X-bit labs

New LCD Monitors from Samsung. Part II

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 06/18/2004 | 07:26 PM ]

Today we would like to continue talking about the latest LCD monitors from Samsung. WE will introduce to you the new SyncMaster 173T and 174T models, make a lot of things clear about the already reviewed SyncMaster 172X, and take a really close look at an outstanding SyncMaster 173P model – the first solution with no control buttons. Make the right choice today with the help of our detailed reviews!

Table of contents:

• Samsung SyncMaster 173P
  
• Samsung SyncMaster 172X
  
• Samsung SyncMaster 173T
  
• Samsung SyncMaster 174T
  
• Conclusion
  
• Appendix: Chromacity Coordinates of RGB filters (CIE x,y)
  

In the last article on LCD monitors that we posted on our site we covered a few models from Samsung’s new series that appeared in retail this year. Unfortunately, we omitted the most interesting and popular model then, the SyncMaster 173P, and we also couldn’t clear out the case of the SyncMaster 172X that was claimed to feature 12msec response time, but was actually equipped with a slow 25msec PVA matrix.

In our today’s article we will try to make up for our previous omissions and introduce to you two new monitors from Samsung, the 173T and 174T models.

Samsung SyncMaster 173P

The Samsung SyncMaster 173P is among the prettiest and most uncommon monitors I have ever tested. It is designed according to Samsung’s traditional scheme for its top-end models, with connectors placed in the base and two swivels that allow rotating the panel any way you like. The 173P has one advantage over the 172 series monitors which were the first to use this design because it also allows turning the screen into the portrait mode.

The device is compact, thin, elegant, but rather heavy as the front panel and the sole of the base are made of aluminum. They made the face side of the monitor dull and rough, but polished the angles to luster. The back of the device and the pole of the base are made of white and light-gray plastic. As I have mentioned above, the base allows turning the screen into the portrait mode or even upside down. You can also adjust the screen height from zero to about 10cm above the desk surface, change its tilt from vertical to horizontal position, rotate the monitor around the vertical axis and hang it on the wall with the help of the two mounting brackets and screws that you receive with the device. Cutting it short, the SyncMaster 173P has all the functionality you may want.

The monitor features an analog and a digital input as well as an external power adapter (it’s no wonder we have an external power adapter here, considering the dimensions).

The second and the most considerable thing that distinguishes this monitor from the host of competitors is the lack of control buttons. There’s only one sensor Power On button (it is really a sensor one – you just touch it to turn the monitor on or off) next to a dull-blue power-on LED.

Thus, the user has only one way to control the monitor – using special software. On the one hand, there is nothing new about this, as CRT monitors with duplicated controls appeared several years ago, but on the other hand, they had to be attached to a USB port, while their control program, usually integrated into Windows’ Display Properties dialog, in fact copied the screen menu, without adding any new functions.