The Samsung T240HD is a 'multi-source' monitor with a built-in HD TV tuner.  Note that his version of the T240HD, tested in September 2009, is an updated version of the product we tested in 2008, since renamed the T240MD.  Some components have changed, including the tuner, which is now high definition.

This new T240HD with a 5 ms Full HD TN panel has nothing in common with its predecessor, apart from its styling, which is itself halfway between a monitor and a TV--and its excellent hardware options.  It combines multiple video inputs that allow you to connect a computer, a games console or a DVD/Blu-ray player.  A video correction chip is also included to reduce the noise in video signals.  To top it off, there's all Samsung's zero dead-pixel guarantee: although it's not an official policy, the manufacturer has confirmed to us that it will replace any monitor that arrives with a dead pixel or sub-pixel.

Handling

Although you can't move the screen up and down or turn it round, it still does well in this section thanks to the wide range of audio and video connections available, the built-in speakers and TV tuner and the fact it comes with a remote control.


Colours

Some things have changed since the version we tested with a standard digital tuner.  The colour handling in particular has actually got worse.  By default, the screen displays colours with a deltaE of 4.7, which isn't the most spectacular result ever.  Nevertheless, it's easy to get that value down to 3.  All you need to do is use the OSD to adjust the colours from 'normal' to 'Warm 1', which allows the T240HD to get three stars instead of two in this area.

On the other hand, the contrast has improved since the last version, rising from 550:1 to around 720:1


Gaming: unfortunately average

Responsiveness

Samsung has somewhat neglected gamers with this time, or at least it hasn't gone out of its way to offer them something special.  This TV/monitor hybrid can be connected to either a computer or a console, but you'll have to cope with noticeable ghosting (although that's easy to forget once you're in the thick of the action) and an input lag of around two frames.  Although it's hardly penalizing, it's a shame when you know that both problems are absent from other screens.