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Samsung SyncMaster XL20 - LCD display - TFT - 20.1"

Samsung SyncMaster XL20 - LCD display - TFT - 20.1"

Product summary

The Samsung SyncMaster XL20 is a 20.1 in, flat panel computer monitor.Compared to other flat panel monitors on the market, it is expensive at around $845.Comes with a built-in USB hub.This unit features a 1600x1200 native resolution.Weighs 16.8 lbs.

Specifications: Display Type: LCD display / TFT active matrix ; Diagonal Size: 20.1 in ; Max Resolution: 1600 x 1200 / 60 Hz ; See full specs

Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

  • alaTest.com

    Editors' rating: 92

    Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 26 reviews of Samsung SyncMaster XL20 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 87/100 and users 76/100. Comparing these reviews to 80841 other Monitors reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 92/100 = Excellent.

  • silentpcreview.com

    Summary: The Samsung SyncMaster XL20 is not just a great monitor, it is an amazing imaging tool. The current price of over $1500 may seem high when 24" LCD's can be had for under $500, but the closest competition comes from monitors whose prices start at over ...

    Read full review

  • computerarts.co.uk

    Editors' rating: 80

    Summary: The XL20 may not be cheap, but it's still cheaper than the competition. Performance isn't quite top-notch, but considering that the price is relatively low, this is a good value option as a second monitor for entry-level professional colour control

    Read full review

  • thetechzone.com

    Editors' rating: 85

    Read full review

  • goodgearguide.com.au

    Editors' rating: 70

    Summary: The Samsung SyncMaster 2033SW is a 16:9 LCD monitor with a high resolution for its screen size. It is well designed for watching widescreen HD movie content, but it doesn't have the connection options to make it a great all-rounder.

    Read full review

CNET product brief

Description: The Samsung SyncMaster XL20 is a 20.1 in, flat panel computer monitor.Compared to other flat panel monitors on the market, it is expensive at around $845.Comes with a built-in USB hub.This unit features a 1600x1200 native resolution.Weighs 16.8 lbs.

Pros: Has 1600x1200 resolution, which is somewhat higher than some similarly priced monitors.Also, this monitor has 0.255 mm dot pitch, which is considerably better than some similarly priced monitors.This LCD screen has a relatively good contrast ratio (1000:1), which generally makes it easier to see color distinctions against a dark background.Its wide viewing angle (178 degrees) is useful whenever the screen is being viewed by more than one person at the same time.This monitor meets the EPEAT Silver level criteria of environmental performance including a minimum of 65% recycleable or reuseable materials.Accepts DVI input, which allows for greater signal clarity than traditional VGA.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: Made for those who want a spacious screen that will not hog their entire desk.The 8 ms response time of this screen makes it ideal for fast-moving games and for watching movies.

Value: Overall, this monitor's features are in line with its price.However, flat panel monitors with similar viewable size have an average cost of around $375.

Suggestions: (1) Before purchasing an LCD monitor, consider visiting your local store for a live demo to ensure that its overall image quality, color, and sharpness meets your expectation.(2) You can use the built-in USB hub to connect peripherals such as mice and keyboards, or a flash card reader.(3) For more help in deciding if this is the right monitor for you, visit the buying guide for monitors at CNET Reviews.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

CNET editors' buying advice

We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on LCD Monitors. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of lcd monitor.

HDTV on Monitors

In essence, computer monitors and TVs are very similar. Both have the same job of presenting visual information to the user, and for this reason many early home computers used TVs as monitors. However, the type of image quality needed for the images of a TV signal were different than that needed to clearly display text, and the separate evolution of computer monitors began. While the two have been becoming more similar again, there remain potential differences:

First monitors don't need a tuner, and this remains the bigger difference between the two. A giant LCD screen with a computer hooked up to it can display the computer's output, and in fact that is exactly what is happening with computer-based media centers. Conversely, a monitor can be hooked up to normal video equipment (cable boxes, DVD players) as long as something else can process any TV signal. This can be tricky, but there are various how-to guides available.

TVs have traditionally used interlace scan technology, which helps keep bandwidth down while maintaining picture resolution. However, interlacing also can cause a phenomenon called interline twitter which causes problems with fine vertical detail, such as small text, and computer monitors have instead used progressive scan. Today, this still manifests in different resolutions. Standard HDTV resolutions are 720i, 720p, 1080i and 1080p. The 'i' refers to 'interlace' and the 'p' refers to 'progressive'. Modern LCD panels need progressive scan, and while most can "deinterlace" a signal, they are behind the rise of the various progressive HDTV resolutions (that is, 720p and 1080p), whereas the original CRT HDTVs are the reason for the interlaced versions. Both 720 resolutions work out to 1280x720 pixels and both 1080 resolutions are 1920x1080 pixels. Any monitor capable of these resolutions or greater is technically capable of acting like an HDTV. It is best if the native resolution of a LCD monitor is the same as one of these as LCDs are sensitive to scaling issues.

Originally, TVs and computer monitors both used a 4:3 aspect ratio. However, HDTV resolutions are widescreen in nature, but a little-realized wrinkle is that HDTV and widescreen computer monitors typically use different aspect ratios, with HDTV using 16:9 and most widescreen monitors using 16:10. The 'typical' monitor resolution that could be used with HDTV is 1920x1200 (as opposed to 1920x1080 for 1080p). This is slightly "squarer" than HDTV and will lead to small 'letterbox' bands on HDTV content even after everything is properly set up.

Read more in the Monitor Buying Guide

See more HDTV on Monitors products

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Where to buy

Samsung SyncMaster XL20 - LCD display - TFT - 20.1": $799.00 - $886.00
storepricein stock?rating
Buydig.com
$799.00 Yes 5.0 star rating
Amazon.com
$849.00 Yes 5.0 star rating
Beach Camera
$849.00 Yes 5.0 star rating

see prices from 3 authorized stores

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Where to buy Samsung SyncMaster XL20 - LCD display - TFT - 20.1"

Price range: $799.00 - $886.00

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