Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ review

Performance
We tested the Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ with its DVI connection. The display posted a composite score of 89 on CNET Labs' DisplayMate-based performance tests, besting both the 22-inch Gateway HD2201's 86 and the ViewSonic FuHzion vx2265wm's 85. I expected the 2233RZ to test similarly to the vx2265wm and it mostly did; however, there were a few key places it beat the vx2265wm. Overall color reproduction was more impressive on the Samsung with our Low Saturation Color test acting as a prime example. Low Saturation Color tests the LCD's tendency to oversaturate the grayscale (a bad thing) when producing a bright white image. The Samsung scored well in this test; the ViewSonic did not. When the grayscale is oversaturated, colors appear washed out and we saw this manifest itself while watching "War of The Worlds" on DVD. The movie, when played on the 2233RZ, had accurate colors and a deeper black level. In comparison, the same scenes looked washed out with a yellowish tint on the vx2265wm. This difference is because of our capability to customize the 2233RZ's picture beyond simply adjusting the brightness, which is all the VX2265 offers. We found that the Movie preset and Dynamic Contrast preset worked best for movie watching. With Dynamic Contrast on, we only noticed the screen darkening on scenes where the screen is 90 percent black or more, such as the end credits and during fade to blacks. We found the Samsung's overall movie watching picture quality to be even better than the Gateway HD2201, one of our best-performing 22-inch displays.

The 1080p Blu-ray version of "House of Flying Daggers" saw many of the same full colors and deep blacks that we saw on the "War of the Worlds" DVD. It's not going to rock anyone's world, but for a 22-inch, 16:10 computer monitor, we were impressed.

The Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ posted a brightness score of 280 candelas per square meters, according to our test, which is somewhat lower than the 300 cd/m2 maximum claimed by Samsung display. This score is lower than both the Gateway HD2201's 289 cd/m2 brightness and the VX2265wm's 266 cd/m2 brightness ratings as well. Our tested contrast rating for the 2233RZ actually exceeded Samsung's 1,000:1 claim by scoring 1,024:1, slightly lower than the vx2265wm's 1,057:1 tested contrast ratio. Bear in mind that the methodology used by most vendors for determining contrast ratio is unknown; however, you can read about CNET Labs' methodology here.

We tried out Crysis on the 2233RZ and while our testbed cannot come close to the hardware requirements the game demands to run with all the prettifying graphic features turned on, we liked what we saw. With a 3ms response time, there was no evidence of streaking and ghosting. Colors looked accurate and the Game preset worked appropriately. The ViewSonic also ran Crysis well, with slightly more washed-out textures. Unfortunately, viewing the game from a lower-than-optimal viewing angle made the screen darken to the point that we couldn't see graphic details of the game--typical of most TN panels and has nothing to do with the game's performance. (See the paragraph at the bottom of this section for more details on viewing angle.)

When we played movies at 120Hz refresh rate--be they DVD or Blu-ray--we did not notice a difference from playing them in 60Hz. For the 2233RZ and the VX2265wm, there is no advantage to playing movies at 120Hz when connected to a computer. We did not test either with a standalone DVD or Blu-ray player. With games, we did see some difference. In Unreal Tournament 3, when we panned our viewpoint back and forth very quickly in 60Hz mode, we noticed that the wall textures were blurry compared with if we did the same in 120Hz mode where the textures remained clear.

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, which get overly bright or overly dark in parts of the screen when viewed from nonoptimal angles. The Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ uses a TN panel, and when it is viewed from the sides or bottom, the screen appeared to darken only a couple inches off from optimal. Of course, when viewed from the optimal angle, we had no problems.

Juice box

Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ	Average watts per hour
On (Default Luminance)	45.05
On (Max Luminance)	45.05
On (Min Luminance)	24.6
Sleep	0.61
Calibrated (200 cd/m2)	34.15
Score	Fair
Annual energy cost (@$0.1135/kWh)	$13.86

Find out more about how we test LCD monitors.

Service and support
Samsung backs the SyncMaster 2233RZ with a three-year parts-and-labor warranty that covers the backlight. It also offers support through a 24-7 toll-free number, as well as 24- to 48-hour turnaround e-mail and Web chat support. Currently, documentation and support software are not available for the 2233RZ on Samsung's Web site.