Samsung's 24-inch SyncMaster 242mp's claim to fame is a built-in TV tuner. We first looked at this model in the
The 242mp led the pack in our grayscale graphics test, showing crisp edges on both very dark and very light rectangles against a dark background. Its high scores across all other graphics tests earned it the highest recent graphics rating for a large wide-screen monitor. Considering that it was up against Eizo's professional FlexScan S2410W and Apple's popular 23-Inch Cinema HD Display, this is all the more impressive. The 242mp scored well in text tests, too, showing clear type. This 24-incher received an overall performance rating of Very Good.
Unlike all other recently tested monitors, the 242mp includes support for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, Intel's content protection technology. Although Samsung doesn't claim that the 242mp will be complaint with Windows Vista, which will introduce limiting PVP-OPM content protection, HDCP should allow you to watch current and legally obtained HD content without a hitch.
The 242mp is the only large wide-screen monitor we've recently tested that includes a TV tuner. Unfortunately, this feature reminded me of a sofa bed: Changing from one function to the other took time and effort, and it's not well-suited for both tasks. The well-labeled inputs (DVI, composite, component, and S-Video) got things off to a good start, but obtaining a decent TV picture entails messing around with different settings. The picture looked dark, and image artifacts haunted on-screen movements. The detachable speakers aren't bad, but when the monitor loses their buttressing effect, the setup feels a bit unstable. If you're pressed for space, the 242mp makes a passable TV. However, its real strength is as a monitor.
The Samsung SyncMaster 242mp is an excellent monitor for graphics; it comes with a side dish of TV functionality.
Laura Blackwell
