Product face-offs
Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW
| Diagonal screen size | 22 pouces |
| Type | TN |
| Resolution | 1680 x 1050 pixels |
| Response time | 2 ms |
| Interfaces (HDMI / DVI / VGA / YUV) | 0 / 1 / 1 / 0 |
| Options | NA |
| Viewing angles (H/V) | 170° / 170° |
Why the difference in afterglow?
Obviously, we were dreaming and Samsung did not have the intention of giving us a detailed explanation. However, we can logically imagine the following schema: the 226BW went through some hard times due to the poor functioning of the overdrive on certain series. You may recall, this process is integrated to monitors in order to accelerate the movements of liquid crystals by applying a higher than normal voltage to their terminals. The more voltage means the crystals move faster which should produce less afterglow. However, they still have to be stopped on the right color when the crystals are in high speed which was the exact problem on some series. Otherwise, a negative of the image is created behind the object in movement.
On this 2232BW, afterglow is slightly more visible than with the 226BW which means the overdrive is not set as strong. We strongly believe that its intensity was the object of minute attention for Samsung in the case when they would have to rely on another manufacturer’s panels due to supply problems (which is now happening again). In reality, we were able to verify that 2232BWs equipped with out-sourced panels (we tested a CMO version) are no longer affected by the defects detected on the 226BW. And in the end, there is no overdrive problem.
Vincent Alzieu
Updated: 2008-01-09 - Test date: 2007-11-05
Updated: 2008-01-09 - Test date: 2007-11-05
Has the 226BW found a successor? We strongly believe so! The end of the 226BW will come under the name, Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW. It has the same characteristics as the 226BW, inherits its extremely popular design (that of Samsung televisions) and is offered for a very good price.
This brings us to the first difference, the bezel. It is still glossy but the shape has changed radically borrowing the design of Samsung televisions. And this manufacturer isn’t taking too many chances here as its TVs are selling like hotcakes. We can even go as far as saying that its success in this area is assured even if it has its disadvantages: a fixed base, which means no vertical adjustment, and no pivot mode. After this, the glossy finish attracts dirt and especially finger smudges. But in the end, we can’t complain because we really loved this monitor.
Ideally, we would have really appreciated if Samsung went all the way and included some characteristics of their TVs such as various video inputs (at least an HDMI) and a video chipset for good rescaling capabilities. The 2232BW remains more or less a classic screen with DVI + VGA – however with HDCP.
In tests does it surpass the 226BW in all domains?
This brings us to test results. As attractive and pleasing as it is, the 2232BW had a small surprise in store for us. It is a 2 ms screen. In theory, this is familiar territory and up until now all panels of this type have been equivalent in reactivity except for a few overdrive problems encountered on some models (see box). Already, the 2232BW is exempt from defects in this area with no smearing or anything else to report. On the other hand, afterglow in games is a bit higher than with other 2 ms rivals. We checked on the inside of the screen and there is indeed a 2 ms Samsung panel which we were able to identify in the hidden menu as an xxxCAA-1002 (the middle letter determining the panel origin). The difference is only slight but noticeable if we compare two screen in clone mode. It’s still better than 5 ms TNs like the Samsung 225UW and in the end is nothing too dramatic.
Color rendering on the screen we received was very impressive. With default settings, the average difference measured on our 18 standard colors was only a DeltaE of 2.8 when this figure can easily go as high as 6 for certain rivals (like the 226BW with a non-Samsung panel). Depending upon your use, you should change brightness (probably lower it) but for the rest rendering is good as is.
A final word of caution…
We received a model with a Samsung panel, however one reader, Trackers, immediately announced on the forum that they had a CMO panel version identified via the hidden menu as an xxxCDA-1002. (Just like we identified our panel according to the serial number in the hidden menu, here the “D” represents CMO, while “A” is a Samsung origin, an “L” is from AU Optronics and an “I” is a CPT panel). Trackers explained that they had to take the screen back to the store because of its blue dominance that they could not correct in the menu nor with graphic card options.
Since then, we tested this second version and we can confirm this blue dominance. To improve images you will have to go into the personalized settings and change the color temperature to Warm. Color fidelity will not be as good as with monitors equipped with Samsung panels but it is still better than most monitors tested this year.
This brings us to the first difference, the bezel. It is still glossy but the shape has changed radically borrowing the design of Samsung televisions. And this manufacturer isn’t taking too many chances here as its TVs are selling like hotcakes. We can even go as far as saying that its success in this area is assured even if it has its disadvantages: a fixed base, which means no vertical adjustment, and no pivot mode. After this, the glossy finish attracts dirt and especially finger smudges. But in the end, we can’t complain because we really loved this monitor.
Ideally, we would have really appreciated if Samsung went all the way and included some characteristics of their TVs such as various video inputs (at least an HDMI) and a video chipset for good rescaling capabilities. The 2232BW remains more or less a classic screen with DVI + VGA – however with HDCP.
In tests does it surpass the 226BW in all domains?
This brings us to test results. As attractive and pleasing as it is, the 2232BW had a small surprise in store for us. It is a 2 ms screen. In theory, this is familiar territory and up until now all panels of this type have been equivalent in reactivity except for a few overdrive problems encountered on some models (see box). Already, the 2232BW is exempt from defects in this area with no smearing or anything else to report. On the other hand, afterglow in games is a bit higher than with other 2 ms rivals. We checked on the inside of the screen and there is indeed a 2 ms Samsung panel which we were able to identify in the hidden menu as an xxxCAA-1002 (the middle letter determining the panel origin). The difference is only slight but noticeable if we compare two screen in clone mode. It’s still better than 5 ms TNs like the Samsung 225UW and in the end is nothing too dramatic.
Color rendering on the screen we received was very impressive. With default settings, the average difference measured on our 18 standard colors was only a DeltaE of 2.8 when this figure can easily go as high as 6 for certain rivals (like the 226BW with a non-Samsung panel). Depending upon your use, you should change brightness (probably lower it) but for the rest rendering is good as is.
A final word of caution…
We received a model with a Samsung panel, however one reader, Trackers, immediately announced on the forum that they had a CMO panel version identified via the hidden menu as an xxxCDA-1002. (Just like we identified our panel according to the serial number in the hidden menu, here the “D” represents CMO, while “A” is a Samsung origin, an “L” is from AU Optronics and an “I” is a CPT panel). Trackers explained that they had to take the screen back to the store because of its blue dominance that they could not correct in the menu nor with graphic card options.
Since then, we tested this second version and we can confirm this blue dominance. To improve images you will have to go into the personalized settings and change the color temperature to Warm. Color fidelity will not be as good as with monitors equipped with Samsung panels but it is still better than most monitors tested this year.
- Design
- Good reactivity
- VGA + DVI avec HDCP
- Color rendering extremely good
- Matte panel with rather good brightness homogeneity (better than Iiyama)
- No zero dead pixel policy
- A little more afterglow than on classic 2 ms models
- Some uncertainty on which panel you will receive
It’s a very nice reactive monitor with good color fidelity by default and all of this for a good price. Here we have a new reference for those who want a reactive and high performance screen. On the other hand, if ergonomics are very important for you, the ViewSonic VX2255wm still has the advantage.
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