Introduction

Samsung has really earned a reputation for creating world class LCD panels, and the 19-inch SyncMaster 971P TFT-LCD monitor is no exception. Available with either a glossy black or a glossy white casing, the SyncMaster 971P has a lot of fantastic features going for it, including 178-degree viewing angles and a fairly high 1500:1 contrast ratio. But it's not without its faults either. Read on to see if this LCD monitor is worth your hard-earned money.

Specifications

- Viewable Area: 19"
- Aspect Ratio: 5:3
- Pixel Pitch (mm): 0.294
- Brightness(Typ.): 250 cd/m2
- Contrast Ratio: 4000:1
- Viewing Angle(H/V): 178/178
- Response Time(ms): 6 (GTG)
- Interface: Analog RGB, DVI
- Maximum Resolution: 1280x1024
- Ergonomic Design
- USB Convenience: Two USB ports on the side
- MagicRotation (with Auto Pivot)
- MagicTune: Convenient buttonless OSD Control Software

In the Box

Other than the Samsung LCD monitor yourself, you'll also find the following products included in the package.

- Power cord
- Monitor driver and user guide CD
- Warranty card and information
- Quick setup guide

That information is according to the Quick Setup Guide included in the box. However, in the test unit that I received from Samsung Canada, they also included a DVI cable as well as a USB cable. These two cables -- both of which are necessary if you want to maximize your experience with this monitor, and the former of which is absolutely obligatory if you want to use this LCD at all -- may or may not be included in the retail SKU. Please check with the online store or sales associate before buying so that you know exactly what's included in the box of the product you are buying.

It is fully possible that Samsung does not include these two cables as part of the regular packaging, because the assumption is that you already have a digital flat panel of some kind in your home, and as such, you'd already have a DVI cable kicking around. Where this theory fails is if someone is upgrading from an analog LCD (and thus uses a VGA cable). If you ask most company reps -- Samsung or otherwise -- they'll probably rationalize that this helps to keep the overall price down, as they don't need to absorb the costs of shipping a couple of extra cables with every monitor.

On a side note, the box as a whole -- with the SyncMaster 971P in it -- is heavier than I expected. Thankfully, the box comes with a simple plastic handle on top, making it easy to transport from the store display to your car's trunk. Without this handle, it would have been pretty awkward to carry this 19-inch LCD around.

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