"Mines Bigger" The Samsung SyncMaster 215TW 21 inch LCD Monitor.
Written: Nov 18 '06 (Updated Dec 23 '06)
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Pros: High Quality Resolution, Fantastic Screen Size, Video Inputs/Outputs. Bragging Rights
Cons: This larger screen has an average refresh rate. (See Review)
The Bottom Line: Sometimes you have to splurge a little. *Especially with New Toys.
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| DeRango's Full Review: Samsung SyncMaster 215TW 21 inch LCD Monitor |
Well I felt it was time for an upgrade on my Samsung SyncMaster 171v TFT Monitor and because of my positive experience with the manufacture and product I purchased the SyncMaster 215TW.
I can honestly say my amazement in the paramount picture quality was followed with drooling stares of happiness as the video quality practically brings a tear to my eye.
Picture Quality
To expand on the previous statement, one must understand what reference is being made to the word Quality, which is described as the degree of excellence or the actual essence of character. I have found that the quality of this particular model of monitor is unsurpassed as being the best monitor I have every owned.
Out of the box the unit did not have any burnt pixels or any other technical issues commonly associated with many LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Furthermore most LCD monitors have a high burnout rate, meaning the actual monitor will fail because of heat, humidity, dust, or normal wear & tear.
Games
The monitor has a decent refresh rate (not the highest out there), and the active matrix display does justice to both games graphically & visually. Rest assured that my video card can assist in this respect, but visually the monitor has produced the results in which I am referring to. I am comparing this monitor to my SyncMaster 171v on the same PC with the same games. Simply unplugging the monitor & switching between them to determine quality of picture. I can honestly say I noticed a similar crisp image in the active matrix display like my previous model.
DVDs & Videos
Using a DVD program and a few of my favorite films, I simply watched and noted the quality & clarity of each film. During this test I noticed some slight differences in the clearness and crispness of both images during action scenes and details in background scenery.
With the Inputs and Outputs of the SyncMaster 215TW, it is clearly apparent that it is designed for both high quality images for video/DVD, and usage as maybe watching a few of your favorite sports channels.
Typing/Everyday
I use a computer almost everyday, if not at work, while I get home. I would recommend the SyncMaster 215TW. over nearly any other monitor I have used in the past. I can comfortably use this monitor for extended hours without suffering some sort of eyestrain or headache. However my previous monitor from Samsung worked with similar results in terms of typing and usage at home. The 21" wide screen provides a comfortable viewing area for typing and text, it too has an excellent monitor base which allows it to be angled at a comfortable degree in which to type.
Picture Clarity
The picture clarity is absolutely ridiculous for nearly everything I have used it for including games, DVD/Videos, text, etc… I really could not believe that my current monitor could be topped in terms of clearness of picture, or clarity/definition of each game I popped into the DVD tray.
Referring to the pictures quality known as Clarity has proved quite excellent, with clear crisp images that do not offend the eye. I can comfortably use this monitor for extended hours without worry of headaches, eyestrain, or blurry vision.
Installation of Hardware/Software
Installation of the monitor could not have been easier as the software drivers we included on Compact Disk, and updates were available on Samsungs Website. Although the monitor itself was automatically detected by windows software, I still highly recommend installing the monitor’s driver to ensure that all features, modes, and picture will work correctly on your computer.
Including the ease of use, there are menu buttons for brightness, contrast, picture locations, and an auto button which automatically adjusts the screen to a near perfect display for games, reading, or just surfing the web. This auto display, fits the screen to a clear automatic picture, without the hassle of clicking needless buttons to center your picture on the screen.
User controls for the main menu of the monitor include: Brightness, Contrast, Color, Language, OSD Controls, Factory Reset, Input Select, Color Adjust, Position, and Sharpness.
Specifications
• Operating System Compatibility: Mac, PC
• Size 21 inch
• Contrast Ratio 1,000:1
• Aspect Ratio 16:9
• Max. Resolution 1680 x 1050
• Brightness 300 cd/m
• Response Time 8 ms
• Dot Pitch: 0.27 mm
• Color Depth 24-bit (16.7M Colors)
• Viewable Picture Size 21 in.
• Digital Video Input Standard DVI-D
• Vertical Synchronization Range: 56 - 75 Hz
• Horizontal Synchronization Range: 30 - 81 kHz
• Horizontal Max. Viewing Angle: 178
• Vertical Max. Viewing Angle: 178
• Power Consumption 75 Watt
Manufacture Description
The Samsung SyncMaster 215TW is a pivoting 21" Wide analog/digital LCD display that offers a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 1680x1050 resolution, pixel pitch of 0.270mm H/V, Xtrawide™ 178°/178° viewing angle, scanning frequency of 30-81 kHz horizontal and 56-75 Hz vertical. It features MagicColor Pro, MagicBright, MagicTune, MagicRotation, and PIP/PBP.
The SyncMaster 215TW display offers the option of using either a digital or analog interface for viewing images and text. The Digital Video Interface (DVI) ensures a shaper, cleaner image and a more accurate representation of the original video source. Since video starts out digital in a PC graphics card, the digital output is directly interfaced to the digital input of the LCD panel and always provides the optimum quality image.
In addition, no adjustments are required with a digital display, even when randomly changing resolutions. For users who want the benefits of High Definition television, the SyncMaster 215TW offers HDTV-Ready capability. This display is capable of allowing viewers to watch two sources of input at the same time with its Picture-In-Picture feature.
Interface Types/Inputs
Audio - Line In,
Audio - Line Out,
Component Video,
Video - 15 pin High-Density D-shell (VGA),
Video - 24 pin DVI-D,
Video - 4 pin mini-DIN (S-Video),
Video - RCA Composite Video
For all you electrically inclined consumers that use your monitor for displaying more than you computers video card applications, these inputs should make for some excellent additions in usage for the SyncMaster 215TW monitor.
Dimensions
Height 18.4 in.
Width 18.5 in.
Depth 9 in.
Weight 16.5 lb.
Fairly lightweight, easy to manage, and because of its tight depth dimensions the monitor fits comfortably in tighter desk areas without disrupting the area with a bulky unit.
Although the screen is 21 inches and looks large, the monitor base does not take up much space, which allows you to use the leftover area in any manner you decide necessary.
Samsung 3 Year Warranty
My experience with Samsung has always been pleasant, even with all the equipment I have used and purchased over the years little of that equipment has been serviced or returned for repair. However the information provided is highly helpful and should be kept for your records anyway.
Call Samsung a toll-free at (1-800-SAMSUNG) technical support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and an Advanced Replacement Program. Samsung has a website as well for driver updates, information, and technical support you may want to visit from time to time: www.samsung.com
Active Matrix Display
Is a technology used in by flat panel liquid crystal displays of laptop/notebook computers. Also know as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor), Active Matrix displays provide a wider range of viewing angle along with a more responsive image than a dual scan (Passive Matrix) display.
Recommendation
If you are into spoiling yourself with a monitor that contains more than you may need features than the SyncMaster 215TW, is exactly what you need. The monitors features and specifications will surely outlast my needs in the future for another 5 years. I basically spent my Christmas bonus early this year and decided while setting up some other systems in my house that I should splurge a bit and buy a monitor I knew I would enjoy.
The monitor is recommend for serious PC/Mac users as the specifications and features are that of a high end expensive unit, however the price point at about $400 makes for a serious considerations of homes users looking for a high quality unit. Who would't want a bigger than average monitor? Why go 19" when they make 21"!
Again touching on major picture specifications, the monitor is clearly superior to nearly every monitor I have used in the past in terms of quality, picture clarity, versatility, and performance of both colors and graphics. Zenith performances were recorded in terms of output capability with video and DVD's as if I watching an HD ready monitor.
Overall I am was pleased with my previous monitor, but I needed to be the Cock of the Walk, so when my buddies come over they can claim how happy they are for me, but feel just a bit jealous inside because "Mine is Bigger!"
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Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400
Operating System: Windows
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