Believe it or not, Samsung took the opportunity to unveil a couple of newcomers at Macworld, proving that there was indeed something left in the tank
after CES. And on paper, this pair is one to be reckoned with. Up first is the 24-inch SyncMaster 2493HM, which features a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 10,000:1 (dynamic) contrast ratio, five-millisecond response time, 400 cd/m2 brightness, 160-degree viewing angles and DVI / HDMI inputs to boot. As for the 25.5-inch 2693HM, it mimics its smaller sibling in most every way, but does include a VGA input and steps the dynamic contrast ratio down to 3,000:1. Both units also include built-in multimedia speakers and stunning good looks, and best of all, they can become yours right this moment for $599 and $699, respectively.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
reductant @ Jan 16th 2008 7:17PM
Can't wait to try this one. By the way, that contrast ratio is a dynamic contrast ratio. The 10,000:1 and 3,000:1 are dynamic. Both panels 1,000:1 contrast ratios.
E71 @ Jan 16th 2008 7:40PM
Getting a little tired of dancing around these response times. Been waiting for ages for a 24 inch 1920x1200 with 4ms or less response (and no, not Viewsonic -- I've had bad experience with them).
Joe_Templeman @ Jan 16th 2008 9:23PM
Dont be stupid. You will NOT notice a few millieseconds off your response times....
Especially the advertised ones they manage to invent.
Sherm Didit @ Jan 16th 2008 7:25PM
C'mon, not even a hint of what panel type? PVA, MVA, TN, S-IPS, H-IPS? The pricing would suggest it won't be IPS but one can hope.
Ethyriel @ Jan 16th 2008 7:27PM
The contrast ratio tells you they're TN. S-PVA is 176 degrees now, lesser *VAs are all above 170. S-IPS is 178 degrees.
Being TN you won't even be able to view a constant color across the whole screen without being across the room, considering the size.
Ethyriel @ Jan 16th 2008 7:29PM
I meant to say viewable area, obviously.
Ethyriel @ Jan 16th 2008 7:29PM
viewable angle... I'm going back to bed
bjorn_ahlm @ Jan 17th 2008 6:24AM
The fact that it is Samsung tells you it's not IPS.
Ethyriel @ Jan 16th 2008 7:25PM
They're both TN garbage. Who cares what the contrast ratio is if it drops to 100:1 at 25 degree angles? I can't stand how mainstream keeps getting bigger and bigger and destroying that size for anyone who actually cares about image quality. Thank god for NEC and Eizo, but a few years ago Samsung seemed to be standing up against TN, too.
reductant @ Jan 16th 2008 7:29PM
Sit with proper posture and maybe that won't be such a problem. It's TN to keep prices down and respone times fast.
Ethyriel @ Jan 16th 2008 7:41PM
Please, I could never spend the amount of time I need to without leaning back and swinging to the side. S-PVA screens, until recently, were the low end of 24", and prices were nearing this point with the likes of Benq.
People cite pixel response all the time, but my S-IPS at home and our S-PVA panels at work have absolutely no ghosting in the 8ms to 16ms range. Cheap panels, sure, ghosting is a problem, though I question how much of it is actually the panel and how much is poor power supplies and other electronics. But if these companies would use more better panels the prices would drop. *VA was initially meant to be a low cost alternative to IPS, but the manufacturers got greedy for higher margins with TN.
Joe_Templeman @ Jan 16th 2008 9:12PM
Couldnt agree with you more! Now Ive been using a 20" S-IPS and a 24" S-PVA panels, I cant go back to the 20" TN panels we have at uni.
The viewing angles and changing colours across the width of the screen (when your sitting a normal distance away) is stupid. I will NEVER buy another TN panel, however quick the response time is.
Kuraudo @ Jan 16th 2008 7:35PM
Looks good on paper. 160 degrees viewing angle is horrible for a 24" monitor. The larger the panel the more viewing angle is necessary. IN my experience, shifting my head just an inch or two would result in big differences in color darkness and details, such as in the 226bw by Samsung.
The native contrast ratio is still unimproved over 1000:1 , the only CR that matters when viewing specs. Sony XBR4 tvs have a native 2000:1 contrast ratio, thats not dynamic. I wonder why the LCD PC panels are behind on this.
I'm very wary about Purchasing a TN panel
reductant @ Jan 16th 2008 7:42PM
I have a TN panel. Horizontal viewing angles are no issue, but vertical angles are, I'll admit. Worst on dark screens. I'm using a Gateway FHD2400. However, Samsung is higher quality so it'll be interesting to check it out to see if this is a new panel they are using.
AdamWarlock @ Jan 16th 2008 7:48PM
Are these the Glossy type? If it is sign me up. I was gonna go for the 24" Gateway FHD2400, but if the Samsung 2493FM is glossy and right around the corner I'll get it!
BTW...Don't bother telling me how much you hate glossy screens. I work in a dark environment.
reductant @ Jan 16th 2008 8:08PM
Yeah, this screen is glossy. I saw some shots with an obvious mirror-like reflection of the photographer. I'm thinking of exchanging my FHD2400 for the 2493HM once it's available in my area.
Joe_Templeman @ Jan 16th 2008 9:20PM
My advice, NEVER buy another TN panel....ever!
Especially on a 24inch monitor, the change in colours and especially blacks is terrible. I use 20inch TN panels at uni regularly and they are just awful. Its such a relief to come home to my 24inch s-pva panel =)
Dont be fooled by the price and the so-called response times, you will not regret spending the extra and getting a decent panel.
Oh and check properly into response times. Most advertise the grey-to-grey response time, which is almost irrelevant. Check the black-to-white repsonse time for a more accurate measure. And contrast ratios are pointless if your colour reproduction is crap in the first place!
Ethyriel @ Jan 16th 2008 10:01PM
Yeap, there are tests out there where supposedly 2-6ms panels test in the 25-30ms range for true pixel response. BeHardware, Prad.de, and THG are all places that do some pretty good flat panel reviews.
Punchy @ Jan 16th 2008 8:25PM
I am in the industry and recently a customer of mine took a number of Samsung panels and put them through their paces using some testing software. Each and every panel came no where even close to meeting the specs as represented. Ironically I own one and it meets my needs just fine, but don't believe the spec sheets, they just aren't true in the real world and I am sure Samsung is not the only manufacturer to fudge the numbers.
Punchy
Andrew @ Jan 16th 2008 8:33PM
Check out the BenQ FP241W if you're looking for an affordable LCD in the 24" range.
1000:1 contrast
8 ms response
1920x1200, 16:10
500cdm/2 brightness
VGA, DVI, HDMI, Component, Composite, S-video
PIP
NOT a TN panel.
~$500'ish
wickedpheonix @ Jan 16th 2008 8:55PM
I totally agree. I own a FP241W and couldn't be happier - little expensive considering the price range, but totally worth it. Went with it over the Dell, Sammie, and a few others because of every motherfracking input on the planet plus the fact that the display is über adjustable - rotate the screen, while shebang made it almost as good as if it were on a VESA mount. Heartily recommend a buy if you're looking at a 24"er but can't help you if you want DisplayPort (well whaddaya want, it came out like 2 years ago)...
Joe_Templeman @ Jan 16th 2008 9:22PM
@wickedpheonix:
All of the features you described are ALL present on the Dell!
Andrew @ Jan 16th 2008 9:27PM
Yeah but the Dell suffers from banding problems, and it also doesn't have HDMI. Oh, and it's more expensive?
I'm not knocking the Dell, my best friend has the 2407 and it's a great display, but even he agrees the BenQ is the superior panel.
Ken @ Jan 17th 2008 10:37AM
The Hanns G 28" is 1920x1200 3ms and in the $500-600 range. It's TN as well but a huge bang for the buck.
moe @ Jan 16th 2008 8:34PM
that god for dell
moe @ Jan 16th 2008 8:37PM
oops! thank god
Rahul @ Jan 16th 2008 10:55PM
I have a NEC WMGX2, 20" S-IPS. I love this thing...
but now I want more...
Anybody know of any 24" S-IPS panels with HDMI connectivity?
Thanks!
Ethyriel @ Jan 17th 2008 8:01PM
I think my 2490WUXI has at least one hdcp compliant dvi port, you'd have to check though. All you really need is the hdcp compliance, and then you can accomplish anything hdmi is capable of with a simple adapter.
You might also look at Eizo. They use S-PVA, but they make very, very nice monitors. I do know they've been toying with the consumer market, whereas NEC's consumer offerings aren't nearly as high quality. Of course, NEC's pro offerings tend to be comparably priced to Eizo's consumer offerings. Anywway, you'll notice very slightly more contrast drops at very wide angles, and a little bit lesser black levels. On the other hand, you won't get any of the sparkly problems with video (which I haven't noticed anyway, on my NEC).
Ethren @ Jan 17th 2008 1:38AM
What I really want to know is when they plan on refreshing the 30" 305T?
Richard @ Jan 17th 2008 10:13AM
So other than the Benq FP241W, what other good non TN options at 24" and
Richard @ Jan 17th 2008 10:14AM
So other than the Benq FP241W, what other good non TN options at 24" and less than $750?
Sorry for the double post - my last one was cut off!
Ryan @ Feb 8th 2008 4:22PM
I'd love to know any alternatives to this question too. I'm a designer and in the market for a new 24". I'd love to buy an Eizo but they're a little out of my price range.
Really leaning towards the BenQ FP241W
Ken @ Jan 17th 2008 10:38AM
As I replied to an earlier post, go to Best Buy and take a look at the Hanns G 28". Got mine for less than $600
Ken @ Jan 17th 2008 10:39AM
sorry missed the "non-TN" part. Guess if you don't want TN you may be SOL at your price range and size
Shelly @ Mar 26th 2008 11:30PM
come on u guys! help me pick the best bang for my buck... one forum says this is a good monitor .... the other says not. I have a $400 price range and I work for as in-house designer... they don't understand all the gibberish and neither do I for the most part. I went to school to be a great designer ... not to tech school. HELP me out here! I've been searching for days. I currently work on an ancient 20" CRT Apple monitor (with graphic burned into the screen because the previous owner didn't know of a screen saver) - I work on large scale designs - 80" x 36" and 64" 31" - with all the pallets open I can't even see what I'm doing!!! Indesign and Photoshop are my major applications. I need a monitor that I can convince my Manager that I need. They think any monitor will do. I do lots of color corrections, digital imagery, and catalog layouts. Graphics for cars... to a gift card. I need someone with accurate info so I can convince them this is defined as a required piece of equipment for the nature of my job!
Chris @ Apr 7th 2008 4:59AM
eizo s2000. Nothing less or else you re not going to be able to do your job.
LCD monitors do not display 100% RGB phasm colors as CRT do. You will find it very hard to print what you see.
bmcdigital @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:11PM
The Samsung 2493hm is a beatiful monitor. worth the $450cdn I spent. If you want to spend 600 for a 24" of course it's going to be better. There is nothing wrong with the color across the screen. The top is a little darker in color but 24" at 1.5' what do you expect. I tried the Hp and the 21.5 Samsung before this one and the 2493hm takes the cake. I spent a long time reading reviews and wasting time. Most of you commenting on this monitor don't even own one. Movie playback in 1080p is outstanding, colors are rich and vibrant. Gaming is outstanding, the 4 way adjustable stand is also a nice feature. The backlight bleeding on this panel is almost non-existent. The new 22" HP was horrible for bleeding. By the way this is an anti-glare screen not a glossy one. If you want a 24" monitor for a decent price you can't go wrong. Not everyone does graphic design. Don't waste a bunch of time reading useless reviews, try a monitor, if you like it keep it. I went through Future Shop so my return option was there if I didn't like it, but I do. **** four stars for this monitor.