Princeton LCD19D LCD Monitor reviews

CNET editors' review

CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
Detailed editors' rating

Reviewed by:
Jon L. Jacobi
Reviewed on: 03/23/2004
Released on: 01/20/2004

The Princeton LCD19D is proof that brightness alone does not a good monitor make. This inexpensive 19-inch LCD delivers a reasonably sharp picture, but we found it impossible to adjust the monitor to achieve acceptable contrast between dark colors without producing blindingly bright lighter colors. We recommend choosing a slightly pricier monitor with a decent picture, such as the NEC AccuSync LCD9V or a less expensive 17-incher with a superior picture, such as the Samsung SyncMaster 173P.

It's a shame, really, because the LCD19D is one of the least-expensive 19-inch displays we've seen that sports both an analog and digital input (and comes with both cables), as well as embedded speakers, though they are tinny and soft. It looks good, too; we particularly like its silver-and-dark-gray color scheme. The bezel is old-school wide--1.5 inches along the top, 1.25 inches along both sides, and 2.5 inches along the bottom--but it's minimally intrusive on your peripheral vision, and the single power light is placed well below your line of sight. Ergonomically, the LCD19D is one of the least-adjustable 19-inch LCDs we've seen; it won't swivel, pivot to Portrait mode, or telescope to add additional height, although it will tilt 5 degrees forward and 20 degrees backward.

The LCD19D's four-button menu and its adjustment controls are simple to use and the menu structure is intuitive--once you realize you can scroll past Exit to access more settings. Color and picture control consists of contrast, brightness, separate RGB settings, plus Warm, Cool, and Normal temperature settings, more than enough to allow us to tweak the monitor to perfection, if the monitor were capable of that.

Unfortunately, with a few exceptions, the Princeton LCD19D performed poorly in CNET Labs' DisplayMate test suite. We simply couldn't adjust the monitor to achieve a usable contrast without lighter colors turning bright enough to fry our eyes, and even after tweaking the brightness and contrast at length, the dark end of the spectrum still looked extremely muddy. DVD movie action was passable with the monitor adjusted to full brightness, but the image suffered from some motion artifacts, as it does with most LCD monitors.

Princeton backs the LCD19D with a standard three-year warranty to cover defects in materials and workmanship, and the company will replace a monitor with three or more dead pixels within 30 days of purchase--a fairly generous policy. Online support includes registration, FAQs, support bulletins, driver downloads, warranty information, and support e-mail addresses. Princeton also offers toll-free phone support weekdays from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.

CNET Labs DisplayMate tests (Longer bars indicate better performance)

CNET score

NEC AccuSync LCD9V

Planar PX191

Xerox XL-795D

Dell 1901FP

Princeton LCD19D

Brightness in cd/m²

Measured with the Sencore CP500 / Minolta CA-210

NEC AccuSync LCD9V

271

Planar PX191

233

Princeton LCD9D

232

Xerox XL-795D

221

Dell 1901FP

212

Find out more about how we test LCDs.

Most helpful user reviews

Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 38 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 38 user reviews
3.5 stars

4 out of 4 people found this helpful

"A Good LCD Monitor"

on February 8, 2005
4.0 stars

4 out of 5 people found this helpful

"C-Net needs to re-review LCD19D's"

on February 22, 2005
4.0 stars

1 out of 1 people found this helpful

"Excellent value for the money"

by TomR. on March 12, 2005
See all 38 user reviews Write review

Submit your review

Princeton LCD19D

ORLog in with your Facebook account

1. Rate this product:: (Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.): 0 of 5000 characters; Submit

GREAT DEALS ON SAMSUNG LCD MONITORS

Samsung 2443BWX
24" LCD Monitor
Product 1

Ultra-thin bezel with
widescreen view.
CLICK BELOW FOR PRICE

Samsung 2333SW
22" LCD Monitor
Product 2

1920 x 1080 Full
HD Resolution
CLICK BELOW FOR PRICE

Samsung P2070
20" LCD Monitor
Product 3

Ultra-slim design that
is stunning in any room
CLICK BELOW FOR PRICE

Compare prices for Princeton LCD19D

This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.

Email me when this product is available

Recent user reviews

Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 38 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 38 user reviews
3.5 stars

"Nice for the price"

by plblythe on March 9, 2007
4.5 stars

"Idiots! & More Idiots!"

by w2snj on June 2, 2006
4.5 stars

"Great deal!"

by wilton on June 30, 2005
See all 38 user reviews Write review

Submit your review

Princeton LCD19D

ORLog in with your Facebook account

1. Rate this product:: (Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.): 0 of 5000 characters; Submit

Special sponsor stores