High-End Video Features at Modest Cost

SAN FRANCISCO (02/02/2000) - Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. bills its 15-inch SyncMaster 570p Plus TFT analog LCD monitor as a multimedia powerhouse. That may overstate the case, but the 570p Plus is easy to use and includes features--such as advanced image adjustment controls and video input ports--that used to be the province of higher-priced LCDs. At $1254, it's still far from cheap, but it costs $200 to $400 less than comparable 15-inch products and should please image and video editors with flexible budgets, or home users with money to burn.

The shipping unit's LCD monitor has NTSC composite/S-Video input and a picture-in-picture feature that lets you hook up your DVD, VCR, or camcorder and set your favorite movie to run alongside your work application--or edit the stream coming in. It also provides advanced features such as detailed image and video adjustments, wide-angle views, and up to 64X zooming capability (helpful for precise photo-editing work). Also handy is the automatic adjustment feature, which optimizes the display settings to your PC. The unit's base pivots for landscape or portrait view, but the screen tends to catch on the adapter cord (so pull the screen forward before pivoting).

When put to the visual test, the 570p Plus did not disappoint. You get 160-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles, and text at the optimal 1024 by 768 resolution was crisp and clear (the maximum resolution is 1280 by 1024).

When I viewed graphics such as Web pages and images, though, colors looked washed out and less detailed than on high-end CRTs and comparable LCDs. On the plus side, even after leaving the display on all day, I saw no screen jitter or ghosting.

You can add USB to the unit through an optional $35 USB hub with one upstream and four downstream ports. The display also comes with software for making precise color adjustments to the screen.

The SyncMaster 570p Plus's wealth of features and controls makes it worthwhile for high-end graphics users who want advanced graphic controls or for those seeking a thin LCD that delivers crisp text.

SyncMaster 570p Plus TFT

PRO: Advanced features and controls for video editing; crisp text.

CON: A tad expensive; colors in graphics somewhat washed out.

VALUE: Good for space-conscious users who want advanced graphics and video capabilities.

Street price: $1254

Samsung Electronics America

800/726-7864

www.samsungmonitor.com.

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