LG W53 Smart Series - W2353V Full HD 1080p 23” Widescreen LCD Monitor Review

Review by Tony Edwards - Editor, Digital Tech News

We’ve come a long way in monitor display design and innovation since the days when bulky beige monitors occupied most desk tops years ago. Let’s fast-forward to LG Electronics’ W53 Smart Series monitors, the LG W2353V-PF 23” LCD display to be specific, which I've had the pleasure of using over the past few weeks.

LG has combined a sleek, modern design and new innovative “SMART” technologies in the W53 Smart product line, with monitors available in sizes ranging from 18.5 to 27-inches. Models measuring 21.5-inch and up boast Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, while all of these Energy Star Rated W53 monitors feature a digital contrast ratio of up to 50,000:1, ultra fast 2ms response time, 300-Nits brightness, and a 170º/160º viewing angle.

I’m testing the LG W2353V-PF 23" Widescreen LCD Monitor (23.0" diagonal) which LG lists at $310, but has been seen for about $230. This is one of the Full HD 1080p models, so along with your basic D-Sub/VGA and DVI-D connectors it also includes an HDMI input for connecting a HD camera, videogame console, Blu-ray player, or other HD gear, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack for HDMI audio.

I connected my 17-inch Toshiba Satellite SLI Gaming multimedia notebook to the LG W53 Smart monitor's HDMI input to do some Web surfing, Word editing, video gaming, and of course to take full advantage of some high definition digital entertainment as well. Set-up was a breeze after starting up LG’s Digital ez CD software in Windows Vista. As soon as the large display came to life, I knew I was in for a good time because the TFT LCD (with anti-glare coating) was sharp, wide, and lovely.
 

The goal of LG’s “SMART” technology on the W53 Series is to provide top picture quality and a comfortable viewing experience while also reducing eyestrain during extended use. This is mainly achieved with an Auto Bright function and Sensor that detects ambient light, while adjusting screen brightness automatically. After using the monitor in a variety of room light settings, I was happy to see how well this feature worked to maintain a consistently clear and crisp image on the display. Rest assured, you can also manually adjust brightness, contrast, and gamma to your liking as well.

To further ease eye strain, the display has a Time Control function that can be set to remind you when you should take a break. Personally, I had no use for that “SMART” feature. I don’t know anyone who would stop in the middle of work or entertainment because of an automated alert, but some may find it useful.  

To access the monitor’s main functions and power, unique Live Sensor touch panel controls are built into the lower right-hand side of the monitor, adding a futuristic look and feel to the display. The Live Sensor will recognize your hand as it approaches using a proximity sensor that automatically turns on six red sensor lights which identify Smart, Fun, Menu, f-Engine, Source, and Auto/Set control buttons. These sensor controls offer lots of fine-tuning options for the display, along with a few "FUN" photo colorizing effects and ez Zooming features. When you're finished using the Live Sensor touch controls, the lights simply disappear as you move your hand away from them, so they won’t distract you while viewing the screen. How cool is that?  Well, it’s very slick indeed, but I kept wishing that the monitor came with a remote control  because it takes some time getting used to which of the six red sensor lights controls what. If you use the monitor in the dark for example, you will not be able to read the button description below the sensor light. I’m starting to get the hang of it though.

Fortunately the LG W53 Smart Series also comes with the company’s forteManager f-Engine software which provides several control features of its own, including an ezMenu that lets you setup your own user profile with preferences that can be saved for easy access. The software also includes a Wizard that will take you right through various display settings which can be tweaked to your liking, and then saved to your profile.

One of the most unusual SMART features is Cinema Mode, which is used to shade out everything on the screen except for the video you’re watching. You know, for those online video clips that are surrounded by advertisements or other distracting elements that you don’t really want to see. After selecting Cinema Mode, you just drag the mouse around the video area, and everything outside of that will be dimmed in shades of grey, or completely blacked out if you prefer. It’s a good gimmick, and it works well.

Speaking of video, DVDs and online video content from Youtube XL, Hulu, Boxee, and my favorite - Netflix WATCH NOW streaming were meant to be watched on a monitor like this. The image just pops thanks in part to the monitor's 50,000:1 contrast ratio and 16.7M color depth. Gaming was even better due to the display’s fast 2ms response time. As I played “Call of Duty 4” the visual detail on the screen was very impressive and I was totally immersed in the virtual world of the game, but what really blew me away was watching the movie “Transformers” and the documentary “Planet Earth” in HD on this 1080p, widescreen 16:9 display. Simply amazing!  

There are various ways to position the W53 Smart monitor, you can tilt it forward, backward, or leave it straight as depicted in these pictures. The stand is a bit lightweight, but once it's adjusted correctly it sits nicely to support the display. As one of LG Electronics' new FLATRON designs, this model sports a shiny black bezel and cabinet, with an appealing clear plastic strip along the bottom of the monitor. It looks great, but this monitor is a bit of a dust magnet so keep a cloth handy.

Surprisingly, gaming and video on the LG W53 Smart W2353V-PF monitor looked better than I’ve seen on many large HDTVs, and the ability to work on documents, browse the Internet, edit photos, and be entertained on a super high quality monitor like this is truly a pleasure, as it also allows you to keep several documents and programs open and spread out across the large display.

Switching between files with text, or photos, and watching streaming video and high definition movies all on my desk top makes for a complete, up-close and personal digital media experience on the LG W53 Smart 1080p monitor. LG Electronics has a winner here, so if you’re on the hunt for a new monitor I suggest that you put this one on your list.