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"Great 16 x 9 LCD for the small HT" on by tedpanos
Pros: Strong feature list and outstanding picture clarity
Cons: No adjustments with standard base. No DVI input.
Summary: This monitor has to be the best 23" 16:9 LCD available today.
Loads of inputs and a well laid out rear jack area make this unit a snap to hook up. With all the inputs space is a bit tight. HDMI and Component inputs highlight the high quality ports that are available. Would have been nice to see a DVI port. Cable management works as well as can be expected.
The standard base is cheap and does not allow any adjustments. The poor quality of the base stands in contrast to the rest of this fine monitor. Samsung must be betting that most buyers will opt to wall mount.
Picture quality from high def DirecTV (DTV) via HDMI is crystal clear, very detailed, and has a nice color balance. I found the picture via component from DTV to be very good also. Standard def from DTV also looks quite good. Blacks are reproduced better than most LCD's, but still not as good as a traditional CRT. The LCD responds quickly to fast moving video but you still see some very minor ghosting. Best results for SD material comes at 4:3 with the 'pillbox' effect. Those of you with a strong analog cable signal will be surprised at the quality of that image, again better at 4:3 compared to 16:9.
As with every 16:9 HD monitor I've seen, this unit produces awful 16:9 video from 4:3 SD stuff.
Sound quality is not the best here. While fine for the bedroom or kitchen, you may want to add a HT sound system to enjoy this screen to the fullest.
The remote is typical for Samsung. Basic, cheap feeling but usable and well laid out.
I have not used the monitor with a PC yet.
Overall this set produces one of the finest HD images I've seen on an LCD.
Compared to the Sony, Sharp, Panasonic and Toshiba 23" models at this price point ($999.00) this Samsung wins hands down. -
"Amazing picture quality!" on by HeckYaDangIt
Pros: Everything about the picture is amazing, contrast, brightness, saturation everything! Samsung's DNIe technology makes this LCD TV a stunning picture to behold.
Cons: When switching between Xbox and a DVD player, You'll have to adjust the brightness.
Summary: I recently purchased the Samsung LN-R238W and I must say i couldn't be happier. This LCD TV has an amazing picture on it. It simply outshines everything else. I work at Circuit City, and this LCD by far has the best picture quality, and brightness right of the box than every other LCD, and most plasmas we have in stock as well. I'll be moving into an appartment soon for college, and the size will be perfect for my needs. An amazing product! Well worth the money!
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"Amazing value with minor shortcomings" on by respiritu
Pros: Fantastic picture quality, works great as a PC monitor, lots of inputs (including HDMI), 720p
Cons: Lackluster speakers, limited monitor resolutions, non-adjustable stand
Summary: The LN-R238W is, unquestionably, a reasonably-priced LCD HDTV with fantastic picture quality. Those on the lookout for an affordable TV for smaller rooms will get their money's worth in the R238W. The images onscreen look crisp with DVD playback, although the quality does decrease noticably with the digital/analog signal (non-HD) I get through Comcast. The TV also supports true HD at 720p, although you may be hard-pressed to find a regular use for this resolution at this time (unless you have an Xbox and a few 720p-enhanced games).
The unit's small, underpowered speakers sound tinny, even with the bass turned up. You'll probably want to invest in a separate sound system to get the most out of this TV. Overall, the sound on the unit is passable but unimpressive.
As a PC monitor, the R238W performs nicely; those with limited room real estate will be able to replace their TV and monitor in one fell swoop with this product. Unfortunately, the unit doesn't support all monitor resolutions. I'm unsure if this is a PC-related or TV-related quirk, but any app or game that forces a non-WXGA (1360x768) resolution on the TV ends up with a stretched out desktop that only a restart can fix.
The stand that comes with the basic unit cannot be adjusted for height or tilt, which is a bit of an inconvenience. A separate wall-mount can be purchased, however.
The remote's range is pretty wide but it's a wee bit sluggish and can't be used to control other components.
If you're in the market to try out LCD technology, the R238W will make you a fan, guaranteed. Despite the small flaw here and there, if what you're looking for is picture quality, then this unit delivers that excellently. -
"Great Home-office monitor for both PC and TV" on by jonjoey
Pros: Large screen area, PIP-capable alows TV window and Explorer/Mail windows at same time
Cons: 64 MB Graphics card runs slow in game mode, TV mode when full screen is fair to poor when close up such as on a desk
Summary: This monitor is excellent for anyone that wants to use their PC screen as a TV in their home office. I have my MS Explorer Mail browser open as well as my IE window with the PIP-TV mode in the lower right hand corner of the screen. It's easy to swap sources - that is to go from PC to TV or vice-versa. One downside is the remote is not a master and is only usefull for menu functions and volume control for the TV. The price is right at $968.00 before tax from Circuit City. DVD picture is very good, and was probably the best in it's class from my perspective. I shopped it against Sony, JVC and Panasonic and found the Samsung LN-R238W to be the best picture quality-wise in my humble opinion. It was easy to set up right out of the box. Another neg issue is that the stand cannot be adjusted and the base does not allow the unit to either "tilt" forward or back or swivel side to side. Sound is pretty good, nothing to shout about though. Also, Samsung should provide an XP Windows Driver for PC mode as there is no setup CD in the box.
All in all, a very good purchase. I'm very satisfied and would highly recommend to anyone wanting to ditch their monitor and existing TV in the home office. -
"Not a review but a heads up ! "W" & "WA" not the same!" on by bossman63
Pros: not sure..I still need toget the correct set, if they can fine one
Cons: Not getting the correct set !
Summary: Ok. I ordered the LNR238W [not WA] but received the WA. The WA has a lower overall inferior resolution and a a worse extreme viewing angle.The Saga begins. I called Buy.com and they immediately and politely referred me to Samsung customer service. I called Samsung and they again courteously told me to go back to Buy.com They did give me some information on the differences between the two sets, and as above mentioned, detailed the difference between the superior "W" and the lesser"WA". they also mentioned that the WA was the only set still in production and the "W"was no longer being made. They did not know the reason. I called back Buy.com, remained on hold for a bit and eventually was told that they would refer the situation to Corporate HQ. They would get back to me in a few days. Today is Jan 30, so I expect to hear from them by the end of the week. Obviously this is not a review but rather a heads up. There are websites shipping different products then advertised, and of course you receive the cheaper version. I dont really have a grade so far but will repost how my situation ends up. I am hoping Buy.com does the right thing here. I will let you know in a few days.
Updated
I have waited for a week as per Buy.com They informed me to wait for another week. I am not to happy.Updated
Buy.com agreed to take back TV with a credit. I havbe yet to determine if credit means; credit to the credit card, or a credit to BUY.com? Still waiting.....
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