REVIEW: Samsung 226BW Part 15

We tested using a Sapphire Radeon 9800pro and a Sapphire Radeon X850XT, but both demonstrated the same problems. Newer ATI cards such as the X1950XTX are less susceptible to interpolation problems in our experience.

Since the problems we experienced are due to the Graphics card rather than the Samsung 226BW, we rate the monitor’s interpolation as a smooth very good. Gamers with Nvidia cards can dig in!

DVD/Video

The dynamic contrast of the Samsung monitor was developed with video in mind and here we reap the benefits, with visible advantages in image quality, added to b the widescreen format. The fast response time is also a bonus and helps prevent streaks in fast camera work or fast-paced action scenes. Lighting effects, fog, clouds of smoke or churned-up gravel are all displayed perfectly by the Samsung 226BW.

Top left: Scene from the film Van Helsing (DVD), top right: Scene from The 6th Day (DVD).

However, problems arise when highly compromised video material is displayed. This became clear with films in AVI format and with a bit rate of less than 170 Kbit/s. Here, compression artefacts arise overall as a result of the sharpness of LCDs and their high compression.

However, the Samsung 226BW also tends particularly to pixel block formation, which makes some video scenes very unsightly. The level of pixel block building depends on the degree of compression and the Codec used.

When playing back scenes in highly compromised films (e.g. AVI), the Samsung 226BW tends to strongly emphasis compression artefacts.

Compression artefacts also arise –though significantly less often – in DVD playback, where other LCD monitors would not perform as badly. In addition, the picture is sometimes very grainy, as with other monitors.

Unsightly compression effects arise a lot less often in DVD playback.

The Samsung 226BW plays back HD material relatively cleanly, but does not match the sharpness of the 19-inch Philips 190P7 for example. Although this monitor boasts a VA panel which is not comparable with the Samsung 226BW’s TN panel in principle, a film in 1.920 x 1.080, for example, is displayed significantly more sharply on Philips monitor.

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