EVGA InterView 1700 Dual Monitor System review: EVGA InterView 1700 Dual Monitor System

The EVGA InterView is essentially two 17-inch monitors combined into a single unit at the cost of $650. Its notable amenities include an integrated Webcam, three USB ports, and a built-in microphone. The EVGA InterView looks impressive on a desk, but its performance with games, movies, and on our DisplayMate tests is below average. That being said, the unit's dual-screen feature is incredibly useful and actually does seem to increase productivity by allowing more screen real estate for multitasking. Also, the screens' capability to flip back 180 degrees is a useful addition for people who conduct meetings in their offices. Casual users should steer clear, considering the price of the EVGA InterView, lack of connection options, and lower-than-average performance. Really, it's a business-minded person who will benefit most from this dual-screen setup (unless two 17-inch monitors just aren't enough). Unfortunately, at $650, you'll have a tough time getting your IS department to pay for it.

6.8

EVGA InterView 1700 Dual Monitor System

The Good

The EVGA InterView has an elegant design and a useful and well-thought-out dual-screen feature that actually increases productivity.

The Bad

The EVGA InterView is business focused, making it awkward for casual use or gaming. Also, the incremental improvement to your productivity may not be worth such a hefty price.

The Bottom Line

While the EVGA InterView is expensive and doesn't offer much for the recreational user, productivity-obsessed business types will be pleased with its features.

Design and features
The EVGA InterView Dual Monitor System uses two 17-inch screens, each with a 1,440x900 resolution. The monitors can function in either clone or extend mode; however, games and movies aren't playable across both screens in extend mode. You'll only be able to use one screen each for movies and games. Each screen is attached to a 14.5-inch-high stand that lets the monitors flip 180 degrees to face completely backward. When the screen is flipped, the image automatically rotates so it is readable to those across from you. Each monitor can also fold inward to face the other--kind of like closing a book, if said book were made of two monitors. When closed, an embossed EVGA logo can easily be seen on the back of each screen.

The EVGA InterView has a smooth, black, matte finish and the screens sport a high degree of gloss that easily attracts fingerprints. The screens sit about 5.5 inches from the desktop. The footstand is 15.25 inches wide, 7.25 inches deep, and about an inch tall. The wide footstand keeps the monitor stable when knocked from any direction; however, when the screens are closed, the unit becomes front heavy and can easily topple forward. The On Screen Display (OSD) array is located on the upper-right-hand corner of the footstand and includes only brightness controls for each screen, with no additional controls for color or contrast. The button on the far left controls the screen. Up and down arrows are used to adjust the brightness of each display independently.

In the upper-left-hand corner sits the power button. Directly to the right are two blue LED lights that signify which display currently has power. Near the bottom center of the footstand is a small hole for the built-in microphone. On the front right side are three USB ports aligned horizontally. On the back of the footstand is an additional USB port for powering the Webcam and other USB ports. Also on the back is an audio port for the mic, an AC power port, and the DMS video port. At the top of the neck resides a 1.3 megapixel Webcam, which has a small degree of upward and downward rotation.

The monitor comes with various accessories, including a dual DVI-I-to-DMS cable, and both a VGA-to-DVI-I and DVI-D-to-DVI-D adapter. In order for both screens to function simultaneously, a video card with dual DVI ports is required.

Check out these photos for a more intimate look at the monitor.

Performance
We tested the EVGA InterView with its DMS-to-DVI-I connection. The display posted a composite score of 81 on CNET Labs' DisplayMate-based performance tests. While the display scored well in our sharpness, color, and grayscale tests, it faltered in our Dark Screen test, as it showed apparent backlight bleed-through (or clouding) all over the screen. The display also got low marks in our High-Contrast Streaking and Ghosting test, which looks for light or dark shadows trailing a static image in areas where large changes in contrast are present. We could easily see the trailing effect on both screens.

The InterView achieved a brightness score of 188 candelas per square meter (cd/m2) on both screens--shy of EVGA's claimed 220 cd/m2 max.

Our "Kill Bill Vol. 1" DVD test yielded apparent static ghosting on the EVGA. Color-wise, the EVGA looks washed out and is nowhere near as vibrant as the best monitors we've reviewed.

Unreal Tournament 3 also looked a bit drab running at 1,440x900, with muddled colors. Also, during fast movement, when we'd spray our guns around horizontally, the image became noticeably blurry.

The optimal viewing angle for a monitor is usually from directly in front, about a quarter of the screen's distance down from the top. At this angle, you're viewing the colors and gamma correction as they were intended. Since most monitors are made to be viewed only at that angle type, picture quality at nonoptimal angles varies depending on the monitor. Like most monitors, the EVGA InterView uses a TN panel in each screen. TN panels get overly bright or overly dark when viewed from nonoptimal angles. When we viewed the EVGA from the sides or below, the screen appeared to darken only a couple inches from optimal. From the sides, text is still readable until viewing from about 60 degrees. Of course, when viewed from the optimal angle, we had no problems.

In our power consumption tests, the 34-inch (two 17-inch screens) EVGA InterView drew 30.13 watts in its Default/On mode--compared with the 30-inch Dell 3007WFP's 142.14 watts and the Gateway XHD3000's 160.36 watts. The InterView's standby mode drew 3.1 watts compared with the Dell's 's 1.41 watts and the Gateway's 17.01 watts. Based on our formula, the EVGA would cost $11.31 per year to run, compared with the Dell's $43.38 and the Gateway's $59.67.

Find out more about how we test LCD monitors.

Service and support
The monitor includes a three-year, limited warranty--if you register within 30 days of purchase--that covers parts, labor, and the backlight of each screen. EVGA backs this up with 24-7, toll-free, technical phone support, as well as technical support via e-mail. EVGA's Web site was a breeze to navigate, making finding drivers and the manual a snap.