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Samsung Syncmaster 743B 17-inch LCD Display Review
Samsung Syncmaster 743B 17-inch LCD Display Review - PCSTATS
The Samsung Syncmaster 743B LCD/TFT monitor PCSTATS is checking out in this review is clearly oriented towards individuals on a budget who aren't willing to skimp on picture quality.
 80% Rating:   
Filed under: Monitors Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: Samsung Apr 01 2008   Max Page  
Home > Reviews > Monitors > Samsung Syncmaster 743B

A colleague recently parted ways with a trusty 19" CRT monitor he'd been using for years, and went in search of a new 17" LCD display. He's notoriously dirt cheap when it comes to computer gear, which is good because LCD displays have never been more affordable, and CRTs never more scarce!

The Samsung Syncmaster 743B LCD/TFT monitor PCSTATS is checking out in this review is clearly oriented towards individuals on a budget who aren't willing to skimp on picture quality. The Syncmaster 743B retails for about $260 CDN ($260USD / £130 GBP), which is a little high compared to the 19" Syncmaster 943B from this family, and comes with nothing that isn't necessary. There are a lot of no-name 17" LCDs out there at rock bottom prices, but unlike CRT monitors there's more to comparing flat screen display's than screen size alone. The devils are in the specs, as they say.

The Samsung Syncmaster 743B offers users a 17" screen with a native resolution of 1280x1024 pixels. The screen has an anti-reflective non-glossy coating, 5ms G-to-G pixel refresh time, and nominal pixel pitch of 0.264mm. Cold Cathode Florescent Light (CCFL) back lights maintain a brightness rating of 300 cd/m2, and a contrast ratio of 1000:1 scales with software to a dynamic contrast ratio of 7000:1 in certain situations. Samsung's 743B monitor boasts pretty average viewing angles of 170° horizontal / 160° vertical.

For the mainstream market the Samsung 743B falls into this is good, if you ever see a display with viewing angles in the 140/150 degree range, just keep walking.Viewing angles are one of those key criteria I always look for when checking out LCD displays, and the best you can hope for is 178/178 degrees horizontal/vertical.

Samsung Syncmaster 743B 17" LCD Display

SPECIFICATIONS:

Screen size: 17"
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
(Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 7000:1)
Viewing Angle: 170°/160°
Interface: DVI-I, Analog
Resolution: 1280x1024
Pixel Pitch: 0.264mm
Response Time: 5ms (G-to-G)
Power Draw: 30W
Dimensions: 14.5x12.1x2.6"
VESA Mount: 75x75mm

VIDEO/MEDIA:

Aspect Ratio: 4:3
HDCP: No
Video: No
Audio: No
USB2.0 Ports: No

Includes: Quick start guide, DVI and Analog video cable, AC power cable, driver/manual CD.

Of all the specs, the 1000:1 contrast ratio and 300cd/m2 brightness are code for velvety black backgrounds and suitably vibrant colours. For a desktop LCD display, that's exactly what you want.

This 17" Syncmaster 743B draws a moderate 30W power when on, and less than 1W in standby mode. The monitor has no USB ports, but comes with a manual on the CD, DVI and Analog video cables, and power cord. Samsung's 743B monitor is Microsoft Vista and Apple Mac compatible. To curb potential theft the Syncmaster 743B incorporates a Kensington lock receptacle.

Encased in a black chassis with narrow bezels, the Syncmaster 743B offers 80mm of vertical height adjustment, 30° of panel tilt, 360° of swivel and a LCD panel that rotates 90° for quick landscape-to-portrait viewing. It's support stand is removeable, facilitating 75mm VESA arm mounting as desired.

Buttonless Control Panel

Like most analog/DVI monitors, the Samsung 743B has a manual control panel where users can select video source, configure the screen, and adjust brightness and contrast values. The control panel is unlike any we've seen because it's buttonless. It features a touch sensitive panel that takes a little getting used to, and in darker environments it can be a little frustrating for OSD menu navigation. The icons are embossed in a dark gray paint, and we continually pressed the wrong button, or strayed too far over to one side and activated the next button.

There are six control buttons on the face of the Syncmaster 743B display. Adjacent to the power button is a blue LED to indicate panel status. The buttons are touch sensitive, yet unfortunately there are no haptic indicators to guide your finger to the correct spot.

We should also mention that the control panel only responds to a fingers' touch. If you're disabled and use an artificial arm prosthetic, the "buttons" will not respond to that object.

The all-black bezel is 13mm wide, and user controls consist of six keys. A broad array of user adjustments is possible through the OSD.

A blue LED at the far right of the screen indicates power status, but the power button itself is located a half-inch to the left! Now that we've covered the basic specs, let's go in for a closer look at this 17" LCD display...

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Contents of Article: Samsung Syncmaster 743B
 Pg 1.  — Samsung Syncmaster 743B 17-inch LCD Display Review
 Pg 2.  Closer Look at the Samsung 743B
 Pg 3.  Adjusting the Monitor
 Pg 4.  Visual Display Tests: MagicBright

 
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