Samsung SyncMaster 2333HD > Reviews (6)

Just going to do a relatively short review on this product as it is at least 2 years old now, but feel a few things need to be said about it incase anyone is thinking of picking one of these up second hand or refurbished.

I bought this TV about 2 years ago, initially to be used as a PC monitor but also doubling up as a conservatory TV. The main reason for choosing this set was the variety of connectivity options and the in-built digital TV tuner at the price point of £180. This set doesn't look to have come down in price much since then and is less likely to be available new, but at the time nothing else was coming close to the specification with that price tag, from a recognised brand.

The TV is made from glossy Black plastic and as per the usual glossy products, is prone to fingerprints and attracting dust, but it still manages to look like an expensive set. The bezel is bevelled outwards rather than flat, and the surround below the screen has a gradual curve.

The plastic stand is easy to attach but is a bit flimsy and seems to creak everytime the TV is touched or moved, but at the end of the day it's holding up a pretty light TV and it does its job adequately. The stand also tilts backwards and forwards slightly to accomodate different viewing heights, but doesn't have the facility to swivel left and right. The medium sized Black Samsung remote is a true reflection of the TV size and is as pleasing on the eye as a remote is likely to be, with a sloped back and clearly labelled buttons.

The TV has 7 circular control buttons located down he right hand side of the TV which host the most commonly used functions; Source/Input Select, Menu Select, Volume +/-, Channel +/- and Standby. The buttons are of a decent size but not very well labelled as it has a very small symbol 'carved' into the button, which is obviously still Black on the Black button. This is impossible to operate in the dark and is a matter of press the buttons until you stumble across the desired command. Unfortunately, it's not much easier to see in a well lit room without getting up close to the buttons.

The TV has a built in freeview tuner and HDMI sockets for connection to a games console, Blu-Ray player or Sky HD for example, and provides ample HD pictures for the screen size. SD broadcasts I found to be somewhat hit and miss with quite a bit of noise visable on the picture when viewed closely, but from a decent viewing distance, didn't find it a problem for what I'd call a small room TV and occasional viewing. The usual Scart and Audio out sockets are available, although the audio sockets are disappointingly behind a flap on the left hand side of the TV so be prepared to have unsightly wires protruding from the side of the TV when external speakers are in use, as well as the plastic flap in your line of sight.

It's not all bad, but it does get worse from here onwards....

As others have noted, the sound output very poor. I have to turn the volume up to around 60/100 to get a sound loud enough for front room viewing and even then it is very tinny with no great substance to it.

I have it connected to an old set of mains powered PC speakers with small subwoofer but this requires the aforementioned unsightly speaker wires sticking out of the side of the TV. It really is terrible.

The other major flaw in this TV, and it could very well be a fault with my set because I haven't heard anyone else mention it, is that the screen coating appears to have weird diagonal lines all over it. Difficult to describe but imagine someone has wiped it over with a wet cloth and it has streaks after drying or used a light pencil to shade in very uniformally on the diagonal...it's so strange, and can only assume it was shipped with this issue as it's always had it. Particularly noticable when using the screen as a PC monitor sitting more closely than you would when watching TV or when a white background is shown on a TV programme. I've never seen any other LCD screen look like this and I assume they didn't do it on purpose, but would be interested to hear if any other owners had seen this problem.

Not really that much more to say about the TV, apart from it has both DVI and 15-pin VGA D-connector for PC use, and a set of component video connectors on the back. 1 HDMI socket on the back, with the other inside the side flap, which is where you'll also find a CI CAM slot for use with certain top up TV services. As I said initially, quite a selection of connectivity (albeit, some poorly positioned) but ultimately, lack of performance and the 'fault' I possibly did or didn't have let this TV down somewhat.

Also posted on Dooyoo as NinjaBaz.