Samsung 215TW

[BreezyCool]

*** IMPORTANT UPDATE ***

I've added a few images to my PBase gallerie:

PBase 215tw gallerie

I've added a closeup of the grayscale gradient. The closeup reveals no banding in the darker grays.

Also, I want to revise my previous comments about text at non-native resolutions. Apparently, if cleartype is used, the text is just as good in every resolution. I've added pictures showing cleartype text at 1024x640, 1280x800 and native resolutions.

Finally, I've included photos of the screen playing Oblivion at various resolutions. The camera wasn't lined up perpendicular to the screen, so some variation in image brightness across the screen may appear on the picture.


Check it out!

 

[BreezyCool]

New update: Viewing angles and Calibration


The screen has a wide viewing angle - however, shift your angle of view from dead center and you will notice a small drop in contrast and a slightly more shallow black point. This shift is minor but noticeable.

Since it is a wide angle screen, unless you are standing 10 feet away (I sit about 2'2" from mine) you'll always view the edges of the screen at an angle while viewing the center dead on. The result is that you perceive the screen to be lighter and lower contrast on the edges when compared to the center. However, move your head to the edge and then the center will be darker than the edge. Therefore, this is not a screen uniformity problem - rather it is a viewing angle problem on a wide angle screen.

I noticed this when viewing 3 copies of the same image side-by-side. The two on the outer edges of the screen seemed a tad brighter than the one in the center, until I moved my head. Since I'm already fond of this screen, it is an issue that I will be aware of and be able to work around by moving my head. Most of my photo editing uses the center 3rd of the screen, with tool bars on the outer edges, so I don't see this as creating much of a problem for me. However, it seems to illustrate a problem that must be common for all wide angle LCDs.

Based on this observation I tried calibrating my monitor two different ways:

Method 1: As document, with the eye-one sitting on the display.

Method 2: Completely black room, holding the eye-one about 4" from the monitor.

I found that Method 2 produces what I perceive to be a more accurate calibration. This is when compared to the colors produced by my calibrated printer and my calibrated CRT (viewsonic A90f+).

 

[dhkkim]

i think samsung makes the best monitor.

i have gateway fpd2185w and i miss my old samsung monitor...

(i've used sony, samsung, gateway, lg, nec, and sharp... samsung monitor was ounstanding in movie playback. even though samsung and sony use the same panel, i like samsung better.)


PLUS, this samsung monitor is good cause it has the speaker!!

 

[Rangoric]

Originally posted by: BreezyCool
The 215tw has multiple inputs, and supports PIP mode - even when using the DVI on a PC. I haven't tried this out yet - but I guess I could be watching my TV while working on my PC without having to go through any hardware/software. Just connect my cable box output to the 215tw and select PIP. If I connect the sound output of the cable box to the 215tw I could use its speakers for tv sound, keeping my pc speakers for movie. Talk about nuts - you could watch Doom while playing Doom. (Some people may puke at this idea - but it sounds neat).

Yes and it works rather well. The main screen has to be DVI or Analog however, and the other connection (the PIP) has to be Component, S-Video, or Composite.

I like it because I already have the Home Theatre Sound System & DVD player hooked up to my computer, this let me eliminate the CPU hit from running DScaler.

 

[matesCZ]

Please, help me! I compare Samsung 215TW vs. HP LP2065.

Which is better? I don't no :-(.

Please, tell me result and I buy it.

 

[nole1fan]

I wonder if people will still buy gateway if you have to do all over again since some people here has bought gateway..

I have heard some stories about this Samsung developing into some lines on display after usage for a week or so..

 

[TM2 Megatron]

I'm likely buying this monitor soon, and was just curious about its ability to handle sources other than a computer. Mainly, I'm thinking about hooking up a Gamecube (or possibly a Wii in the future), or a 360; maybe a Blu-Ray player when I get one. I've always had 4:3 CRTs in the past, and the 16:10 aspect ratio of computer monitors irks me somewhat... how does this screen do with scaling 4:3 or 16:9 signals keeping the proportions intact? Are the black bars just a bit thicker than they would be on a 16:9 screen? And would 4:3 just be pillarboxed?

Also, in regards to the Blu-Ray player (or other HD source), obviously there aren't enough pixels for a real HD 1080p display (the one reason I'm tempted to get a 24" 1920x1200 but, alas, it's still a bit pricey for me at this point), but can it handle an HD signal (not only 720p, but the ones larger than its native resolution as well) and scale them properly to take up the full screen?

Thanks in advance.

 

[T9D]

I have the 215TW.

I only have good things to say about it. I love it. This was my first LCD and I'm glad I waited to get this one. I'm really impressed with the LCD technology now over my CRT.

 

[hans007]

i beleive it is $520 at costco. probably the best place to buy it.

 

[iamaelephant]

I have considered this monitor over the last few days as my first LCD (I've been reluctant to switch from CRT due to the myriad drawbacks of LCD compared with relatively few advantages) but have had a really hard time finding reviews for this screen. After reading this thread I think I will shell out the extra money and pick this monitor up, even though it's a little out of my price range. Thanks for the info BreezyCool!

 

[Etochort]

I read that this monitor forces any 16:9 inputs from an external source (dvd player, etc) into 16:10 as it only has options for displaying the full widescreen or 4:3. IF I'm reading right above, you can set it just to place a black box around the image to make it 16:9?

Also how is the input quality of consoles/dvd players/etc? I'm curious too....I've heard the component input quality on this thing isn't too great. I'm debating between this and a dell 2407WFP, I've heard a lot of negative things about the 2407WFP. Mostly I will be using them for PC apps and gaming but I may have interest in running other things (consoles, dvd players) through the inputs.

 

[SOSTrooper]

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but since there's talk for this LCD I'll just go ahead and add some more questions about it.

Are there any other LCD similar to this Samsung in terms of features like multiple inputs (S-Video, Component, etc) with Picture In Picture? This feature for me is already a winner, but I want to know if there are other manufacturers that also have LCDs with this same features while still having high resolution for computers.


Edit* nevermind, seems like I missed the hints about the Gateway 21" in this thread.

 

[CCityInstaller]

Originally posted by: SOSTrooper
Sorry for bumping an old thread, but since there's talk for this LCD I'll just go ahead and add some more questions about it.

Are there any other LCD similar to this Samsung in terms of features like multiple inputs (S-Video, Component, etc) with Picture In Picture? This feature for me is already a winner, but I want to know if there are other manufacturers that also have LCDs with this same features while still having high resolution for computers.


Edit* nevermind, seems like I missed the hints about the Gateway 21" in this thread.

I own the Gateway, and it's a wonderful monitor. i haven't had any trouble using the compoent inputs with my HD cable box.

 

[lepump]

might be buying this monitor.. no LCD experience what so ever
are there better monitors available these days/or are there new ones on the horizon i should wait for?

 

[nwrigley]

Originally posted by: Etochort
I read that this monitor forces any 16:9 inputs from an external source (dvd player, etc) into 16:10 as it only has options for displaying the full widescreen or 4:3. IF I'm reading right above, you can set it just to place a black box around the image to make it 16:9?

Also how is the input quality of consoles/dvd players/etc? I'm curious too....I've heard the component input quality on this thing isn't too great. I'm debating between this and a dell 2407WFP, I've heard a lot of negative things about the 2407WFP. Mostly I will be using them for PC apps and gaming but I may have interest in running other things (consoles, dvd players) through the inputs.

Does anyone know the answer to this?

 

[IndyJaws]

Although it's an old thread, I was looking for a good review and comparison to the Dell 2007FPW. Bumping for anyone else interested in comparing the two. Sounds like the 215TW is the better way to go...

 

[bigsnyder]

The posts on this site have some comparisons and a lot of user feedback.

Just do a search in the forum for 215TW to browse all the posts.

C Snyder

 

[mset]

One more bump for this thread. I was reading the sticky for this forum (by xtknight) and in the past few days a guy asked a question about this monitor and xtknight mentioned that he thought it was good but wouldn't own one for general use because of the 'input lag' for this unit. He said he'd use it for viewing movies.

I find it kind of strange that I reviewed this whole thread and no one mentioned the input lag issue.

xtknight is my monitor guru (check his site at www.lcdresource.com) so this is not a questioning of his call in any way, shape or form. In fact I posted in his LCD thread asking this question. Just looking for more opinions about this unit since I am considering buying two of them.

Anyone have a comment on the input lag issue for these units?

 

[Hadsus]

I don't see it personally. I've seen videos of it though. It seems very subtle but if you're sensitive to it I guess it can be a real bother. I went from a CRT to the Sammy and didn't notice a dam* thing and play competitive FPSs all the time. All I notice is the usual LCD ghosting/smearing.

 

[zeroezandonez]

 

[zeroezandonez]

BreezyCool, excellent work on running the 215TW through the motions. I too have a 215TW and have used your initial calibration settings of: Bright 27, Contrast 72, Red 34, Green 43, Blue 33 - calibrated to 6500K with Eye One. I should invest in my own calibrator but right now I'm kind of "eyeing" things. Your settings actually worked quite good - just seemed to be slightly "greenish" under my lighting conditions where the monitor is located. Could you please post your 2nd calibration settings as mentioned in "Method 2:" - Completely black room, holding the eye-one about 4" from the monitor?

Much appreciated!

Originally posted by: BreezyCool
New update: Viewing angles and Calibration


The screen has a wide viewing angle - however, shift your angle of view from dead center and you will notice a small drop in contrast and a slightly more shallow black point. This shift is minor but noticeable.

Since it is a wide angle screen, unless you are standing 10 feet away (I sit about 2'2" from mine) you'll always view the edges of the screen at an angle while viewing the center dead on. The result is that you perceive the screen to be lighter and lower contrast on the edges when compared to the center. However, move your head to the edge and then the center will be darker than the edge. Therefore, this is not a screen uniformity problem - rather it is a viewing angle problem on a wide angle screen.

I noticed this when viewing 3 copies of the same image side-by-side. The two on the outer edges of the screen seemed a tad brighter than the one in the center, until I moved my head. Since I'm already fond of this screen, it is an issue that I will be aware of and be able to work around by moving my head. Most of my photo editing uses the center 3rd of the screen, with tool bars on the outer edges, so I don't see this as creating much of a problem for me. However, it seems to illustrate a problem that must be common for all wide angle LCDs.

Based on this observation I tried calibrating my monitor two different ways:

Method 1: As document, with the eye-one sitting on the display.

Method 2: Completely black room, holding the eye-one about 4" from the monitor.

I found that Method 2 produces what I perceive to be a more accurate calibration. This is when compared to the colors produced by my calibrated printer and my calibrated CRT (viewsonic A90f+).