Jan 12, 2006 04:49 PM
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(Updated Dec 05, 2007 09:42 AM)
Samsung SyncMaster 798MB Plus Review
Samsung Website: https://samsung.com/in/products/monitors/CRTMonitors/17magicbrightrange/798mbplu
s.asp
Cost: Rs. 6,700. (Nov. 2005).
Available Colours: Black body with Black Front & Black body with Silver Front.
Viewable area: 16 Inches. (Actual display screen measured diagonally).
Special features:
4 Brightness Modes.
Screen Highlighter.
Software controlled On Screen Display.
Multi Layer Surface Coating.
Resolution: 1024 x 768@85Hz.
Power Consumption - 80W.
FACTS.
Samsung claims it is a CRT monitor with Flat Screen. Half true. It has a Multi-Layer Coated front glass behind which is the actual display screen which is slightly curved at corner edges.
There is no dimension of this monitor which is 17 Inches.
The display is boxed in on all sides by a 1.5” plastic rectangular border which makes the display screen look even smaller than its dimensions.
It’s display screen looks smaller than all of its contemporaries (other brands).
The monitor is very low sitting due to its small sized swivel base. IT CANNOT BE TILTED TO MUCH. So if you sit on a chair higher than say, 20inches, you will always have to look down on the monitor.
On Screen Display buttons are located on the side of the screen border and stay on the screen for a few seconds only. May be difficult for some people to adjust to.
Monitor has a single yellow LED for power on/off display.
Ventilation holes are 3.5 mm across & the entire inside of the monitor is clearly visible. PROTECTION FROM DUST IS MOST ESSENTIAL.
Even at 1024 x 768@85Hz resolution if you look at the screen from a distance of 10 inches, you can see the screen refreshing, although from a normal viewing distance of more than 21 inches there are no problems.
POSITIVE FACTS.
Compared to my earlier Compaq15” MV520 CRT, this has a flatter display.
There is virtually NO EYE-STRAIN.
3 years warranty. 1st year On Site.
Best after sales support.
Economical pricing. You can easily dispose off your old working 15” CRT for around Rs. 2000 and invest money for this.
Looks like a Flat Panel LCD if seen from the front.
NEGATIVE OPINION.
Monitor is built in India and the build quality is not up to standards. The front display 1.5” plastic rectangular border is not fitted properly on my piece. I also have a missing rubber pad on the swivel base. Even the packaging is dull, light & thin and uses thermacol. Do open and check your piece before you leave the dealer.
The monitor, as all of its contemporaries, is plagued with DISPLAY PROBLEMS.
It has Pincushion (inward curving of display) distortion from top and Bottom of the screen. This distortion is not noticeable in pictures and videos but alarmingly obvious in menu items, text and geometrical figures.
I HAVE POSTED PICTURES ON THE WEB, just copy and paste in your browser address bar to view them.
https://tinypic.com/fxuhcg.jpg
https://tinypic.com/fxuhkg.jpg
https://tinypic.com/fxuhpk.jpg
https://tinypic.com/hx91m1.jpg
The Intel 865 Graphics Monitor Settings (My System: Intel Pentium IV 3.0GHz Northwood Processor 800FSB. Intel 865 GBF Motherboard. Intel 865G Graphics Controller – Intel Extreme Graphics 2. 512 MB SDRAM 400FSB) has option for adjusting horizontal Pincushion only, not for vertical. So there is no possibility of correcting this problem.
Right and left side of screen (2inches inwards from either side) has grainy (pixels clearly visible in icons, pictures & text) display while the rest of the central portion of the screen is perfect. This problem is not there in BENQ G776 Flat CRT. SAMSUNG SERVICE CENTRE HAS ADVICED ME TO INSTALL A GRAPHICS CARD TO GET A BETTER DISPLAY.
Why do all 17” CRT’s have to be black in colour? Even a tiny speck / particle is clearly visible.
Although the large sized Ventilation holes keep the monitor quite cool but they will allow the accumulation of dust.
Very difficult to adjust correct rectangular display using either the On Screen Display buttons on the side or Software controlled On Screen Display.
ADVICE.
It is advisable to look at all possible models in working condition before you make up your mind.
Just keep 2 things in perspective – BEST DISPLAY & AFTER SALES SUPPORT.
The Monitor suddenly went off in Oct. 2007.
Called up Samsung hotline at 12 noon, complaint was noted, call was forwarded to technical branch. Guy at technical branch gave me instructions for checking problem 9pressing Num Lock key and then then switching on power to monitor) but still no display. Promised to send help immediately. Technician arrived in evening (7 hrs since complaint lodged), changed and soldered a part on circuit board and everyting was back to normal. Truly impressive service.
