X-bit labs

New LCD Monitors from Samsung: Roundup of 5 New Models (page 6)

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 03/04/2004 | 03:34 PM ]

Samsung SyncMaster 510MP

“MP”-marked models have been traditionally coming with an integrated TV-tuner and the 15” 510MP LCD monitor is not an exception.

The regular-shaped case looks very attractive. It is painted silver (the back side is black) and you can mistake the material for aluminum from a distance. Being a multimedia monitor, the 510MP has built-in speakers, but you shouldn’t be misled by the large perforations on the front panel. The two speakers have a size typical for monitor solutions of the kind, in other words, they are small as usual. Well, you have an option of plugging any speakers to the headphones socket anyway.

The power adapter is integrated into the monitor. Adding the TV-tuner with the accompanying stuff, we have a relatively big case, although it doesn’t look bulky. The round silver base allows changing the screen tilt in a very narrow range (when you tilt it far back, the monitor may lose its balance and topple over). If necessary, you can fold the base up completely, but unlike models with the Dual Hinge support, this one requires a VESA-compatible bracket to be hung on the wall. You can purchase this bracket optionally.

Only one analog input is available, but there are numerous audio/video connectors: two audio inputs (3.5mm mini-jack and two coaxial RCA connectors), four video inputs (a high-frequency input for an ordinary TV antenna, a composite input, S-Video and SCART).

S-Video, composite and RCA audio inputs are placed on the side of the case. This grouping of the connectors is made on purpose: the audio input on the back panel turns on when you work with the computer, but when you switch to one of the side video inputs, the second audio input is enabled.

With the two purely television buttons (they switch between TV-channels), we have an abundance of controls. There are independent buttons for choosing the input, for controlling the speakers volume and for switching between MagicBright modes. On the other hand, you have to get deep into the menu for brightness and contrast settings – quick access is not implemented for them.