Samsung T240HD

[Johnny]

Introduction
The SAMSUNG T240HD HDTV monitor looks more like artwork than a high-performance video display. It features revolutionary Touch of Color, a built-in full HD 1080p digital HDTV tuner, so you can watch both TV and HDTV, and 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for sharp images. Beautifully designed, the T240HD is unlike any monitor you’ve ever seen.

Packed to the gills with features and connections, this newest monitor from Samsung doubles as a full-fledged HDTV, featuring on-board analog (SD), digital (DTV) and unencrypted cable tuners, as well as built-in audio, with a fully functional remote control to round out the package. Connectivity options are extremely good, with two HDMI inputs—one on the rear panel’s jack pack, with the second tucked behind a flip-out door on the monitor’s left side—just the ticket for quick and easy hookup of an HD game console or other HDMI-equipped source. A DVI input brings the digi-tal input count up to three, and the set also sports a conventional component video input, as well as a VGA input for a computer. The Samsung’s right-hand side panel features six buttons that allow complete control of the set should the regular remote turn up missing.

The cabinetry is sufficiently stylish, with gently rounded accents, shiny black plastic bezel and base, touched off with a clear plastic front panel edge treatment that adds some dimensionality to the display. The contoured base quickly connects to the display, and provides about 21 degrees of rear tilt from vertical, which should be enough for most users.

[Johnny]

Top Features


Touch of Color
Make a statement with SAMSUNG’s new Touch of Color design. It features a hint of color naturally blended into the traditional piano black frame. Transforming our already stylish monitors into a work of art, it truly is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Dolby Digital Surround
The sound quality is just as impressive as the picture. An invisible speaker system with stunning Dolby Digital surround sound lets you experience the thrill and excitement of movies, music, games.

lower power consumption
The T240HD is designed to be extremely efficient and uses up to a third less power than other monitors in its class. The unique SoftPower off function lets you put the T240HD in standby mode right away, using just 0.3W of power.

full HDTV monitor
The T240HD features a built-in full HD 1080p digital HDTV tuner, so you can watch both TV and enjoy the benefits of high-definition entertainment.

Dual HDMI inputs, DVI and VGA inputs
Two High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections make your monitor a multimedia centerpiece and let you easily and conveniently connect your other digital devices.

10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
The contrast between light and dark colors on the screen is what makes images stand out. The bigger the difference between light and dark images, the more vibrant images will appear. With an amazing dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1 you’ll enjoy sharper image quality that’s sure to catch your eye.



Manufacturer Specification
Display

• Screen Size - 24" wide
• Resolution - 1920 x 1200
• Brightness - 300 cd/m²
• Contrast Ratio - DC 10,000:1 (1000:1) (Typ.)
• Response time - 5 ms
• Viewing Angle (Horizontal / Vertical) - 160º / 160º (CR>10)

Signal input

• Video Signal analog RGB, DVI, HDMI, component , TV (digital TV/analog TV)
• Sync. Signal separate H/V, composite
• Connector - 15pin D-sub, DVI-D, 2HDMI, component, DTV Tuner, optical out

Power

• Power Consumption - 75 watts (max.)
• Stand By Power (DPMS) - < 2 W

Features

• Plug & Play - DDC2B
• Multimedia Speakers - 3 W x 2 Ch (Dolby DIgital)
• Optional Accessories - remote controller, D-Sub cable, DVI-D cable
• Special Features - built-in DTV (ATSC) Tuner, sound: Dolby Digital, optical digital sound (SPDIF), component, HDMIX2, supporting 1080P input, CI slot

Dimension

• Product Dimension(With stand, WxHxD) - 22.56" x 18.78" x 9.65"
• Shipment Dimension - 26.06" x 22.52" x 6.93"

Weight

• Product Weight - 16 lbs.
• Shipment Weight - 21.6 lbs.

Stand

• Function - Swivel, Tilt

[Johnny]

Design

The screen is neither vertically adjustable nor does it pivot. Nevertheless, it receives a good note in this part of the test because of the numerous connections in both audio and video, the integrated speakers, a remote, and digital tuner.

If you ask European representatives, they will tell as they did us that the T240HD’s production and distribution was actually delayed in order to assure the presence of an HD tuner. Also, the monitor’s American specifications also clearly specify the same thing. On the other hand, the manufacturer’s French site has a very approximate translation mentioning a strange integrated ''HDTV reception card''. (Is this a translation error of built-in full HD 1080p digital HDTV tuner?).


The Samsung SyncMaster T240HD features Samsung's Touch of Color enhancement. This is a clear plastic coating over the black bezel with subtle red highlights, which is most visible along the bottom edge. While the look is striking, some may still prefer a plain, black glossy look like the Samsung SyncMaster 2693HM.

The bezel is about one-inch thick on the left and right sides, 1.5 inches thick on the top and two-inches thick on the bottom. Samsung uses an oval-shaped footstand that's 1.5 inches wide and about 10 inches deep. The footstand has a lazy-Susan-type mechanic that lets the whole display swivel 180 degrees to the left and right. When we knocked the monitor from the side, we found that it wobbled and slid more dramatically than we would have liked. The screen tilts back about 30 degrees but does not pivot. On the back, the connection options are very easy to access since they face directly back instead of down as on most monitors.

The onscreen display controls are on the right side of the panel, and to see which button you're pressing, you have to swivel the screen to the left. The OSD interface seems designed to be navigated with a remote control, since using the buttons to calibrate the display proved awkward. Fortunately, Samsung includes a TV-style remote control that lets you navigate the OSD. Through the OSD we can change the brightness, contrast, color temperature, and aspect ratio. Four video preset options are included; Entertain, Internet, Text, Dynamic Contrast. We found the Entertain preset provided the best overall sharpness and color reproduction. You can also tweak the sound quality beyond just volume since there is an equalizer included in the OSD.

[Johnny]

Performance

Upon firing up the T240HD, it immediately impresses as having a pleasantly neutral image. A lot of manufacturers, including Samsung - who manufactures a high majority of panels anyway - have gone down the "high colour gamut" route with their monitors. This has lead to a spate of displays with rather stilted, often florescent looking images that look un-natural and require tuning to iron out. With a TV monitor, this approach simply wouldn't work, so we're happy to report no problems in this respect with the T240HD.

It's noticeable that the T240HD takes a more TV inspired approach to settings. Like the rather smart remote, the settings menus are lifted directly from Samsung's TVs and this is no bad thing since they're well arranged and easy to navigate, especially with the remote. MagicBright picture modes include Entertain, Internet, Text, Dynamic Contrast and Custom modes. Text and Internet are darker for comfortable reading, Entertain is brighter and Dynamic Contrast enables the dynamic backlight - you can probably work out what Custom means!

Unlike some monitors, though, the colour options are labelled as Normal, Warm and Cool - rather than using the colour temperatures. This is more end-user friendly and provided you know what you're looking at, it's pretty easy to tell what is what. Along with the usual brightness and contrast controls you can also adjust sharpness - handy when viewing higher detail high-definition video.

Before we get onto to such delights, however, there's the business of standard definition content to deal with and specifically Freeview image quality. Despite its "digital credentials", anyone who knows anything knows that the Freeview feed isn't of great quality and good TVs use a lot of processing to get regular TV looking passable.

It's this kind of processing that the T240HD lacks and though it puts forward a reasonable performance, we've seen Freeview look better than this. It doesn't do a great job of eliminating pixel crawl and the various digital artefacts are obvious for even an un-trained eye to see. This doesn't make it unwatchable by any means, but it won't match most dedicated TVs.

Another department that weakens its TV credentials are the viewing angles. Again, they're just about acceptable, but there is a noticeable loss of contrast and some colour shift that's at its worst when viewed from above. Happily, things like the EPG and basic navigation are very good, better than the majority of TV/Monitor hybrids we've seen and though it may sound like the T240HD isn't that a good TV, as a secondary TV for the bedroom or kitchen you could do a lot worse - but also slightly better.

[Johnny]

Final Words
The Samsung T240HD combines excellent performance and features with a great price. The massive 24" screen gives you plenty of real estate for multi-tasking, watching hi-def movies, or playing the latest games. Image quality is very good and the specs are impressive: 1920x1200 resolution, 5ms response time, and 1,000:1 contrast ratio. Connectivity is excellent with 2 HDMI inputs, a DVI input, component inputs, and a VGA input. This monitor has a built-in TV tuner -- simply hook up an antenna and depending on your location, you'll be able to view local HD channels for free. The T240HD uses a TN panel allows for an attractive price point but limits viewing angles.

[Modpot]

Hi,

Is it possible to mount this monitor on walls?

[RoninBlade]

Yes it is possible. For that you have to remove the lower panel to fix the same out. Once that is done then you can buy some mounting arms for the monitor and fix the same on the wall. It does not matter what is the size of LCD the only thing you need to do is to buy a proper wall mount. You can find ample of models on internet and buy them online. If not then try your nearest hardware shop for that.