which will literally give you more wiggle room.

Finally, the monitor's integrated speakers are not great, but they perform well enough that you wouldn't need to add separate speakers to a cramped workspace. Of course, if you are serious about your computer's audio, you probably already have an off board speaker system.

Though remember that if you will be playing content from a device that is not hooked into your computer, like a Blu-ray player, you should run your audio through an A/V receiver. Your ears will thank you for the upgrade.

Conclusion

NEC's AccuSync 24WMCX performs admirably as a computer monitor. In HDTV mode, I found it difficult to adjust its picture quality beyond satisfactory levels.

Star Ratings

First, realize, that ratings are relative to when the review was written. The obvious example is Value, what you could purchase for $2000 two years ago or even two months ago would seem like a bad value for that price now.

Second, we have given only a precious few 5 Star ratings, which we reserve for truly outstanding accomplishment.

Performance: 4.0
As a computer monitor, the AccuSync 24WMCX deserves a 4.5. As an HDTV, I wouldn't go over 3.5.

Features: 4.0
It provides all the important video connections, though I would loved to have found at least a couple of USB ports. The integrated speakers do make the unit more self sufficient. When will we see a hybrid with a remote control?

Ease of Use: 3.0
If you plan to use this as primarily a computer monitor, then add an extra point. If you are a videophile who likes to tweak their TV to its fullest extent, then prepare for some teeth gnashing and hair pulling. The Picture Adjustment Menu is not user friendly.

Value: 4.0
The real value in a hybrid is its ability to give you two well performing animals in one skin. The AccuSync 24WMCX delivers on the computer monitor side of the combination. The HDTV performance is the weak link.

If you want an HDTV that can operate as an occasional computer monitor, look elsewhere. If a computer monitor is your main prerequisite, then put this NEC hybrid on your list.