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At only £323, the 20.1in Syncmaster 205BW is the most cost-effective HDCP monitor in this grouptest of Vista ready monitors.
Most of us don’t want to spend a fortune on a monitor, so it’s great to see a reasonably priced model supporting HDCP.
Offering the same 1,680x1,050 resolution as its big brother, the SM215TW and Sony’s MFM-HT205, it acquits itself just as well for standard desktop applications, but its reduced viewing angles and maximum 16.2 million colours (6 bits per pixel with dithering as opposed to eight bits undithered for all the other models) place it in a lower performance bracket.
Its lower-cost TN panel has a fast 6ms response time but if you want the very best from high-definition video, the SM205BW sadly isn’t going to give it to you.
A highly adjustable stand is provided: height, tilt and swivel functions are all there. Although it comes with both VGA and DVI connections, the SM205BW lacks the slew of analogue inputs found on the SM215TW as well its audio capabilities and pivot function.
Six control buttons adorn the monitor’s super-slim bezel, including a dedicated automatic setup button. The Magic Bright function gives you quick access to preset image modes configured for Text, Internet, Game, Sport and Movie operation.
There’s also a custom mode. Software support is good, and includes Magic Tune monitor calibration software, to achieve the best colour matching.
This software also lets you access most of the functions of the monitor using your mouse, avoiding the monitor’s on-screen menu system, and letting you save your configuration in profiles for later recall.
Although it lacks many extras, the SM205BW is a quality product that benefits greatly from Samsung’s support and software packages. However, if your main reason for buying an HDCP-compliant monitor is to watch HD video, we’d suggest saving up a little more.
This article is part of a group test of
HDCP
Vista-ready TFT monitors.
See also
Dell 3007WFP
Samsung SM215TW
Sony MFM-HT205
Viewsonic VP233wb
The HDCP chain
How we tested the monitors
How HDCP works
Performance graphs and table of features can be read via our pdf downloads
All Flat Panel monitors
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