Samsung LCD's

[dynasty]

I have a MBP and want to add a widescreen lcd to clear off some desk space. College student so space is limited on the desk. I was just wondering what people thought of the Samsung SyncMaster 216BW 21.6" Widescreen. I know that it is 5ms, but is that ok? I would buy the 226bw, but I don't want to spend that much. Let me know what you think. Thanks

 

[Pain999]

Go with a 206BW 20" you still get the 2ms and the 1680x1050 like the 226BW + you get a super sharp picture with more pixels per square inch.

 

[Upgr8er]

Does the 206BW have a 6 bit panel or an 8 bit panel?

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: Upgr8er
Does the 206BW have a 6 bit panel or an 8 bit panel?

Any Samsung LCD with a "B" in it's name has a TN panel which is 6-bit. The ones with the "T" in their name are 8-bit. Samsung LCDs are great and lower in price than comparable LCDs. Samsung manufactures their own panels and also sells them to other manufacturers like NEC or Viewsonic for use in their monitors. That's why most of the time you see a Samsung monitor with similar specs as other brands costing far less.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: AdamK47
Samsung LCDs are great and lower in price than comparable LCDs.

You mean vice versa?

Usually Samsung = slightly overpriced.


Anyway, OP, why not get yourself a good LCD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824009105

I mean, the 216BW isn't bad...it's just another okay TN.

See sticky at the top of the video forum for more info...

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: AdamK47
Samsung LCDs are great and lower in price than comparable LCDs.

You mean vice versa?

Usually Samsung = slightly overpriced.


Anyway, OP, why not get yourself a good LCD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824009105

I mean, the 216BW isn't bad...it's just another okay TN.

See sticky at the top of the video forum for more info...

I ment for LCDs that share the same panel. I'm currently looking at a Samsung 214T with their S-PVA 8ms 4:3 21.3" panel. It's one of the best UXGA professional quality panels out there. The Samsung 214T is currently at $500. The NEC MultiSync LCD2190UXP and ViewSonic VP2130b are $150 to $300 more for the same S-PVA panel.

 

[Upgr8er]

Originally posted by: AdamK47

Originally posted by: Upgr8er
Does the 206BW have a 6 bit panel or an 8 bit panel?

Any Samsung LCD with a "B" in it's name has a TN panel which is 6-bit. The ones with the "T" in their name are 8-bit.

The article I read here says if the specs say 16.7 million colors that it is an 8 bit panel. Or can they claim 16.7 using their process (the one I can't remember the name of right now)?

For basic computing and gaming does it pay to insist on the 8 bit panel? I can't usually tell the difference from medium to high on the color setting in windows anyway!

How does that Acer recommended compare? I take it Samsung makes the panel for Acer? How's the support? How does each company handle dead pixels vs warranty?

Thanks,

Glenn.

 

[3Ball]

The 206bw is a great monitor and I would (and did) choose it over the Acer. I would say go for it imo.

Best,

3Ball

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: Upgr8er

Originally posted by: AdamK47

Originally posted by: Upgr8er
Does the 206BW have a 6 bit panel or an 8 bit panel?

Any Samsung LCD with a "B" in it's name has a TN panel which is 6-bit. The ones with the "T" in their name are 8-bit.

The article I read here says if the specs say 16.7 million colors that it is an 8 bit panel. Or can they claim 16.7 using their process (the one I can't remember the name of right now)?

For basic computing and gaming does it pay to insist on the 8 bit panel? I can't usually tell the difference from medium to high on the color setting in windows anyway!

How does that Acer recommended compare? I take it Samsung makes the panel for Acer? How's the support? How does each company handle dead pixels vs warranty?

Thanks,

Glenn.

A monitor manufacturer can claim a monitor supports 16.7 million colors from the video source, but the monitor may not actually physically display the 16.7 million colors. 6-bit panels employ a dithering technique to approximate the color from the higher color source. If you can't tell the difference and you play fast paced games then the option of going to a fast response TN is a good choice. It?s an even better choice if price is a major factor. As for the Acer? which Acer are you referring to?

 

[Upgr8er]

Originally posted by: AdamK47

As for the Acer? which Acer are you referring to?

The one N7 linked above: LCD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824009105

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: Upgr8er

Originally posted by: AdamK47

As for the Acer? which Acer are you referring to?

The one N7 linked above: LCD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824009105

Ah OK, that's the Acer AL2051W. Actually I do have first hand experience with this type of display. My wifes Viewsonic VX2025wm has the same exact P-MVA panel. The only thing majorly different between the two is the Acer has a glossy screen. I personally do not like glossy LCD screens. I'd get the Viewsonic VX2025wm in that case. You wouldn't have to worry about the annoying glare.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: 3Ball
The 206bw is a great monitor and I would (and did) choose it over the Acer. I would say go for it imo.

Best,

3Ball

Oh please :roll:

It's nice to see you're happy with your drastically inferior TN, but sorry, please don't assume most of us prefer poor quality displays over good quality ones.

Just because you like the Samsung name over the Acer name doesn't make them better.

Samsung makes some fantastic displays, & some craptastic ones...i'd know, i own one good one & one crap one, not to mention the hundreds i've sold.

The 206BW is okay, sure, heck, maybe even "good" for a TN.
But TN panels = okay at best.
I wouldn't even classify them as good, as they simply aren't if you like accurate color, contrast, & semi-decent viewing angles w/o color shifting.


The whole reason i pointed to the Acer is because it's a P-MVA.

OP & 3Ball, if you guys wish to learn a little more about what makes an LCD good, check out xtknight's awesome thread at the top of the video forum


Edit: Sorry to come across harshly...wasn't entirely intended, i just hate seeing people recommending things when they don't know what constitutes a HQ display.

 

[Ika]

The 216BW is a nice monitor if you're coming from crap, but you will have to realize that with the amount of screen space you have, viewing angle will be a problem. I went from a generic Black Friday 19" 5:4 monitor to the 216BW, and I'm getting totally owned by viewing angles. That's pretty much the only issue I have with it, though, except for backlight bleeding (which isn't a problem after a bit).

 

[Ne0]

Samsung LCD's are good but I've only used TN panels from them so they don't really compare to the Acer AL2051w P-MVA. I'm happy with the Acer & I love the glossy screen. It makes everything "pop" more and I only notice a reflection when the screen is completely dark... however its price has drastically increased. It was $199 w/ free shipping last week, now its $290 w/ $15 - $16 shipping.

 

[j0j081]

I would go with the 206bw over the 216bw. I don't think anyone knows enough about the 216bw yet to say if its up to par with the other comparable Samsung lcds. The 206bw has great reviews and I have not been disappointed with mine. You hardly even need AA in gaming with it because the picture is already so sharp. Only thing is the text is a bit small for extended use but if that bugs you it's easy to increase the DPI a tad in Vista and XP.

 

[Upgr8er]

Originally posted by: n7

Edit: Sorry to come across harshly...wasn't entirely intended, i just hate seeing people recommending things when they don't know what constitutes a HQ display.

I was about the click the buy link on a Newegg deal for $250 on the 216BW then I read your post.

That link of yours for the Newegg Acer no longer works. So could you recommend a few models (by model number) that you consider superior? Is the Acer AL2051W one of them? I can't find that one on Newegg.

I want a new monitor. The 19 inch widescreens don't seem big enough for me. It's not the width, it's the height. The 22's seem WAY too big. The 20's look just right. Use will be 50% gaming and 50% net surf and general home use.

Can I get one of these P-VMA's for 3 bills or less or am I looking at double that?

Glenn.

PS>>> this "want" is to complete my new system which is a 3 gig core duo and an EVGA 8800 GTS 320mb video card.

 

[n7]

There are very few 20" WS that aren't TNs

I'd look to see if the Acer can be purchased elsewhere (sorry no links, i don't live in the US; so my knowledge of other stores there is somewhat limited).

There's the NEC 20WMGX2, which is pricier, but is also basically the best 20" ever made.

Viewsonic VX2025wm uses the same P-MVA as the Acer (w/ matte finish screen though).

Dell 2007WFP. It's either S-IPS or S-PVA afaik, but either way, still much better than a TN.


Those are all i can recall off the top of my head.

Unfortunately, afaik, aside the Dell, all three of those are discontinued, which makes them harder to find.
The Dell is about to get replaced by a crappier 20" WS TN quite soon afaik also.

The good thing about those being on the way out is that it might be possible to find them on clearance at a B&M store somewhere...maybe can negotiate a better price because of that sometimes.

 

[Upgr8er]

Originally posted by: n7
There are very few 20" WS that aren't TNs


Viewsonic VX2025wm uses the same P-MVA as the Acer (w/ matte finish screen though).

Which Acer?? Your link doesn't work. Is it this one? Acer AL2051W ?

Also, in your opinion, wouldn't the 4ms response time of the Samsung vs 8ms of the better ones you are recommending be better for as much gaming as I do? Or am I not understanding those specs - or are they being fudged - or does it just not matter?

Thanks,

Glenn.