In The Zone | Samsung SyncMaster LD190 USB LCD Monitor: Principal Peripheral

Samsung SyncMaster LD190 USB LCD Monitor: Principal Peripheral

littlelion | 04 June, 2009 16:07

USB monitors are no longer new articles of trade for Samsung. As a matter of fact, the company was the one responsible for unveiling the world’s first USB monitor, the SyncMaster 940UX, at CeBIT in 2007. Doing without the other conventional means to hook up an LCD monitor to a PC, such as VGA and DVI, the 940UX only uses USB connection. Hence, with this monitor, a graphics card is not required.

The Samsung SyncMaster 940UX in 2007.

Fast forward to the present, Samsung refreshed its lineup of USB monitors, introducing the 18.5-inch LD190 and its 21.5-inch relative, the LD220. Among the two models, we have chosen the former as the subject matter of our blog today.

Don’t let its appearance from this angle fool you. Although it may look like a digital photo frame, the Samsung SyncMaster LD190 is an LCD monitor designed to serve as a secondary display for a notebook computer, therefore, the seemingly “stand-less” design. Beneath the LCD panel, a pair of rubber strips supports the unit, preventing it from sliding about on your desktop.

But it’s not actually “stand-less”. The stand of the LD190 is attached on its back in similar fashion to a digital photo frame. The stand is made adjustable so the user could tilt the monitor to up to 40 degrees vertically, depending on his or her viewing comfort.

Set in a fairly overcrowded office desk, we could see the space-saving value of the LD190. For connections, aside from a type B USB port, it has a VGA connector as well.

Complementing its streamlined profile, the LD190 incorporates a set of “hidden buttons” that glows red at the slightest stroke of a finger. Shown in this shot is the MagicBright menu as we tweak the monitor before putting it to the test. MagicBright provides you with five modes that automatically adjust the display’s brightness and contrast level according to the scene: Custom, Note PC, Internet, Movie, and Dynamic Contrast.

As usual, we started off with the static tests using DisplayMate. We could see here that the LD190 is capable of discerning all degrees of black.

On the other hand, it’s a bit contrary when the display tried to render the varying levels of white. We had tried the different MagicBright modes and reduced the brightness level to zero, but the monitor still unrecognized palettes beyond index 239.

Here's how the LD190 interpreted various color concoctions.

Striding ahead to the next set of tests which involved HD playback, we played around with Samsung’s MagicBright feature further. In this case, the monitor achieved best picture quality under Dynamic Contrast or Movie mode. Although the Dynamic Contrast mode intensifies the color vividness and the richness of black, it causes loss of detail at some points as well. Conversely, under Movie mode, color is softened and subject details are maintained.

Dynamic Contrast Mode

Movie Mode

Dynamic Contrast Mode

Movie Mode

Dynamic Contrast Mode

Movie Mode

Dynamic Contrast Mode

Movie Mode

Now, let’s focus on the main reason of the LD190’s existence which is to serve as a secondary monitor for a laptop computer.

To arrange the setup, we linked the LD190 to a notebook using the supplied USB cable (which looks similar to a USB printer cable) that came with the monitor. After setting up everything, we proceeded on installing the Samsung UbiSync driver. Be cautioned that the monitor will not work properly as a secondary monitor, unless the UbiSync driver is completely installed.

On Microsoft Windows Vista, the Device Manager should show a window like this.

The UbiSync toolbar eventually appears on the lower right side of the laptop’s screen. The said toolbar can be used to make changes on your dual monitor setup. In this photo, the notebook’s desktop is being mirrored on the LD190. The display orientation can be altered as well.

Additionally, you could also extend the desktop to the secondary monitor, allowing you to multitask with several application windows and spreadsheets…

… as well as work and play at the same time.

Evaluating the capabilities of the Samsung SyncMaster LD190 USB LCD monitor, we can say that it is a practical alternative for users who want to build a dual monitor setup without splashing too much on extra graphics cards. In addition, its stylish physique and remarkable picture quality are definitely hard to ignore.

Samsung SyncMaster LD190’s Specifications
Panel	18.5-inch LCD With 1366 x 768 Resolution
Dynamic Contrast Ratio	20,000:1
Brightness Level	250 cd/m²
Response Time	5ms
MagicBright Modes	Custom, Note PC, Internet, Movie, and Dynamic Contrast

comments

Pricing

Enthusiast | 06/06/2009, 22:21

Maybe hardwarezone can include prices when doing these articles?

That said, looks like a great peice of kit! :)

price

giomac | 07/06/2009, 10:03

Fortunately, a local disti sells this at P8,490.

Not Bad

Nelly Yuki | 10/06/2009, 06:32

I guess that is okay. Above average to average pricing for today's market leader.

good

battery | 12/06/2009, 09:43

guess that is okay.SAMSUNG X60 laptop battery

good

jamie | 29/06/2009, 19:15

I would consider buying this as my secondary monitor.

msi-ecs

madame deficit | 05/07/2009, 13:00

I gave MSI-ECS a ring and they confirmed that its price is P8,490.

Why does it hate my mac?

Jo | 10/07/2009, 10:53

How the hell do you install it for a mac?? Having muchos problemos.

Love it

Pete | 03/11/2009, 02:24

I have one of as a second display for my laptop at work - i like to have a dual monitor setup. THis is a stunnind cheap way to do it. I'm tempted to make it a 3-way with another one.

Samsung SyncMaster LD190 USB LCD Monitor: Principal Peripheral

comments

Pricing

price

Not Bad

good

good

msi-ecs

Why does it hate my mac?

Love it

Menu

search

recently...

Categories

archives