Samsung SyncMaster 245B review

Samsung's SyncMaster 245B is a large 24in widescreen monitor, but it has an elegant appearance that makes it seem less obtrusive than many smaller displays.

Samsung has achieved this by styling the entire display in a discrete matt black and using a slender, but sturdy, stand and a thin 15mm bezel.

There are D-sub and DVI inputs. The DVI connector is HDCP-compliant, so you can watch content from an HD DVD or Blu-ray player. This is something you may want to do, given the 1,920x1,200 native resolution, which will cope with 1,080p footage. The monitor has an aspect ratio of 16:10 rather than the standard 1,080p aspect ratio of 16:9. This means that HD video will be viewed with thin bars across the top and bottom, although this doesn't detract from the onscreen action. For normal Windows use, the high-resolution screen is perfect for working with lots of documents and applications.

The SyncMaster 245B has a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, which is about average for a monitor of this size. This can be increased to 2,000:1 with the dynamic contrast ratio switched on. The dynamic contrast ratio works by monitoring the grey level and adjusting the backlight accordingly. Dark scenes cause the backlight power to be lowered, creating darker shades; light scenes cause the backlight power to be raised, creating lighter shades. This worked well when watching movies, which usually have scenes of a similar contrast level, but it can't improve high-contrast images.

In general, HD movie clips played beautifully on this screen. Detail was sharp in even the darkest areas of a scene, with rich, vibrant colours. Sadly, this monitor is no good for a shared experience; its viewing angles are just too poor. At only 160 (vertical and horizontal), viewing angles are lower than many other monitors we've looked at. Just move a little to the side or below this screen, and you'll see an immediate deterioration in picture quality.

The SyncMaster 245B performed exceptionally well when connected to a PC. The picture was very sharp and finely detailed. Our greyscale gradient test is quite difficult for LCD monitors to handle, but the SyncMaster 245B did a good job, producing smooth transitions from black to white. Colours in test photos were realistic, with natural skin tones.

This monitor has no pivot function, so the screen can't be turned on its side for viewing long documents and webpages. The stand is height-adjustable though, giving a screen elevation of 100mm to 195mm.

With excellent image quality, a high resolution and a great price, Samsung's SyncMaster 245B is a great choice for anyone who wants a large monitor for their PC.

Author: Lynley Oram