Sony's new LCD/TVs vs. Samsung's new LCD/TVs

[DISCOMUNICATION]

I've been looking to kill 2 birds with one stone for a while now by replacing both my old crt monitor and tube tv with one unit. I've watched some truly awful demos models come and go over the years. They typically fall under 2 categories, displays that are pc monitors first and televisions second, and TVs 1st & monitors 2nd. Obviously the TV 1st models look the best for video, but their resolutions of 1280x768 is terrible for running a program like SoftImage|XSI. Currently the only truly hi-res TV’s are Samsung and Sharp's top of the line $8,000 1080p lcds which are way too large and expensive for my small bed room studio.
For my needs a 19" 1280x1024 4:3 LCD is best. Maybe even a dual set up. I was also looking for component video input and separate VGA & DVI connectors. After looking high and low the only display that satisfied all of my needs was the Samsung 192mp. I did have misgivings about its 25ms response time but was willing to over look it when I saw the display in person. Samsung has really good TV/video features. The only thing that looked bad about it was that it was surrounded by Sony X-Bright displays which make the color rendition of every other monitor near them look terrible.
Here's my problem:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...Displays&CategoryName=cpu_Displays_PCTV#specs

450cd/m²
1000:1
12ms

The MFM-HT95 appears to kick the 192mp's butt and be in direct competition feature/price wise. There just aren't any real in depth reviews yet. I'm really concerned about TV/video features. I think Samsung has the better picture-in-picture feature. And the price of the 192mp has come down to $550 at my local retailer.

Holly crap! That's why they dropped the price. New Samsung 19" mp's!
http://product.samsung.com/cgi-bin/...ters+and+Related/Monitor/LCD+-+Multi-Function
Still 25ms?!? What's with that?

I've heard equally bad things about both Sony and Samsung (mp) displays, but I buy video components almost exclusively from these 2 companies without problems.
I guess I'm just looking for opinions.... thoughts?

What about Sony's new 8ms displays?
Style also matters to me too. I would hate to have something with a but ugly bezel design. Apple displays are nice, but too expensive with no video inputs

Sony MFM-HT95

Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.294mm
Luminance: 450cd/m²
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Response Time: 12ms
Horizontal Scan: 28-86kHz
Vertical Scan: 48-85Hz
Viewing Angle (H/V): 170°/170°
PC Input: HD15 and DVI-HDCP (does this mean I can connect a HDtuner or bluray?)
TV-A/V Input: Component (YPbPr) RCA Jacks, S-Video and Composite, TV: RF 75Ω
Video Signals: NTSC

Samsung 192MP

Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.294mm
Luminance: 260 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio: 700:1
Response Time: 25ms
Horizontal Scan: 31-81
Vertical Scan: 30-63
Viewing Angle (H/V): 170°/170°
PC Input: 15pin D-Sub, DVI-D
TV-A/V Input: Component (YPbPr) RCA Jacks, S-Video and Composite, TV (antenna/cable)
Video Signals: NTSC

Samsung 910MP

Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.294mm
Luminance: 350 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio: 700:1
Response Time: 8ms
Horizontal Scan: 31-81
Vertical Scan: 56-75
Viewing Angle (H/V): 160°/160°
PC Input: 15pin D-Sub
TV-A/V Input: Component (YPbPr) RCA Jacks, S-Video and Composite, TV (antenna/cable), SCART
Video Signals: NTSC/PAL/SECAM

Samsung 930MP

Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.294mm
Luminance: 250 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Response Time: 25ms
Horizontal Scan: 31-81
Vertical Scan: 56-75
Viewing Angle (H/V): 178°/178°
PC Input: 15pin D-Sub, DVI-D
TV-A/V Input: Component (YPbPr) RCA Jacks, S-Video and Composite, TV (antenna/cable), SCART
Video Signals: NTSC/PAL/SECAM

I think the Samsung specs are backwards on the site. The 910mp is a lower end model, but it has a better Response Time and Luminance rating. It also says they both come with a radio antenna, but only the 930mp is mentioned as having an FM radio tuner.
Wow NTSC, PAL, and SECAM video standards supported. Next time I buy a region free dvd or bluray player I won't have to worry about built NTSC/PAL conversion. I wonder what I could hook up to the SCART connector? Old arcade hardware?

 

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Updates & Reviews

Still haven't bought a new monitor or 1st mac yet. Still planning to buy one or the other before the end of the year though. I did, however, get a relatively "new" tv. A hand-me-down Sony Trinitron & VCR to replace my aging Zenith gear.
Most of my money has gone into school, replacing my region free dvd player, and my white Japanese PStwo.
Anyway here is an update:
Most of the Samsung specs were right no matter how odd it might seem for the cheaper 910mp to have a faster response time and higher lumanence rating. The 910mp does not have component video inputs or radio capablities like the 930mp. The 930mp's DVI-D port is HDCP like the Sony model though.
Finally there are some reviews:
910mp:
http://www.xyzcomputing.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=376&Itemid=2
http://www.techtastic.ca/reviews5/910mp.html
http://www.overclockersonline.com/index.php?page=articles&num=267
http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?id=492
930mp:
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/284/1
http://www.bonafidereviews.com/article.php?id=69
http://www.modthebox.com/review398_1.shtml
http://www.dreamwarecomputers.com/reviews/samsung_930mp/
MFM-HT95:
Can't really find any good ones on the MFM-HT95, but here is a review of it's 17" sister model:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=1559

I'm leaning toward the Samsungs in a dual or even triple monitor setup. Got a lot of game consoles and I also like to compare DVD's from different regions side by side. My 1st Mac is going to be either a mini or an ibook. The dual setup will be for my pc which I may not need if I wait for mactels. An iMac G5 would look pretty cool next to my white PStwo in the vertical position though.

 

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Another 930mp review

new 930mp review:
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1826

 

[e.m.]

I was looking into the dell 2405 or the sony you talk about to consolidate my screen needs for macs and consoles. desicions, decisions...

 

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Finally a reply!

I was looking into the dell 2405 or the sony you talk about to consolidate my screen needs for macs and consoles. desicions, decisions...

Tell me about it. I'm trying to cut down on the number of outlets I use in my bed room. It's effected my buying decissions. I already have the bus powered Canon CanoScan LiDE 500F scanner and am thinking about a Canon ip90 with battery and bluetooth adapters for basic printing needs. I have 4 game consoles, a vcr, a region free dvd player, boombox, tv, crt monitor, pc tower, printer, useless Zip drive, and alarm clock plugged into 3 surge protectors. My air condisioner is running on a different circuit out in the kitchen via a very long extension cord.

And I'm thinking about more consoles and a new mac. Mac Mini would look cool lined up with all of my consoles. Maybe run some of those Sega Saturn usb controllers off it, snow white color of course. And use it as an old school game emulation machine. I'll be damned if I'm gonna start using cartrige systems now. Or maybe an iBook. My white PSTwo should be arriving this week.
Thought about the Dell 2405 but need a an integrated tuner and the NTSC/PAL/SECAM support on the samsungs is a plus along with an HDCP dvi port.

 

[DISCOMUNICATION]

940MW A new 19" Samsung Widescreen display

Yet another Samsung multipurpose display. Similar to the 17" 730MW in that it's a widescreen, but the similarities end there. The 940MW has a 1440x900 resolution (same as the 17" iMac G5) rather than the 730mw's 1280x768. The speakers are mounted below the length of the screen (giving it an iMac G5 look) as opposed to the mounted on the sides. And sports a silver bezel as opposed to the black. Most notable is the 8ms response time vs. the 730MW's 25ms. Well here are the specs:

730MW:
Panel Type: a-si TFT/TN
Viewable Size: 17"
Pixel Pitch: 0.2895mm
Brightness (Typical): 450 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio (Typical): 500:1
Viewing Angle (H/V): 150°/120° (CR>5)
Interface: Digital/Analog
Response Time (Typical): 25ms
Native Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Maximum Color: 16.2M
Input Video Signal: Analog RGB, DVI Digital Link, CVBS, S-Video, Component, TV (antenna/cable), SCART
Sync Type: Separate H/V, Composite HV
Input Connectors: 15-Pin D-Sub, DVI-D, CVBS, SCART, Component, RTF
Power Consumption: 49 Watts (max)
VESA® Wall Mount: 75 mm (optional)
Emission Standard: TCO '99
Bezel Color: Silver (Front)/Black (Back)
Compatibility: PC/Windows, Macintosh, Sun Microsystems
Special Features: MagicTuner with FM Radio Support W/W TV System (140 country), Virtual Dolby, BBE, Various AV Connection (DVD, VCR, Camcorder, DTV Set-top (HDTV Ready), PS2, XBOX), TV (NTSC/PAL/SECAM), PIP/PBP, TTX/MIX, Built-in Power

940MW
Panel Type: a-si LCD TV/Monitor
Viewable Size: 19"
Pixel Pitch: 0.294mm
Brightness (Typical): 300 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio (Typical): 700:1
Viewing Angle (H/V): 160°/160° (CR>5)
Interface: Analog / Digital
Response Time (Typical): 8ms
Native Resolution: 1440 x 900
Maximum Color: 16.7M
Input Video Signal: Analog RGB, DVI Digital Link: TMDS, Composite, S-Video, Component, TV (antenna/cable), SCART
Sync Type: Separate H/V, Composite HV
Input Connectors: 15-Pin D-Sub, DVI-D, CVBS, SCART, Component, RF
Power Consumption: 55 Watts (max)
VESA® Wall Mount: 100 mm (optional)
Emission Standard: TCO '99
Bezel Color: Silver (Front)/Black (Back)
Warranty (P/L/B): 3/3/3
Compatibility: PC, Macintosh, Sun Microsystems
Special Features: HDTV ready, MagicTuner™: supports W/W TV System and Virtual Dolby, BBE Sound, DVI with HDCP, PIP (PC mode only)

And just for the hell of it (but way too expensive):

242MP:
Viewable Image Size: 24"
Brightness (Typical): 500
Contrast Ratio (Typical): 1000:1
Viewing Angle (H/V, Typical): 178/178 degrees
Interface: Analog/Digital
Max/Native Resolution: 1920x1200
Emissions Standard: TCO'99
Available Color(s): Black
Special Features: Built-in TV and FM Radio Tuner, Attachable Dolby Speakers, NTSC/PAL/SECAM, HDTV Ready, Picture-in-Picture, Picture-By-Picture

Again I perfer the Samsung MPs & MWs because of the NTSC/PAL/SECAM and the DVI port with HDCP. Something the 2405fpw just doesn't have. The 940MW page doesn't mention NTSC/PAL/SECAM, but it has a SCART port like all the recent models which do.

Oops almost forgot a link:
http://samsung.com/Products/Monitor/LCD_Digital/LS19DOWSSXAA.asp

 

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Multifunction Monitors – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Analysis artical on this topic:
http://www.currentanalysis.com/news/detail.asp?id=100278

 

[DISCOMUNICATION]

The one man thread continues...

While I have yet to find a full blown review with test results and "in action" photos like you would find on Neoseeker. Some customer reviews have started to pop up for the Samsung 940mw over the last few weeks. While most customers complained about the built in standard def tuner picture quality. They all agree it's a good monitor in terms of brightness an pixel response time. No one has yet to mention using the video inputs.
One major detail has been revealed though. The 16:10 monitor has no letter box mode. It has a 4:3 mode and an overscan mode, but no letterboxing option. Some reviewers say it isn't even noticable with 16:9 content. Others have come right out and said this is not HDTV compatable. But I believe they are complaning about the aspect ratio, the relatively small size, and the fact that this display was ment to be a computer monitor first and a tv second. This display is HDTV ready. It has component inputs, but there is still some confusion over weather or not the DVI port is HDCP compliant. All of the other most recent Samsung MP and MW mutifunction monitors have been. So I assume this would be as well. Different resellers are advertising HDCP and other aren't. This is still a mystery. The 940mw does not have an integrated radio tuner like the 930mp and 730mw.
Given all of this I am still considering getting this monitor to connect to a 17" iMac(Core Dou). It has the same 1440x900 res. as the 17" iMac making for a good dual monitor setup. If I were considering a 20" iMac I would probably go with a Gateway 21" HDCP monitor as it has the same 1680x1050 resolution and other video inputs. Yeah, I know the ultimate is still the Dell 2405FPW, but that might be more monitor than I need right now and it could be replaced this year with an HDCP copliant version.
Here are some photos from tigerdirect.com:

 

[DISCOMUNICATION]

more photos

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[DISCOMUNICATION]

even more

more

 

[howardnow]

The Gateway 21" LCD HDTV is fantastic

I recently bought a Gateway 21" monitor with DVI, VGA, SD and HDTV video inputs.

I can't say enough good things about it. I use it for Final Cut Pro and photoshop and it is great. And best of all, you can get it for $520 US.

 

[DISCOMUNICATION]

I recently bought a Gateway 21" monitor with DVI, VGA, SD and HDTV video inputs.

I can't say enough good things about it. I use it for Final Cut Pro and photoshop and it is great. And best of all, you can get it for $520 US.

I know those have picture-in-picture, but does it have picture-by-picture(split screen) mode. I'm looking at getting an HDCP monitor with as many features as possible below $600. There are to many factors that need to come together this year to keep track of so I'm going to settle for something cheap right now. (HDCP monitors and HDCP graphics cards, PC industry switching from DVI to HDMI, etc.) I mainly choose Samsung because they have the most inputs, integrated SD tuner, and are NTSC/PAL/SECAM compatable.

 

[spudsy]

Need some info....

I know this thread was started way back in 05 but it's been very useful as I'm on the verge of buying a 940MW/MG but need some more info.
I've already seen a 940mg and was dissappointed that the screen wasn't matt as you'd expect a monitor screen to be but quite reflective.
Is this the same with the MW?
What is the differencde between the MG and MW?

Thanks in advance.