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Samsung SA950 27in 3D monitor review

by Tarinder Sandhu on 28 July 2011, 09:13 3.5

Tags: Samsung (005935.KS)

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Three Dee

3D quality - TriDef

Running 3D gaming via the TriDef method requires configuring the screen to run either sequential or side-by-side processing, depending on graphics card, and then launching titles via the software. This can be done by either requesting the 'Game Launcher' software to scan the system for known executable game files, or by manually adding in the correct files.

Fire up Call of Duty: Black Ops, sync the glasses, and the 3D effect is obvious and overt during the title sequence and in-game play. Adjustments enable you to alter the perceived 3D depth, to suit your eye, and, running, via DVI (HDMI is limited to 60Hz), on an AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB card at a full-HD, high-quality setting, the overall experience can be termed good.

But switch on over to an NVIDIA 3D Vision setup - we used a GeForce GTX 570 card housed in a comparable system, connected to an ASUS VG236H monitor - and the 3D effect is considerably better, according to our trio of test players.

Load up other popular games and the same observations permeate the thoughts of the testing trio. It's not so much that the ASUS screen is better than the Samsung, rather NVIDIA's 3D Vision system gives a more-immersive feel in most games. 3D via TriDef is good, not great, and the need to go through a specific application (Game Launcher) doesn't help matters.

3D quality - Samsung monitor

Yet we know that the SA950 itself can convert 3D on the fly, irrespective of input content. The system actually works pretty well, all things considered. Activating the mode causes the screen to look a little fuzzy when viewing without 3D glasses - the program is sending slightly different images to each eye - but they composite well when looking at pictures, video and gaming.

And the built-in system is game-agnostic, too. Every title can be processed into a pseudo 3D look, requiring no middleware or driver support, though, while 3D depth can be set, the results aren't as impressive as TriDef's (when it works well) and certainly not up to the punch and depth clarity of NVIDIA's 3D Vision.

3D quality - non-PC

While the majority of this review has focussed on PC-centric 3D usage, there's nothing stopping you connecting it up to a PlayStation 3 and/or 3D-capable Blu-ray player. We did just that with the trusty PS3, via HDMI, and found that Call of Duty: Black Ops was no better than the PC version for the quality of 3D effects.

Switching gears to Grand Turismo 5 and 3D comes back with a bang. That elusive word, immersion, springs to mind, and, subjectively speaking, the game plays better this way.

What we think

Here's the rub, folks. The Samsung SA950's gorgeous aesthetics and excellent 2D traits aren't the main selling points here. Rather, it's the quality of 3D that'll determine whether readers put down £500 on a 27in, full-HD screen. Samsung's active-shutter glasses technology isn't compatible with NVIDIA's and, as such, 3D Vision isn't available. This is a shame because Samsung's chosen methods of displaying 3D - TriDef software and monitor-side processing - aren't as immersive in the games we tested with.

A solid screen for readers who use AMD's Radeon graphics or want a 3D screen for the PS3 or Blu-ray player, NVIDIA's range of GPUs is better covered by Vision 3D-compatible screens. Ultimately, the Samsung SA950 is a gorgeous monitor whose looks aren't matched by similar 3D prowess in a PC environment.

The Good

Looks drop-dead gorgeous; super-thin bezel
Built-in 3D mode works well, is GPU-agnostic
Very good 2D image
Thin-and-light active-shutter glasses bundled

The Bad

Overly reflective screen and surround
Doesn't support 3D Vision
Costs £500-plus
Overall 3D quality not up there with best 3D Vision packages

HEXUS Rating

Award

Samsung SA950 27in LED 3D monitor

HEXUS Where2Buy

The Samsung SA950 27in 3D monitor can be purchased from Scan.co.uk.

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



HEXUS Forums :: 9 Comments

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Interesting concept design wise. As an early adopter of 3D on a Samsung 2233 3D monitor using Nvidia software there were a number of problems I felt Samsung had not thought through. Although, set at 120Hz the 3D was good, one had too switch the monitor back to 60Hz to watch a 2D Blu-ray. I think Samsung may again not have thought through the compatability aspects properly since it is yet another stand alone variation on 3D presentation. Reminds me of the cartridge versus cassette battles of many years ago. Compatability of systems is the key factor to my mind and Samsung with, as we read in the review, a possibly less acceptable visual experience than the Nvidia product, are taking a commercial risk. After about a year of 3D experience I now have an excellent set up using a Acer GD245HQ screen coupled with a MSI Twin Frozr GPU and an MSI P678A-GD53 mobo. Great results and it does everything I want from 3D.

I expect as usual others may slate the 3D idea and the ‘headache’ factor will come up again. I would simply say like all new technology impacting on your optical ability you have to start using it for short periods and build up slowly. I can watch it without a problem but I did take it easy at first.
tigertop1
Compatibility of systems is the key factor to my mind and Samsung with, as we read in the review, a possibly less acceptable visual experience than the Nvidia product, are taking a commercial risk. After about a year of 3D experience I now have an excellent set up using a Acer GD245HQ screen coupled with a MSI Twin Frozr GPU and an MSI P678A-GD53 mobo. Great results and it does everything I want from 3D.

Surely compatibility as a whole is increased? You can now game 3D and watch 3D Blu-ray on Nvidia hardware, AMD hardware and PS3 hardware all through the same monitor. A possible lower visual experience on Nvidia systems is not going to bother people who run AMD GFX PC's and have a PS3 (myself). All of the 3D vision certified monitors are designed to get the most out of Nvidia systems but very few are compatible with the other two systems wanting to use 3D which is the way Nvidia probably wants it.

The only stumbling block for me is the price I wont be paying £575 for a monitor No matter how good looking it is!. I would prefer 23 -24inch screen like this on my desk, at a price point of £200 - 280.
£500+ for a TN panel is just absolutely crazy! :surprised: Sure it's gorgeous to look at, but in use you're not thinking about the aesthetics of the stand or the thickness of the bezel - what matters is the image quality.

Personally, for me to be at all tempted to pay that much for a TN panel the 3D features would have to be absolutley brilliant - and by the sounds of it they're a long, long way short of that. It's fine as a concept piece but as a retail product I think it's a fail.
Plus it looks off balance!
Only 1900*1080 until someone makes a 3D panel that displays @ 1900*1200 I wont be investing, so I'm out.

ST