Asus PW191 Widescreen LCD Monitor


Connectivity Options and Controls

Unlike most mid-range LCD displays that are typically equipped with a single analog DB15 input, the Asus PW191 features multiple video inputs (both analog and digital), and because this monitor is equipped with built-in speakers, it has a couple of audio-related jacks as well.

Asus PW191 I/O
Analog and Digital Video Support


The Asus PW191's I/O connectors

Directly in the middle of the unit, starting from the left, are 3.5mm headphone and stereo audio input jacks, a DB15 analog video input, a DVI input, and a power connector.  Because the PW191's power supply is separate from the display itself, there is no need to run a hefty power cable directly to the monitor.  Instead, the power cable runs to the included power brick, and then a thin cable connects to the monitor itself.  The headphone jack works as you would expect.  When headphones are plugged in, the built-in speakers are disabled.

The PW191's dual video inputs are useful in a couple of ways.  First, having both inputs means this monitor will be compatible with virtually any video card.  And second, having two video inputs means two sources can be connected to the monitor at one time, and users can switch between the sources using the on-screen control panel.

Asus PW191 Controls
Virtual "Buttons"

 
The touch sensitive controls on the PW191's front bezel

To power-up the PW191 and access its on-screen control panel, Asus has outfitted the monitor with unique touch-sensitive controls that are all situated at one corner of the front bezel.  The virtual buttons are back-lit with amber and blue lights to illustrate exactly where to touch. From left to right, there are a total of five buttons - Menu, down/-, up/+, exit, and power.

We were definitely pleased with how these touch-sensitive controls looked, but in practice we found them to be somewhat of a hindrance.  Unless the front of the panel is perfectly clean, and we made contract with just the right amount of area surrounding the "button," they didn't always work.  Thankfully, once the brightness, contrast, and colors were set to our liking, we didn't have to fiddle with the controls very much.


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