Samsung SM172X vs. SM173P

Hey,

I'm looking for a 17" LCD, and have narrowed it down to these two models:

http://www.samsung.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecu...rodID=DS17BSDS

http://www.samsung.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecu...odID=DI17PSQAQ

The SM172X is about £40 cheaper, and has a faster response time, and a thinner bezel. The SM173P looks nicer IMO, has a wider viewing angle, and a much better contrast ratio, however, this comes as the expense of the response time.

Has anyone had any experience with the above models? Are both made of aluminium, as it's hard to tell. The SM172X has a thinner bezel, but I am unlikely to use it in a multi-display setup, although it's probably worth considering.

I work with photos / code / web more than I game (though not enough to warrant staying with a CRT), so that will probably sway the argument in favour of the SM173P, but I'd like to get some opinions here first.

Thanks

Both completely different monitors.

The 172X had alot of controversy surrounding its release when slower panels *supposedly* made it into retails channels and were erroneously sold as 12ms TN+Film panels. Samsung said that the situation was eventually rectified but there were still issues with the monitors and a number of websites, noticeably THG picked up on the issue of poor response times, motion blur etc and whether the 12ms panels were genuinely horrendously slow or whether the wrong panels had made it into retail monitors. There was also a period where Samsung stated that the monitor had officially been withdrawn from production because of this issue. I had one of these about 18 months ago. It was "ok" but I didn't think it was that great - average monitor at an above average price. Personally I'm not convinced about the story about the wrong panels getting into the wrong monitors - Samsung's QC is generally so high, that I would be very surprised if this actually happened. I suspect it might have been more the case of the 12ms panels used performing very poorly, say 25-35ms and the marketing department undertaking a damage limitation exercise. BTW, its not aluminium - more like silver plastic.

The 173P is a relatively new model and from memory is PVA/MVA screen (or whatever Samsung's proprietary version is called). Has all the benefits of PVA (great picture, colour reproduction, viewing angles etc) with the drawbacks (response times). Apparently, its a fabulous monitor if you're not intending to use it for fast motion work. I heard that there was a slight minor issue with incorrect colour profile being supplied on the driver CD/website but from what I can remember, that can be corrected fairly easily. The monitor has a aluminium bezel and stand. I don't have any personal use/experience of this monitor though other than looking at it in a shop.

Speak to the Russians ;)

The 173P is better if you are not a gamer. I prefer the 172n over both of those because it has 600:1 contrast and 12ms response. It does not have DVI though. If you need that and if image quality is your thing the 173P is probably the best.

The thing is I do the odd bit of gaming, and don't want a display that it really crap, however I do like the styling of the 173P, and the fact it is aluminium is a bonus. Are there any other TFTs which perform better than the 173P, but follow the same sort of styling lines, and don't cost the earth?

Although it is looking like the 173P at the moment, my sister has an old 25ms 151P and the ghosting on that isn't horrendeous.

I've been looking at the ViewSonic VX715, which is quoted at 16ms response, and gets good reviews, but some places quote a 25ms response, whereas the VS website quotes 16ms. Does anyone know which one is correct?

If you want something similar to the 173P in terms of styling, have a look at the Acer 1731M which is a beautiful looking monitor made out of aluminium, with polished chrome buttons, blue power LED, multicolour OSD etc. It uses the 20ms Hydis panel which THG seem to like and is a genuine 24bit/16.77M colour panel.

I'm not so sure that the VX715 is going to be that great for any sort of photography work simply because it uses an 18bit colour matrix which only generates 16.2m colours through interpolation. If you're serious about photography work, you'll probably notice the lack of subtlely in the colours. Then again, if you're serious about photography work, you won't be using a TFT ;)

I've owned about 4 different TFTs in the last 2 years or so (Samsung 172X, LG 1710B, Iiyama E431-S, and Acer 1731M), and used many more at the various companies. There really is no such thing as perfect TFT in my view - they all suffer from compromises of one sort of another.

If I was buying a monitor tommorow, I'd probably try a 173P/193P or a Dell 2005FPW.

What if we add the ViewsSonic VP171b to the mix?