19" CRT---957MB from Samsung?

[Ardan]

Well, I initially was hoping for a 17" LCD because I love 'em, but I can't. It has to do with paying off financial aid . So I figured i'd go with a 19" CRT since I can fit it easily in here. I have seen the 17" MagicBright from Samsung and I think it looks great...would this 957MB be just as good? It seems to get great reviews, and it is $269 on Newegg. It has a $37 shipping charge, which is okay. I know someone is going to say the DP930SB-BK, but that is $285 on there with $37 shipping, and I can't afford to buy that one. Yes, I know that it is one of the best CRTs around. I have a big sensitivity to light, so I can't keep my old CRT for long, because it is hurting my eyes.

What do you think, 957MB? I like the G90fb too, but I haven't seen that one at all...and it doesn't get overwhelmingly good reviews like the 957MB. I am leaning towards this, but I just had to ask...nothing better than advice from Anandtech Forum regulars :beer:

 

[GeneralGrievous]

I'd stay away from the viewsonics. Overall they seem to be lacking in quality.

The 957 is a shadow mask, which IMO lacks the clarity and sharpness of the aperture grill screens. If that $14 is totally breaking your back, consider this monitor as well.

 

[Ardan]

Oh I completely forgot about that!
thanks

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

I have recently gone trough issues with the Viewsonic P95f+, but I think I may have finally got a good one.

Basically, I'm on my third in a month. #1 was bad out of the box, #2 was good but failed in a month (two days ago), so I returned it and was looking at other monitors but they didn't have anything else in stock so I grabbed #3. I made sure to check it out in the store so I would know how it looked.

So far it is very clear and crisp, so hopefully it stays that way.

If you check out Best Buy, they have a Samsung 997 for $200 with free shipping, although I highly recommend actually going to the store and hooking up the one you plan on taking home.

(EDIT) I can't actually find a 997 on Samsung's website, so maybe they are actually selling a 957 and have a typo. If so, it is a good price. (END EDIT)

After my experience with viewsonic (which used to be quite good) and after reading newegg reviews of almost every brand, it is quite evident that all CRT's are having quality problems these days (probably due to cost pressures). Therefore, if you use the one you plan on taking home, you'll at least know that it is clear and in focus before you leave.

Due to the size of the monitor, paying shipping in order to return an item bought online will quickly make you loose quite a bit of money.

-D'oh!

 

[GeneralGrievous]

The only problem with the samsung 997 is that it only gets 75 hz@1600x1200. If you can deal with that, great, but it gives me a headache.

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Yeah, I can understand that, which is why I prefer the viewsonic P95f+ and the Nec/Mitsu professional grade stuff.

However, those still have clarity problems (so you should still take a look at them before buying) and are much harder to find locally it seems, so that might be an issue.

Personall, I don't mind 75Hz and even 72 or so, but now that my Viewsonic seems OK, I'll gladly take 85Hz @ 1600x1200.

-D'oh!

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
I'd stay away from the viewsonics. Overall they seem to be lacking in quality.

The 957 is a shadow mask, which IMO lacks the clarity and sharpness of the aperture grill screens. If that $14 is totally breaking your back, consider this monitor as well.

I've just returned the exact monitor you've recommended. If you're looking for clarity and sharpness you won't find it on the NEC FE991SB. Yes, images and graphics look bright and colourful, but text is far too blurry at any resolution higher than 1024 @ 85 Hz. I'm actually surprised NEC still sell the monitor.

 

[SmuvMoney]

I was going to suggest the NEC FP912SB, which is thier top of the line 19" CRT. Text and graphics were clear on this monitor. The price may break you if you are on a tight budget. I can't vouch for the FE991SB that brigden returned as it is not billed to be in the same class from looking at NEC/Mitsubishi's web site. The only reason I no longer use it noiw is that I just bought a FP2141SB.

 

[Bucksnort]

For your price range I would go with the nec 991. The 991 is really pretty much the same as the mit 930 and many can tell little or no difference. I have the 930. And Brigden I can guarantee you that the problem is in your video card, not the 991. The 991 is one of the sharpest monitors out today along with the 930. You are wasting your money buying and returning monitors. Get a new decent video card. The NEC FP912SB is no longer made. The mit 930 is the same exact monitor and is the model nec/mit decided to use.

I missed the light sensitivity part of your post arden. I think it would be best to go with the 957 over the 991. The 991 is a bit bright for some. 957 is a good monitor, you will like it. Heck, the 955 is a pretty darn decent monitor and you sure cant beat the price.

 

[GreatBarracuda]

The Samsun 957MB is an excellent monitor for the price. It was my first choice, but due to non-availability, I went with the Viesonic which is absolutely amazing IMO.

 

[brigden]

Reviews of FE991:

From amazon.com: "Never have I ever seen such blurry text. I tried every possible adjustment, all to no avail."

From newegg.com: "I've had the blurry text problem but that was at resolutions with the refresh hz above 75."

From newegg.com: "This monitor has blurry text, all of my monitors, even the old Optiquest, have superior text, but I am getting used to it, although I am not happy about it."

From newegg.com: "The blurry text is apparent in some resolutions, but adjustment of the brightness fixes the problem. At 1280x1024 the blurry text is hardly noticable at 0-80 percent brightness."

From zdnet.com: "If you care about seeing only photos and other graphics in all their glorious color, you'll like the FE991SB. But if you work with written documents, be prepared for blurry text."

From zdnet.com: "If accurate color in a moderately priced display is crucial to you, this CRT may fit the bill. But if you look at spreadsheets and text all day, don't even consider it."

From pcworld.com: "Graphics looked detailed, but text at smaller font sizes wasn't razor-sharp.

 

[Bucksnort]

And most of those were using superbrite mode also. Read em. Superbrite modes are not meant to be used except for games or occasional video viewing. And the 991 is one of the few monitors on newegg that has a 5 star rating. Get a video card.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Bucksnort
And most of those were using superbrite mode also. Read em. Superbrite modes are not meant to be used except for games or occasional video viewing.

I turned SB mode off when using the monitor and the blurriness was bad - with SB mode on, it was unbearable.

 

[Bucksnort]

What did I say earlier, its your XXXXX video card.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Bucksnort
What did I say earlier, its your XXXXX video card.

A built by ATi 9700 Pro is not a "XXXXX" video card.

I've had several different monitors connected to the same video card and never had problems with blurry text. If others are experiencing the same problem, it's the monitor.

Some people are simply more sensitive to blurry text, perhaps you aren't.

 

[Bucksnort]

This is what, your 3rd monitor and diffenent brands? I believe your last monitor issue thread supports my case pretty well. Case closed. 9700 is an excellent video card. Cards go south occasionally, face it.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=1323843&highlight_key=y

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Bucksnort
This is what, your 3rd monitor and diffenent brands? I believe your last monitor issue thread supports my case pretty well. Case closed.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=1323843&highlight_key=y

Nope. Found the interferrence was coming from the wall where my setup was against. I moved the setup into the middle of the room and the interferrence disappeared. Just to be sure, we plugged the FE991 into my roommate's PC, upstairs. Text was still blurry.

Case closed.

 

[GeneralGrievous]

Anandtech says the 991 is an excellent monitor.
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.html?i=2058&p=5

 

[Bucksnort]

Originally posted by: brigden

Originally posted by: Bucksnort
This is what, your 3rd monitor and diffenent brands? I believe your last monitor issue thread supports my case pretty well. Case closed.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=1323843&highlight_key=y

Nope. Found the interferrence was coming from the wall where my setup was against. I moved the setup into the middle of the room and the interferrence disappeared. Just to be sure, we plugged the FE991 into my roommate's PC, upstairs. Text was still blurry.

Case closed.

Originally posted by: brigden
Last weekend, after we got back from the bar, my GF, completely inebriated, managed to vomit the contents of her stomach all over my bed. She ruined the duvet cover, stained the duvet itself, and also ruined two pillows.

She's offered to pay to replace the bedding, and it was expensive stuff, but I'm having a hard time accepting her offer, despite the fact that I would replace the items had I been the one who ruined them.

Would you accept the offer?

Just a hunch, perhaps some vomitus got on the screen?

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Bucksnort

Originally posted by: brigden

Originally posted by: Bucksnort
This is what, your 3rd monitor and diffenent brands? I believe your last monitor issue thread supports my case pretty well. Case closed.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=1323843&highlight_key=y

Nope. Found the interferrence was coming from the wall where my setup was against. I moved the setup into the middle of the room and the interferrence disappeared. Just to be sure, we plugged the FE991 into my roommate's PC, upstairs. Text was still blurry.

Case closed.

Originally posted by: brigden
Last weekend, after we got back from the bar, my GF, completely inebriated, managed to vomit the contents of her stomach all over my bed. She ruined the duvet cover, stained the duvet itself, and also ruined two pillows.

She's offered to pay to replace the bedding, and it was expensive stuff, but I'm having a hard time accepting her offer, despite the fact that I would replace the items had I been the one who ruined them.

Would you accept the offer?

Just a hunch, perhaps some vomitus got on the screen?

Ha ha. Get a life, troll.

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Let me just repeat this one point:

ALL CRT's vary, so just because one gets a good review doesn't mean others of that same product will be good as well. You can see that in the reviews where 75% of the people have good experiences but the rest have blurry text and other problems. I experienced this first hand with the Viewsonics.

I think all these recommended monitors have the potential to be very good, (except the Samsung 955 which has very low refresh) but you need to confirm that the specific one you take home will be good. Just go to a shop and try out different ones and pick the one you like the best. The extra money spent up front will outweigh the hassle and cost of returning a bad monitor bought online.

That's just my opinion after dealing with this issue recently (but you can tell that I am pretty passionate in the belief after the trouble I've been through )

-D'oh!

 

[GeneralGrievous]

I think that's the truth. The individual CRT you get is more important than the model it is.

 

[Bucksnort]

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
I think that's the truth. The individual CRT you get is more important than the model it is.

One should always buy a monitor from a local store if possible. No cost to return and decreased shiping trauma.

 

[Ardan]

Well I think maybe I should stick to the 957MB. If you look around, nobody really has any problems with that monitor. I have always known with the FE991SB monitor that some thought it was fantastic and then some said it had blurry text, including CNET and PCWorld. Sometimes, it appears to be 50/50 on that and when it is that even, I'm not buying the monitor.

PC World Article
A good choice for sharp text and vivid graphics at a midrange price.

I am not buying a monitor from any store nearby. Why? Well, because I don't want to buy an A90f+, or the 17" MagicBright and I don't prefer the 955DF either. It seems to be either these seemingly low-end monitors or LCD screens that are out of my range, and cheaper online anyways. I am confident that buying a monitor from Newegg is perfectly safe.

 

[brigden]

I haven't had to pay to have a monitor returned yet, neither shipping, nor restocking. I agree it's a far better idea to shop first hand, but often that's not an option.

Like Ardan has said, the big box stores around my area only carry the Viewsonic A90f+, a few 17" variations, or a load of over-priced LCDs.