A new Samsung 24-inch with digital tuner: the FX2490HD

Historically speaking, Samsung has always had the best range of hybrid TVs/monitors, first with the T2x0HD series then with the P2x70HD series. We're therefore holding out a good deal of hope for the FX2490HD just announced, a 24-inch with HD digital tuner.

It has a TN panel at 1920 x 1080 pixels, backlit not with neons like the older generations but with LEDs. This system is becoming more and more common for monitors and lowers energy consumption, reducing your energy bill.


In terms of connectivity, as well as the HD tuner, there are two HDMI ins, a VGA, a scart and a pair of 2 x 5 watt speakers.

Pretty good in comparison with the competition then, but this product doesn't completely break with the errors on the previous generations. Here we're particularly thinking about the 5 ms TN panel. As TN technology offers a viewing angle from below that darkens rapidly, it's not necessarily the most appropriate choice for a TV. Nor does the 5 ms response time doesn't give fluid results for rapid movements on the display. This means it's unlikely to be favoured by gamers.

Whatever the case may be, the new Samsung hybrid is slated to launch in August at around £350. Let's hope Samsung revises this downwards before then as, for the moment, this pricing won't make it particularly competitive.


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