Stereoscopic 3D technology for PCs not to be confused with 3D graphics has been around for more than half a decade, courtesy of graphics processor manufacturer Nvidia, but due to a dearth of displays that do justice to the technology, consumers have been slow to adopt it. However, Samsung’s 22-inch, 120Hz SyncMaster 2233RZ has been designed specifically to let users take advantage of the delights of stereoscopic three-dimensional viewing (it even comes plastered with Nvidia’s “GeForce 3D Vision Ready” logo to prove it). Based on our tests, it delivers as promised, producing theatre-quality 3D in the comfort of home
Design and features
Since the Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ and the are currently the only two computer monitors on the market compatible with Nvidia's 3D Vision Kit, it's only fitting that we directly compare them whenever possible.
Each display is mostly devoid of useful ergonomic options such as screen rotation and height adjustment, offering only a 25-degree backward tilt. When placed on a desktop, the Samsung leaves about 3.75 inches between the bottom of its screen and the desk. Thanks to its longer neck, the ViewSonic sits about an inch higher at 4.75 inches. On the sides and top, the Samsung's glossy bezel measures 0.75 inch and 0.8 inch respectively. The glossy bezel of the ViewSonic measures 0.7 inch all-around. The Samsung's oval-shaped footstand measures a hair larger than 10 inches wide and 8.5 inches deep. When knocked from the sides, the Samsung wobbled only minimally, but it did slide a few inches across the desk with each knock. The ViewSonic, with its 13.5 inch by 8.5-inch footstand wobbles a lot when knocked, but it stays in one place. Given the choice, we'd take the wobbling over the sliding any day. On the bottom middle of the Samsung's bezel is a light gray, painted-on Samsung logo.
The Samsung's panel measures about 1 inch deep and extends another 1.5 inches behind it to include the ventilation system, backlight, and connection options. The ViewSonic has a narrow panel measuring just larger than 0.5-inch thick; but like the Samsung, once its caboose is factored in, this number is extended nearly 2 inches more. With these measurements tallied, the two displays' panels are each about 2.5 inches deep, which is about average for a 22-inch model. The complete width of the Samsung's panel is 20.3 inches compared with the ViewSonic's 20 inches. Compared with other 22-inch models, this is about an average width. Running across the bottom of the Samsung's bezel is a clear fiberglass "lip" about half an inch tall. When the monitor is on, a blue LED radiates from the bottom of the bezel and reflects off the lip, creating a cool-looking effect. Each display's screen forgoes glossy, in favor of a matte finish.
The Samsung's chassis is mostly glossy all-around; however, about two-thirds of the back has a matte finish accompanied by engraved pictures of flower petals. Each flower had a bumpy texture engraved into it. The back of the ViewSonic is a plain glossy black. Overall, we felt the Samsung had the more elegant, eye-pleasing design.
performance
A monitor that refreshes at twice the traditional rate isn’t a boon just for stereoscopic viewing. Much as higher frequencies improve the picture quality of living room displays, so too do they improve the quality of video on PC monitors.
Compared with standard 60Hz displays, there was a noticeable decrease in tearing and streaking in fast-moving scenes in both films and games. A quick 180-degree shift of a camera in a first-person shooter showed only the smallest signs of the image breaking apart, and the edges of darting ships in the movie Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, which typically appear blurry and undefined on most PC monitors, looked much sharper as they zipped around the screen.
Clearly, a small PC monitor is no match for a plasma or LED television when it comes to the rendering of deep blacks, but as desktop displays go, the 2233RZ isn’t too shabby. The darkness of the void in the game Dead Space was convincing, while the numerous night scenes in the film Watchmen showed a good amount of shadow detail.
We liked the color representation as well, though the reds were sometimes a bit overpowering. Still images of children playing in a park burst with vivid, lifelike hues, including warm green vegetation and deep blue skies, but the red plastic slides came off the screen a bit too loudly. We were able to correct the problem by tinkering with the contrast, but it would have been more convenient had one of the display presets handled it for us.
Conclusion
The Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ is essentially a stripped down powerhouse monitor, offering terrific performance for its size and category but little in the way of functional frills. The 120Hz refresh rate is a noticeable benefit, and makes 3D gaming (the only practical application yet for stereoscopic technology, as movie studios are still quibbling over a standard 3D format) an achievable—and desirable—reality. Its $399 price tag is a little steep, but if you’re looking for a sleek, turbo-charged desktop display and have a penchant for 3D gaming, we think it’s worth the stretch.
