Top Rate Samsung B2430H 24-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black
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NEC EA221WMe, SAMSUNG LS24A450BST/EN, Matrox Graphics eXpansion, LG M2262DP-PZ.AEU , Samsung B1940R, AG Neovo X-15, HP COMPAQ LA1951G, LG E2381VR-BN, Samsung 443DW, LG M2762D-PC.AEK, HannsG Hi221D, EIZO FlexScan S1932SH-GY, NEC MultiSync P221W, LG E2290V-SN.AEU, iiyama PLT1532SR-B, HP LW490AT, Dell S2230MX , NEC 65 DVI, BenQ G2750, Dell ST2320L, EIZO ColorEdge CG223W-BK, Philips 273P3LPHES, Neovo U-17, Samsung P2770FH, NEC MultiSync V462, LG W2353V, LG W2253V, HP ZR22w, OEM TOUCHSCREEN, Iiyama ProLite T1931SR-1, Samsung 24 inch, IIYAMA ProLite E2273HDS-B1, Samsung 24 inch, Philips 231T1LSB, Samsung P2770HD, DELL ST2220T, Dell Ultrasharp U2312HM, Matrox M9120, AOC Multi-Touch, 22,0 Eizo S2202WH-BK, Samsung T23A750D |
For those for whom ordinary is not an option, we created the Samsung B2430H monitor. This 24" monitor features a rich glossy black finish accented by an elegant clear acrylic bar along the bottom bezel. Inside, leading-edge technology results in picture quality second to none with 70,000 : 1 dynamic contrast ratio, full HD 1,920 x 1,080 and HDMI connectivity. To save energy and money, the MagicEco feature allows you to work at 100%, 75% or 50% brightness. And for ease of use, the MagicReturn feature automatically displays dual-monitor content on a single monitor when one monitor is powered off.
EQUIPMENT:
I use this monitor with the HIS Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2GB (256bit) GDDR5 2x Mini-DisplayPort HDMI 2x DVI (HDCP) PCIe X16 2.1 Video Card H695QNT2G2M.
QUALITY WITH HDMI CABLE:
The edges of the letters were not clear or sharp and looked quite blurry. I checked all of my settings, tweaking both the monitor and the GPU in Catalyst Control Center to no avail. I was understandably disappointed as I love Samsung monitors/TVs and my first assumption was that it was the monitor.
QUALITY WITH DVI CABLE:
My GPU offers multiple outputs (DVI, Mini-Display port & HDMI) so I decided to connect a DVI cable to the monitor instead of using the HDMI. Wow, That was it! That solved the problem...and apparently, it is not uncommon as I found countless references to it after searching.
BTW, it was not the actual HDMI cable itself. I am assuming it is the "processing" of the HDMI signal done by my GPU (HIS Radeon HD6950). There may be a remedy to the problem within the GPU's software settings, however, I did not find the right combination of settings to completely eliminate the fuzz when using the HDMI.
IIYAMAPLE2271HD-B, IIYAMA ProLite XB2374HDS-B1, LG M2762DP-PZ.AEK, ViewSonic VX2753mh, NEC MultiSync 26 inch, AKOYA P6612, SAMSUNG 24 inches, Apple iMac, Samsung T22A350 , Zalman ZM-M215W, HannsG 18.5 inch, Philips 240B1CS, Aqls42, NEC MultiSync V321, Philips 224EL2SB, Dell 3008WFP, Ilyama PLT1931SR-W, Iiyama 17 inch, Samsung LS27A750DS/EN, AOC e2795Vh, Acer Aspire 6930G, MEDION AKOYA P6613, MultiSync P271W, BenQ XL2410-B, LG E2770V-BF.AEU, HP Compaq LA2405wg, NEC MultiSync EA261WM, Philips 42PFL3606H, ASUS VE276Q, Samsung LS24A450BST/EN, Samsung T24A350, iiyama ProLite X2472HD, LG W2442PE-SF, Dell ST2420L , NEC SpectraView 231, Dell UltraSharp U2412M, MicroScreen 17.0 GLOSSY, AOC i2353FH
ONBOARD GRAPHICS VS. HD6950 GPU:
There was no blurry text when using my computer's onboard graphics, my problem was limited to using the monitor with an HDMI cable and my HD6950 GPU.
COMPARED WITH AN ASUS VW246W:
I ordered an ASUS VW246H 24-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black first after researching reviews. After tweaking both it and my GPU settings I didn't like the color and it lacked brightness. So...I ordered the Samsung B2430H before returning it just to be sure. I knew that was the only way I could accurately judge them... both of them in front of me at the same time. The Samsung was a clear and decisive winner (based on color and brightness) so the Asus went back. Both were tested using the HDMI cable connected to my GPU. I do not know if the effects the HDMI cable had on the Samsung (fuzzy text) could equate to poor color and brightness on the Asus so YMMV.
CONCLUSION:
Once I solved the mystery of blurry text the monitor was beautiful. Color/clarity/brightness. Obviously there is more going into the picture quality than just the quality of the monitor. GPU settings and processing can ultimately effect the picture quality. If I find a settings solution I will update my review.
TO GAMERS:
I use this monitor as part of my sim racing rig. I knew when choosing a monitor I would eventually be adding two more for a triple monitor set up, so price was a consideration. As such I needed a monitor that had VESA mounts and a variety of input connections. This Samsung is equipped with 75 mm VESA mounting holes and HDMI, DVI-D and VGA (analog) inputs.
Of note ...it comes with the DVI cable. It has a 5ms response time and though I was looking for something with 2ms, I can't see any issues or short comings from the 5ms. I would have loved it if the bezel (frame) was smaller since I'm mounting 3 side by side, but ...I couldn't get everything I wanted without paying more.
I can't subtract any stars for the HDMI issue because it is not a Samsung issue. But I suspect those who are unaware of this issue may understandably blame the monitor.
I use this monitor with the HIS Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2GB (256bit) GDDR5 2x Mini-DisplayPort HDMI 2x DVI (HDCP) PCIe X16 2.1 Video Card H695QNT2G2M.
QUALITY WITH HDMI CABLE:
The edges of the letters were not clear or sharp and looked quite blurry. I checked all of my settings, tweaking both the monitor and the GPU in Catalyst Control Center to no avail. I was understandably disappointed as I love Samsung monitors/TVs and my first assumption was that it was the monitor.
QUALITY WITH DVI CABLE:
My GPU offers multiple outputs (DVI, Mini-Display port & HDMI) so I decided to connect a DVI cable to the monitor instead of using the HDMI. Wow, That was it! That solved the problem...and apparently, it is not uncommon as I found countless references to it after searching.
BTW, it was not the actual HDMI cable itself. I am assuming it is the "processing" of the HDMI signal done by my GPU (HIS Radeon HD6950). There may be a remedy to the problem within the GPU's software settings, however, I did not find the right combination of settings to completely eliminate the fuzz when using the HDMI.
IIYAMAPLE2271HD-B, IIYAMA ProLite XB2374HDS-B1, LG M2762DP-PZ.AEK, ViewSonic VX2753mh, NEC MultiSync 26 inch, AKOYA P6612, SAMSUNG 24 inches, Apple iMac, Samsung T22A350 , Zalman ZM-M215W, HannsG 18.5 inch, Philips 240B1CS, Aqls42, NEC MultiSync V321, Philips 224EL2SB, Dell 3008WFP, Ilyama PLT1931SR-W, Iiyama 17 inch, Samsung LS27A750DS/EN, AOC e2795Vh, Acer Aspire 6930G, MEDION AKOYA P6613, MultiSync P271W, BenQ XL2410-B, LG E2770V-BF.AEU, HP Compaq LA2405wg, NEC MultiSync EA261WM, Philips 42PFL3606H, ASUS VE276Q, Samsung LS24A450BST/EN, Samsung T24A350, iiyama ProLite X2472HD, LG W2442PE-SF, Dell ST2420L , NEC SpectraView 231, Dell UltraSharp U2412M, MicroScreen 17.0 GLOSSY, AOC i2353FH
ONBOARD GRAPHICS VS. HD6950 GPU:
There was no blurry text when using my computer's onboard graphics, my problem was limited to using the monitor with an HDMI cable and my HD6950 GPU.
COMPARED WITH AN ASUS VW246W:
I ordered an ASUS VW246H 24-Inch Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black first after researching reviews. After tweaking both it and my GPU settings I didn't like the color and it lacked brightness. So...I ordered the Samsung B2430H before returning it just to be sure. I knew that was the only way I could accurately judge them... both of them in front of me at the same time. The Samsung was a clear and decisive winner (based on color and brightness) so the Asus went back. Both were tested using the HDMI cable connected to my GPU. I do not know if the effects the HDMI cable had on the Samsung (fuzzy text) could equate to poor color and brightness on the Asus so YMMV.
CONCLUSION:
Once I solved the mystery of blurry text the monitor was beautiful. Color/clarity/brightness. Obviously there is more going into the picture quality than just the quality of the monitor. GPU settings and processing can ultimately effect the picture quality. If I find a settings solution I will update my review.
TO GAMERS:
I use this monitor as part of my sim racing rig. I knew when choosing a monitor I would eventually be adding two more for a triple monitor set up, so price was a consideration. As such I needed a monitor that had VESA mounts and a variety of input connections. This Samsung is equipped with 75 mm VESA mounting holes and HDMI, DVI-D and VGA (analog) inputs.
Of note ...it comes with the DVI cable. It has a 5ms response time and though I was looking for something with 2ms, I can't see any issues or short comings from the 5ms. I would have loved it if the bezel (frame) was smaller since I'm mounting 3 side by side, but ...I couldn't get everything I wanted without paying more.
I can't subtract any stars for the HDMI issue because it is not a Samsung issue. But I suspect those who are unaware of this issue may understandably blame the monitor.
IIYAMA ProLite X2472HD-B1, Samsung S24B750HS, Matrox M9140 , Dell ST2420L, HP ZR24w, Philips 225B2CS, NEC Displays MultiSync EX231WP, ACER HN274Hbmiiid, Samsung LS27A850DS/EN, Asus VK222HE, Acer T231H, ViewSonic VG2436wm, Asus 22T1EH, LG M2350D-PZ.AEU, IIYAMA ProLite X2472HD-B1, Dell P2211H, Eizo S2100K-UK, LG M2762D, ViewSonic VX1935WM, Magenta Cyan EVA360RX, HP ZR30w, S27A950D 27IN, Philips 273E3LHSB, NEC LCD2190UXp, Dell U2410, LG M2262D-PC, LG E2770V-BF.AEK, Samsung C27A550, APC Rackmount Keyboard, ASUS MK241H, Acer Aspire 6530-5195, Asus VH232T, Apple LED Cinema, Dell U231, IIYAMA B2206WS-B1, Samsung LS23A750DS/EN, Elo 1715L, HP LP2475w, BT156GW01 V6 , Dell 23 TFT LED, LG M2780D-PZ.AEK
A few years back I was buying a monitor and had bad luck with dead pixels and poor displays trying the lower priced Acer and Viewsonic models. Then I found a Samsung on sale for around the same price and was so amazed with the screen quality. The pictures are amazing and I have never seen a dead pixel. I love their panels. I now have their 22", a 52" and a 55" 3d and just added in this 24" panel, which is the same great quality at a phenomenal sale price. For the price of 200 I give it 5 stars as it is a nice panel with great picture quality, but I do have a few complaints I will mention. The base seems to be pretty flimsy as the monitor wobbles if the desk is jarred. I'd like a swivel and a height adjustment as this one is pretty fixed but has the ability to tilt back a little. The touch buttons will take some getting used to as it may be easy to brush across the wrong one trying to find the power sensor in the dark. You wind up changing the source and getting a black screen and having to go through all the three options to return to the one you are using. The blue light right in the center bottom can get annoying as it is very noticeable especially in the dark. I have something propped over it to black it out and may wind up trying to remove that clear strip or find some other way to permanently disable the light from glaring. I was just fidgeting around with the clear strip to try and get something under it and flipped the source to HDMI ... delay ... Analog ... delay ... and back to Digital. These touch button will definitely take some getting used to. My 22 had physical buttons on the lower edge and the blue light over to the far right and I preferred that, at least after initial impressions. A little clear tape over the sensor buttons and black tape over the blue light may take care of my major annoyances. I still give it five stars for the price.
Update: the tape over the sensors did not work as these buttons work through tape, stickers or paper. I wound up putting a triple layer stripe of blue painters tape down the center of the clear bezel. This made the blue light a faint glow in the dark. Since the sensor buttons work through thin objects, I placed a small sticker with a lot of white over the power sensor so now that is easy to find even in dim lighting.
Update: the tape over the sensors did not work as these buttons work through tape, stickers or paper. I wound up putting a triple layer stripe of blue painters tape down the center of the clear bezel. This made the blue light a faint glow in the dark. Since the sensor buttons work through thin objects, I placed a small sticker with a lot of white over the power sensor so now that is easy to find even in dim lighting.
Overall this monitor is pretty nice, here is my breakdown of the features.
AOC E2795VH, Apple Cinema HD, NEC X551UN, LG 42LV3550, DELL LCD U2410, Dell Ultrasharp U2212HM, PHILIPS 234CL2SB, HP ZR2740W, Iiyama ProLite Touchscreen, LG E2750V-PN.AEU, Samsung T24A550, Iiyama Pro Lite, Lg 23 Tft, BenQ RL2450HT, HannsG HL272HPB, SAMSUNG P2770FH, Asus VE276N, HP ZR24w, Asus VW228TLB, IIYAMA B2206WS-B1, LG W2753VC-PF, EIZO 48.3cm, M2780D-PZ, Dell SP2309W, Philips 221TE2LB/00, NEC EA273WM, ASUS VE248H, PHILIPS E-line 247E3LPHSU, Acer H274HLbmid, Asus 24-inch, Samsung P2370HD, HP Compaq LA2306x, Viewsonic Value Series, LG M2380DF, Samsung SyncMaster SA450, Tyco LCD Touchmonitor, EIZO Foris FX2431-SR, Eizo S1902SH-BK
Design: 4.5/5 - The design of this monitor is pretty nice, it has a sleek glossy back finish on the casing and an antiglare finish on the actual screen. The monitor setting and controls are activated with the touch panel which is at the bottom. This is ok but the problem is when you are in low light or no light conditions it is impossible to see the buttons so this can make switching inputs or changing brightness impossible. This monitor also comes with a stand which admittedly I have never used because I bought an Ergotron LX arm Ergotron LX Desk Mount LCD Arm 45-241-026 to go with with this monitor. However from what I read (and from looking at the thing) the included stand is rather flimsy and some people have said that it causes the screen to lean forward slightly. Since I have not used this I cannot confirm or deny this, but I will say that the Ergotron arm was well worth the extra $100. I also liked the fact that this monitor has an HDMI port because I can use it as a screen for my XBOX. In addition to HDMI this monitor also supports DVI, and VGA and has an audio out for audio that comes through HDMI (no built in speakers).
Display: 4/5 - The display (the actual screen) is very nice. It has a fast response time and great color. With that said there is room for improvement. The max resolution on this monitor is 1920 X 1080, less than the 1920 X 1200 on my 17" MacBook Pro. This does aggravate me somewhat because text and lines can be rough looking. I feel like the resolution of this display a little low for a display of it's size. It does come down to your own personal opinion however and I might just be spoiled by the high res displays my MacBook and iPhone 4 have. Its also important to add that when I use this display for gaming or watching movies the picture is very crisp and not at all fuzzy or rough.
Price: 5/5 - Not much to say other than amazon's price for this monitor is pretty good.
Overall: 4.5/5 - This monitor is pretty great overall and will give you a nice viewing experience for not a lot of money. I also highly recommend the Ergotron Lx arm if you want to easily adjust your monitor and clear up room on your desk.
AOC E2795VH, Apple Cinema HD, NEC X551UN, LG 42LV3550, DELL LCD U2410, Dell Ultrasharp U2212HM, PHILIPS 234CL2SB, HP ZR2740W, Iiyama ProLite Touchscreen, LG E2750V-PN.AEU, Samsung T24A550, Iiyama Pro Lite, Lg 23 Tft, BenQ RL2450HT, HannsG HL272HPB, SAMSUNG P2770FH, Asus VE276N, HP ZR24w, Asus VW228TLB, IIYAMA B2206WS-B1, LG W2753VC-PF, EIZO 48.3cm, M2780D-PZ, Dell SP2309W, Philips 221TE2LB/00, NEC EA273WM, ASUS VE248H, PHILIPS E-line 247E3LPHSU, Acer H274HLbmid, Asus 24-inch, Samsung P2370HD, HP Compaq LA2306x, Viewsonic Value Series, LG M2380DF, Samsung SyncMaster SA450, Tyco LCD Touchmonitor, EIZO Foris FX2431-SR, Eizo S1902SH-BK
Design: 4.5/5 - The design of this monitor is pretty nice, it has a sleek glossy back finish on the casing and an antiglare finish on the actual screen. The monitor setting and controls are activated with the touch panel which is at the bottom. This is ok but the problem is when you are in low light or no light conditions it is impossible to see the buttons so this can make switching inputs or changing brightness impossible. This monitor also comes with a stand which admittedly I have never used because I bought an Ergotron LX arm Ergotron LX Desk Mount LCD Arm 45-241-026 to go with with this monitor. However from what I read (and from looking at the thing) the included stand is rather flimsy and some people have said that it causes the screen to lean forward slightly. Since I have not used this I cannot confirm or deny this, but I will say that the Ergotron arm was well worth the extra $100. I also liked the fact that this monitor has an HDMI port because I can use it as a screen for my XBOX. In addition to HDMI this monitor also supports DVI, and VGA and has an audio out for audio that comes through HDMI (no built in speakers).
Display: 4/5 - The display (the actual screen) is very nice. It has a fast response time and great color. With that said there is room for improvement. The max resolution on this monitor is 1920 X 1080, less than the 1920 X 1200 on my 17" MacBook Pro. This does aggravate me somewhat because text and lines can be rough looking. I feel like the resolution of this display a little low for a display of it's size. It does come down to your own personal opinion however and I might just be spoiled by the high res displays my MacBook and iPhone 4 have. Its also important to add that when I use this display for gaming or watching movies the picture is very crisp and not at all fuzzy or rough.
Price: 5/5 - Not much to say other than amazon's price for this monitor is pretty good.
Overall: 4.5/5 - This monitor is pretty great overall and will give you a nice viewing experience for not a lot of money. I also highly recommend the Ergotron Lx arm if you want to easily adjust your monitor and clear up room on your desk.
DELL UltraSharp 2007FP, SAMSUNG S23A750D, ASUS VS239H, Samsung SyncMaster 460DRN, Asus VH228H, NEC MultiSync LCD2090UXI, Dell P2310H, Sony FWD-S47H1, Eizo FS2331WH-BK, B156XW02, Dell G2410, Dell Ultrasharp U2412M, LG DM2350D-PZ, LG IPS236V-PN, LG W2284f, iiyama B2475HDS, ASUS VE247H, HP ZR30w, ASUS VE278Q, BenQ EW2730V, Eizo S1921XSH-BK-UK, ASUS VE276Q, HP Compaq LA2405wg, Philips Brilliance 245P2ES, Acer Aspire 6920-6898, Samsung B1930HD, Ilyama PLC1911S-B, DELL U2412M, PHILIPS 23.6IN E/L, Hannspree SE40LMNB, Hannsghz281hpb, NEC EA232WMI, NEC LCD2190UXP, DELL OptX AW2310, Samsung SyncMaster P2770H, Philips Monitor, Samsung P2270HD