Samsung Touch Of Color T240HD 24-Inch LCD HDTV Monitor Reviews

• Disappointing!

  
  By A3JI0L8HC8FJSI on 2008-08-03
  I bought this unit to use as a secondary preview monitor for HD Video Editing driven from a computer Video Card and from an HD camera through the component input but a few design decencies make it unstable for use as a reference monitor. With a crisp 1980X1200 display and many extra features not found in models in this price range it seemed like a good choice.
  
  Unfortunately it fall short in these and other areas:
  
  #1 all video displayed Component input is unmatchable in the default setting. While it is possible to use a test pattern and by making huge adjustments to the image controls get a watchable picture it the factory calibration makes it totally un-suited as a serious video monitor. Whites such as clouds are over blown and show no detail. Blacks are too black and also lack detail. Looking at the same image on a Sony, Toshiba, or Cheap Dynex reveals a smother, more accurate and detailed picture if not as dynamic.
  
  Plugging the same professional Sony and Cannon into Component inputs on 6 other non-Samsung HDTVs produces a perfect picture that matches the camera viewfinder.
  
  #2 Monitor color space through the DVI input whhile better, is still inaccurate. Whites are over blown, blacks and gray scale seems out of scale, and colors are oversaturated.
  
  #3 Movies played on Blu-Ray player look artificial, all dark colors go to black and whites are overblown. Way Too much Contrast! Changing to movie mode only produces a washed out artificial look.
  
  I think Samsung sets their sets to blow most casual shoppers away when they enter the store, but in the process they blow the real picture quality.
  
  #4 Monitor base only tilts up not down to any degree. Also seems there in no wall mount option.
  
  #5 Off-Center viewing is the worst I have seen on any current LCTV. Moving up or down only a few degrees causes a dramatic shift in brightness and color making it impossible to use monitor for even basic video editing. Lack of a Tilt-down Base or wall mount only compounds the problem.
  
  Off-side viewing is very directional and I suspect it would make it a less then desirable for anything other then on-center viewing and not suitable for use in a kitchen or area where you would be moving around and trying to watch it from a distance.
  
  #6 Speakers are cheap sounding.
  
  #7 Installing the monitor driver in WinXp caused my other main display to also be recognized as a Samsung T240HD.
  
  #8 Unit stretches 1920X1080 images to 1920X1200 by default giving HDTV images a profound stretched look. This can be changed by changing the monitor sync settings but has to be continually reset whenever you change sources or reset the color controls.
  
  #10 Samsung Tech Support is hard to reach and more confusing then helpful and friendly.
  
  
  
  

• Excellent TV, not a monitor

  
  By A25KVM6GJBLISZ on 2008-08-18
  I purchased the T240HD for usage as a computer monitor because of a long history with Samsung monitors being absolutely top notch. Unfortunately this product while being pitched as a monitor, makes a great TV but not a great monitor.
  
  The resolution is very good (1920x1200) and it's very attractive and stylish.
  
  There is no vertical height adjustment (typical for a TV but important to have in a monitor). Your desk / monitor stand had better be at just the right height. The edge is highly reflective and creates bad glare around the picture in a work environment. The adjustments are typical TV adjustments but not monitor adjustments (there is no horizontal or vertical position adjustment).
  
  I've used Samsung monitors for many years and recommend them to my clients. When I finally purchased a HDTV I bought a 46" Samsung which is excellent. The T240HD makes a great HDTV but I regret purchasing it as a computer monitor.
  
  

• Very good TN panel monitor

  
  By A2RWSLZDPQBTVN on 2008-08-02
  Pros: First of all, this monitor arrived with no dead/stuck pixels. The performance is solid: no noticeable blurring during movies & games, good color accuracy, and reasonable viewing angles for a TN panel. When using HDMI, you can set the picture mode to 16:9, so HD signals retain their aspect ratio (aka black bars on top & bottom of screen). This feature is not available in the non-HD model, the T240. Also, the TV tuner works great. There seem to be rumors of this monitor having high input lag - even if that's true, it's not noticeable at all to me. Relatively low energy consumption is a big plus. Did I mention...the bezel looks awesome!
  
  Cons: A bit pricey - you're paying extra for the HDTV tuner and the artwork (which IMO is worth it because it's rare to see such elegance in monitors). Slight backlight bleed on the edges (all LCDs will have this, unless they're LED backlit). Probably a pro, but this monitor's way too bright on default settings - had to turn it down to 30-40 for my eyes. The T240 has a USB hub, this one doesn't. Lacks height & rotate adjustments.
  
  The bottom line: If you want a 24" high-performance TN panel monitor that also has a sleek design, go for this and pay the extra ~$50-100 for it; you'll also get an HDTV tuner. If all you care about is performance, look at other Samsungs; or an HP, Dell, Acer, or BenQ.
  
  

• Best Value HDTV

  
  By AN4MDLO4ZSHDW on 2008-08-05
  I purchased this for a future proof TV, a Blu-Ray Player for the Playstation 3, and some video editing. I think for $500 this has to be the best value option in the HD market right now. Even if it is a TFT panel monitor.
  
  Two picture options are available for HD aspect ratio: 16:9 setting, and "just scan," which appear identical to each other, both having letterbox on top and bottom so that you get full 1920X1080p HD.
  
  The HDTV QAM/ATSC tuner included is great. A cheaper alternative to full hd picture if you don't want to settle for 720p. I must disagree with the previous comment about the color. I have adjusted the color through the TV settings and also using the Mac display calibration tool. Picture looks better than the last three monitors I returned, 2 samsung, 1 HP 2207hm.
  Anyways, I scanned for channels and was delighted to be able able to receive several HD channels outputting in 1080i and 720p, without a set-top-box. Seems a few are test channels until Feb. 17, 2009 when these channels will all be fully operational and the others, which are local, might be mandated by the Gov. to be available to the public. And I was surfing a couple weeks ago and I found new channels, 7-1, 9-1, 11-1, which are ABC, KCal, Fox local for me. There are also duplicates of these channels at different numbers though. NBC is 108-1, in 1080i again.
  
  A wall mount capability would be nice, but I'm happy with where it is in my room.
  
  
  Bottom Line: monitor works great for 1080p use w/ PS3 or any blu-ray player, great HDTV w/ built in-tuner for under $600.
  
  

• Give it six stars!

  
  By A3GWT0DV0FQOIQ on 2008-08-08
  So there is no mistake, this review is for the Samsung T240HD. It appears that others are posting reviews here for some other product because there are no cons to this HDTV/Monitor. I read the specs posted by Samgung before I purchased the T240HD and was impressed. I already own a 52" 1080p HDTV so to compare the T240HD, it is a fabulous 1080p HDTV and a spectacular computer monitor. It handles all inputs perfectly. I have a Playstation 3, a PC, and digital cable (no cable box) hooked to it. All modes are clear, sharp and bright. The remote is full featured and it handles Blu-Ray as expected. I paid $479.99 after shopping and watching the net.
  
  Why would anyone want to wall mount a 24" TV?
  
  For the 500 buck range, nobody else comes close in quality and features.
  
  
• Questionable product at this stage
  By AL334OE8GZ3HM on 2008-08-03
  I think Samsung, in their hurry to bring the product to market, is shipping the T240HD without features that they have advertised.
  1. The remote they have pictured in the online manual they have posted on their website is not the same as the remote I got. My remote has a button for SRS. The online manual remote does not.
  2. Samsung and its retailers advertise that the monitor has SRS Surround XT built in. But when you press the SRS button on the remote, the monitor comes back with "Not available".
  Has any one of you gotten the SRS to work?
  I think this is a case of "early adopters beware". At best, Samsung may have made a mistake in advertising. At worst it is false and misleading.
  SRS may not be a deal killer in your situation, But if it is missing, what else is not up to the specs advertised?
  I would love to hear from others about this.
  
  
• This TV was made for me.
  By A1C2BIRLCMDWUY on 2008-08-29
  Short and simple I bought this monitor because I like it's features and it's looks. Hands down this TV looks way better then most TVs out there which if you're buying an HDTV monitor you need to like the way it looks and features take a back seat to that. In today's HDTV market the only TVs with better features are the ones just shown at a demo somewhere. Its not a matter for me in having the best but having what I want, and something I enjoy looking at even if its not turned on. If you want a pro monitor why the heck are you only spending $500. I own a PS3, Xbox 360, a PC, and I watch TV, so this TV has all the right inputs a turner a qam turner it really is a dream for me and I don't think I could have done better at the moment. If you are planning on buying this monitor know why you want I did and I'm a happy man, oh and it's a 1080p TV don't let somebody that doesn't know what they are talking about tell you it's not; I have owned this TV for a month now and it works as advertised which is all I wanted.
  
  
• Excellent hybrid pc monitor/hdtv!!!
  By A9EX9TETTOYPJ on 2008-09-11
  First, to the the guy that gave this monitor 2 stars, you need to give yourself 2 stars for your own logic. Samsung never marketed this monitor as a reference monitor for video editing. It plainly states it is an HDTV monitor it's not a LaCie or an Eizo. Folks, all I can say is forget that review. This hdtv/monitor works extremely well as a standard pc monitor. The image is crisp and clear at the native resolution (1920*1200) and the colors are great. I also use this as a gaming display for my 360/PS3 and that is where it really shines. Plenty of adjustments on both the component and hdmi inputs to get the color/contrast/brightness to my liking. What I really enjoy are the scaling opitions. It can be set to a full screen mode so it slighty stretches a 1080p image vertically or 16:9 mode which keeps the aspect ration and letterboxs the image and the best mode which is sought after on many displays is "just scan" This is 1:1 pixel mapping. No stretching and no overscan. Many options here to get a great image. As a pc/gaming display its really hard to beat. No input lag that I can feel either. Get it if you've got the cash!!
  
  
  
• Love This TV and Monitor
  By A2BIXDMK69BI3N on 2008-10-25
  OK first let me say I purcahsed this to connect to my Dish/Panisonic DMR. and to use as a monitor for a 2nd computer.
  
  It works perfect. It did not come with the HDMI cable so I had to dish out another $40 to connect the DMR to the TV but the quality is greate.
  
  As a monitor I run 1920x1200 and its as crisp as my other 24" Samsung monitors I use on my main computer system.
  
  I have used the VGA on the TV to connect a lap top and it looked good as well.
  
  Cons:
  - The Front Power switch just does not work. I have other Samsung monitors with this kind of power switch and they work very well. On this TV it does not. You have to use the remote control to turn the TV on and OFF. This to me is a manufacturing defect.
  
  - Speakers are loud enough for a quiet room but sound tinny. There is no external speaker output asided from the side earplug but this can be used to connect a set of external speakers.
  
  - The only way to get the advertised Doulby digital is to use the fiberoptic output connector. This means you have to have a very expensive speaker/amp system.
  
  - No Picture in a picture
  
  - No Svid or NTSC inputs.
  
  - The standard stereo input is share by both the PC and DCI vid input.
  
  - No rear mount screws for alternative mounting options
  
  Pros
  - Each input has its own video adjustments.
  
  - Great picture on both TV and monitor modes
  
  - Many zoom/picture modes at the touch of a button on the remote
  
  - One of the brightest monitors I have ever used.
  
  - Stand tilts and swivles
  
  - 2 HDMI inputs as well as Componet, DVI and VGA inputs
  
  - Very good veiwing angles and good contrast ratio
  
  - Sleep Timer
  
  I have not had the chance to use the Tuner in the TV as I am in the basement and use it with my Dish/DMR.
  
  
  
  
• Great Value
  By A3LPZCY1H8AB55 on 2008-11-10
  I am very pleased with this TV. Mostly because there are virtually no 24" LCD TV's out there. Also, most TV's this size come with 720 dp....this one has the 1080 like the big sets. Very pleased with picture and sound....and value.
  
  

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