• Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Surround Sound Headphones Review
• LG Electronics Flatron L1980Q LCD Review
• LITEON LVC-9006 DVD and VHS Recorder Review

Samsung SyncMaster 915n LCD Review

Company:

Samsung, www.samsung.com

Price:

Average retail price is about $439 US.

Ratings

Price:
Install/Setup:
Usability:
Support:
Average Rating:

Pros:

• Crisp, crystal clear viewing
• Very simple setup
• 8 ms response time

Cons:

• No digital input

Getting Started

Just this week Samsung launched the 915n LCD display. It appears to be the first 8ms (millisecond) response display available on the market. There are quite a few 12 and 16 ms models available in both 17" and 19" displays. Samsung just upped the pressure to all manufactures with the launch of this 8ms 19" display.

Now you might be asking... Should that 8ms response time mean anything to me? Have you read on forums or in reviews people arguing if response time is important? The short answer is yes. Response time is important. The longer answer is it depends on the user as to if you really need a faster response time. But the easy answer is if you can buy a display such as the Samsung 915n 19" LCD for about the same price as a similar 19" LCD with a 12 or a 16 or even a 20 ms response time wouldn't you? I know I would.

The faster response time will give you more bang for your buck, especially if you like to watch movies or play games on your computer. A faster response time ensures better performance and produces smoother edges, clearer images and a more natural image response. Response time is a critical factor that you should consider when purchasing an LCD monitor. When viewing motion video on displays with slower response times, you may see images that appear to “ghost” or look generally out of focus. Samsung’s MagicSpeed offers the ideal solution for viewing motion video on an LCD and offers the best image quality and response time for an optimized viewing experience.

When we test displays, we include general office application usage, movie viewing, and gaming. As I write this I am using this 915n display. Whites are clear and brightness is easy to adjust reducing the wear on my eyes when using an office application or when surfing the internet. Action movies with many different and individual moving parts in the scene are ideal for testing the display and specifically the response time. Gaming at high resolutions and using graphic intensive games such as Far Cry also are ideal for testing performance and response of a display. In this case we watched clips from several movies including iRobot, Matrix (all 3), and the Last Samurai which all offer scenes with extreme action and rich colors that test the ability of the display to render. Far Cry the action game also offers the chance to see the benefits of a fast response time. Movie scenes and scenes from the game where shell casing are being ejected from a weapon are spectacular on this display. You see the edges of the casings. In other scenes of both movie and game blades of grass or shattering glass look real and crisp. The fast response time allows you to see this. With a slower response time these are all more blurry.

As with most displays, set up of the 915n is very simple. Connect the 15-pin cable to your video card, plug in the power cable, turn on your computer, install the drivers and included software, and you are up and running. Right from power up you will notice the crisp clear quality of the display.

Click on picture to enlarge image

The SyncMaster 915n continues Samsung’s tradition of offering consumers added value to its award-winning family of displays without charging a premium price. The monitor features Samsung’s proprietary MagicTune software and MagicBright technology. MagicTune, a true launching pad for future technology, enables you to have full control over all display features with extensive color adjustment capability per an individual’s personal viewing criteria. This produces the best front of screen performance for the optimal personalized viewing experience. MagicTune allows you the ability to save the various personalized display profiles for whatever environment or mode you are in. MagicTune gives you the ability to adjust the monitor’s various settings with a simple click of a mouse -- all of this functionality is completed with no additional cable or interface -- MagicTune communication is completed through the video cable. This is a more user-friendly and accurate method to adjust the display’s settings to each users own personalized preference and working environment.

Samsung has also incorporated its MagicBright technology into the new SyncMaster 915n. MagicBright allows you to change the brightness of the display to adjust to various applications with the simple push of one button. MagicBright offers settings for text computing, viewing video on the Internet and for entertainment applications such as gaming, video streaming or even viewing DVD’s on your display through your computer.

Specifications

Adding It All Up

The Samsung SyncMaster 915n sets the bar for LCD displays. The only negative thing we can say is it is only available without a digital input. But the quality you get and can discern with the naked eye is still quite excellent with the analog input. The 8ms response time coupled with the long standing quality you get from Samsung make the 915n the display to get, especially if you game or like to watch movies. At the very competitive price of just over $400 US, why buy anything else?

Because of the excellent quality and super-fast 8ms response time at a tremendously low price, we are awarding the Samsung SyncMaster 915n LCD the UpgradAdvisor.com Recommended Upgrade seal of approval!!!

Discuss this in our Forum

Need to search for a different product or additional info?

	Web www.upgradeadvisor.com