We used the M237WD's Cinema preset to check out "Kill Bill Vol. 1" on DVD and a number of 1080p movie files from Microsoft's WMV HD Showcase. In both Kill Bill and the 1080p movies, we found that while the LG had consistently deeper blacks than the Samsung, Samsung's image looked more natural and brighter, without being too bright. Sometimes, the LG's picture was too dark and made seeing dark detail difficult.
We looked at World of Warcraft and Unreal Tournament 3 and noticed no signs of input lag or any streaking or ghosting during fast movement. Games on both screens looked bright with colors that popped.
The optimal viewing angle for a monitor is usually directly in front, about a quarter of the screen's distance down from the top. At this angle, you're viewing the colors and gamma correction as they were intended. Most monitors are not made to be viewed at any other angle. Depending on its panel type, picture quality at nonoptimal angles varies. Most monitors use TN panels that get overly bright or overly dark in parts of the screen when viewed from nonoptimal angles. The LG Flatron M237WD and the Samsung SyncMaster HD2370 use TN panels, and when they are viewed from the sides or bottom, we perceived the screens to darken about six inches off from center. Of course, when viewed from the optimal angle, we had no problems.
We turned the built-in speakers to their highest volume without hearing any distortion in the sound. At max volume, the speakers were loud but not quite as loud as the P2370HD's max.
 Juice box |
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| LG Flatron M237WD | Average watts per hour | ||
| On (default luminance) | 49.12 | ||
| On (max luminance) | 49.12 | ||
| On (min luminance) | 23.7 | ||
| Sleep | 2.39 | ||
| Calibrated (200 cd/m2) | 42.22 | ||
| Annual energy cost | $16.31 | ||
| Score | Fair | ||
In our power consumption tests, the LG Flatron M237WD had a fairly high On/Default power draw of 49.12 watts, compared with the Samsung's 47.22 watts. The LG's standby power is a fairly low 2.39 watts. The Samsung's was a low 0.72 watts. Based on our formula, the M237WD would cost $16.31 per year to run, compared with the P2370HD's $14.59 per year.
(Smaller bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Find out more about how we test LCD monitors
Service and support
LG backs the Flatron M237WD with a three-year parts and labor warranty that covers the backlight for only one year. That's a bit less than other vendors, such as Dell, that usually offers backlight coverage for three years. The company offers repair service in two working days and pays freight shipping both ways for one year. During the second and third year, the customer pays one way and LG pays the return freight. Live Web and e-mail chat are also supported, as is toll-free phone support.
What You'll Pay
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