Samsung unveils SyncMasters with the 'world's highest' contrast ratio

We've harped about manufacturers constantly pushing nearly useless dynamic contrast numbers on us for so long that we half-expected this announcement to be about some phantom billion to one number. Well done Samsung, then, for focusing on the static (or real) contrast ratio of 3,000:1 on its sparkling new F2370H and F2380MX 23-inchers. These are certainly not the first panels to reach that plateau (check the Prad link below showing the Eizo EV2333 achieving 5,000:1 in testing), but let's not argue over PR semantics. They do boast higher contrast than most and both come with 1920 x 1080 resolution and HDMI inputs, while the more professionally oriented 2380 model (see our hands-on here) also boasts height and swivel adjustments along with an extra DVI port. Priced at 397,000 KRW ($350) and 417,000 KRW ($370), the two new SyncMasters are coming to Korea soon and the rest of the world seems an inevitability as well.

[kfury77 Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:10AM]

Cue the "Looks beautiful... the monitor doesn't look bad either" posts.... 3, 2, 1....

[Broderbund Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:13AM]

@(Unverified)
LOOKS BEAUTFIL N THE MONITRO DOESNT LOOK BAD ETIHER

[DrDr Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:18AM]

@(Unverified)

She actually looks a little flat and colorless next to the monitors. She probably has dynamic contrast.

[r34p3r Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:52AM]

@(Unverified)

Does anyone know what type of panels these are? Because if they're TN, it won't matter how good the contrast ratio is.

[Thinker Posted Jan 20th 2010 4:12AM]

Yes, but what is the optical contrast ratio?

[darkmax Posted Jan 20th 2010 4:12AM]

@(Unverified)

Never place a beautiful female model next to your product.... it always causes the eye to focus on the wrong part of the advertisements.

[Thinker Posted Jan 20th 2010 5:07AM]

Ok, I must have missed it. I guess the optical contrast ratio = static contrast ratio = 3,000:1

[JeremyBenthem Posted Jan 20th 2010 8:24AM]

@r34p3r
no decent LCD TV maker uses TN on large HDTVs, but I have a feeling at that price and size, it very well could be TN

[Kid Red Posted Jan 20th 2010 10:43AM]

@(Unverified)

Are those screens real? They look so good I thought they were simulated. The girl is cute, put that PQ is awesome.

[Shinigami Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:13AM]

3,000:1?
Where's my AMOLED 40-inch TV with unlimited:1 contrast, Samsung?

[Wwhat Posted Jan 20th 2010 7:40AM]

2 years to go

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 20th 2010 10:13AM]

@(Unverified)
I KNOW RIGHT FUCK I Want an AMOLED screen not LCD.

[Eternal Density Posted Jan 20th 2010 5:02PM]

@Wwhat
Until she's legal

[fischju Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:18AM]

Why don't they even show off their monitors...by putting pictures of models on them?

[omga14 Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:18AM]

I think I just found the monitor to add to the things to get for my new Photography hobby. To be able to accurately see pics while editing before I print them will be real nice. ~$350 is not all that bad considering the ones I've been getting recommended usually cost an additional $350 from the standard models.

[DrDr Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:38AM]

@omga14

Get the NEC EA231. It is a 23" 1080p IPS monitor that can be found for 300 or less.

[Middleman Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:30AM]

I didn't know some models were professionally oriented....I thought they were all the same! xD

[TareG Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:50AM]

That display is gorgeous...

[bigcow05 Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:57AM]

So much contrast yet I still can't focus on the monitors.

[magallanes Posted Jan 20th 2010 7:38AM]

@bigcow05

what's monitor?, i can't see any.

[Jvalen Posted Jan 20th 2010 4:03AM]

meh they look decent..they look actually pretty damn standard...wish the chick came with the moniters

[Radukk Posted Jan 20th 2010 4:26AM]

@r34p3r

Both are C-PVA

Privous F2380 have two big problems: poor darkside gradation, terrible response rate -> only useable for picture work AFTER calibration

These two C-PVA monitors just came out a week ago in South Korea, so for now it is not proved that those problems have solved. We need to keep eyes on them.

[yuichi Posted Jan 20th 2010 4:31AM]

Samsung and LG should just become model agencies

[j3ff Posted Jan 20th 2010 4:45AM]

Rehashes of last year's disappointing F2380. Hopefully they've fixed the ghosting and black crush.

[spaz1 Posted Jan 20th 2010 5:23AM]

@(Unverified)

There is an aspect ratio in my pants and everyone is invited.

[tiago Posted Jan 20th 2010 7:23AM]

@spaz1

that's gross.

[bigcow05 Posted Jan 20th 2010 7:47AM]

@spaz1
4:3?

[spaz1 Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:55PM]

@bigcow05

Try like 16:10.

[magallanes Posted Jan 20th 2010 7:39AM]

i am afraid for ask but... is it legal?. ;-)

[Wwhat Posted Jan 20th 2010 7:43AM]

It's not about contrast but about blacklevel really, why don't they put a number of that? Who decides what terms are important?
The contrast range is not the issue these days but the blacklevel that LCD's can reach is..

[culbeda Posted Jan 20th 2010 10:00AM]

Is she a... robot?

[triptych Posted Jan 20th 2010 10:03AM]

If it were 1920x1200 I'd buy two today.

[Wwhat Posted Jan 20th 2010 3:46PM]

"Finally these two monitors will be put on the market in Korea pretty soon with a tag price of 397000 Won (640€) for the F2370H and 417000 Won (675€) for the F2380MX."
Now xe.com says 397,000.00 KRW = 247.31006 EUR, so how did that €247 change into €640?
And what is the real price, because if it is €640 that would mean $902

[cruzer Posted Jan 20th 2010 4:25PM]

I'll take the one in the middle.