Mixed Feelings & Intermittent Red Noise On Screen | Samsung SyncMaster 226BW 22" LCD Monitor

On Price / Performance It Can't Be Beat | Samsung SyncMaster 226BW 22" LCD Monitor

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	• Samsung SyncMaster 226BW 22" LCD Monitor Samsung Samsung average customer review:based on 164 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Perfect out of the box

I bought this monitor about 2 months ago from Amazon. From the moment I connected it to my computer, I have been impressed at the clarity and contrast of the monitor.

I do video editing on the monitor using HD video. The picture quality is amazing.

I have the monitor connected using the DVI cable to a Nvidia Quadro FX 560 graphics card. I have had no issues with color, response or anything.

I would highly recommend this monitor to anyone.

Mixed Feelings & Intermittent Red Noise On Screen

I bought this monitor from my local Fry's in Decemeber 2007. It was on sale for $270 and the picture in store was great. For that price, I couldn't pass it up. However, it took me longer than normal to setup the colors properly - everything seemed to have a blue tint to it. Once that was done, the picture was decent. The brightness and colors were satifactory as long as you weren't using it in a dark room with no lights on. At that point, you can see the bright spots from the backlight along the edges of the screen on dark backgrounds.

Finally getting over the initial setup woes, I thought everything was fine. Until mid-April 2008 when I suddenly got "red noise" on the screen. The red pixels suddenly went nuts and the screen almost looked like it had many 'stuck' red pixels. With no video connected to it I would get a black screen with a faint red line running vertically down the center. At first, I tapped on the side of the screen and it went away but it came back within minutes. The fix that seems to work best (and I know this sounds silly but it really works) is to pull forward on the top of the screen while trying to push in on the bottom. Alternatively, you can place the monitor upside down in your lap, put your thumbs on the bottom frame of the monitor and pull the stand toward you using your fingers around the back of the stand. It seems I have to do this about once every three weeks or so. Apparently, some connection becomes loose and applying pressure at the right place corrects it.

I thought about utilizing the warranty until I found that the closest service center is in New Jersey (I'm in Chicago) and I would have to pay for shipping of the unit. I later found that they would in turn send me a refurbished unit even though mine is only a few months old and still looks brand new. So I'll just keep using my repair trick until it bugs me too much at which point I'll just purchase the Dell UltraSharp I wanted to get in the first place but didn't want to spend the extra $$.

When this monitor works, I am very happy with it. For $270, it's a great picture (when it works). In fact, if not for the noise issue, it would be a great deal for a 22" widescreen.

I've heard people complain the stand is not adjustable even though it's advertised as being able to tilt back. I can assure you, it does tilt back. But thats the only adjustment the base allows. However, it is very difficult to adjust and I could see how some people may think it's not adjustable - thinking that they may break it if they try.

Bottom line: If I knew what I know now, I would have spent the extra money to get a Dell UltraSharp instead. Also, I am now looking for a large wide-screen LCD HDTV and I can tell you that after this experience, I won't even consider buying a Samsung.

Like I said in the title - Mixed feelings.

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On Price / Performance It Can't Be Beat

I started buying Samsung products back when they released their first MGA-compatible monochrome monitor for the PC/XT. Oops! Dating myself here. It was a budget brand then, but the quality impressed me. Samsung has been my go-to brand for monitors ever since. Better performing than most "name brands" at a lower cost.

The 226BW is no exception. I was a little hesitant to replace my CRT for gaming, but this monitor is fast enough that I don't really miss it. Not to mention it takes up less space on my desk, and no radiation burns! The only regret you'll have when buying this is that it's not a 24-inch. This 22-inch monitor is still not quite wide enough to place two full-size documents side-by-side without overlap. If that's important to you I recommend you save up for the wider one. Just one minor complaint really... as others have pointed out, the shiny bezel scratches easily.

In case you were wondering, my Samsung MGA monitor still works 25 years later. Can't seem to come up with a use for it though!

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Grab These Before They're Gone!!!!!

I own two Samsung's 226BW's used on a video editing system. The performance is very good. I needed another 22-inch monitor, and I thought Samsung's newer 2253BW would be just as good. WRONG!!!! I thought that text on the 226BW's wasn't quite sharp enough, so I substituted a 2253BW for comparison. The difference was amazing. The 226's appear to be significantly sharper! Don't get me wrong... the 2253's are OK, but, given a choice, scarf up some of the last 226BW's!!! You will not be sorry. Note that the 2253's no longer have the VESA mounting capability, and the tilt is so stiff that I remove the base to make tilt adjustments (for fear of cracking the case or screen).

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Gorgeous Display

I purchased this display recently to upgrade an old 19" NEC that finally packed it in. I am extremely impressed with this 22" Samsung display. I have it connected to my computer using the supplied DVI cable and the quality of the image is amazing. I do a lot of digital photography work and because of the extended display area I am able to keep a lot more of my editing tools available on the screen at the same time.

The contrast ratio is pretty good even though sometimes I wish it had a bit more contrast. Overall, I really like this display and would recommend it.

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The Samsung SyncMaster 226BW monitor features a lightning-fast response time that makes it a particularly attractive choice for gamers who seek true-to-life images and a vivid gaming experience. The monitor features other excellent specifications that provide premium performance, value and style to home and commercial users. With 16: 10 wide aspect ratios, the 226BW offers precision and enhanced productivity for a range of professional and entertainment applications. It is further equipped with dual inputs (DVI-D & Analog), and is HDCP capable.