Samsung SyncMaster 957 P

...for a smooth picture. This Samsung 957P has a high refresh rate, all the way up to 100 Hz. TFT screens don't have a refresh rate like this, but rather a response time, which is the time taken for the screen to redraw after a change in it. For me as a gamer, I would need a response time of something like 16ms, which means I would need a higher quality TFT. Again, more money.

The final consideration for me was resolution. On a CRT monitor, ...
...supported by the monitor. This Samsung 957P will go all the way up to 1920x1440 if you want, which is fantastically high. I tend to run at around 1024x768. However, with a TFT you have a fixed resolution, which you can't go higher than, and can only lower than with a loss of picture quality.

So far you will be noticing that everything goes in the 957P's favour. It has great image quality, true colours and far higher performance than ... more

When I built my last PC, I wanted a big screen. 15" monitors just weren't enough any more. I had originally planned on getting an TFT (flat screen), but to get one of a decent size would have involved spending a fair bit of money that I could put to something else, like more memory or faster graphics card.

CRT monitors, whilst out of fashion now, do offer better value for money. It is now possible to get a 19" CRT monitor for around the £150 mark, which is just a little less than I paid for this.

The other reason is that CRT monitors actually offer much better picture quality until you are spending around a grand on a top of the line professional flat panel. And even then for technical reasons the trueness of the colour is still better on a decent CRT.

A mention must however be given to the way screen size is measured. With CRT monitors, the 19" part will refer to the length of the tube, which runs diagonally across the screen. So the screen size will be less than that 19" with an inch or so lost to the plastic casing. TFT monitors on the other hand do actually measure the screen size.

Another consideration is the refresh rate. This is the speed that the screen redraws the display at. The faster the better as it were, with 72 Hertz being the minumum for a smooth picture. This Samsung 957P has a high refresh rate, all the way up to 100 Hz. TFT screens don't have a refresh rate like this, but rather a response time, which is the time taken for the screen to redraw after a change in it. For me as a gamer, I would need a response time of something like 16ms, which means I would need a higher quality TFT. Again, more money.

The final consideration for me was resolution. On a CRT monitor, the resolution can be changed at will, as long as it is supported by the monitor. This Samsung 957P will go all the way up to 1920x1440 if you want, which is fantastically high. I tend to run at around 1024x768. However, with a TFT you have a fixed resolution, which you can't go higher than, and can only lower than with a loss of picture quality.

So far you will be noticing that everything goes in the 957P's favour. It has great image quality, true colours and far higher performance than all but the most expensive of TFTs. I like the flexibility, I like the performance. And for a much lower price than a TFT as well.

One of the things that happens with CRT monitors is that the picture needs adjusting with the geometry controls to look at its best. Thankfully Samsung have included a lot of controls and an easy to navigate menu.

Another rather intriguing feature is the hightlight feature. Press a button on the monitor marked highlight and then you get a box of a few inches that is considerably brighter than the surrounding area. This highlights that box. If so desired however, it can be turned on for the whole screen. Quick way to blind yourself mind.

But it isn't all great.

One of the main reasons for getting a TFT screen is that it is much thinner and lighter. If space is really at a premium on your desk then this isn't for you. 44 cm deep. That is a lot. And it is really heavy as well. 19 kg according to Samsung. So moving it around is not a common occurence. I can live with the size and weight though.

It arrived well packaged, complete with both 3 pin UK and 2 pin continental power leads. Also included was a manual, and driver disc. Should you need it, the Samsung website offers some information and support details, as can be found in the manual. But Samsung are a very good brand and the chances of you having a problem are small.

To recap: great picture, high spec, cheap, good features, but heavy and bulky. This will out perform all but the absolute best TFT monitors in every area other than size and weight.

This will last me for years. When the rest of this computer is gone, this monitor will still remain. 

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