Samsung SyncMaster 151MP LCD Monitor Review

Published By: Paul Machado
Review Date: August 4/2002
Product Supplied By: Samsung Canada

Features:

Just to briefly give you a sense of all of the key features of the 151MP I have listed them below.

» HDTV Ready: 1080i/720p/480p
» Heat sensed buttons
» Color Transparent OSD Menus
» Side mounted headphone jack
» Support for various external A/V Devices
» Auto picture adjustment
» Optional TV tuner
» Maximum Resolution of 1024x768 @ 85Hz

Personally one of the best features of the 151MP have to be the optional TV tuner with HDTV support. Not only that but this display has a PIP function, various array of A/V inputs, and a remote. What is not offered with the 151MP which should have been was the support for a DVI signal which is offered in most of Samsungs high end LCD displays.

Optional TV Tuner Capabilities:

The optional TV tuner which can be attached to the 151MP definitely works great and is easy to install. The tuner gets placed on the back of the display like everything else does and literally is a snap to put in. What you have to do is first remove the cover plate which hides the connector for the tuner and then simply put the tuner in place and screw it down. Although this does require you to have a flat head screwdriver ready. With the TV tuner in place all you have to do is connect your coaxial cable and voila you have a TV with HDTV support.

A/V Multimedia Connectors:

What the 151MP does not lack is the support for tons of A/V components to be connected to it such as a DVD player, Satellite receiver, digital cable, headphones, other source for audio, and of course your PC. As mentioned before there is no support for DVI signals.

PIP Function:

Why I decided to go in depth about the PIP (picture in picture) function is due to the fact that it is such a great feature to have on the 151MP. Not only that but the actual PIP features has features of its own. One feature of the PIP function is the fact that the PIP box can be moved to various locations on the screen. So while working on your computer the PIP won't get in your way. What must be noted is the PIP only works between the PC and video. The PIP function does not work while you are watching a DVD and TV at the same time.

Audio Performance:

The 151MP is equipped with 2 3W speakers which is pretty poor considering the price of the display. Since this product is aimed to be sleek and compact there was not much room to provide better or bigger speakers. Although Samsung has not left you out and dry with the audio. What they included in the 151MP is an audio out jack so that you can connect the audio to your sound card in your PC with the help of an audio cable included with the 151MP.

Navigation Menus:

What blew my mind when first testing and using the 151MP is that fact that the navigation buttons on the front of the display are not really buttons that you press but are heat sensed. This allows you to use no effort whatsoever and allowed Samsung to create very sleek and nice looking buttons which fit the design of the display perfectly.