Samsung SyncMaster 305T 30-inch LCD Monitor

by Samsung

• 30-inch monitor offers a 178-degree vertical and horizontal viewing angle
• Millions of colors deliver a clearer, brighter image
• 1000:1 contrast ratio and 0.270-millimeter pixel pitch produce crisp, easy-to-view images
• Samsung MagicContrast processes high-contrast ratios to guarantee an abundant palette of color
• Connectivity features a Dual DVI digital link input video signal

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 31 x 23 x 14 inches ; 33.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 33.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NB7S0G
• Item model number: 305T
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,353 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com

Similar to the smaller-screened SyncMaster series monitors, the Samsung 305T SyncMaster 30-Inch Large Format Digital LCD Monitor offers razor-sharp image clarity and a host of innovative features, but with some serious extra width. Take the next step with the 305T SyncMaster and bring the world into your home or office with greater clarity than before. The image quality of the massive, 30-inch screen offers wide viewing angles with bright colors for a very favorable viewing experience. With a wider viewing angle (178-degree vertical and horizontal viewing angle) Samsung makes sure you can see objects on your screen even when you're leaning over to grab a snack.

With millions of colors bombarding your rods and cones, you'll be impressed with the clearer, brighter imagery that this wide spectrum monitor has to offer. Another impressive feature of the 305T is the pixel pitch, or the distance between pixels. This specification is usually measured in millimeters, and the smaller the pitch the sharper the image. Samsung offers a remarkable 0.250-millimeter pixel pitch for outstanding image clarity. The most talked about spec associated with LCD monitors is the measure of the difference of brightness levels between the brightest white and the darkest dark--the contrast ratio. With a contrast ration of 1000:1, this monitor assures crisp, easy-to-view images. Lastly, Samsung has designed this monitor with MagicContrast to process high-contrast ratios to guarantee an abundant palette of perfect color. Whether you're watching movies or videos with color-rich images, this monitor is the perfect choice.

Other features include compatibility with all major operating systems and a quick 8ms response time that virtually eliminates the "blur" that is present in 25, 16, and 12ms monitors (this is especially good news for gamers). Speaking of a gaming, this monitor is compatible with the Nvidia Geforce 7900GT, GeForce 7800, GeForce 7600, Quadro FX3000 (AGP Type) ATI Radeon X1900XTX, Radeon X1900XT, and Radeon X1800XT graphic cards for some serious large-format gaming action. Connectivity is also important when choosing a monitor. The 305T features a Dual DVI digital link input video signal, a separate H/V sync-type input, and a DV-D (dual link) input connector.

Product Description

30" Monitor (30.0 VIS) Input: Dual DVI Digital Link Seperate H/V DVI-D (Dual Link); Pixeln Pitch: 0.250mm; Brightness: 400cd/m2; Contrast Ratio: (1000:1); Viewing Angle: 178/178; Response Time: 6ms (GtoG); Resolution: 2560 x 1600@60Hz; Bezel Color:Black; Special Feature: PC: DVI-D (Dual-Link) Mechanical S/W Power built in USB 2.0 (1up 4down) Compatible graphic card: Nvidia GeForce 7900GT GeForce 7800 GeForce 7600 Quadro FX3000 (AGP Type) ATI Radeon X1900XTX Radeon X1900XT Radeon X1800XT Height Adjustable & Swivel & Tilt;

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

280 of 285 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Epic Performance -- But NOT Worth the RISK! December 24, 2008

By Brendan Getchel

I purchased my Samsung SyncMaster 305T back in October 2007 from a reputable, massive online retailer. At that time I was trying to decide between competing 30-inch displays from Dell, HP, and Samsung. They all seemed to perform more-or-less identically, for all practical purposes, so I went with the best price, which was the 305T. I have owned two Samsung displays in the past, one still ticking and one inexplicably dying mere days after warranty expiration, so I was 50/50 with my Samsung Experience thusfar. From the time my display arrived until September 14, 2008 I was ecstatic with the display. Performance was stellar and I had little to gripe about with the 305T outside of a few minor nitpicks.

Until...

It was September 14, 2008 and, without notice, as I was performing the mundane task of reading the morning's emails, the 305T began displaying thin vertical pinstripes. A few moments later it began a strobe-like, headache-inducing flicker. Just to be certain it was the display I tried it on a second computer, and then with a new Dual-link DVI cable. Nothing worked. The 305T carries a full three (3) year warranty, and since I was a few days under just the first year I figured Samsung would take care of it in a jiffy, so on October 19 I called Samsung to report the malfunction and Samsung indeed *appeared* to take the matter seriously (Samsung Transaction #4002638415, if anyone from Samsung is reading). I was told that they would ship a replacement ASAP to my nearest UPS store where, upon arrival, I could simply bring my faulty unit into the store and physically exchange it for the new one and the UPS store would return it in the box at no charge to me! WOW! What a novel solution!

Or so I thought...

Over one full *month* passed without hearing a word, so I called Samsung to check on the exchange status, at which time I was informed that Samsung themselves were OUT OF STOCK (though the 305T was in stock at every major retailer I checked with) and they would have to issue me a full refund of the purchase price instead. Well... I supposed, though it certainly would have been nice if someone had notified me sooner. Samsung then informed me that they would be emailing me a "UPS Return Shipment" tag and I was to ship the unit back using that tag. Well, yet *another* full MONTH passed with no tag. I phoned weekly looking for status updates, until the tag finally arrived in my email inbox. That very same day, having long-since packaged the 305T for its return trip, I affixed the label and sent it out (same day, mind you). According to UPS tracking (and the Samsung website) Samsung received my defective 305T on 11/17/2008. I telephoned to make sure Samsung was aware of the received return and requested they hasten my refund, since it had now been TWO full months at that time since initial contact.

Well, here we are, Christmas Eve Day, December 24, 2008, well over THREE FULL MONTHS and counting, with multiple weekly calls to Samsung's "Executive Customer Relations" ("ECR") department and we're no closer to a resolution. No refund, no replacement, no contact whatsoever from Samsung! They claim that they have everything necessary to complete the refund, copy of original [..] (who, by the way, refused to publish my somewhat negative review so as not to affect sales) purchase receipt, returned unit, all paperwork, etc, but they have no idea why the refund is taking so long (their "refund department" is completely separate from their "ECR" department)! They have my $1,200.00, my defective 305T, and conservatively 7-8 full hours of my time (getting through to ECR takes ~20 minutes per call, plus another 10-20 of being put on hold to "check" for various things).

So, I make my way to good, old Google to see whether I am an isolated incident or have fellow miserable Samsung "customers."

UGH! My heart sank.

It would appear that my experience is not atypical, but rather seems to be the standard approach of Samsung when dealing with warranty service, exchanges, or refunds. Most people wait and wait and wait and may never receive either an exchange or a refund and are left with a defective, *in-warranty* product!

I'm not a negative reviewer. I'm not a hot-head. I truly try to find an amicable resolution to all problems or conflicts. This is why I waited until CHRISTMAS EVE -- over three (3) full months -- before reaching a point where I felt compelled to respond publically.

Samsung may make nice products, while they work (my upright Washer/Dryer are also Samsung from 2007 -- now I am worried), but if you value any support I can not stress enough how imperative it is to avoid a company that conducts themselve in an egregiously disreputable manner...

...Samsung.

111 of 113 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Stupid me... December 8, 2008

By kurtis

Amazon Verified Purchase

Update: After writing an email to the President of Samsung USA, 2 PR people that work at the firm responsible for Samsung's account I finally got a response from Samsung other then telling me to wait and they would get to it whenever. All in all it took me four+ months and several hours on the phone to get a refund. I have to give them credit, once I wrote the people mentioned above someone called me the next day and shortly after my conversation with her I finally received a shipping label in my email to send the monitor back. I received the refund 3-4 weeks later. Last time I ever buy Samsung.

-----------------------------
Poor product with no customer service.

First as promised to Jennifer (Executive Customer Service Supervisor): the phone number for Exec Service # 800-522-7341 & fax # [phone]

My first three (3) 305T monitors had problems right out of the box and my fourth (4th) worked for 8 months and then died. (Please note that all of these monitors were purchased brand new from three different retailers: Amazon, Newegg, B&H Photo).

Monitor #1 didn't work at all. Monitor #2: had a row of dead pixels that went from side to side of the monitor horizontally (my screen looked like it had a divider between the top and the bottom). Monitor #3 made bubbling noises whenever it was turned on. Monitor 4 worked great for about 8 months and then one day started rapidly flashing (not a typical flicker, but more like the monitor was going on and off) so bad that I had a terrible migraine after about 15 seconds. Now I've had the joy (sarcasm) of contacting Samsung's Executive Service (ECS).

I first contacted Samsung executive customer service (ECS) September 12th and informed them that ideally they would like my money refunded. A few weeks after I had performed the steps requested by ECS (faxing my receipts in, etc) I called to check the status, and apparently my claim has been closed; no explanation could be given as to why. As a result I was forced to start over (this is early October). Skip ahead (past several phone calls and once of Samsung "not being able to find the receipts I submitted to them") to November 12th, I am approved for a refund since Samsung has no 305T monitors in stock to replace mine with (never mind that fact that this was my 4th one and I have provided Samsung with all of my receipts). I'm told that I should receive a shipping label to send my monitor back and should have a refund within 14-21 days from the Nov. 12th. As of this morning (December 8th) I have yet to receive a return shipping label and have heard the same pitch from ECS reps over and over again ("I am not sure what the delay is, but I will contact the refund department and CC their and my supervisor on the message."). So today I try a new tactic: I ask to speak to an ECR supervisor. Jennifer comes on the phone and tells me quite rudely that I "need to be patient" and that I "have only been waiting since October 12th". I inform Jennifer that I actually called in September 12th to which she interrupts me and informs me that date is irrelevant and that the delay is caused do to the (untrue) fact that I exchanged the monitor with a retailer originally (and I need to be more patient). Next, I tell Jennifer to look at all four receipts I submitted, as she will notice that none of the monitors were exchanged and each was made in separate purchases. Jennifer pauses for a minute and then tells me that the refund department does not typically issue refunds, they typically issue exchanges, so that is the reason for the delay and that I need to be more patient. (If you do a little research you will find out that others have been told they will receive refunds, so that process doesn't seem to uncommon.) We speak a little bit more with the end result being: I still don't know when I will receive a refund, but apparently I need to learn to be more patient and how much time it takes is irrelevant (at least to Samsung and their Executive Customer Service rep supervisors, such as Jennifer). Also, as I promised Jennifer I am posting the direct line to ECR: 800.522.7341 & ECR's fax [phone] in case anyone wants it. My next step: I guess will most likely filing a small claims suit against Samsung if I don't receive anything by the end of December.

I hope this information helps. If anyone has any advice/tips it would be greatly appreciated

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Mine broke after 9 months. TERRIBLE WARRANTY SUPPORT July 9, 2008

By Derbydano

Correction. This gets zero stars. I loved this monitor. I wrote several positive 5 star reviews about it. Then it broke with a bang and a flash, right in my face. I called Samsung right away. They said a repair guy would come out to fix it. After 4 days with no contact, I called back. They said no one will be coming to fix it. A replacement will be sent to me and I have to mail the broken one to them to them. I waited for the replacement unit for two weeks. I called Samsung. They said no replacement would be sent. They want to issue a refund. They said it would be a 4 days before I get a shipping label from them, and then after they receive the broken monitor, 21 days before I see a check. I asked to speak with someone in case management. They said it would be sometime next week before they call me back. Incidentally, my 5 month old Samsung 42" plasma TV also broke. A local contractor did come out to service it right away, but never again will I buy a Samsung. Their stuff breaks, and they do not live up to the warranty as described in the manual. THE WORST SUPPORT IN THE WORLLLLLLD!!!!