Samsung B2230HD 21.5" 5ms Full HD HDMI WideScreen LCD Monitor w/TV Tuner & USB Port 300 cd/m2 70,000:1 Dynamic

Pros: Digital/Analog TV tuner, component/composite input.

Cons: Image quality is horrible. Plug into my PC as 2nd monitor via HDMI and when running at 1920x1080 the image looks like it is being upscaled.

Pros: Text is amazingly crisp (see "Other Thoughts") and the picture-in-picture lets you watch (or at lest hear) TV while you work. It has "legacy" component/composite RCA jacks for analog input and works fine with DVI-to-HDMI cables.

The users manual is comprehensive and the on-screen menu system is simple enough for even a simpleton to use (read: you won't be getting calls for that tech-wary family member, friend, or coworker who thinks you're their personal 24/7 tech support).

Cons: Although I'm sure Samsung's engineers have made sure that this will never happen, I find it somewhat disturbing that the monitor is not affixed to the monitor stand - it sits atop the neck of the stand and is kept in place by gravity. And since the tilting mechanism is on the base of the monitor, one gets the feeling that if the monitor is set to lean back too far it may just fall off its perch. Consumers in earthquake-prone areas or live near a truck route with heavy traffic might want to take the this monitor's sturdiness into consideration.

The on-screen menus are very clear, but you have to navigate rather deeply to make any changes. For instance, it takes no less than four button-presses to turn picture-in-picture on and off - something that other Samsung monitors (see "Other Thoughts") do with just one button. Expect to lose a good day or two to setting up the channel list to your liking.

Finally, the on-screen "mute" icon is annoying - there has got to be a way to kill it.

Other Thoughts: An annoyance that mostly affects computer users rather than couch potatoes or gamers is overscanning and artifacting. The solution isn't explicitly stated in the manual so I'll explain it here: if you're hooking up a computer through HDMI, be sure to name the HDMI input to "PC" or "DVI PC". Your eyes will thank you (unless you enjoy overscanning and atrifacting).

It would have been nice if the screen were protected by a thin sheet of acrylic, as it helps keep dust off the monitor, and it would also have been nice if the USB and headphone jacks were on the side of the monitor instead of on the back. Finally, it would also have been nice if there were physical buttons on the bezel for power, volume, channel, etc. - with electrostatic buttons you're never quite sure what you've pressed (if you've pressed anything at all).

All in all, a worthy successor to the Samsung SyncMaster 910MP, my recently-deceased multipurpose monitor.

Manufacturer Response:

NeoAmsterdam:

Thank you for purchasing the Samsung B2230HD monitor.

Please follow the below instructions to ensure a solid connection between the stand and the monitor:
1) Insert the stand neck into the stand base. Make sure you have inserted the neck all the way.
2) Now flip the assembled base over. Turn the connecting screw you see underneath until the stand is firmly fixed.
3) Place a soft cloth on a table or on the floor. Put the monitor face down onto the cloth.
4) Hold the monitor with one hand and push the assembled neck/base into the slot on the back of the monitor. This might require a bit of force to ensure that the neck is fully inserted. You should "feel" it snap into place.
If you have inserted the neck firmly and fully into the back of the monitor, the screen should feel secure and solid upon the stand.

Pros: Has DTV turner and multiple input jacks (component, 2 HDMI, and Antenna/DTV)
Easily switch from TV to computer
Has PIP
High quality picture
Bought it on sale at $169.00 from NewEgg.

Cons: No PIP button on remote. Have to go in menu to toggle PIP.

Other Thoughts: I have two 37" Samsung TVs for more than a year and am happy with the quality of Samsung. Samsung, keep up with quality and keep your current customers happy and loyal to you. Newegg, Thanks for the short term sale of the TV which saved me $90 bucks. I'd like to see more sales.

Pros: Great picture and functionality. Great build quality and looks sharp. Used for a bedroom desktop computer, TV with DirecTV, and Wii game console for child. I have computer desktop speakers hooked-up to the TV's 3.5mm port in back and speaker volume works with the remote.

Cons: None

Pros: None.

Cons: The last three days have been very fustrating. This Samsung monitor continues to black out. I bumped the montiro with its remote and the screen went blank. Sometimes I can recycle the power but who should have to do that for a monitor costing almost 250.00? I really hate to pack this up and pay for shipping to return to seller. Samsung, you should not allow this to happen.

Other Thoughts: Awful experience. Going back to Acer and Asus monitlrs.

Pros: Nice image. Easy to assemble.

Cons: Screen went black when conecting coax for TV. There is no reset button to go back to factory default just in case. Unnaceptable. Screen keeps going dark. Can barely see image. Have to fiddle with on and off until image comes back on. Very dissapointed. No more Samsungs. Back to Acer and ASUS for me.

Pros: Very easy to work. Plugged HDMI cable in for computer, connected coax for cable and scanned channels and that was it to make it work. All the games and tv shows have had great picture quality so far.

Cons: Only reasons I didn't like this monitor was due to the fact it does not tilt and does not have a DVI port, but I already knew about those before I bought it.

Other Thoughts: I had a problem with the power cord initially. I thought it had a faulty connection at the back of the monitor, but it turned out to just not be pressed in fully. It takes quite a bit of effort to get it fully seated.

Manufacturer Response:

ben162005:

Thank you for your purchase of the Samsung B2230HD. Please be informed that the monitor does indeed tilt. Place the monitor on a flat sturdy surface, hold the base down firmly with one hand, grasp the top center of the bezel with your other hand and push firmly and gently back. This should tilt the monitor screen back.

Since DVI is moving toward going legacy, the B2230HD uses an HDMI connection that can accept a DVI signal from your computer via a DVI-to-HDMI adapter or cable.

~Samsung_Monitor_PC

Pros: By purchasing this unit I have come to realize that Samsung will not stand behind their products in an effective manner. Therefore the "pro" is that it has convinced me to search for a more reputable manufacturer.

Cons: This product was placed into use 02/12/2011 and as of 05/12/2011 is no longer working.

I have several of these units which I have mounted in my dental office. While it may suggest it is VESA 75x75 compliant let me share with you my experience. There isn't a bolt you can find that will fit these units effectively and none are provided to help eliminate the burden of trying to find a workable solution. The area where the screw is to attach is made of plastic, and does not have a metal housing to screw into.

Samsung drops the ball when it comes to realizing the importance of standing behind their products, and ensuring a satisfactory experience when dealing with their staff. I will be taking my business to Asus who will stand behind their products.

Other Thoughts: Buyer Beware

Manufacturer Response:

Anonymous:

I’m sorry to hear about your issue with wall mounting the B2230HD. As Samsung is one of the most reputable manufacturers in the world, let me please assist you with a solution to your problem. Unfortunately, you seem to have gotten a B2230HD that for whatever reason did not have the VESA screw holes threaded. There is a metal plate behind the rear plastic case with screw holes that should be threaded to securely mount with your VESA wall mount. Please contact 1-800-SAMSUNG and they will ship you a threading screw kit that will allow you to VESA mount your B2230HD. Again, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Please know that Samsung stands behind our products 100% and I hope that you will feel confident in making future Samsung purchases.

~Samsung_Monitor_PC

Pros: Very vibrant colors. Blacks are black. Text appears very crisp. Amazing for gaming. Has much better picture quality than my P2770H and P2350-1 Samsung monitors.

Cons: None.

Other Thoughts: Highly recommended.

Pros: It's nice monitor when it works, love the idea of PIP. Thin, and lightweight.

Cons: HDMI to Computer doesn't seem to work all that well. When the monitor goes to sleep, it seems to be in a frozen state, doesn't recognize that it's connect to the computer.

Other Thoughts: Going to buy another Monitor and use this for watching TV.