Samsung SyncMaster 997DF 19 inch CRT Monitor
Out of stock |
Similar in Monitors
- Aspect Ratio: 5:4
- Screen Size: 19 inch
- Display Max. Resolution: 1920 x 1440
- Monitor Type: CRT
- Native (Recommended) Resolution: 1600 x 1200
- Overview
-
Reviews
-
Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
More 'flat' than other 'flat' CRTs I looked at
Pros
Very nearly flat. Crisp, bright, accurate display. Space-saving case and frame.
Cons
OSD menus cryptic... took some time to decipher. Some grain on edges. Setup CD quirks.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
A Great Value. Very Nearly Flat tube. Bright, crisp display.
At this price range (under $200), you aren't going to find a 'Flat' CRT that's really Flat Flat. There's a black mask that frames the tube, but if you look around that mask, you'll see some curve to the actual tube (most noticeable when the monitor is in a brightly lit room, at the corners).
Through some tricky technology that I don't fully understand, the display accounts for this curve. But the flatter the actual tube, the better off you are. Less optical illusion, more accurate display. And the Samsung 997DF has one of the flattest tubes I found.
At BestBuy, where I bought mine, the Samsung was next to a ViewSonic A91f that was $50 more (but a $50 rebate made the two the same price). The ViewSonic featured what they call "UltraBrite" settings and PerfectFlat tube. The Samsung beat out the ViewSonic on all counts: it could be made brighter, the Samsung tube was noticeably flatter and sharper overall. The ViewSonic's frame was thicker, rode closer to the desk surface (less space for a keyboard to nestle under), etc.
More about the frame on the Samsung... the case on this new monitor is much smaller than the 4-year-old Mitsubishi 19" it replaces. There is a full inch more space under the monitor, due mainly to the narrower frame around the screen. Now I can free up desk space when I need to write the old fashioned way, by sliding my Natural Keyboard Pro way up under the monitor. So, if you're not ready for a flat panel LCD yet, you can still save space with this great monitor!
Setup: The Setup CD (with drivers) was a little quirky. (I'm using Windows XP Professional with SP2 .) Not sure if it was a new Windows security problem, but the automatic method wouldn't work for me. I found the best way to install the drivers is to follow the manual method included on the QuickStart instructions. Took about a minute, no problems.
I'll update this as I gain more experience with this monitor. At this point, I am very pleased and would certainly recommend it.
Update 12/23/2006: Nearly two years old, and no complaints. Picture is still as bright and crisp as day one.
Through some tricky technology that I don't fully understand, the display accounts for this curve. But the flatter the actual tube, the better off you are. Less optical illusion, more accurate display. And the Samsung 997DF has one of the flattest tubes I found.
At BestBuy, where I bought mine, the Samsung was next to a ViewSonic A91f that was $50 more (but a $50 rebate made the two the same price). The ViewSonic featured what they call "UltraBrite" settings and PerfectFlat tube. The Samsung beat out the ViewSonic on all counts: it could be made brighter, the Samsung tube was noticeably flatter and sharper overall. The ViewSonic's frame was thicker, rode closer to the desk surface (less space for a keyboard to nestle under), etc.
More about the frame on the Samsung... the case on this new monitor is much smaller than the 4-year-old Mitsubishi 19" it replaces. There is a full inch more space under the monitor, due mainly to the narrower frame around the screen. Now I can free up desk space when I need to write the old fashioned way, by sliding my Natural Keyboard Pro way up under the monitor. So, if you're not ready for a flat panel LCD yet, you can still save space with this great monitor!
Setup: The Setup CD (with drivers) was a little quirky. (I'm using Windows XP Professional with SP2 .) Not sure if it was a new Windows security problem, but the automatic method wouldn't work for me. I found the best way to install the drivers is to follow the manual method included on the QuickStart instructions. Took about a minute, no problems.
I'll update this as I gain more experience with this monitor. At this point, I am very pleased and would certainly recommend it.
Update 12/23/2006: Nearly two years old, and no complaints. Picture is still as bright and crisp as day one.
