- Power Button
- Auto Configuration Button (Press to have the monitor perfectly set itself up after installation and driver setup)
- Execute Button
- Up Navigation Button / Quick Brightness Control
- Down Navigation Button / Quick MagicBright(tm) Control
- Menu Button
Instead of boring you with several photos of the menu options, all you need to know is that this menu is exactly like any other monitor menu options and most, if not all of them will never be used. The auto configuration button does an excellent job at setting the monitor up for optimal viewing and sharpness. For the brightness and contrast setting, Samsung has taken all of the frustration with their included MagicBright(tm) functionality.
What is MagicBright(tm)? Well to put it simple, it allows you to quickly toggle through several preset brightness and contrast settings based on what you will be using the monitor for. Custom is for your own custom settings, and Text, Internet and Entertain basically increase the brightness and contrast as you go down the list. I love this feature and it allows me to set the monitor contrast and brightness settings without having to dive into the menu. Just as a hint, the "Internet" setting is the best for everyday use. Entertain is good for watching DVD and media, but it is just too bright for everyday work. I found this out when I caught myself squinting wile using this monitor in a well lit room. Having to worry about a dull analog monitor should not be a concern here.
PRODUCT USE & TESTING
Showing the excellent visual quality through review photos is practically impossible. To really appreciate an LCD monitor, you have to view it in person with your own eyes. For this section, I will be conveying my personal experience with this monitor when using it for normal office work and to quench my never ending gaming thirst.
Two Dimensional Use
With a pixel pitch of 0.264mm and a contrast ratio of 600:1, this monitor is no slouch in the image quality department and is better than even some of the most expensive digital LCD monitors Samsung currently have in their lineup. Although the above photo doesn't convey the real picture quality witnessed, you have to take my word on it, it is perfect. Colors are vibrant, text and photos are sharp and image flicker is unnoticeable even at 60hz. A CRT set at 60Hz will have even the smallest task turning into a headache. For best viewing, always run your LCD monitor at the highest resolution and refresh rate available which in this case is 1280x1024 @ 75hz. With everything set at maximum, everything will be silky smooth and sharp and eye strain will be nonexistent.
Honestly, I have nothing bad to report about this monitor when doing the usual internet surfing and office document work. If this will be the primary use for your new monitor, don't even ponder it, go buy one.
Three Dimensional Gaming Use
As the LCD monitor's achilles heel in the past, gaming was where flat panel monitors used to fall flat on their faces. With the 710n's 12ms pixel response time, that is a thing of the past. With this monitor directly replacing a CRT monitor I was using for gaming, nothing was lost and all I saw were gains. Ghosting was undetectable but what was noticed was the increase in visual quality and clarity over the preceding standard 17 inch CRT monitor. I threw everything I had on hand at this monitor including Brothers in Arms, Battlefield 1942, Half Life 2, Counterstrike, Unreal Tournament and all I was left with was a positive and enjoyable gaming experience and a set of clear unbloodshot eyes that for once didn't need a healthy dose of Visine.
As with the two dimensional work, three dimensional gaming was just as pleasant and again, I could not find anything to pick apart or point out as a fault. The monitor gamed perfectly. Also note, it will be one heck of a lot lighter to tote to a lanparty when compared to an equivalent CRT.
