We want to like this monitor, but too many issues stand in the way.
In DisplayMate, Gateway’s HD2201 consistently reproduced dark grayscale values, pushing out more dark shades of gray against a black background than we typically find from monitors of its class. The same can’t be said of the HD2201’s merely average ability to reproduce light shades of gray against white.
When tasked with reproducing DisplayMate’s more demanding grayscale ranges, the HD2201’s performance was marred by banding, in which dark lines of compression disrupted what should be a smooth, contiguous transition. Mild color-tracking issues were also evident in these scenarios. This problem makes shades of gray take on a subtle red, green, or blue hue at random intervals. And like Planar’s 22-inch LCD, the HD2201’s grays are tinted warm by default, in both DisplayMate and real-world environments.
The display’s deficiencies resulted in diminished detail in brighter scenes, such as the flaming wreckage of BioShock’s opening segment. Still, the HD2201’s contrast, colors, and detail shine in darker scenes—thanks to an assist from the display’s glossy panel. Such screens tend to produce richer colors and a deeper black than matte panels, and the HD2201 is no exception.
The monitor is laden with connection options, though it lacks optimized presets for different multimedia content.
Even given its technical failings, the HD2201’s splendid darker coloration and input options are enough to squeak it past displays like Planar’s PL2210MW—but barely so.
Good darks; plenty of inputs.
Noticeable greyscale banding, color tracking issues.
| Gateway HD2201 | |
|---|---|
| Viewable Area | 22" |
| Native Resolution | 1680x1080 |
| Inputs | VGA, DVI, HDMI, Component |
| Panel Type | TN |
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