Samsung SyncMaster 172X
17 inch LCD Monitor Review!
Fast Response Time (12ms).
Samsung SyncMaster 172X:
LCD's monitors have become very popular in the computer
marketplace these days. They are look sleek, cool,
elegant and perfect for a small desk or a cramped
office, LCD monitors can even be hung on your wall.
I bought my first LCD monitor two years ago and it
doubled my free desk space, which has been filled
with more computer gadgets.
Unfortunately LCD monitors have long
been plagued by poor response rates that aggravated
the eyes and making them a chore to use. The after-image
or ghost image made gaming or watching fast pace DVD
movies impossible on some of the older LCD monitors
but, LCD monitor technology has improved. Today's
26ms models still show a little ghost image during
games. Samsung SyncMaster 172X, has pushing the envelope
with an impressive 12ms response rate,
grate for fast pace gaming.
The SyncMaster 172X by Samsung has a
12ms pixel response time; this would put this monitor
in the top of the list of high performance monitors!
This fast response monitor is grate for gamers and
for watching action DVD movies. It features a narrow
bezel slim design, no side speakers, with dual
CPU inputs and a super fast response
time (12ms).
The SyncMaster 172X LCD monitor came
in a small box, at first I though they had delivered
the wrong order. SyncMaster 172X monitor came well
packed in a mass of styrofoam protection, and folds
flat as to take little room. After I open the package
I was happy to see that Samsung had provided me with
everything I needed, cables and all. It came with
both a DVI cable and regular old VGA cable, the power
adaptor, a mounting plate (for wall installation)
and the required screws, a user manual, and a CD with
the drivers and software.
Updated 7/14/04: The
Samsung SyncMaster 172X LCD monitor has become my
favorite monitor, After two months of using the SyncMaster
I can say it's running good and I can see the picture
quality even more now. Samsung SyncMaster picture
quality compared to my six months older LCD monitor
is like night and day. Samsung plans to release a
new 12Mms 19 LCD monitor this year, and I can't wait
to get one.
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The following is included with this
monitor;
- 1 VGA Cable
- 1 Power Cable
- 1 Power Brick
- 1 MagicTune Software CD/Driver CD
- Warranty Information & Quick Setup Guide
- Wall Mount Bracket & screws.
The SyncMaster 172X most noticeable
visual characteristics is its small design: W 14.5"
x H 14.3" x D 7.6", and weighs in at a about
11.lbs.
The specs are 17” viewable screen
which has a pixel pitch of 0.264, with a viewing angle
of 160/140, and a brightness level of 270 cd/m2. We
find a max resolution of 1280x1024 and a max refresh
rate of 75hz. The last spec which will be of interest
to many of our readers is its 500:1 contrast ratio.
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The Specs
* Viewable Image Size: 17"
* Contrast Ratio: 500:1
* Brightness: 270 cd/m2
* Pixel Pitch (mm): 0.264
* Response: 12ms
* Colours Supported 16.2 Million
* Interface: Analog/Digital
* Max/Native Resolution: 1280 x 1024
* Viewing Angle (H/V): 160/140
* Power On/Working (Watts) 40
* Dimensions: (WxHxD): 14.5" x 14.3" x 7.6"
* Wall Mount: VESA®: 75mm
* Available Color(s): Silver
* Special Features: Ultra Narrow Bezel, dual CPU input,
dual hinge, fast response time, MagicTuneTM, MagicBrightTM
* Warranty Parts 3 / Labor 3 / Backlight 3 (yrs)
The setting up of the SyncMaster 172x
was very EZ. I just had to plugged in the power brick
and the power cord, connected the Syncmaster to my
PC video card and then installed an updated driver.
If you decide to use of the included Wall mount kit,
this would take more time.
As you can see from the pictures, the
172X is very flexible . The dual hinges gives you
a great deal of adjustability. This will allow you
to find the best viewing angle for your comfort. You
may also adjust the height of the monitor, reducing
the neck strain.
Along the bottom
- front of the bezel you will find the buttons
for (Left-Right) Auto – Exit – Menu –
Power – (-/+) - Magic Bright. Most of these
should be self explanatory.
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Auto: Automatically adjusts your screen
to auto-fit properly. +/-: Used for adjusting brightness
quickly and used when in the OSD.
Magic Bright: This is a good feature
Samsung’s used on a few of their LCD’s
monitors. This allows the user to choose between 4
pre defined brightness levels (User Defined, Text
(darkest), Internet (bright), Entertainment (Brightest)
MagicTuneTM Software: SyncMaster 172X
software package. It's a program called MagicTuneTM,
it's basically a Windows application that allows you
to control all the settings of the Samsung monitor
on your system. The MagicTuneTM program also giving
you wizards and assistants that help you fully calibrate
you monitor.
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The SyncMaster 172X color uniformity
was perfect!, there was no variations in the intensity
of the primary colors, text was sharp and clear. The
SyncMaster 172X had no dead pixels that I could find
after three weeks. I though I had found one dead pixel
but, it was just a spot of cola that I cleaned off.
The black was very close to black, there is no leakage
or intensity variation from the back light, producing
a uniform black display and further enhancing color
uniformity.
The Good!
* Stylish and small
* 12ms pixel response
* Dual CPU inputs
* Incredibly adjustable
* Good software package, Innovative MagicTuneTM program
* Super desktop performance
* Samsung build quality through
* 3 years parts and labor
Manufacturer: Samsung
Electronics
Samsung SyncMaster 172x - 17 inch LCD
Price: $590. to $690.
Date: April 27, 2004
Samsung SyncMaster 172X
at Amazon.com $505. + free shipping!
