Samsung LA32C530 as PC LCD?

PostmanPot

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Hi all

Any thoughts on using the Samsung LA32C530 as a PC LCD? Apparently it does 4:4 pixel mapping. But seems a LG might be a better option because they use lower input lag IPS panels, compared to the Samsung's which seem to use PVA.

Will be used for doing work as well as Starcraft 2 and Black Ops - hoping one can still be competitive on a 32" LCD TV PC monitor...

Thanks.
 
Are you sure they (LG) use IPS panels? That is very interesting. What do you mean by 4:4 pixel mapping?
 
I was also surprised but yes LG panels tend to be S-IPS and Samsungs S-PVA. Seems to be each company's tech at the panel level.

Can't fully explain it but basically it means text is quite sharp without any distorting processing.
 
I got the 37" one as a PC monitor, do it i promise you will not be sorry.

I did a lot of research on the input lag issue, and this model it is a non issue.
 
LA37C530?

What do you use it for?

I guess that's positive since all LAxxC530/C550 are similar.
 
I think many TV's use overdrive to overcome the bad response times, which cause the input lag. But to be honest, all LCD's have some sort of delay and if you need that last 100ms, only a CRT will give you that.

IME, my 40" sony has noticeble (to me) lag, and I would not play FPS on it. It is also too big to sit up close without seeing colour and intensity shifts toward the edges. Getting the image settings to a comfortable level that still looks good also proved to be a big mission, but if you can get an IPS panel, that should be easy.
 
Indeed, which is why the LG's seem to be more popular - particularly the 32LD450. I can't get that, but I can get the 32LD460 and 32LD550 for less than R3,800 which could be good options.

That said, the Samsung has also been suggested as a decent PC LCD, just need more user experience.
 
Everything, COD, Crysis, WOW, dragon age, anything in particular you worried about?

Yip. Black Ops. And Starcraft 2, but I know lag is more of a problem in COD.

If you could take some pics/video of your TV that would be greatly appreciated.
 
Sure thing, what kind of pictures are you looking for? With regards to lag, there is 0 lag in anything even when not using the "Gaming mode".

Read this, it should give you a good idea of what to expect.

Extract on input lag:

In our input lag and subjective gaming tests, the Samsung LE32C530 performed unbelievably well, lagging by only 14ms! Needless to say, this figure makes input lag completely irrelevant on this LCD TV, making it one of the best we’ve ever seen for fast, fluid gaming enjoyment.
In the past, we have attributed the large input lag typically seen on SPVA LCD TVs to response time compensation processing. The fact that this SPVA LCD TV has achieved responsiveness on par with (and marginally better than some) Plasma displays challenges this theory and suggests that other unwanted video processing may be to blame. Just for comparison, the best input lag figure we could squeeze out of the recently reviewed Samsung LE40C750 was 41ms, which made games requiring fast reflexes much less enjoyable. We’d love for manufacturers to begin commenting on the issue of input lag, because it is a serious problem on many HDTVs – but fortunately, not this one.
One other thing to note that is that the input lag here is this low even when “Game Mode” is not enabled. In fact, on the Samsung LE32C530, the “Game Mode” switch is in fact nothing more than a marketing feature. On most Samsung TVs, selecting “Game Mode” temporarily blacks the screen out as it adjusts to an alternate driving mode, but here it does nothing except for applying a separate custom picture mode with heightened colour temperature and colour brightness. We left if off and just used our calibrated “Movie” mode for playing games (the 14ms measurement was in fact taken in this mode).
This excellent state of affairs means that the Samsung LE32C530 is sure to be a hit with gamers looking for a smaller screen. We hope that its 40-inch equivalent performs as well.

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/samsung-le32c530-le40c530-20100813815.htm
 
Decent review, although that bit is referring to console gaming. I'd imagine a PC connection to be a little different.

Any pics/vids you want to take. It's all food for thought. :)
 
Hey Scooby_Doo

Could you please check on one of the sides of your screen (think right side) for the panel version? Will be on a sticker, says "Version..." and you will likely see either AAxx, CNxx, or SQxx.

A panel = good
C panel = bad
S panel = good
 
Hey Scooby_Doo

Could you please check on one of the sides of your screen (think right side) for the panel version? Will be on a sticker, says "Version..." and you will likely see either AAxx, CNxx, or SQxx.

A panel = good
C panel = bad
S panel = good

The Samsung Panel Lottery :p

Thats what put me off going for a Samsung when I bought my TV.

I would go for the LG if I were you. S-IPS is great for PC use :)
 
The Samsung Panel Lottery :p

Thats what put me off going for a Samsung when I bought my TV.

I would go for the LG if I were you. S-IPS is great for PC use :)

There's also panel lottery with LG, particularly the recommended-for-PC 32LD450 S-IPS (which isn't available in SA any more). The LD460 is, but reviews don't make it out to be all that good for PC, where it especially lacks in menu options needed for tweaking the TV for PC usage. Also, S-IPS may have higher input lag when playing the lottery game than Samsung's PVA TVs.
 
Hey Scooby_Doo

Could you please check on one of the sides of your screen (think right side) for the panel version? Will be on a sticker, says "Version..." and you will likely see either AAxx, CNxx, or SQxx.

A panel = good
C panel = bad
S panel = good

I am 99% sure its an AA panel, but i will double check later when i get home.

If i am not mistaken you can see the panel type on the box so you could always ask.
 
I am 99% sure its an AA panel, but i will double check later when i get home.

If i am not mistaken you can see the panel type on the box so you could always ask.

Yeah, I hope so. Otherwise it's only on that sticker. I'd love a Sxxx panel - the best. But would be happy with a Axxx.

Any pics? :)
 
Scooby_Doo, have you fiddled with the more advanced picture settings such as individual RGB etc.?

I'm quite happy, only problem thus far is that certain shades of red are bleeding/washing out which is noticeable with text. I did read about this being a problem in most LCD TVs. Wonder if there's a way to sort it out? :)

I msut also go through those AVSForums threads again and try the settings others have posted.
 
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