131 of 147 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent TV, not a monitor
I purchased the T240HD for usage as a computer monitor because of a long history with Samsung monitors being absolutely top notch. Unfortunately this product while being pitched as a monitor, makes a great TV but not a great monitor.
The resolution is very good (1920x1200) and it's very attractive and stylish.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
Great except for one major problem.
The major problem is a buzzing sound when I turn down the brightness. This is totally unacceptable when using this as a monitor, since being so close to the screen, the buzzing is clearly heard and very annoying. In monitor mode (PC and DVI modes), the buzzing starts when the brightness is set below 90.
In TV and HDMI modes, the buzzing starts when the...
I purchased the T240HD for usage as a computer monitor because of a long history with Samsung monitors being absolutely top notch. Unfortunately this product while being pitched as a monitor, makes a great TV but not a great monitor.
The resolution is very good (1920x1200) and it's very attractive and stylish.
There is no vertical height adjustment (typical for a TV but important to have in a monitor). Your desk / monitor stand had better be at just the right height. The edge is highly reflective and creates bad glare around the picture in a work environment. The adjustments are typical TV adjustments but not monitor adjustments (there is no horizontal or vertical position adjustment).
I've used Samsung monitors for many years and recommend them to my clients. When I finally purchased a HDTV I bought a 46" Samsung which is excellent. The T240HD makes a great HDTV but I regret purchasing it as a computer monitor.
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Pros: First of all, this monitor arrived with no dead/stuck pixels. The performance is solid: no noticeable blurring during movies & games, good color accuracy, and reasonable viewing angles for a TN panel. When using HDMI, you can set the picture mode to 16:9, so HD signals retain their aspect ratio (aka black bars on top & bottom of screen). This feature is not available in the non-HD model, the T240. Also, the TV tuner works great. There seem to be rumors of this monitor having high input lag - even if that's true, it's not noticeable at all to me. Relatively low energy consumption is a big plus. Did I mention...the bezel looks awesome!
Cons: A bit pricey - you're paying extra for the HDTV tuner and the artwork (which IMO is worth it because it's rare to see such elegance in monitors). Slight backlight bleed on the edges (all LCDs will have this, unless they're LED backlit). Probably a pro, but this monitor's way too bright on default settings - had to turn it down to 30-40 for my eyes. The T240 has a USB hub, this one doesn't. Lacks height & rotate adjustments.
The bottom line: If you want a 24" high-performance TN panel monitor that also has a sleek design, go for this and pay the extra ~$50-100 for it; you'll also get an HDTV tuner. If all you care about is performance, look at other Samsungs; or an HP, Dell, Acer, or BenQ.
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First, to the the guy that gave this monitor 2 stars, you need to give yourself 2 stars for your own logic. Samsung never marketed this monitor as a reference monitor for video editing. It plainly states it is an HDTV monitor it's not a LaCie or an Eizo. Folks, all I can say is forget that review. This hdtv/monitor works extremely well as a standard pc monitor. The image is crisp and clear at the native resolution (1920*1200) and the colors are great. I also use this as a gaming display for my 360/PS3 and that is where it really shines. Plenty of adjustments on both the component and hdmi inputs to get the color/contrast/brightness to my liking. What I really enjoy are the scaling opitions. It can be set to a full screen mode so it slighty stretches a 1080p image vertically or 16:9 mode which keeps the aspect ration and letterboxs the image and the best mode which is sought after on many displays is "just scan" This is 1:1 pixel mapping. No stretching and no overscan. Many options here to get a great image. As a pc/gaming display its really hard to beat. No input lag that I can feel either. Get it if you've got the cash!!
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I purchased this for a future proof TV, a Blu-Ray Player for the Playstation 3, and some video editing. I think for $500 this has to be the best value option in the HD market right now. Even if it is a TFT panel monitor.
Two picture options are available for HD aspect ratio: 16:9 setting, and "just scan," which appear identical to each other, both having letterbox on top and bottom so that you get full 1920X1080p HD.
The HDTV QAM/ATSC tuner included is great. A cheaper alternative to full hd picture if you don't want to settle for 720p. I have adjusted the color through the TV settings and also using the my laptops display calibration tool.
Scanned for channels and was be able able to receive several HD channels outputting in 1080i and 720p.
Bottom Line: monitor works great for hdmi (2inputs) full hd1080p use (albiet a TFT display which will cause viewing angles to be somewhat restricted depending on lighting conditions and distance/angle of viewing between the you and the monitor)], good for a PS3 use or any hdmi console, it can hook up to your laptop as a monitor, a bonus of the great HDTV built in-tuner, w/ digital optical out sound hookup as well for under $600.
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The major problem is a buzzing sound when I turn down the brightness. This is totally unacceptable when using this as a monitor, since being so close to the screen, the buzzing is clearly heard and very annoying. In monitor mode (PC and DVI modes), the buzzing starts when the brightness is set below 90.
In TV and HDMI modes, the buzzing starts when the backlight is set below 9 (10 is the maximum). There is another control called "brightness", which does not affect the buzzing, so setting backlight to 9 and "brightness" low, is a way to get around the problem. I am not sure why there are 2 ways to control the brightness, and what is the difference between them.
Customer support were not very helpful. They suggested I send them the TV, and they will fix it or send me another one. I decided to return the TV to the store, and get a brand new one instead. Unfortunately the new one has exactly the same problem as the first one, so unless I get used to this buzzing, it will also be returned.
This is my first LCD TV, so I don't know if this is a common problem. I have another LCD monitor (which is about 5 years old) and 2 laptops, and none of them have this problem.
If it wasn't for this buzzing, I would give it 4 stars. I especially like the size and the resolution when used as a monitor. The only other minor problems are:
- sound is mediocre
- I really don't like the glossy bezel. It does look beautiful, but I hate the glare. It also shows fingerprints, dust, and scratches easily.
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Downloading Netflix movies and watching them instantly on this 24" Samsung SyncMaster T240HD Computer Monitor/with HDTV TUNER has been a real joy!
I couldn't wait to try it out with the TERK amplified HDTV antenna. Today I hooked up the antenna inside my apartment to this computer monitor/HDTV. WOW! I'm blown away! I live about 10 miles north of Boston, inside a brick building and surounded by many homes and trees -- and I am getting (about 10 channels) simply dazzling high definition TV channels.
I dropped cable TV months ago because of all the commercials. That saved me $70 per month ($840 yr). Who needed cable TV? I'm a "movie freak", not a commercial freak. The commercials simply steal your time. It's criminal to have to pay (cable) and be forced fed commercials also. Sitting 3 feet away from a good 1080p full HTDV monitor like this Samsung monitor is like being in the 3rd row of a movie theatre. For $14 a month, NETFLIX lets me watch commercial free movies downloaded to my computer to watch nearly instantly. And they just upped their selection by teaming with STARZ. Now with this new 24 inch HDTV/computer monitor - I've made my computer my entire home entertainment system. Hello free HDTV. Good bye cable... This works great for a single computer geek like me. Tired of computing? No problem, download a movie, watch your own DVD movie, or switch the remote to the computer monitor to TV, and watch free HDTV coming over the air.
OK first let me say I purcahsed this to connect to my Dish/Panisonic DMR. and to use as a monitor for a 2nd computer.
It works perfect. It did not come with the HDMI cable so I had to dish out another $40 to connect the DMR to the TV but the quality is greate.
As a monitor I run 1920x1200 and its as crisp as my other 24" Samsung monitors I use on my main computer system.
I have used the VGA on the TV to connect a lap top and it looked good as well.
Cons:
- The Front Power switch just does not work. I have other Samsung monitors with this kind of power switch and they work very well. On this TV it does not. You have to use the remote control to turn the TV on and OFF. This to me is a manufacturing defect.
- Speakers are loud enough for a quiet room but sound tinny. There is no external speaker output asided from the side earplug but this can be used to connect a set of external speakers.
- The only way to get the advertised Doulby digital is to use the fiberoptic output connector. This means you have to have a very expensive speaker/amp system.
- No Picture in a picture
- No Svid or NTSC inputs.
- The standard stereo input is share by both the PC and DCI vid input.
- No rear mount screws for alternative mounting options
Pros
- Each input has its own video adjustments.
- Great picture on both TV and monitor modes
- Many zoom/picture modes at the touch of a button on the remote
- One of the brightest monitors I have ever used.
- Stand tilts and swivles
- 2 HDMI inputs as well as Componet, DVI and VGA inputs
- Very good veiwing angles and good contrast ratio
- Sleep Timer
I have not had the chance to use the Tuner in the TV as I am in the basement and use it with my Dish/DMR.
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Short and simple I bought this monitor because I like it's features and it's looks. Hands down this TV looks way better then most TVs out there which if you're buying an HDTV monitor you need to like the way it looks and features take a back seat to that. In today's HDTV market the only TVs with better features are the ones just shown at a demo somewhere. Its not a matter for me in having the best but having what I want, and something I enjoy looking at even if its not turned on. If you want a pro monitor why the heck are you only spending $500. I own a PS3, Xbox 360, a PC, and I watch TV, so this TV has all the right inputs a turner a qam turner it really is a dream for me and I don't think I could have done better at the moment. If you are planning on buying this monitor know why you want I did and I'm a happy man, oh and it's a 1080p TV don't let somebody that doesn't know what they are talking about tell you it's not; I have owned this TV for a month now and it works as advertised which is all I wanted.
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BOTTOM LINE: buy it:
- not the cheapest
- but you got both a TV (1080p) and Monitor (more than 1080p, and 16x10, not 16x9, hence better for PC use according to others - though I have no experience using 16x9 for PC so cannot really tell)
- sound quality pretty good (for me, who rarely watch TV, very occassionally some movie/DVD)
- picture quality very good
- it tilts back/forth (big plus for PC use - don't buy one without it!)
- it does NOT adjust height if you need that - but I am not aware of any that does that for less than $300)
- very bright
LONG VERSION
I bought the T240HD for $270 from [...] in Jan 2010, plus 20% BCB.
Also got $20 store credit a few days later due to their price reduction.
I bought it mainly as PC monitor. I did a lot of research, and was aware of many LCDs at almost half of the price (~as low as $130) to get similar size of either LCD or HDTV. However, I settled for the T240HD for the following reasons:
- brightness
- color and picture quality
- resolution and aspect ratio: we want to use mainly as PC monitor, hence mere 1920x1080 will not do for us (well, it could; however I read many people's complains about this 16x9 aspect ratio not well fit for PC use, hence was leaning agaist it and also, have used many LCD monitors, I know 1080 would be a bit on the low side, esp. for this size
- brand
- user review
- nice if could occasionally be used as TV (the only TV we have is an old fashion one, 27in, in family room. When we host a few families, it would be nice to have another upstairs for kids to enjoy. Besides, we've been either play kids DVD on the old DVD downstairs, or watch movies ourselfs on sub-16inch laptops)
While many similar size are going for around $150, they are either just HDTV or just PC monitor. In the end, price (or getting below $200) was not our #1 goal.
We did have concerns about quite some reviewers' complain about the buzzing noise when brightness level is less than default (which many say is too bright - and I total agree now.) Many complained about sound quality - we didn't care much about it any how.
Now the experience (after 1week+):
- happy with the picture quality so far
- didn't test dead pixel - but visually, it looks good
- TigerDirect gets my vote for more business: shipped on time exactly as promised, was slow responding to my email inquires (right after new year so they got execuses), but the responses were satisfactory, and credited me price difference (in store credit) after email (this isn't ideal but considering that cash credit could affect my BCB, I am fully satisfied)
- I can hear tiny buzzing sound only when I'm closer to the TV than an eye-healthy distance (really, my ear has to almost touch the LCD) - though our room isn't the quietest in the world. But we just need it for real life use - and that's been completely satisfactory (so far). Hence I have no compain about the buzzing noise (even as PC monitor, at "text viewing" brightness, which is less bright than default setting/TV)
- nobody seemed to have mentioned, nor does its manual, but I was truly, pleasantly surprised to find the LCD can tilt front and back - wife was complaining about the LCD being 90 degree up-straight and hurting her posture/eyes. I consulted the manual and was almost going to give the product 1 or 2 less stars than 5 because of that, then I just pushed the top of the LCD gentally backwards - viola! it tilts; wife completely happy!
For information, here are some other models I researched a bit (comments are from reviews I read):
- Viewsonic VX2433wm 24": $200: HDMI, 1080, (The blue power LED on the front is too bright)
As a lot of reviewers have already stated, this unit is better suited for HDTV viewing than actually using it as a computer monitor.
As a TV:
Pro - great picture quality with good colors/contrast. awesome with blu-ray @ 1080p
con - if you are using this mainly for a tv, the 16:10 aspect ratio will always give you bars. the picture has a bluish tint to it but you can improve it slightly by setting the color temperature to warm (switch to "movie" setting first).
as a computer monitor:
pro - great resolution for large desktop and high def gaming. when properly calibrated (i used the system preferences for display>color on OSX, not the menu on the display) the colors are really awesome. uncalibrated, or if you just use the standard settings from the menu the colors are horrible.
con - smaller text does not appear very crisp. it appears similar to using the PC input on a consumer TV or using a non-native resolution setting (even though 1920x1200 is native). this can be improved by lowering the sharpness to about 50-55 or so.
overall:
pro - good for the price ([...]), and especially useful for people who are low on space but need a multi-functional monitor/tv (like me, hooking up a computer-DVI, PS3-HDMI, and xbox-HDMI all on one set, with even room to hook up an old ps2-component).
con - my biggest gripe is that you really need to be facing the screen dead on at eye level because even moving your head to the left/right/up/down by 12 inches or more will start to drastically affect the color/brightness. and even at dead center the corners appear slightly vignetted. and it sucks not having height adjust, so you need to find a stand that is exactly the right height.
a smaller gripe is that there is no analog stereo line level out. there is a digital optical out (which is awesome if you are like me and use 5.1 surround headphones) but if you want to hook it up to a stereo system or external speakers you need to use the headphone jack (not the greatest). when i tested this setup through the headphone jack the signal was noticeably noisy so i only use the digital out.
last words:
this set is good for people on a budget who NEED the functionality of a multi-use monitor/tv. if you just need a monitor this would be a waste and there are other monitors that perform better at comparable prices. if you are a professional (video/photo/graphics), this obviously wouldnt be the right one for you. but even just as a HDTV, its not a bad deal if you can stand the bars on top and bottom.
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