With top-of-the-range large LCDs still only affordable for high rollers, this under-a-grand, mid-size solution from Relisys could prove ideal as a second TV for gaming.
Aside from its high-resolution screen, the RLT2720's specs are fairly basic, with an analogue TV tuner only and component video being the cream of the inputs - no digital video here. This means that while the screen may do a good job with the current crop of games consoles - Xbox, PlayStation 2 et al - it isn't up to handling high-definition signals from the imminent next generation of games machines.
Still, you can't expect the earth for £700, and this still looks an affordable and reasonably well-specified TV for those happy with standard definition gaming. Our only major concern is the quoted panel response time of 25ms - rather sluggish - but we've learnt it's best not to judge a TV by theoretical figures: better to give it a workout our Xbox.
Lagging behind
The RLT2720's first slip-up is its on-screen menus, which are simple, but slow to operate. Especially irritating is the input selector, which is so lethargic that there's a time lag of about 10 seconds when changing from TV to DVD or games.
Also confusing is that Relisys insists on calling the component video input 'HDTV', which could trick owners into thinking they've bought an HD-ready TV. Okay, component video - an analogue connection - is capable of handling some high-definition feeds, but Sky's HDTV service will rely largely on digital HDMI connections in the long-term. Ditto next year's new breed of games consoles. The 'HD Ready' logo was supposed to clear up this confusion, but Relisys isn't doing anyone any favours here.
Still hope
After tinkering with the RLT2720's settings for colour, brightness and contrast, the still images during the loading sequences of Pro Evolution Soccer 4 on the Xbox are vibrant, stable, clean and full of detail. So far it looks like this screen could be a top performer.
