In our color scales test we saw an egregious amount of color compression at the light end of the scale, indicating that the monitor may have trouble differentiating like colors when near peak white.
Also, in our Motion Bitmaps test we saw slightly more streaking on the B2330HD than the PX2370 showed however, this did not carry over to our real-world games and movie tests.Ĭolor tests were where the B2330HD had the most trouble. Its black level was visible down to the optimal level of 2, and the Dark Screen test displayed very noticeable amounts of backlight breakthrough all over the screen. The display posted a composite score of 88 on CNET Labs' DisplayMate-based performance tests, several points lower than the Samsung PX2370's 96.
HDMIx2, VGA, component, composite, coaxial antenna inīuilt-in speakers, headphone jack, optical audioĭisplayMate performance: We tested the 23-inch Samsung SyncMaster B2330HD through its HDMI input, connected to a Windows Vista PC using an HDMI cable supplied from our own vast array we've collected over the years. In addition, there's an audio equalizer, allowing for granular fine-tuning of the sound. Its audio options include presets for Music, Movie, Standard, Amplify, and Clear Voice. The custom color temperature allows you to adjust the red, blue, and green values individually. Also, there's a color temperature option, allowing you to choose Cool, Normal, Warm, and custom. The options function very much like a typical Samsung HDTV however, when connected to a PC, picture options include controls for brightness, contrast, and sharpness, and presets include Custom, Dynamic Contrast, Text, Internet, and Entertain. We found it easiest to navigate the OSD with the remote control. The lack of an onscreen menu lining up next to the buttons to guide you makes navigating in this way even more difficult. Attempting to use the array to navigate the OSD, however, is a frustrating experience: as with the FX2490HD, the buttons aren't as sensitive as we'd like, but unlike the FX2490HD, the touch areas are located on the front of the bezel, instead of under it.
The monitor's onscreen display array is located on the bottom middle of the bezel and consists of several touch areas/buttons, including a Menu button, a Source button, an Up and Down button, and a Plus and Minus button. In the middle portion of the back are four holes to attach the monitor, VESA-style, to a wall or stand.
The connections include two HDMI ports, component and composite ports, a coaxial antenna in, an optical audio port, a headphone jack, a USB port, and an Ex-link port.
The connection options are located in the lower-right-hand corner of the back and face outward, making them easy to access. The back of the display has a wide, deep groove across the top that acts as a ventilation area, but also doubles as a convenient carrying space. When knocked from any side, the display wobbles quite a bit, but we only felt it was in danger of toppling when knocked from the back. The oval-shaped foot stand is 10.2 inches wide and has a depth of 8.3 inches.
The monitor's full width measures 22 inches about the same width as the Samsung PX2370. The distance from the bottom of the bezel to the desktop is 3.3 inches, and the panel tilts back 10 degrees, but no other ergonomic options are included. That's a lot thicker than the Samsung FX2490HD's 1.4-inch depth. The initial depth of the panel is 1.1 inches, but it extends back to include the connection options, adding another 1.5 inches, for a total of 2.6 inches of depth. The bezel measures 0.8 inch wide on the right and left sides. The 23-inch Samsung SyncMaster B2330HD has a semiglossy black chassis with smooth, rounded corners. If you're looking for an HDTV/monitor combo, we recommend the more expensive FX2490HD, thanks to its better performance however, if price is a concern, the B2330HD is a great second choice. We were able to marginalize its adverse effect on movies, games, and photos, but it took a lot of patience and calibrating. Also, the default performance includes our old friend, the dreaded green tint.
Unfortunately, there's no DVI port, so you'll need to invest in an additional cord if you want a digital connection. The monitor also includes a remote control and built-in speakers. If connection options are important to you, that fact alone is a big deal. The Samsung SyncMaster B2330HD is a $260, 23-inch monitor with more connection options than most monitors that are more than $300.