Samsung SyncMaster 915N: 8ms Response Times
by Kristopher Kubicki on May 25, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Displays
Conclusions
Even before we get into specifics about the SyncMaster 915N, we should give some credit to the panel, the LTM190EX. Compared to other 19" panels that we have recently reviewed, Samsung's TN display outperforms similar solutions from AUO, CMO and LG.Philips hands down. Response time between each of these panels is quite negligible, but when compared to the 25ms LTM190E4 used in our highly recommended Dell UltraSync 1905FP, the difference is night and day. However, the factor that sets the LTM190EX apart from the rest is the better viewing angle and color reproduction. We are very critical when it comes to color reproduction - particularly on 6-bit displays - but the LTM190EX at least leads the pack compared to the alternatives. Other low response time LCDs on the market right now use this same panel, such as Hyundai's ImageQuest L90D+. However, ImageQuest displays use different panels per region and per availability sometimes, so your mileage may vary.The SyncMaster 915N is a competitive display, but not the best on the block. For those who have never purchased an LCD before, the SyncMaster 915N might be a better transitional display than our highly recommended Dell 1905FP, but only due to the response time. Gaming on this display was great in comparison to all of the displays that we have reviewed in the past and color depth is accurate enough that it isn't distracting. If the SyncMaster 915N is the first LCD display that you've ever used, the experience will be quite good. Coupled with the relatively low price and low power consumption, this monitor is a great buy. For those who are buying their 2 nd or 3 rd LCD, we still recommend the Dell UltraSharp 1905FP because it is slightly cheaper, provides a DVI interface and has a much cleaner color replication. Samsung's strongest asset, user interface, went a long way with this display. If only this display had a DVI interface, and perhaps a software package like LG's forteManager, we could have easily seen this display earning more recognition than it did.
As Samsung LCD continues to steal some of the fire from LG.Philips LCD (particularly in the high end displays), 2005 and 2006 will undoubtedly see more features and lower prices across the board. Now that Sony and Samsung are working together on 7-G substrate production, the last big production foundries (AUO, CMO, LG.Philips) are going to have to work on some innovative solutions if they don't want the LCD market to turn into a two-man race.
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yacoub - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
Okay so I'm looking for a 17"-19" viewable 8-bit 8ms LCD panel. Who makes them?(Getting tired of seeing reviews for 6bit panels.)
yacoub - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
PrinceXizor - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
I'm having trouble understanding your contrast ratio chart?I assume higher white numbers are better and lower black numbers are better.
This panel has the second lowest black number (2.6) in you chart, yet, you don't like it and pronounce it "not dark enough".
I'm confused?
P-X
Spacecomber - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
Keep the LCD reviews coming, since this is an area of computer products that is only going to continue to grow for the forseeable future. Hopefully, as reviewers get more familiar with these monitors they will be able to tease them apart the way they do when they discuss a motherboard or a graphics card, discussing the components that make up the product and how these have an impact on performance. Just as knowing whose chipset and what audio solution is being used on a motherboard tells you a lot about what to expect from a motherboard, knowing more about the panel and the circuitry being used with an LCD will eventually be a big tip-off as to what to expect from a LCD. Anandtech is already moving along this route by taking the time to disassemble and confirm what is being used in the constrution of the LCDs they review.As noted, the real competition for this monitor might be from the Hyundai L90D+, at least as long as it is using the same (presumably) panel as the 915N, since it does come with DVI. The other competitor that may make the 915N obsolete is the recently released Samsung 930B (as also noted above). Actually, a side by side comparison of the L90D+ and the 930B might be interesting, since it would allow us to see if we need to look a bit beyond just what panel is being used in a monitor and ask whether the supporting circuitry also makes a significant difference in final quality of a LCD's image.
(As mentioned previously, one of the disappointments for me in the Dell 19005FP, compared to the Samsung models, was the lack of ability to make adjustments to the monitor's image with the OSD controls. This really hurt the Dell 1905FP in my eyes, despite it using the same panel as the Samsung 193P.)
Finally, it might be worthwhile to look a bit more at the viewing angles when reviewing LCDs, especially when discussing TN panels, since my understanding is that this has always been a weak point for TN monitors.
You can see this in the specifications that Samsung lists for the panel used in this monitor (the link is given in this article in the first line of the page titled, Panel). On that page Samsung list the monitor's viewing angles as 75/60/75/75 (U/D/L/R), which seem more realistic than those given for the monitor, itself. Notice in particular how the when viewing the panel from below the viewing angle is less than from any other angle, this is characteristic of TN panels.
It seems to me that the narrow angles of a TN panel coupled with a stand that has very little ability to pivot (as with the 915N) could become a problem in actual use.
Space
arswihart - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
shiznit - he just recommended it in the latest buyer's guide and he just reminded you that he didshiznit - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
if you want this exact same display but with DVI and pivot, get yourself a Hyundai L90D+, which has been out for some time and somehow anand never noticed.Zebo - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
" However, as TN displays appear to be the only ones that can really offer substantially better response times than SIPS displays made by LG.Philips LCD"I've read every article at anandtech for four years and don't know what you're talking about... How about spelling out acronyms like TN and SIPS to make articles more inviting.:-)
Murst - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
I've been using my 193P for 10 months now. Still no reason to change, and the fact that I got it so long ago and still nothin' better (both looks and quality) has come out during that time proves to me it was a great purchase =)I really wish manufacturers would keep on designing stuff which looks like the 193P though. It probably doesn't cost that much more, and it makes a huge difference on the desk. This 915N looks like crap.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
4 - Which is why I recommended the Hyundai in the recent Buyer's Guide. The problem is that Hyundai could switch panels at any time, which could suddenly make the L90D+ a poor choice. Anyway, 6-bit color isn't great, but for gaming the panels are really nice.IceWindius - Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - link
This is the same TN panel they use in the Hyundai L90D+ which I own and it totally freaking rocks!