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The 181B series uses a 18.1" a-si TFT/PVA (Pattern Vertical Alignment) 1280x1024 resolution screen
for viewing comparable to that of a 19" CRT display.
75% Rating:
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Samsung 181B |
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The 181B Display Up Close
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The rear of the 181B is clean and looks pretty
good. There is a cable way to keep the power and analog video signal in
check, and since the power supply is integrated into the back of the
unit, there are not bricks to leave lying around. If you look very
closely on the lower right edge you can see the Kensington lock which has
been integrated into the display for anti-theft purposes.
The front of the unit is also very minimalist and clean
- a plus for displays, but with no multimedia support of any kind it
is a very plane and basic 18.1" display.
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The
adjustable stand bolts on to the back of the display panel (with internal
powersupply) with 100mm VESA mounting points and can be removed if wall mounting
is on hand for example. The only worth while adjustments on the stand are a forward and backwards tilt, as shown in
the pictures above. There is a swivel built into the base, but there seems to be too much
friction for it to work well so the entire base just twists. Samsung used to use very nice metal swivel
before that worked well so its a bit odd to see them switch to something less
effective.
As we have mentioned, the power supply is contained
within the display panel which still manages to remain just 65mm thick. A new type
of power plug connects directly into the rear of the panel next to the 15-pin VGA
connect. The stand tilts about 3 degrees forward and 15 degrees
back.
Analog Connection |
DVI Connection |
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Supported on 181B |
Not Supported |
Analog video connections are the type
of VGA interface most commonly in use at the moment. The 181B only
offers support for an Analog connection.
The basic differences between an analog display adapter and a DVI (digital) display
adapter is that with the blue analog cable, the image is transmitted to your monitor as an
analog signal.
On the DVI cable, the images arrives
at the display as a digital stream of one's and zero's. When these display signals are
sent to an LCD display via an analog cable, the picture must be translated to
a digitally signal before it can be processed and shown.
On the other hand, if you happen to have a digital
DVI output on your video card, the digital signals are simply sent right to
the display to be shown on the screen. Is there a difference between the two ways of connecting to
a LCD display? Well yes an no. On the visual level there are not
that many user perceivable differences in display quality, but I've been told they exist.
New OSD Menu:
Samsung have updated their
OSD menus for the 181B, and the result is quite impressive. While this
menu not quite as lush as that of the 181MP series (which are truly well done),
they are much better than your average monitor has. Heck, you even have the option of
going with half-tone version of the blue, white and orange display if you
like.
To adjust the display it is usually much easier to simply
push that all-in-one "Auto Adjust" button on the front panel. Do that and about
5 seconds later the 181B will be set perfectly.
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