The Samsung 2232GW LCD

[HorseFace]

Hello everyone. I just bought a Samsung 2232GW LCD monitor, and it looks alright, but after doing some reading I'm beginning to think that I could probably buy a better quality monitor for the price ($330).

To be fair, I've noticed no ghosting in anything, but the color seems to be a bit out of sorts, and text edges as well as game textures appear to be grainy at times. This could be other things, and that's why I'm here: for advice.

My main hope for my monitor is to have a lasting product on which I can play games, watch movies, and hook up the ps3 I'm going to buy soon. High def capability would be nice, with blu-ray and gaming.

I can still return this monitor for a full refund, but will I really be able to get anything that is much better? I can throw in more cash, but I would prefer not to.

Any help here making a decision would be much appreciated.

 

[User5]

well just to make sure, have you bought a DVI cable?

My Samsung 226BW looked only OKAY until I got one and ditched the VGA cable it came with.

 

[HorseFace]

Yep, it came with a dvi cable, and I'm using it. The cable is a single channel type, or whatever the exact term is.

 

[IlllI]

if its a tn panel that might explain the color problem. might be bad dithering

 

[ArchAngel777]

Samsung TN panels are normally some of the best. There have been some problems with certain models along the way, which happens to any company, but I would say your problem is either lack of calibration, or a poor panel. You may want to exchange it for the same exact model, or you could go for the LG-227WTG, which is also a gloss finished screen and then there is the one that came first to the market, the HP 2207h, which also looks quite good.

Anyway, there is a program called Monitor Calibration Wizard 1.0 that you can download (free) and it has a really good wizard to help improve the picture quality of your display. It obviously cannot match a professional calibrated display with a special hardware device, but it sure can improve over the standard picture. Give it a try and I am sure you will be rather impressed with the improvement.

I did it on the my Samsung 216BW and my Dell E2408, both TN panels and made them both very bearable displays. Before I ran the wizard on them, then colors looked washed out and no matter how much I adjusted them by myself I couldn't get it to look and feel right.

What I did for both of those displays was follow that wizard to the letter and finished and applied the profile, then I dropped down my contrast 5% and brightness about 10% and bingo. You may have different preferences, but that program should give you good start.

If you are not happy with it, return it! Nothign is worse that living with a poor purchase that sits in front of you every day... Also, keep in mind that when it comes to money, for some reason many people skimp on the display while going for better and faster video cards each year. If you get a really good display, it will last much longer than a video card and probably end up costing you less money as well over time. So don't forget that! Get one you really like!

Good luck!

 

[HorseFace]

After some research, I'm thinking that the L227WTG-PF will be the better buy. Thanks for your help. Now we'll see if LG decides to include a DVI cable ><

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: HorseFace
After some research, I'm thinking that the L227WTG-PF will be the better buy. Thanks for your help. Now we'll see if LG decides to include a DVI cable ><

Just picked mine up a few hours ago... It comes with a VGA cable, but I have plenty of DVI cables, so it did not matter. Pretty pleased with it, to be honest. In fact, I showed my wife who frowned on my purchase the difference between it and my Samsung 216BW and she said 'oh wow, now I see why you got it'. The display is so much richer than my sammy.

I was going to get a Samsung 2332GW, but since Circuit City charges 15% restock fee, I decided that they do not deserve my money. That company is getting crooked, just like CompUSA.