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| Diagonal screen size | 19 pouces | ||
| Type | TN | ||
| Resolution | 1440 x 900 pixels | ||
| Response time | 2 ms | ||
| Interfaces (HDMI / DVI / VGA / YUV) | NC | ||
 See all specifications | |||
| Options | |
| Viewing angles (H/V) | 160° / 160° |
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Updated: February 06, 2007 - Test date: January 02, 2007
We tested the first two in 2001 with Behardware.com and they were the Belinea 10 15 35 (this manufacturer was totally unknown at the time) and Hercules ProphetView 720, two 15 inch TN panel screens priced between 450 and 600 Euros.
In 2002, there was a change in size and website as well (my move to TomsHardware) with the Iiyama AS4314UTG at 600 € with a TN 20 ms panel (by Hydis) which was actually more reactive than its rivals - even those that were supposed to be twice as fast in terms of response time. The consequence was that this panel was extremely popular and it could notably be found in 2003 in Hyundaï Q17 monitors (500 €) and the et Hercules 920 Pro (550 €), two screens which were top sellers shortly after their release.
In 2004, back to Behardware.com for me and the launch of the origins of Digitalversus. Once again, it was first a 17 inch in the spotlight, the Belinea 10 17 35 (340 €), and then two 19 inch screens that became successful: the Samsung SyncMaster 193P (600 €) for its ergonomics and colors and the Hyundaï L90D+ (470 €). The first was equipped with a PVA panel and the other a TN.
The first half of 2005, there was a single excellent screen, the 19 inch ViewSonic VP191b (550 €). At the end of 2005, the interest moved to bigger sizes, a 20 inch which is still a top seller: the Belinea 10 20 35W with a P-MVA 8 ms panel. Its price went from an initial 630€ to a current 360 €.
2006 : it was still the Belinea 10 20 35W which dominated. Other screens that distinguished themselves that year were the ViewSonic VX2025wm (600 € upon its release), equipped with the same panel as the Belinea but with better presettings, the first 22 inch models, and for big sizes, the Dell 2407WFP. This last monitor was very much appreciated for its design, ergonomics and price which greatly varied and could be as low as 750 Euros.
In 2007 came the Samsung 931 BW (250 €) a mere 19 inch with a TN panel. It is the first to combine the current best reactivity, a good price, very fine colors and a superb design.
Bravo and thank you Samsung for this excellent SyncMaster 931 BW the first (all screens sizes included) to combine:
- the current best reactivity,
- almost perfect color rendering, better than numerous pro screens,
- a modest price,
- nice design and finishing touches,
- offering both analog (VGA) and digital (DVI with HDCP) connectivity.
You may have understood, the 931 BW has everything that other screens may lack but does not have (and this may cause hesitation) a large size. At a time when bigger and bigger is the trend and 22 inch screens are arriving in masses to households, opting for 19 inch could be a bit frustrating. You will have noticed however that the price is appropriate and this monitor costs 100 Euros less than a 22 inch, which isn’t negligible. Also, we can also reasonably hope that Samsung has now found the perfect formula for making the perfect screen and they apply this to bigger panel sizes. Either way, a real advance in 2007 is this combination of reactivity / good color fidelity / design / price.
Great, but is there still something missing?
This screen almost obtained our best grade but it is not yet "perfect". For this to be fulfilled it would need :
- larger viewing angles like on screens equipped with IPS panels (ex : LG Flatron L2000C). Here, the lower angle quickly darkens.
- zero shimmering in movies as is the case with MVA 8 ms monitors (ex : Belinea 1980 S1. All TNs like the 931 BW tend to accentuate compression defects especially in DVDs and slightly do so in HD).
- a 100 Hz function to artificially double the frame rate in games to strongly reduce afterglow related to retinal persistence and not the screen itself (as is the case on the Samsung LE40M73BD TV).
This dream screen is the one we would like to see from each manufacturer in 2007, however, nothing says this wish will be fulfilled. We’ll keep crossing our fingers.
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Very impressive color rendering (DeltaE at 1.9 !)
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Design, VGA + DVI with HDCP interfaces
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Very good reactivity, the current best
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Price
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Matte panel
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The base isn’t vertically adjustable
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No 100 Hz mode (but no current monitor has it anyway)
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No zero dead pixel policy
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Narrow viewing angles especially from above
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Slightly accentuates compression defects in movies
