Sceptre X270W-1080P Review: A Value 27" That Delivers
by Brian Klug on May 17, 2010 10:22 PM ESTSceptre’s 27” X270W-1080P LCD is targeted primarily at PC gamers and desktop productivity segments of the market. To that extent, it packs a TN panel for higher refresh rate and lower processing lag (we’ve shown in previous tests that, for whatever reason, S-PVA panels show a significant amount of input lag), and for meeting that relatively low price point. There are caveats we’ve repeated time and time over about the TN choice, but it actually makes sense here; Sceptre wants a fast panel for gamers that likely don’t care about super accurate color tracking, and they want it to meet gamers’ budgets.
The X270W-1080P, as you’ve probably guessed already, is 1080P. At this size, we’ve got a slightly bigger pixel pitch than we’re used to seeing at 0.311 mm, but in practice it isn’t all that disturbing. In fact, a quick survey of the 27” class of monitors available as of this writing reveals that nearly all are 1920x1080. The 27” class of monitors are an odd bunch size and price wise - sitting in-between 24” and 30” displays. Jumping up to 30” brings you into a market populated with $1200 offerings with all the trimmings. In fact, the X270W’s primary competition is the Hanns•G HH-281HPB 28” LCD which sits at a similar $300 price point.
Anyhow, let’s dive into the specifications:
| Sceptre X270W-1080P - Specifications | |||
| Property | Quoted Specification | ||
| Video Inputs | DVI-D with HDCP, VGA, HDMI, Audio In (3.5 mm) | ||
| Panel Type | TN (Unknown Panel) | ||
| Pixel Pitch | 0.311mm | ||
| Colors | 16.7 million colors | ||
| Brightness | 400 nits typical | ||
| Contrast Ratio |
1000:1 advertised 60000:1 Dynamic advertised |
||
| Response Time | 2ms typical | ||
| Viewable Size | 27" diagonal | ||
| Resolution | 1920x1080 (1080P) 16:9 aspect ratio | ||
| Viewing Angle | 170 degrees horizontal, 160 degrees vertical | ||
| Power Consumption (operation) | <55 watts | ||
| Power Consumption (standby) | <1 watt | ||
| Screen Treatment | Matte (anti-glare) | ||
| Height-Adjustable | No | ||
| Tilt | Yes | ||
| Pivot | No | ||
| Swivel | No | ||
| VESA Wall Mounting | Yes - 100x100mm | ||
| Dimensions w/ Base (WxHxD) | 25.5" x 17.9" x 9.43" (WxHxD) | ||
| Weight w/o Stand | 18.7 lbs | ||
| Additional Features | Built in speakers - 3 watts per channel, kensington security port, Energy Star V.5 | ||
| Limited Warranty | 1-year limited warranty (parts and labor) | ||
| Accessories | DVI, VGA, and power cables | ||
| Price | $399.99 MSR | ||
The X270W packs an above average selection of ports: DVI-D with HDCP, VGA, and HDMI, the latter of which is hugely important for a gaming display so users can switch between PC and a console.
Audio In, HDMI, DVI with HDCP, and VGA (D-SUB)
Interestingly, the X270W also packs two internal speakers rated at 3 watts per channel, but doesn’t provide any audio out options for HDMI inputs. That’s a marginal omission - arguably Xbox 360 and PS3 users alike can send audio out over optical TOSLINK to a reciever, or over analog 2 channel by using an adapter, but it’d be nice to see the option for versatility sake. Especially since there’s obviously that hardware onboard for stereo audio to work in the first place.
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GuinnessKMF - Monday, May 17, 2010 - link
Dead pixels are funny beasts, I've actually raised a few from the dead by simply rubbing them (more often these are 'stuck' pixels, as truly dead pixels are well... dead). If it's going in and out, then it's likely revivable, there are also applications you can use that flash a small square of colors in the area of the pixel, sort of waking it up by having the pixels around it all doing the same thing, don't ask me how, but it does work (maybe it's the power of believing).I have had a handful of Sceptres, and I have never been disappointed, the OSD has always been a bit sparse as you said, but once I get them setup I don't find myself worrying about it, and in the realm of gaming/office work they've been fantastic for their size and price.
juzz86 - Monday, May 17, 2010 - link
I agree 100%. My first LCD was a CMV CT-722 and it lasted about two years with no 'dead' pixels. Then all of a sudden three popped up. A bit of massaging later, and all but one had disappeared, and the one that was left was much less noticeable. My Dell 2408WFP had a dead 'line' down one side about half an inch thick, which disappears after the panel warms up. Strange, but I wholly recommend giving them a rub when they appear, assuming you are out of pixel policy warranty of course!Devo2007 - Monday, May 17, 2010 - link
My Dell 2408WFP developed that same issue about 2 years after I purchased it - a thin blue vertical line towards the right side of the display. Like your display, it would go away after the monitor warmed up.Dell did replace the LCD, so hopefully this one doesn't do the same thing.
juzz86 - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
Yeah crazy hey. I still have this monitor hooked up, it's ridiculous now. There's the single-pixel blue line, then a black bar about twenty pixels wide, then a single pink and a single green. And it all just goes away! Random :)Brian Klug - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
Yeah, I know about the eraser head method and pressing lightly on the dead pixels - I've definitely revived a few in the past. This one seems a bit more stubborn though. it's not really visible unless you move to something entirely homogeneous. I never noticed it while playing games or working, only when I was viewing a webpage or something with a solid one color background. Just one pixel though, which isn't that bad.Awesome tips!
-Brian
Pirks - Monday, May 17, 2010 - link
you'd better get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...cheaper AND better
kmmatney - Monday, May 17, 2010 - link
I had that Hanns-G LCD (well, I think the previous revision) and it was pretty bad. The contrast was awful, and I found it to be totally unusable for dark scenes. It was fine for work, at least for 6 months, but even then the light bleed got to me. I ended up selling it and getting a smaller, but better monitor, and I'm much more productive and my eyes thank me. I never used it for gaming much, because of the poor performance in low light scenes.araczynski - Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - link
my Hanns-G 28" (27?) has been nothing short of great.Basilisk - Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - link
I agree that the Hanns-G is a great monitor, and slightly less expensive. I've loved mine for about three years. It's worth comparing the two:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?...
I particularly prefer the 3 yr warranty of the Hanns-G; the single year on Sceptre products means I won't be buying them again -- I had to RMA one at 11.5 months!
GoodRevrnd - Monday, May 17, 2010 - link
*cough* Dell U2311h review *cough*