LG Electronics L2320A Black 23'' LCD Monitor

The L2320A received a score of Above Average--the highest rating available--on our DVD motion test, but we saw some image-ghosting while viewing Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl at full screen. Although it was certainly watchable, cinephiles wouldn't want to watch a movie for the first time with this level of ghosting. Our test unit did not arrive with the speakers usually included, so we were unable to test them. The sound lets you adjust treble and bass.

This HDTV-ready monitor's picture-in-picture, picture-by-picture, and picture-on-picture options allow you to watch a second video feed in a number of different shapes and sizes. Picture-in-picture is common in monitors of this size, but picture-by-picture (a cropped, split screen that shows two feeds) and picture-on-picture (which shows one small and one large image at their normal proportions) are remarkable additions.

The L2320A's price ($2699 at time of review) is high, even compared with other large wide-screen monitors. Others in this category offer better image quality for less.

Upshot: Notable A/V accessories don't compensate for the L2320A's high price and poor performance at displaying text.

Laura Blackwell