A great computer monitor and acceptable TV

I bought this about June '06. For my situation, this monitor/TV has solved several problems at once. To start I don't have much space where I live and so this LCD TV/monitor serves dual purposes as a TV and as a computer monitor.

Previously I had a clunky old 19" TV, a DVD player and a cable box. Nearby was a bulky Dell desktop computer with a 19" Trinitron monitor and separate computer speakers. Together these items caused a jumble of wiring and took up a LOT of space. With careful planning, I was able to replace all of the above by purchasing a Mac mini (which I reviewed) and this Samsung LCD. They compliment each other well as they both are mostly silver in color. I am very pleased with the result.

The Samsung LCD works great as a monitor and just so-so as a TV. I believe the problem is that I don't have HDTV yet. When I view HD content coming from my computer on this Samsung, the results are spectacular.

Somehow the TV has to adjust itself to the standard TV signal and does not do it well. Especially close up, the picture is not that great. Sometimes the picture seems darker than normal and red is usually oversaturated. DVDs don't seem that much better. Yet overall I don't really mind the picture quality since I don't watch a lot of TV. When I do eventually upgrade to HDTV, my Samsung LCD will be ready.

There is a PIP feature where you can watch a little TV window while doing your computing and this little picture is much sharper with better color rendition. I do find that I have to adjust the volume when transitioning between computer monitor use and TV viewing.

The built in speakers work as expected--not spectacular but it does its job while taking up no additional desktop space and with much less wiring than separate computer speakers.

So in summary, if you consider this to be primarily a monitor with built in speakers, with the added functionality of a TV, then you will be much happier than if you buy this primarily as a TV that also works as a monitor.

I should also point out that the TV tuner is a regular tuner and not a HDTV tuner. So it can display an HDTV signal coming from your computer or cable box, for example, but not over the air.

Lastly, I would like to say that regarding computer monitors, I don't know what all the fuss is regarding the benefits of widescreen. It seems that for internet use and general computing, the standard, taller screen is preferable. I am guessing if you do a lot of video or graphic work you may appreciate the widescreen, but from my experience I much prefer a standard screen.