
I've owned LCD TVs almost since they were available, and have 4 LCD TVs, not counting the Samsung T220HD LCD TV. All the other LCDs are Olevia LCD HDTVs of various sizes, and if Olevia had a 22 or 23 inch 16:9 HDTV in their lineup, I would have bought it - but they don't (which is stupid).
So, after researching the 22 and 23 inch 16:9 LCDs available, I went with the Samsung T220HD, because it was the right size (fits the space available on my office L-desk) and it had glowing reviews. But now I realize that a lot of reviewers must not know any better, because the Samsung T220HD does not deserve any type of glowing review.
The 2 stars I gave it is being generous. The inexpensive 19 inch 4:3 non-hi-def TV it replaced beats the Samsung on every aspect except the old TV is not hi def, and the Samsung is. Beyond that: the old TV's sound was fabulous, whereas the Samsung TV's sound is horrible. I had to keep the old TVs volume down around 6 or 7 to keep it at a reasonable listening level, and the sound out of its stereo side speakers at that level was great. The Samsung's volume has to be cranked up into the 40's to even hear it well, and then the sound is grainy and muddled.
Plus, the Samsung TV doesn't have any audio output except a fiber optic output. Since my office receiver/amp doesn't have a fiber optic input, I can't even hook the TV to it for more volume. Would it have been soooo hard for Samsung to include stereo RCA jack audio outputs, since ALL receiver/amps have those inputs????
All of the Olevia LCD HDTVs must have some special circuit to make low-def TV, and low-def video look great on them, because this Samsung taught me that all TVs don't do that. With hi-def TV, the Samsung picture is great, but with a regular TV signal, or low-def video, the picture is grainy and muddled, I suppose to match the TVs grainy and muddled audio.
All of the LCD TVs I've ever owned have had flat black frames. There's an extremely important reason for why they were designed that way (which obviously the Samsung engineers aren't aware of); so the flat black frame blends into the background and disappears from your awareness as you watch the TV. Instead, the Samsung's frame is very glossy, reflecting everything in the room, which is impossible to ignore. Plus the frame has an very ill-conceived red band and a piece of shiny chrome along the bottom curve of the frame, which is even more difficult to ignore. Those kind of things are great on cars, if you want others to notice your car, but they're horrible to have on a TV. I want to watch the TV screen - NOT the flashy glossy TV frame!
The old TV's connections: component video/audio input, SVGA input, a composite video/audio input, and an S-video input, plus a PC audio output and RCA stereo audio outputs, and a headphone jack. The Samsung is missing two of those outputs. - Not very savvy at all.
Really, the only good points of the TV are: its size fits well in the space I have for an office TV, its has very easy access to the back connections, which is a plus (all TVs connections should be like that) and it is hi-def, and has a great picture "if" you feed hi-def to it.
But, that's about it. The rest of the TV falls short of expectations, and way short of the old technology it replaced on several aspects.
And, that's not good! -- Very disappointed with it.
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Samsung Touch Of Color T220HD 22-inch LCD HDTV Monitor.