5 Responses to “Samsung 2443BW: 24″ Wide LCD Monitor”

1. Limoges_Guy on August 21st, 2008 at 5:28 am

   The above review didn’t look into the various versions of this monitor that are available. Samsung has unfortunately made this a complicated process, where the same model number covers 4 different stand options. It appears that the review was done on a type 1 or 2 stand (basic stand, no height adjustment). Types 3 & 4 have the HAS (Height Adjustable, Pivot, Swivel, Tilt), which allows it too be rotated from the landscape position to the portrait position.(Note: types 2 and 4 include two USB connections in the stand, which support High-Speed Certified USB 2.0.) They include a CD with various drivers, and a software package called MagicRotation. Once the software is installed, it is possible to rotate the monitor, and be able to read documents in the portrait mode.
   As to the lack of HDMI input, there are readily available converters available on the market. They allow the video signal to pass through, but filter out the audio signal. If using this monitor to play video games, there are converters that will take the HDMI signal and covert it to DVI and SPDIF outputs. This device can cost around $199.00 (not a cost-effective option, but still feasible for the serious gamer). So, yes it would be difficult to connect it to an HDMI source with audio, for video only applications, converters are available on the market for about $20.00.
   Software: The Samsung 2443BW comes with the following software: MagicBright3, Image Size, Color Effect, Customized key, MagicWizard & MagicKey & MagicTune with AssetManagement, MagicRotation S/W (Pivot), MultiScreen S/W. In short, they allow for colour (yes, I’m Canadian!) tuning, screen rotation and various colour modes (such as web browsing, gaming, etc… can be selected for optimal viewing enjoyment.).
   In selecting this monitor, I looked at several brands, and compared colour and image quality to cost. This model actually won me over a slightly cheaper and larger display (the 26” ACER X263WBI).
   One must recognize that great value this computer monitor offers for its size and features. Samsung markets this as a computer monitor, and only as that, so its shortcomings as something other than a computer monitor should be ignored for the great value this monitor truly is. I tried to find a better monitor for under $400.00, and couldn’t find one that had the features this one had.

2. Jin on August 21st, 2008 at 10:59 am

   Limoges_Guy: Thanks for the extremely detailed update!

3. fretman on August 25th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

   Thanks for the review Limoges_Guy.

   I found this monitor at Future Shop and the only reason why I didn’t buy it was because it didn’t have the height adjustment. The model they have only has the tilt and swivel.

   How do you know about the different stand options that are available for this monitor?

   And where do you think I can get this monitor with the special stand?

   Thanks.

4. Limoges_Guy on August 26th, 2008 at 7:59 am

   fretman,
   I found out about the various stands option (and by option, I mean by the stand that comes with the model - not impressed with Samsung for making this confusing) by downloading and reading the manual from their web site. In there they describe the four types of stands are described.
   As to where I purchased it: I got an amazing deal ($349.99 CDN plus shipping and taxes - shipping from Toronto to Ottawa cost $11.99) from canadacomputers.com
   I knew that Future Shop didn’t offer the HAS stand, and didn’t include the USB ports – mine came with them. Taking into consideration the shipping, the price I got from Canada Computers was cheaper than Future Shop! How often can you say that you can get a better model for less elsewhere? Not often, considering that powerhouse’s buying power.
   If you’re not in Canada, and you don’t want to pay for shipping from Toronto, then I suggest you look online, and phone the store. Ask about their return policy, and see if you can get an e-mail stating what version of the monitor they are selling. If they are vague, and don’t give you specifics, then don’t buy from them. Ask them which stand comes with the monitor: if they don’t use the word “HAS”, then ask for confirmation. At Canada Computers they took my phone number down, called their Samsung rep, and got confirmation from the rep as to which model they were selling. Then they called me back that day to confirm.
   FYI: I wrote the above review BEFORE I received my monitor. I received it yesterday (Monday August 25th, 2008) via UPS, and had ordered it online the previous Friday (August 22nd, 2008). Here is my review after getting it:
   Packaging: pretty standard. Box protects the monitor and accessories to industry standards – nothing special or lacking. All accessories (analogue cable, DVI cable, USB cable, power cable, CD, documentation) are on top as you open the box (as expected), and are easily removed. Standard foam packing protects the monitor and is easily removed to gain access to the monitor.
   Set-up: The stand comes attached to the monitor (no assembly required – however documentation says there is). There is a locking pin that keeps the stand in the “compressed” position. Remove the pin, and the screen can be raised to its full height (it must be raised in order to rotate it). The screen rotates easily 90 deg, thus exposing all power and video ports, making hook-up a breeze. The USB cable connects to the stand itself, on the side.
   First power-up. This was a bit of a puzzler for me: I couldn’t find any buttons! No power button, nothing but what appeared to be button indicators (silk-screened) on the lower right hand side of the monitor. So my second screen (I have 2 displays) was displaying properly, but my primary screen (my new monitor) was completely blank. I actually touched the area with the silk-screened text on the frame, and the monitor magically turned on! It turns out there are no buttons, just touch-sensitive pads – real cool! As is standard with most LCD monitors, it displayed the desktop properly with no adjustments required for size, or vertical & horizontal adjustments (like is typically required with CRT monitors). First thing I did was adjust my screen resolution in Windows (XP, home edition) to 1900 x 1200 so that the aspect ratio was correct. Checked with AutoCad by drawing a circle, and it displayed the circle correctly.
   At this point, you can’t rotate the monitor and have the display rotate with it – you must install “Magic Rotation”.
   Software installation:
   - Magic Rotation: Pretty simple. Select it from the list of programs, and follow the instructions. Once installed, reboot computer, and there is an icon in the quicktray on the right that allows you to access the rotation features. Select “Rotate to 90”, and it instantly rotates the desktop for that screen only to 90 counter clockwise. Rotate the screen manually, and you are now in portrait mode. Right-click on the icon again, select “rotate to 0”, and it reverts back to your original landscape mode. Note: When in portrait mode, the wall paper of your secondary display (if you have one) shrinks a bit on each side, but the content is unaffected and displays properly.
   - Natural Color Pro: This helps you to adjust and calibrate your monitor using the monitors internal adjustments. You install it from the CD that comes with the software. After following the installation instructions, reboot computer (you’ll do this a lot). Run the program, and follow the instructions. Hint: drag the window off to the side of your monitor, because you will want to see the results of your changes as you do them. This is because you will be doing the adjustments using the monitor’s built-in adjustments, and it will display in the centre of the screen, covering up the test image. The real cool option is to adjust contrast: it shows an image that will reveal four circles when you get it right. Nice touch – makes setting up your monitor quite easy. There is also a lighting feature that asks you what kind of lighting you have in your room, and adjusts the monitor to operate in that lighting environment.
   For the true colour adjustments, you would need to have a proof image and an electronic version of it displayed. Then hold up your proof image to the monitor, and make the RGB adjustments.
   MagicTune: This one was a bit of a pain, because it didn’t work on my version of Windows. When you install the software, then reboot the computer, the program notices the incompatibility, and tells you to go to the web site and download the correct version. There is a “Go To MagicTune Website” button, and it takes you to a download page. Select the correct version (in my case MagicTune Premium for Windows XP), download it, unzip it and run it. First thing it does is ask you to uninstall the software. Do this, then reboot the computer. Then run the program again. Follow the instructions, then (you guessed it!) reboot the computer. The features in this program are too extensive to discuss here, but are simple to follow through.
   Performance: I have to divulge that this monitor is replacing an old CRT, so it looks great. I don’t have another one to compare it with other than a real small low-end LG Flatron analog LCD monitor. I can tell you that I am very pleased with it, and have yet to find anything I don’t like about the colours or brightness. Even with a light coming in from behind me (I sit with my back to a window), the brightness is fantastic. I don’t have test images to check for all the stuff that benchmark labs do, but I can tell you that when I played World Of Warcraft on it, my jaw dropped! The various colours and textures that my CRT was unable to display kept me in awe all evening! Displaying images is astounding too. DVD viewing: I test-watched using Lord Of the Rings – The Two Towers, in wide screen format. There were two dark bands (about 2” thick) at the top and bottom of the screen because of the 2.35:1 aspect ratio of the movie. The colours were great, and the resolution was OK. This is because of the DVD isn’t in HDTV format. I “need” to buy a blue-ray DVD player… hehe! Once I get that, I’ll be able to fully appreciate the quality of this 1900 x 1200 monitor
   Conclusion:
   - Pros: For $350.00 dollars, I had no idea I could get a monitor like this. It feels like I have a high-end monitor for a budget price. The ability to rotate the screen with a click of the mouse, and view PDF documents in full page is great for my work. DVD viewing is great – you can sit two people in front of the display and watch the movie from 3 feet away without any viewing angle issues. The energy-star rating, and 50W power consumption is 1/6 that of my old CRT monitor! The ease of installation and set-up were a good surprise.
   - Cons: The set-up manual was a single page, multi-lingual one that covered several different models. The “package contains” list didn’t reflect what was actually inside the box. There were no printed instructions for the accompanying software (there never is! Pet peeve of mine).
   - Wrap-up: I want a second one for my secondary display! I recommend this monitor to the vast majority of users. For those users that need exact colour management, etc… this monitor was never made for you. The price v.s. value ratio is fantastic, and I can only imagine what will be available in the coming years.

5. fretman on August 26th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

   WOW….excellent review and info Limoges_Guy. Thanks alot.

   I live in Ottawa too so I think I’ll do the same as you and look into Canada Computers. Do you know what their return policy is for dead pixels? I hate dead pixels and even one of them would make me mad. I hope you didn’t get any.

   I just went to their website and unfortunately they don’t have any locations here in Ottawa so I may have to take my chances ordering online which is something I don’t really like doing.

   From your review I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying your new monitor. I’m been using a 17″ CRT for the past 7 years and I think it’s time I upgraded.

   Thanks again for your feedback. Cheers!

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