Samsung SyncMaster 943BX 19-inch LCD Monitor

List Price: $259.95 Discount Price: $242.99

Features:

• 19 LCD (measured diagonally) screen
• 7,000 - 1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio - about 1500 - 1 actual static contrast ratio
• 5 Millisecond screen response for rapid video and superb game performance
• 15-pin D-Sub VGA analog (cable included); DVI-D digital port (cable optional - not included

Customer Reviews:

Improvements [Posted on 2008-03-10]
I'll expand this review once I've received the unit. Meanwhile I wanted to note the differences between this model, the Samsung 943BX, with its immediate predecessor, the Samsung 940BX.

The back of the monitor is now softly curved instead of sharply angled. The stand has been reshaped and imo looks prettier, more organic, less industrial. The contrast ratio has been slightly improved from 1000:1 to about 1500:1, though this may be an exaggeration since this can be difficult to measure -- the important bit is that Samsung feels they've improved the contrast somewhat beyond the already impressive 1000:1 that the 940 featured.

The 943 also has a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 8000:1, but this is only relevant when watching movies -- "dynamic" means the screen's backlight darkens when you're watching a dark scene, creating the illusion of a greater contrast ratio than what the lcd screen itself can actually produce. Regrettably, this technique of adjusting of the backlight is distracting to most people. Therefore the important thing to know about the 943 is that it appears that you can shut the dynamic contrast off when you are using the monitor for computing. The 940 did not have this dynamic contrast feature.

Lastly, the prices for these two models are virtually identical. In short, since the 943 improved the contrast slightly over the earlier 940, and since the 943's irritating dynamic contrast can be turned off, not to mention the subtle aesthetic improvements to the design, the 943 is a good upgrade over the earlier model.

If I can make one complaint, it is that Samsung has essentially abandoned producing their bezels in both black and silver. I greatly preferred the silver bezels seen on earlier Samsung models (from more than a couple years ago). At least Samsung's bezels are particularly thin, which makes them attractive regardless of what color they are.

Update: I've used it for a few days. I'll add that the controls (on/off, menu, arrows) are extremely difficult to use, in that they are not buttons so much as they are areas on the bezel that you touch, and the bezel somehow senses you are touching them. Furthermore they are labeled in grey on the black bezel, and are therefore invisible in all but a very bright room. Fortunately you'll likely only use these controls once, when you first set up your preferences. The on/off is closest to the edge so that one is easy to use from there on out. Also, the driver CD-rom included with the monitor successfully worked on my computer, giving it the correct 1280x1024 dimensions. Also, mine included both the VGA and the DVI cable, so hold off on the cable until you get your box and see what is inside. Lastly, I like the pedestal style stand very much, and I appreciate how high it can go -- my neck feels better already, my posture may be saved!

The screen is as bright, as Samsungs are known for. I turned the brightness down a bit. I deactivated the dynamic contrast. Colors are both accurate and impressive, far better than my laptop's screen. Screen does not have anywhere where you can clip on a webcam.

Great Quality Image [Posted on 2008-08-23]
I have not yet experienced a LCD monitor this good. The picture is excellent, there is very nice smooth/shiny finish on the screen, and I love the zero-force touch buttons that are part of the frame.

My digital video card went bad right before i got this monitor, so i have only tested the Analog side of it. I think some of the software will not work because of this. However, the menus/options on the monitor itself allow for all the configuration i need.

My eyes need a LOT of light to see correctly without strain so i like my screens bright. This Samsung has met those needs - no issues with hitting a brightness max! Very clear and easy on the eyes image.

Very good monitor but you'll need a flashlight and patience [Posted on 2008-10-02]
Installed well and produces a very good image. If you want or need to change the factory settings, you will be in for a frustrating experience. First off, you will need a flashlight to see the adjustment buttons. Then you'll need a lot of patience in trying to make the desirable settings. The buttons are very sensitive and do not always activate the first time. It took me many tries until I finally got the settings I wanted. If you have thin fingers you may not have much of a problem. On the plus side is that the dvi cable is included even though Samsung says it is optional. The bad side, for me, is that the cable was not long enough (approximately 5 feet) for my installation. Fortunately I had ordered a 6 foot cable at the time I ordered the monitor. Bottom line: a very good monitor but difficult to adjust.

Glossy Bezel [Posted on 2008-10-13]
Overall we like this monitor. The only possible drawback is the glossy bezel which can introduce some glare. Our older Samsung 214T had a flat finish which is what we prefer.

Incompetent Adjustment Control Design [Posted on 2008-10-15]
This monitor is bright, colorful, and basically the best you can get for under $300 in terms of picture (though I've noticed a lot of eye strain comes with this). However, the person who designed the adjustment buttons should be taken out back and kept from working in this industry until he or she reaches at least the age of 13. They are awful. First of all, they're not even buttons, they're just tiny areas on the bezel that you're supposed to touch, even though they are practically invisible (you'll need a flashlight to even detect them). They don't always respond to your touch, of course, so adjusting the monitor's picture can be as arduous as producing a bowel movement while on the Atkins diet. I honestly thought this adjustment panel was a joke, but I couldn't find anybody laughing.

Whatever you do, don't let any of your friends or family see you attempting to adjust settings on this thing, because the sight of you hunched over your desk shining a flashlight at your monitor in the middle of the day while poking it to death with your finger and uttering every curse word known to man in pure frustration will probably cause them to change their opinion of you somewhat. Did Samsung even bother to test this thing before they released it? There's really no excuse for this.

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