zero002021
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2004
- Messages
- 1,317
I recently received the Samsung 215TW for my birthday. Ive noticed that this monitor doesnt seem to have as popular a following as the Dell or Viewsonic widescreen offerings, as is apparent by the lack of reviews and impressions on these forums. I figured I would give my impressions and help out those looking for more information on this display. I have tested the Samsung 215TW with DVDs, Satellite TV, and an Xbox 360. My photography skills are a little lacking, but I tried to get the best shots I could of this monitor in action. If anyone has any requests for shots, such as GameCube, Playstation 2, original Xbox, gradient tests, etc. just let me know and I will do my best to provide shots upon request. Here we go:
*Once again, I would like to note that my photography skills are lacking and my camera is kind of old, so a lot of this stuff looks better in person than it does in my shots.*
Last Updated: August 11, 2006
Before Testing & Desktop:
DVDs:
DVDs looked fairly good on the Samsung 215TW. There was no apparent trailing or ghosting and the image quality was great, all things considered (DVD isnt high-definition, after all). Colors are vibrant and black/whites are pretty good for an LCD.
Shrek:
The Lion King:
V for Vendetta:
Satellite TV:
I dont have a high-definition Dish Network box in my bedroom (its in the basement), so I could only test standard definition signals. I have to admit, standard-definition satellite TV looked a lot better than I expected it to on the Samsung 215TW.
The Colbert Report:
The Simpsons:
PC Games:
I didnt really test too many PC games, but I believe the two I tested are important titles. First, Prey is based off of the Doom 3 engine and takes place in mostly dark environments. This allowed me to test the monitors ability to handle darker games, and it did so extremely well. I also tested Unreal Tournament 2004, as the game has bright, vibrant environments and plays at a fast-rate, allowing me to test the monitors response time and trailing. Again, the Samsung 215TW passed with flying colors.
Prey:
Unreal Tournament 2004:
Xbox 360:
The following are images of the Xbox 360 running on the Samsung 215TW via component cables set to 1080i. Based on the impressions of others, I thought it was going to be too dark and unplayable, but it's actually fine. The image quality isn't perfect, but thats what the Xbox 360 VGA connector is for. Please note that the Xbox 360 looks A LOT better in person running on the monitor than these shots show. My picture taking skills are lacking and my camera isn't helping any .
*Once again, I would like to note that my photography skills are lacking and my camera is kind of old, so a lot of this stuff looks better in person than it does in my shots.*
Last Updated: August 11, 2006
Before Testing & Desktop:
DVDs:
DVDs looked fairly good on the Samsung 215TW. There was no apparent trailing or ghosting and the image quality was great, all things considered (DVD isnt high-definition, after all). Colors are vibrant and black/whites are pretty good for an LCD.
Shrek:
The Lion King:
V for Vendetta:
Satellite TV:
I dont have a high-definition Dish Network box in my bedroom (its in the basement), so I could only test standard definition signals. I have to admit, standard-definition satellite TV looked a lot better than I expected it to on the Samsung 215TW.
The Colbert Report:
The Simpsons:
PC Games:
I didnt really test too many PC games, but I believe the two I tested are important titles. First, Prey is based off of the Doom 3 engine and takes place in mostly dark environments. This allowed me to test the monitors ability to handle darker games, and it did so extremely well. I also tested Unreal Tournament 2004, as the game has bright, vibrant environments and plays at a fast-rate, allowing me to test the monitors response time and trailing. Again, the Samsung 215TW passed with flying colors.
Prey:
Unreal Tournament 2004:
Xbox 360:
The following are images of the Xbox 360 running on the Samsung 215TW via component cables set to 1080i. Based on the impressions of others, I thought it was going to be too dark and unplayable, but it's actually fine. The image quality isn't perfect, but thats what the Xbox 360 VGA connector is for. Please note that the Xbox 360 looks A LOT better in person running on the monitor than these shots show. My picture taking skills are lacking and my camera isn't helping any .