Design
Samsung's Syncmaster 305T is a physically imposing LCD screen, but that's pretty much a given for any 30-inch display. What makes the 305T stand out, however, is the incredibly minimalist bezel with relatively few display controls on its front. Instead of highlighting the display with a bezel of varying thickness or differing colours, the Syncmaster 305T instead opts for a slim and uniform 2cm wide bezel. This has the effect of making the screen meld into its background, rather than stand out -- well, as much as a 30-inch LCD screen can meld into anything. Despite being an LCD rather than a CRT, you'll still need a solid quantity of desk space to accommodate its bulk; it measures in at 690.2 x 502.0 x 280.0 mm with the stand attached, and weighs a solid 12kg.
We can't go without making comment about the tagline that Samsung uses on its the on its 305T homepage: "Imagine the extra width your life could have". We're not too sure it's a good idea to take taglines from Viagra spam vendors.
Features
The 305T is a 16:10 aspect ratio LCD display with a claimed grey-to-grey response time of 6ms. Resolution tops out at WQXGA (2560 x 1600). You'll need a decent quality graphics card, with Dual-Link DVI support, to run that kind of resolution. Typical contrast ratio is stated at 1000:1, with a brightness ratio of 400cd/m2. Samsung claims a viewing angle of 178 degrees from all sides.
The connector on the monitor itself is a DVI-D type, and a compatible cable is provided. There are no additional inputs for home AV equipment or even a VGA connector; this is intended as a high-end PC display only, unless you want to get fiddly with converters or plug-through solutions.
The Syncmaster 305T also sports four USB connectors, but they're placed at the bottom and on the rear of the display, making them rather difficult to get access to.
Performance
Getting the settings correct on the Syncmaster 305T was something of a chore, as it omits any kind of on-screen display. The only thing you can alter from the front controls are the brightness settings. Any other tweaking you want to do to optimise picture quality has to be done via the control panel of your respective graphics card. It's an annoying chore although, to be fair to the 305T, it isn't the only large display panel to go down this route.
It's quite common in larger screens to see visual problems because the scaling needed to push images up to size can be beyond some displays. When we fired up Displaymate to test the Syncmaster 305T, it gave an excellent showing, though. It has excellent colour reproduction, pin-point display geometry and good greyscale gradation. As such, it'd make an excellent working monitor for Photoshop types. At the same time, the 6ms response time worked well in our games tests with no perceptible display lag. Likewise, high definition video looked awesome although, as with the recently reviewed Dell 2707WFP, we'd worry about the long-term effects of watching too much video at such short distances.
It's not cheap, and its size means it's not for everybody, but if you're in the market for a really large LCD monitor, the Samsung Syncmaster 305T comes highly recommended.
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ivansoze
15/04/2008, 04:46 PM
rating
9/10
Have had this for over a year, bought from "Scorptec'($100 for the plug thnx!) and it's the best part of my rig(780i, e8400, 8800gtxSLI)and will be with me till it dies!! Absolutely the best 30" I have seen/used...
Pros: dot pitch, smooth look, adjustable height, USB ports
Cons: only has 1 dual-link DVI port...
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Desona
15/03/2008, 10:52 AM
rating
9/10
Having finally upgraded my machine to a nicley built quad core, 4 gig matched high speed ram with dual sli 8800 gtx cards and striker extreme mobo to boot, This screen is the pinnacle of my machine. LOVE IT
Pros: All good
Cons: Damn even the neighsbor can watch it from across the road
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cyex
16/08/2007, 01:13 PM
rating
9/10
I had this screen and was very happy with it for three months, then without warning or provokation whatsoever (actually I wasn't even home, have no pets, and have surge protection), my 305T suddenly started showing a entire vertical line (1600 pixels worth) of yellow toward the left-hand side of the monitor. No amount of restarting or changing screen modes could fix it.
Monday 30th of July
I called Samsung (1300 362 603) but couldn't reach the IT department. Another staff member took a message to get an IT staff member to call back - I left both my mobile and home number but didn't get a call back.
Wednesday 1st of August
Exactly the same scenario as Monday differing only in the offered 'urgency' in the message left with the IT department, but still no-one called me back.
Friday 3rd of August
I got through to someone in the IT department and told them of my screen's problem (and that this was my 3rd phone call). They took all my details and serial number, etc and told me someone would call me back 'early next week'. I got a reference number, but no-one called me back.
Thursday 9th of August
I got through to someone in the IT department again and explained this was my 4th phone call regarding the issue. I gave the support guy my reference number and was told the reason for the delay was availability of (Samsung 305T) stock and that he would send an email to someone to give me a call back.
Friday 10th of August
Received a call to my mobile and was told I would get another call (and possibly a visit) on Wednesday (15th of August).
Wednesday 15th of August
Got a call from Samsung stating that they have a replacement monitor in stock and will deliver it tomorrow (Thursday 16th August). The rep double-checked my home address and also asked that I pack up my old monitor for collection on Tuesday (21st of August).
Thursday 16th of August
The 'new' monitor arrived. Immediately I got an uneasy feeling because the box looked old and had been re-taped. I thought it may have been a used one. Upon opening the box I found pieces of broken foam packaging, and other parts of the packaging torn. Cables were tied with regular rubber bands, instead of in sealed plastic.
After seeing all that, the actual monitor surprised me - there was not a scratch or a spec of dust on it; It did *look* brand new. Pity they couldn't spare a few cents on new packaging for it.
Now it's running and seems fine. However I'm still looking at it with suspicion, all because of the old packaging. A new box probably would have made all the difference to a happy customer.
I called Samsung about the issue and they said that there is no guarantee that your replacement monitor will be brand new, however the units they send out are refurbished by Samsung and quality tested for about a week before they are used as replacement stock. Anyway, it looks and acts like a brand new one, and it's still under warranty for another 2 and a half years, so I'm happy now.
And I still rate this screen very highly.
Pros: Excellent picture
Simple and elegant casing
Cons: Cannot rotate 90 degrees for portrait view.
Blue light on the front cannot be turned off (similar to every other screen on earth).
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IVO2
24/07/2007, 04:34 AM
rating
10/10
Good choice
Pros: Bravo
Cons: Bravo
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