Samsung S27B971D Monitor Review
by Chris Heinonen on October 31, 2013 12:00 PM ESTThe only way to describe the uniformity data is “also amazing.” Rivaling or even exceeding what I have seen from NECs professional displays, the uniformity of the S27B971D is superb. White uniformity is all within 8% of each other, which is likely to not be noticed in real life. Even the dimmest area on the screen only drops by 6% which I did not notice when using it. Like NEC the high-brightness setting probably affects uniformity as well, but using the sRGB mode it stays incredibly uniform.
Black levels have more of a fall-off but not for the usual reason. Typically black uniformity is bad because of some bright corners or edges, but here it is less uniform because the edges are darker. I’m not going to complain about this as it is much better than having bright corners around the screen. I’m assuming the higher overall black levels are due to the technology they are using to produce the uniformity in the display. As I mentioned with the calibration bench, if you need contrast ratios, you can use the movie mode for that. For work where color accuracy and uniformity are more important the sRGB mode is perfect.
With our white levels being totally stable the contrast uniformity varies due to the black levels. The good news is that it varies in a good way, with the edges of the screen being more dynamic than the center. It never exceeds 557:1 so it still lacks the pop of a VA panel, but it is very stable across the screen.
Saving the best for last, color uniformity is perfect. Only two values exceed 1.0 dE2000 on average when compared to the center, and the largest average is 1.23. When you look at an image on the screen, colors will match the rest of the screen and everything will look correct. Phenomenal results here from Samsung.
Despite Samsung billing this as a professional display, I didn’t expect these kinds of results. Even when I saw their 25-point calibration demo or the document that came with the display I didn’t expect it. However Samsung has made a display that ranks up with displays costing hundreds of dollars more in terms of uniformity and accuracy.
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QuantumPion - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
Get the same panel offbrand (QNIX/X-STAR) for only ~$300-$350ish off ebay. Win.cheinonen - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
The panel is only one piece of the system. You can have a great panel and a really bad display result. See the reviews of the LG 29EA93 versions and how much difference you can get using the same panel.QuantumPion - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
The reviews of the QNIX and X-STAR rate it as being pretty much identical in quality (including out of the box color accuracy) as the name-brands. The only downside is the cheapo stand and casing.glenster - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
Samsung should put out one like the Qnix QX2710.aliasfox - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
It's almost in the same position as Apple's (aging) Thunderbolt dispay. They're both 2560 x 1440 27" displays that sell for $1k, they both have nice looking industrial designs, and have image quality that's good, but no longer great.If I were considering either one, I'd jump the marginal $250 and grab the NEC, or save $300 and grab one of the other ones.
MykeM - Friday, November 1, 2013 - link
You can pick Apple's TB Display for $800 at Apple online store. It's refurbished but comes with the same 1 year warranty.NCM - Tuesday, November 5, 2013 - link
Regarding Apple's Thunderbolt display, at least for the same $1K price Mac users get another benefit: the built-in T'bolt hub that gives USB, and FW ports, plus ethernet and a power supply for laptop charging. Together these would cost at least another $300, effectively reducing the Apple monitor's price. For those who can benefit from this docking capability (not everyone, obviously) that makes the T'bolt monitor very decent value.xKeGSx - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
What about the LG 27EA83-D? I own one. Got it from Microcenter for $649 when it was released and newegg just had it on sale for $550. 27" IPS panel, 2560x1440, 99% Adobe RGB, works great for games that I've tried, and is stunning after calibration. It does come precalibrated with results but those are never true. All the reviews I've read have raved about it and I've been waiting for Anandtech or tftcentral to confirm my bias. Please give this monitor a review! Thanks.Panzerknacker - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
I just would never buy a Samsung, especially not a expensive one like this. My experience with their products is usually a short lived one, because they tend to break pretty early.Nfarce - Thursday, October 31, 2013 - link
Well I've bought 3 HDTVs, 4 PC monitors, 3 SSDs, and 2 mobile phones all made by Samsung and none have given me any problems. You are just unlucky. Look at the reviews of any of the products I mention above on sites like Amazon or NewEgg and see how many people complain about failure.