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The Syncmaster 181T in its black and silver housing is something quite different for an LCD, and much better looking than most.
82% Rating: 
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Samsung 181T |
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TFT Display Evaluation Notes
| PCstats TFT Display Evaluation
Criteria: |
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We
evaluate the quality of TFT displays with the help of a program called
Nokia Monitor Test. The software application displays a range of colours
and test patterns that can help diagnose just about any visual problems or
defects a TFT display may contain.
It can also be a very useful tool for
properly adjusting a display to the optimal settings. The software
consists of eleven tests which can be run in steps as adjustments are made
to the OSD. As the tests are run we look for the following problems, only
one of which should be inoperable (broken pixel).
Broken Pixels: What we class as a 'broken pixel' can
fall under any one of the following circumstances: Pixel always on (any
colour), pixel always off, pixel unable to display a shade (red, green,
blue, black, white), pixel shown colour gradient.
Pixel Clock: If the number of dot clocks within one
horizontal synch are not properly configured the screen will appear to
drift or vertical stripes may be generated. This should be correctable by
the on screen menu.
Phase: If the phase of the display data and dot clock
are not correctly tuned the screen can flicker, or text be displayed
blurry. For example text may appear dithered, or when looking at a test
pattern of a one-pixel black, one-pixel white checkerboard pattern the
pattern may be distorted. This should be correctable by the on screen
menu.
Response Time: We look for any streaking associated
with moving a full page of text up or down quickly. Displays with slower
refresh rates tend to show some degree of image streaking or text
discoloration which can be distracting.
Stand Stability: TFT displays are fragile components and the
stand should offer adequately stable support as well as be easily
adjustable.
We deduct marks for quality control if there are any predominant
broken pixels in a display. While many manufacturers may consider a
few broken pixels acceptable, we believe the high cost of TFT displays
should translate into a clear and unblemished image. |
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| Display Test System
Configuration: |
| Video Card: |
ATI Radeon 8500 |
| Operating System: |
MS
Windows 2000 |
| Display Settings: |
Color Temp: 6500 Kelvin
Resolution: 1280x1024
pixels
Frequency: 60Hz
Colour: 32
Bit | |
| Display
Resolutions: |
| Resolution |
Freq Hor. |
Freq Ver. |
Standard |
| 720X400 |
31.5 |
70 |
VGA |
| 640x480 |
31.5 |
60 |
VGA |
| 640x480 |
37.5 |
75 |
VGA |
| 640x480 |
43.3 |
85 |
VGA |
| 800x600 |
46.8 |
75 |
VESA |
| 800x600 |
53.6 |
85 |
VESA |
| 1024x768 |
48.3kHz |
60Hz |
XGA |
| 1024x768 |
60.0kHz |
75Hz |
XGA |
| 1024x768 |
68.7kHz |
84Hz |
XGA |
| 1280x1024 |
63.98kHz |
60Hz |
VESA |
| 1280x1024 |
79.90kHz |
75Hz |
VESA | |
| LCD Display Test |
Overall |
Test Notes and Observations |
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| Geometry: |
Pass |
Excellent picture
geometry at the 181T's native 1280x1024
resolution. LCD displays as a general rule never have problems displaying straight lines.
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| Brightness and Contrast: |
Pass |
Good clean shading,
crisp definition in 1%-9% white range but it is hard to see differences
between 1% and 2%. There is no ghosting or unevenness in
black background. Some small illuminance around isolated white squares on black background. This
is not out of the norm however.
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| HV Test: |
Pass |
This
test is more applicable to CRT displays than it is to an
LCD. How ever since it forces the display to show a full screen of black or
white, while maintaining a solid white line around the outside it is a good indicator
of refresh rates on both the display and pixel levels.
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| Colour: |
Pass |
The white and Red test
screens are very bright and very consistent over the full screen area. There are no visible
dark patches, or banding of any type at the edges with white, red, green or
blue test screens. No broken pixels are visible in any colour.
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| Convergence: |
Pass |
The test grids in RGB illustrate the
worst case situations when different coloured pixels must work closely
together, and since they comprise different parts of a pixel they do not line
up exactly.
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| Focus: |
Pass |
Excellent, all patterns are clearly visible and defined in both the
horizontal and vertical axis.
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| Resolution: |
Pass |
Resolution was also excellent at the native
1280x1024 resolution. Image dithering at lower resolutions is very good
as well.
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| Moire: |
Pass |
Excellent, all test patterns were displayed properly and
without interference or 'walking lines'.
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Dither Algorithm:
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Other Evaluation Notes: |
Excellent |
Like the 181B, the pixel refresh rate for the
181T is set to below 30ms. With a set of viewing angles at
85/85/85/85 it is currently at the highest standard currently available. The stand
was very stable, although rotating left to right didn't not work very well. The vertical height
adjustments were good, and the 90 degree rotation worked
well.
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Conclusions
From an LCD standpoint we have looked at many displays which were intended to be used
in the office or home as substitutes for conventional monitors. As such many of them replicated how a CRT looked -
big wide bezels, dull beige colouring, etc. The 181T appear to be
marking a turning point as far as LCD monitors
are concerned.
In much the same way as Sony introduced some
surprisingly striking and decadent displays Samsung is offering a much more
affordable LCD here. While the overall thickness of the 181T is still somewhat "chunky" its
small bezel makes viewing it from head on a true pleasure, and gives it a slimming appearance. Coupled with a very
capable LCD display unit, the 181T offers users very wide viewing angles,
a very good contrast rating and a pretty decent
brightness value.
The integrated power supply is a step in the right direction for LCD's,
and it will be interesting to see how much further they progress,
and how slim monitors such as this become. Very
cool indeed.
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