Introduction :

H20 20.1" 1600x1200

I receive a handful of hot deals from PC and Electronics hardware retailers on a weekly basis. $179.95 20.1” 1600x1200 LCD display caught my eyes a couple of weeks ago from Geeks Computer Parts. However, the name H20 simply does not ring any bells.

I did some digging around and found Scanport together with Microtek might be responsible for marketing and manufacturing the product H20. I contacted Scanport, and it confirmed that Scanport is a manufacturer and Microtek is a reseller. Although there is not much information from its U.S. website, it is good to know Scanport has a foothold here.

Before I go further, I am totally amazed at PC hardware pricings of late. CPUs are getting faster and cheaper; LCD displays are getting bigger and heck a lot more affordable; memory pricings, well you all know too well the price of a pair of DDR2 800.

I remember when some of us coughing up $800 big ones for a 17" LCD in 2002, and $500 to $600 for standard format 1600x1200 high resolution LCD just a couple of years ago. As a matured (older) geek, I tend to spend my money less as generous as the younger ones. When I realized I need to replace my aging display, I shop around. I do some Auto Cad work occasionally and I am not quite comfortable with wide screen, especially in an office environment. What Geeks Computer Parts has to offer may suit my needs? Nevertheless, a week before I noticed the H20 from Geeks I had ordered a Samsung B204B 20.1" for a new system costing much more. Now you know where I am going.





The sample unit arrived in the original packing from the manufacturer without a scratch. H20 is wider and taller than Samsung 204B with speakers located on both sides.

The sample unit was brand new and delivered by FedEx truck from Geeks Computer Parts in Southern California. The power supply is built in, it came with -

Manual and registration card

DVI and VGA cables

Power Cable

Specifications -





No, your eyes are playing trick on you, the 25ms response time is not a misprint while 16, 8, and 5ms response are commonly spec'ed. We will find out this not so "welcome" response time comparing to the faster Samsung unit.

Samsung 204B 20.1" 1600x1200

This LCD display has received many favorable review comments/reviews since last years. It remains one of the better choices in this category, although the wide screen 1680x1050 resolution models have been taking the spot light recently.



Two 20.1" LCD displays yet the H20 has a much larger package for two reasons; 1) The rotating Samsung display allows a tighter package, 2) The H20 has speakers mounted on the sides making it larger in size than the Samsung.



Specifications -

Manual and Software Driver CD

DVI and VGA cables

Power Cable

Both units have built-in power supply.

Closer Look @ H20



There is no height adjustment, nor does it allow side movement and the only adjustment of viewing angle tilting angle of 3° down and 35° down.



H20 has a "large" presence with speakers on both sides and "thick" top/bottom frame.



Country of original - "Made in Taiwan" becomes uncommon recently as most goods are originated from China.



You will find the control panel located on the right side of the display.



Power plug, DVI, VGA and Sound Jack are located at the lower back of the unit.






The settings are straight forward; I found the side control panel location hard to reach. The preset Color Temp settings do not work. I used the "User Preset" option

Closer Look @ Samsung 204B



The display can be rotated up to 270°, a nifty gadget if you ever need it.



There is a 5-inch height adjustment, turning the display sideways is smooth and effordless.






The settings are easy to follow; everything works.



While the H20 was made in Taiwan, Samsung 204B was made in China. I make a point of this intentionally because I believe in product design, manufacturing excellence in process control and customer supports are the main factors in the determination of the success of a product rather than where the product is manufactured. Surely, marketing and sales cannot be overlooked.



DVI, VGA and Power Plug are located at the bottom of the display.

The control panel located in front faciliate setting changes

Samsung provides drivers for both Analog and DVI plus MagicRotation, Natural Color and Magic Tune. It is recommended that the users check for new updates.

Performance:

Frankly, I have no idea how to evaluate monitors other than hooking them up to equipment that measures Color Space in sRGB or based on half a dozen similar standards; produce a few charts and graphs. I certainly have nothing against the approach; a scientific approach I always accept. Fortunately, no dead pixel on both of the monitors, something that the graphs don't show.

However, there is the human element involves for as long as we are dealing with senses, plus the fact that we don’t have the fancy equipment. My option is “testing with seat of my pants” in trusting my own eyes. With five LCDs sitting around me, I thought comparing images by capturing them with digital camera might do the job. After using the two monitors side by side for almost a week on a daily basis, I have no complains (serious complaint) against either one.

When it comes to presenting how my eyes sense the color images from those two monitors, the following photos were taken with my Canon camera after the monitors were calibrated under the same condition using Pantone "huey" calibrator tested previously. Instead of listing which of the two monitors the photos came from, I would leave it to you to make the decision. This is a $160 question, the price difference between the two monitors.

Click to enlarge










Comparing the photos, the difference of the two monitors could be subjective and subdue.

Response time: H20 25ms versus Samsung 5ms - Ghost Chasing

The tricky part, LCD response time is coming down drastically. It is now commonly found at 5ms or lower.

Using 3DMark03 and Canon EOS 20D set to 1/250 second shutter speed, let see if we could get the "ghost".

Click to enlarge
H20/Samsung


After taking almost 100 shots from 1/500, 1/250 and 1/60, there was not much difference. I would skip them and list two using 1/60 second below, you are not missing anything.



What the lens of camera captured was not what I could vision. As far as I am concerned the two monitors show similar effect in my eyes, no ghosting could be seen. Obviously, the camera lens disagrees. The slower H20 does show more trailing effect.

DVD Movie comparison- from Digital Camera

H20/Samsung



Effect from the two high speed scenes at the beginning of Miami Vice.

H20/Samsung


FarCry Demo before the action begins.


Backlighting (enhanced)- Samsung

Backlighting (enhanced)- H20

Thoughts:

Needless to say the camera lens captured a lot more than my eyes would ever could. During normal use from office apps, DVD movie, games and photo edit, I could not tell much of a difference. In fact, I was rather surprised to see some of the differences from the camera shots.

It would seem to me that the Samsung 204B is the obvious winner here; the pictures look more crisp and sharp. I couldn't make up my mind on the color reproduction as to which one I prefer.

5ms response time or as slow as the H20 25ms only produce the difference in ghosting from the camera. Personally, I simply can't see ghost effect from the lowly 25ms H20, perhaps my age is catching up on me.


H20

H20 wants you to know its presence with the extra width and height. The 2x 3W speakers could come in handy, setting the volume to higher than 50% will only amplify the high tone and sound really "sissy". There is no height and side adjustments, the only part that moves is tilt angle. The display is very bright with good contrast, default settings from the factory is rather poor as they set everything at 50 (right in the middle) while the color temperature settings (9300, 7500 and 6500° K) do not work at all. I use the "user preset" instead.

1600x1200 resolution must be created with forceware, there is no driver available. Otherwise, it defaults to 1280x1024. Color reproduction, brightness and contrast turn out decent after user adjustments made.

With a street price of $179.99, some of the inconveniences could be "ignored" by some, together with the lack of height and side adjustment feature.


Samsung 204B

You can adjust, swing and rotate whichever way you like. It only takes a slight push towards the direction you want. The front control panel is easy to operate, although it does not provide speakers. The Samsung 204B has a slim look as if it takes less space. The 1600x1200 resolution display is getting scarce because people are leaning towards the wide screen format; the 204B has a street price of about $330 to $350. The default setting allows plug & play at native resolutions. Color reproduction, brightness and contrast are better than H20. The 204B is a very good display in this class. For office apps, certain 3D works and graphic this classic format will be found in many businesses for a long time while the wide screen displays remain in the homes of many.

Conclusion:

I'd say we have a very good LCD display/monitor, the Samsung 204B; a decent average one, the H20. I "Googled" an hour ago, the Samsung 204B was priced at as low as $339.95 while the H20 is 55% less, everyday price of $179.95 at Geeks.

Putting money aside, the 204B is a winner. Considering the price difference, I'd take the H20 and add another $40 and my saving to get an 8800GT for the holiday season. Nevertheless, Samsung 204B offers unique features and highly rated by most. Should your work require such feature, the extra bucks would be well spent.

By the way, all H20 photos are on the left side and Ssmsung 204B on the right. :) Until next time, take care.