Home > Consumer Reviews > Samsung Syncmaster 170MP 17" LCD Monitor with TV Tuner

I bought this as an upgrade to the 150MP. I loved my 150MP, but I like this one even better.

Pros:
-Set up is very simple. From propping it up to making the connections..and it was plug-and-play...
-The integrated stand makes it very easy to set up can also be used as a handle to carry it.
-Composite and S-Video inputs let you hook up a VCR or DVD. Component would be nice, but I think the input connection isn't the weakest link to quality.
-It's a pretty good PC monitor. I can't use it at 1280 x 1024 because my PC doesn't support it, but at 1024 x 768, it's pretty good.
-On-screen menus are good and tailored to the input source.
-In PC mode, you can have a PIP (picture-in-picture) of any of the video sources (Composite, S-Video, or TV). There are 3 sizes and you can move it anywhere on the screen. The quality is really good (because it's a small screen).
-The TV Tuner eliminates yet another device on my desk or having to have to turn on my PC to watch TV.
-Good controls on the remote for TV...PIP, PIP size, previous channel, input source...
-Good controls on the monitor are helpful in case you can't find the remote.
-The size is good. I sit about 2.5' away. Even letterbox DVDs are pretty big.
-Overall, the TV quality is pretty good. It's not as clear or crisp as my 36" Sony Wega XBR, but it is as clear as a 25" Samsung that I have. I didn't expect it to be much better than the 150MP I had, but it is. One thing is my PC DVD is much better than with a DVD player using S-Video.
-The viewing angles are quite good with little degradation either vertical or horizontal
-There's no harsh sounds when changing channels (the only reason I say this is because my old 150MP had this harsh scratchy sound when you changed channels).
-If you keep your eyes open, you can get this for less than half the list price Also, look for rebates. Samsung almost always has something.

Cons:
-Transistions between the different inputs are a little slow.
-There's no manual! And the manual on the web site is for an earlier generation monitor and interface is very different.
-Connectors in back a little hard to get to. Screwing in the coax cable was tough.
-The headphone jack is in the back which makes it too much of a hassle to use.
-May be a little hard to get used to the controls, but after you do it makes alot of sense.
-Speakers are a little weak.
-The remote control sensor is on top and I guess because I'm so close sometimes it doesn't register.
-This monitor doesn't seem to be designed primarily for video (like other LCDs at 2x or 3x the price). So, don't expect extreme high quality video out of this monitor. But, I think you'll still be very happy with the quality you get. Alot of reviews say don't use it as a primary TV even in a small bedroom, but I would disagree. At 6', it's pretty good.

Conclusion: This is a pretty good PC monitor. As a TV, it's not as good as a tube TV, but still pretty good. The controls are flexible, but may take a little time getting used to. The on-screen menus are nice and easy to follow. One major drawback is there's no manual (not that you can't figure it out with trial and error...). I don't mean to make this review sound negative, because I really do love this monitor and I think if you shop around, you'll feel like you really got a good value....

I have owned this product for approxitmately 6 months now without any problems, only extreme enjoyment from the ease of use and picture quality I experience.
I also own a MAG 19" flat panel monitor which is fantastic; but I must say that this Samsung LCD provides a better picture and is only just under the viewable screen size when measured. When eyeballed the Samsmung gives the appearance of being larger than the MAG 19". For playing DVD's or watching TV the Monitor is excellant. If I use the S-video cable I get a quality picture when viewed on my 27" Sony TV. The picture out to the TV is easy to adjust through the software to suit the preferences of the viewer.
In addition games played on this monitor seem to come to life. The image displayed is a soft warm one; which makes you feel like you can crawl inside the screen and become part of the action.
Currently I have three computer systems one using a hi-quality 17" monitor. The 17" pales some much in comparison that I am soon to purchase another Samsung 17" LCD as a replacement.

You don't have to believe me; just go down to your local computer store that carries this product and be amazed when you compare it to other monitors in the store.

I did a lot of research on flat panel monitors when I finally decided to get back a hug piece of desk space. I had been using a 19" Mitsubishi CRT and was happy with it. The 170MP gives me nearly the same viewing area and great quaility.

I almost bought the Envision 17" TV/Monitir combo. But when I saw this one, it had better contrast ratio which has a big impact on the TV quality. I had not been planning on a TV feature, but the cost of this monitor is in the same ballpark as many monitor only 17" flat panels and the specs are better in some areas, plus you get a TV.

The TV features are good and the 2 size PIP options make using the TV while surfing or emailing easy.

Some of the reviews of this monitor mention the difficult angle for plugging cables into the back. I agree. It is a pain, but how many times do you have to plug something in.

Overall, totally happy with this monitor.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the other use for this monitor, your car...Samsung does not make a car adapter, and does not seem to promote it, but the DC input for this monitor is indeed 12 Volts. We go on trips and do not use the computer while we are gone, so this is a natural. The screen is MUCH larger than those flip down LCD screens for the car. I got a Blaupunkt ME1 car DVD player (AC/DC, I bring that into the hotel room for movies in there too.) I mount this on an upside down milk crate in our van in the center behind the front seats. I strap it down, but you can also spend money for an ergotron swivel mount to the VESA mount on back...The DC power plug is not a common one, I searched for 2 weeks until I found them at Radio Shack. This is a type "T" adapter plug. To make the power adapter, use Radio Shack parts 273-1723 and 270-1558. This is a right angle connection which I find cumbersome, but it is easy. A better straight adapter I built requires soldering. Use part 274-1535 plug with a 270-1590 or 270-031 cord. Everything works fine as long as you get the polarity correct (the tip polarity is indicated on the Samsung 12V supply that comes with your monitor. If you contact me, I could build one for you. On the road, this is a godsend, no more arguing kids. The only thing they argue about is what to watch. You can also connect the audio to your car stereo system, or a headphone system. The only cons: when bright sunlight hits the screen, the picture is washed out (use a blanket for shading)and the TV tuner is not great. This monitor uses much less battery power (52 watts-use at least a 5 amp fuse) than a regular AC/DC TV (9" or 13"). Samsung should thank me for helping to sell their product, as they don't seem to think this application is important. This would be great for camping. Some people might already use a 120 volt AC power inverter and the supplied power supply, but that is a waste of energy as you have to convert 12VDC to 120VAC and back to 12VDC again. This solution gives you the lowest power drain on your auto. We are very satisfied with this monitor and get maximum use out of it.

This piece of technology makes the top tier of all electronic equipment I've ever bought (assuming the ranks along with my Thinkpad 600E and my nokia phone) It fills a perfect niche for me and how I live: my apartment is modest size, primarily I wanted a replacement for my 17 inch tube monitor, but my 24 inch Sony Trinitron TV was also dying a horrible death, I don't watch much TV, don't even have cable.

In walks the 170MP. As a monitor it is great, huge compared to my standard 17 incher, the colors are bright and sharp and you can see things clearly even when off center. As a TV I wasn't expecting much especially since I just use the antenna from my TV but it's really very good. The strongest stations are extremely clear, there's no blur, shadows, or streaking, the weaker stations are acceptable especially at 7 feet or so. I haven't had any trouble with the remote, it works fine for me, even bouncing off the walls works no problem. No this isn't the best television out there, don't center your dvd home entertainment system around it. But, if you, like me, are looking to loose a clunky 50lb TV, the same for a 25lb clunky monitor, and win back about a small refridgerator's worth of space, all for something you can carry in one hand (and the price!!!), then this one is for you.