22-inch 3D Vision LCD Monitor Showdown - Samsung vs. Viewsonic

3D Gaming Showdown!

3D movies and gaming were almost unspoken of in the early 1990s but fast forward a couple of decades later to the current timeline and they are becoming the next hottest thing on the technology block. While 3D capabilities have not exactly been in the mainstream yet, some LCD monitors have come equipped with the right stuff made for 3D gaming - namely, the ViewSonic VX2268WM and Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ - and as long as you have the accompanying accessories such as the NVIDIA GeForce 3D Vision Kit, a suitable NVIDIA graphics card, Windows Vista or 7, and you are ready to go.

If you haven't seen our original coverage of the NVIDIA GeForce 3D Vision kit and what it can do for you, we highly recommend reading it to get a better appreciation of these 3D monitors we're evaluating today. Both 3D monitors we're evaluating are actually standard monitors that have the capability to refresh at 120Hz, thus providing each eye with at least 60 frames per second for a flicker-free 3D experience when viewing the output through the active shutter glasses that comes with the NVIDIA kit.

While there may be a few other 3D capable monitors in the market, for this region, the Samsung and Viewsonic models we've obtained are more easily attainable. Coincidentally, both are 22-inch screen sizes that have a maximum resolution of 1680 x 1050 pixels. While 3D gaming capabilities are mostly handled by the NVIDIA ecosystem, the two monitors we've evaluating today should excel in both standard usage (which is how you'll spend most time with it) and in 3D gaming scenarios. With our criteria highlighted, let's dive in to assess both in detail against other standard monitors of their size.

ViewSonic VX2268WM - Features

As with most LCD Monitors, the assembling procedure is extremely easy, and for the ViewSonic VX2268WM, this is no different: all you have to do is clip on the base, and fix a screw on at the bottom. The predominantly black and glossy monitor comes with a rather unique teardrop-shaped base, which does look nice, but contributes nothing to stabilize the contraption - tilting it, as it seems, results in excessive wobbling, so do exercise caution.

However, on the whole, the monitor does look classy due to the nice silvery band that lines it. It also comes with the standard VGA and DVI-D ports, as well as a pair of built-in speakers that should suffice for normal day-to-day use. While connectivity seems sufficient for standard use, it would seem sparse once you consider the premium these 3D capable monitors command.

The standard power and menu buttons are nicely situated in the middle below the screen. The bad thing is that the control buttons are small and not viewable from the forward face. Additionally the function labels of the buttons are barely discernable.

 

While the menu is starkly primitive, and offers nothing more than the basic controls (contrast, brightness and color configuration), it's easy on the eye and the navigation is fluid. If you are shocked to see that the dynamic contrast option is not grouped together under "Contrast", don't fret - it takes a while to realize that it is actually under the "Manual Image Adjust" tab.

 

ViewSonic VX2268WM - Performance

As per our usual monitor tests, we first calibrated color temperature settings with the handy Datacolor Syder 3 Elite for LCD Monitors and then progressed to use a display testing program: DisplayMate for Windows Multimedia with Motion Edition 2.0. Monitor was set at its native resolution of 1680x1050 @ 60Hz on the DVI connection.

At the onset, we realized that colors on the monitor were too bright and had a rather strong yellow, greenish tinge to it. This was easily rectified after calibration - colors turned out more true to the sample images displayed.

We promptly tested the monitor on DisplayMate, and were reasonably surprised by its decent performance.

Circular Geometry, Cross Hatch and Dot:- No problems here. All shapes, crosses and dots were properly aligned and undistorted as expected from a monitor on DVI connectivity.

Screen Uniformity:- Screen luminosity was smooth throughout and thankfully, no variations or tints across the color tests were detected.

Stuck Pixel:- None were observed.

Dark Screen:- Backlight bleeding fairly noticeable on the upper and bottom fringes of the screen. With Dynamic Contrast on, backlight bleeding is slightly reduced but still noticeable.

Dark Gray Scale:- We weren't too pleased with the results here as the monitor only performed reasonably up to test pattern value 8, but had a problem with test pattern value 6 - one was darker than the other version when they should have been of the same level of brightness.

White Level Saturation:- Pattern 251 was clearly discernible, but 252 cannot be distinguished even after a severe case of squinting on our part.

Color Tracking:- No problems faced here as all hues, even the darker ones, were displayed correctly.

64/256 Intensity Level Ramp, 256 Intensity Color Ramp:- Gradation is shown to be extremely smooth with no visible quirks in all colors until towards the end. Some darker banding was noticeable in the darker reds and greens, but the higher levels of colors displayed no quirks.

Color Scales:- While all shades, including the darker ones, were distinct from each other, we noticed that though the greys were more or less evenly matched, the reds were unnaturally intense.

Scaled Font:- The VX2268WM also performed well in terms of sharpness as even the smallest fonts (9 pixels, 6.8 points) were clearly readable and crisp on both black and white backgrounds.

Video Playback:- For our video playback testing, we used two high definition movie trailers, namely: Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, and The Dark Knight. While playing movie clips on the monitor, blacks on the screen were congruent with those within the clip, and were displayed with decent crispness and natural color vibrancy. We spotted no ghosting or distortion as well. However, there was rather strong backlight bleeding both at the top and bottom fringes of the letterbox bars.

We tried watching both clips with Dynamic Contrast on, and that's where the viewing experience became a little worse as some scenes were dimmed abruptly, transitions seemed obvious and unnatural especially on The Dark Knight. Some scenes in Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix became too dark to make out any details.

 

Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ - Features

Physically, the glossy black Samsung 2233RZ is slightly thinner than the VX2268WM, and has less finesse.

Assemblage is once again, simple: pop on the base, fasten it with the supplied screw and you are done. While the monitor does not look as impressive as its counterpart, it is much steadier and does not wobble as much when tilted. It does have a much shorter but stable 'neck' that cannot be adjustable just like Viewsonic's.

This time, all buttons are placed on the right edge of the monitor, and that includes the power-on button. Samsung earns points for having an easier UI (with an added screen with labels that informs you what are the assigned buttons for) for navigating around and more features to play around with. However, it would have been better if the power button was of a different size so that it would be easier for users to differentiate between it and the other control buttons.

Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ - Performance

Before calibration, the colors displayed had a slight blue-ish cool tinge, and looked washed-out. Needless to say, they were distinctively warmer after calibration but the differences were not stark.

We ran the monitor through our trusty DisplayMate test, and we found that its performance was decent and on par with the VX2268WM. Greys were similarly evenly-matched and regular during the DisplayMate tests; however, the whites looked milky, but more so than on the VX2268WM.

• Circular Geometry, Cross Hatch and Dot:- No problems here. All shapes, crosses and dots were properly aligned and undistorted.
  
   
• Screen Uniformity:- Screen luminosity was smooth throughout and thankfully, no variations or tints across the color tests were detected.
  
   
• Stuck Pixel:- None were observed.
  
   
• Dark Screen:- Backlight bleeding fairly noticeable on the upper and bottom fringes of the screen, but less so than the Viewsonic VX2268WM. With the Dynamic Contrast on, backlight bleeding cannot be seen at all.
  
   
• Dark Gray Scale:- The monitor performed pretty well as we were able to discern differences clearly up to test pattern value 4.
  
   
• White Level Saturation:- While the results were not as good as the Viewsonic VX2268WM, it was decent: it was clearly discernible up to Pattern 248.
  
   
• Color Tracking:- No problems faced here as all hues, even the darker ones were displayed correctly.
  
   
• 64/256 Intensity Level Ramp, 256 Intensity Color Ramp:- Colors had a uniform gradation across with no noticeable quirks during the lighter shades, but darker bandings were noticeable towards the end, especially in the greens and blues.

• Color Scales:- While all shades, including the darker ones, were distinct from each other, we noticed that the reds were less intense.

• Scaled Font:- The Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ also performed well in terms of sharpness as even the smallest fonts (9 pixels, 6.8 points) were clearly readable and crisp on both black and white backgrounds. However, we did notice a slight blurring for the white text on black background test.
  
   
• Video Playback:- For our video playback testing, we used two high definition movie trailers, namely: Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, and The Dark Knight. While running the clips, the Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ delivered average black levels (the blacks in the movie were slightly off) and sharpness, with or without their "Magic Bright" feature.
  
  
  
  Magic Bright offers Custom, Text, Internet, Games, Sport, Movie and Dynamic Contrast modes that tune the backlight to vary brightness levels as desired with the scene or content displayed. From our trial, we advise users against using the Dynamic Contrast mode as the constant contrast transitions can get annoying and uncomfortable, especially if you are watching a long movie. However, the Dynamic Contrast here works better than the one on the Viewsonic screen, which is less disturbing with smoother transitions. In any case, we prefer to use either Custom or Movie modes instead.
  
  
  
  Backlight bleeding was not as prominent as the Viewsonic VX2268WM, but as mentioned, it can be visibly seen across the top and bottom edges of the screen on a uniform black display. However while playing these clips, we noticed that the screens appeared to be noisier and occasionally showcased streaking and flickering. Otherwise, colors were vibrant, and details were crisp and sharp.

3D Gaming for All?

We tested two games, Avatar and Fable: The Lost Chapter, both of which had an "Excellent" rating on NVIDIA's website for 3D gaming with their 3D Vision kit. For a full list of compatible games, you can check out their website here.

The 3D mode is automatically switched on when you have all the necessary drivers, programs installed and peripherals (NVIDIA 3D Vision Kit) attached. We had a relatively easy setup time with both monitors, but notably more so for ViewSonic's VX2268WM as the Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ had problems detecting the same DVI cable used until we swapped it out for another. The actual onscreen rendering was smooth, and had no noticeable lag due to the monitors' sufficient refresh rate of 120Hz. Both monitors were able to realistically convey depth that is consistent even when viewed at a different angle.

While the Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ allowed for fuss-free changes to settings in-game due to its smart interface, ViewSonic FuHzion VX2268wm had slightly better color accuracy and crispness.

Conclusion

At a quick glance, both LCD Monitors look pretty inconspicuous with a typical all-black body, easy assemblage and no swivel or height adjustment features; they are not exactly exciting to look at.

The specifications are eerily similar (standard 1000: 1 contrast ratio, typical 5ms response time, 300 nits brightness rating) with the only notable difference being that the Samsung having only a DVI connection, while ViewSonic has both DVI and VGA inputs. Both monitors support 120Hz refresh rate thus lending themselves as 3D capable - a huge plus for gamers and rightfully so since the GeForce 3D Vision kit caters specifically to the gaming crowd.

Though both the Samsung and Viewsonic monitors have their own pros and cons, their performance, as mentioned in the article, are more or less on par with each other. If you are looking at better setup quality, color accuracy and sleeker looks, Viewsonic VX2268wm will be a good choice. But if you are looking for a steadier stand, better interface controls and the opportunity to save a bit of cash, your answer will be the Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ. Otherwise, there isn't much to deter one from buying one over the other.

If 3D capable monitors aren't your thing and you don't want to splurge all that extra cash, you can totally disregard both because their normal usage performance isn't anything outstanding and are pretty ordinary.

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