MODTHEBOX.COM - Canada's Premier Case Modding Source - Reviews - Samsung SyncMaster 152MP TFT-LCD Monitor Review

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The remote control offers the same level of functionality as the base of the SyncMaster 152MP TFT-LCD Monitor. The remote is silver coloured to match the 152MP and fits comfortably in one hand. Power to the remote is supplied by two AAA batteries that are included in the package. The button layout on the remote is very simple with the top portion handling the switching of the different display modes along with channel and volume control. The bottom portion is dedicated to controlling TV Tuner functions and works just like a regular TV remote control.

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There are currently no practical benchmarking applications for testing TFT-LCD displays, so I ran the Samsung SyncMaster 152MP TFT-LCD Monitor through a series of applications at different resolutions ranging from 2D and 3D programs, DVD's, and games. Overall performance was good when connected to both my MSI GF4 TI 4200 and Radeon 9700 Pro with little ghosting or artifacting issues noted. DVD playback using Star Wars II: Attack of the Clone was excellent, with the image quality very sharp and the colours vibrant.

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TV Tuner functions are enabled by switching the video source from PC to TV using the remote control. Once the source has been selected you need to go into the TV OSD Menu and set the correct options. TV playback was good although the image quality in this area was not the best at close range. The TV Tuner module allows you to use PIP (Picture-In-Picture) modes when working on your PC desktop. The feature set on the TV Tuner Module is quite limited and lacks some of the more robust options found on third party add-on TV Tuner cards. There is no Guide Plus interactive TV guide which is a great feature for TV program viewing. Consumers also do not have any TIVO or Time Shifting type functions for recording and scheduling their favourite TV programs.

As previously mentioned, the Samsung SyncMaster 152MP TFT-LCD Monitor is HDTV compatible and supports three display modes 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. The "I" and "P" modes represent both interlace and progressive scanning as well as the number of lines of resolution for that given mode. The 720p is 1280 x 720 progressive, 1080i is 1920 x 1080 interlaced, and 1080p is 1920 x 1080 progressive. The use of this function is based on the availability and access of HDTV or DTV in your area.

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Video game playback was exceptionally smooth and the display quality was excellent. The Samsung SyncMaster 152MP TFT-LCD Monitor has a max resolution of 1280 x 1024 and a response time of 25 ms. I set the max resolution and played a few rounds of Counter Strike on both my MSI GF4 TI 4200 and Radeon 9700 Pro video cards. There was no major performance issues noted, although the size of the display area does require some getting used to if you are accustom to larger size monitors.

Conclusion:

The Samsung SyncMaster series of CRT and TFT-LCD based monitors can certainly be classified as some of the best products currently on the market. The Samsung SyncMaster 152MP TFT-LCD Monitor represents a unique high-end solution that provides excellent integration of application and multimedia functions. Consumers will appreciate the sleek silver design and easy to navigate On Screen Display menu options. This product is good for everyday use with normal desktop applications as well as the perfect transportable system for any avid gamer who attends LAN parties. The multitude of usable ports on the rear of this unit allows you to easily connect this product to any component source. There is no DVI digital connection but the S-Video port provides an option for consumers who want dual monitor setups. The add-on TV Tuner module includes a basic set of TV viewing options, although it would be nice to see the addition of Guide Plus and recording options. The inclusion of 3w speakers is a nice touch and eliminates the need for additional speakers if desk space is limited. Finally, the light weight remote control is very handy for everyday use and has a nice non-complicated button layout. Overall, I was impressed with the SyncMaster 152MP TFT-LCD Monitor and I'm awarding MTB's Seal of Approval and a final rating of 9 out of 10. If you have any questions regarding this review be sure to visit the Samsung Canada website for more information or discuss them in our forums.