I've been scouring the net fruitlessly trying to find out if the newer buttonless interface Samsung LCD moniters (SyncMaster 173P/193P) are compatible with linux (Mandrake 10.0 Community specifically). These monitors come with windows software that is used to access the typical OSD (on screen display) options. Does anyone know if these Samsung monitors are usable under linux. For that matter, is anyone using a newer Samsung LCD with any success under linux?

Thanks

My laptop uses a Samsung LCD, but I don't think it's a Syncmaster. However a SyncMaster works on the external port. There is not really any adjustments to the one on my laptop other than brightness.

I'd like to know about Samsung Syncmaster 173P, too. I read in many reviews its settings are changed via win-software... OK I understand that (and I do *not* approve that policy ) but does it work the monitor itself on a linux box?
If someone has one, please let us know some detail.
Thx guys.
____
lesip

After some searching I found these costomer reviews at PCWorld.com:

http://pcworld.pricegrabber.com/rati...61337480539ea3

They offer some insight as to the ability to control the monitor without the windows software--it doesn't look to promising for in depth control from anything other than windows. :P But please, if you are using a SyncMaster 17(9)3P with linux or non win based system post your experience!

this is the answer I got from Samsung Italy, after my question on how to work a syncmaster 173p monitor with Linux

>Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2004 00:24:40 +0900 (KST)
>From: Samsung Electronics <electronics@samsung.com>

the original (italian)
"...Ci dispiace informarLa che non è possibile rendere compatibile
il monitor con Linux.RicordandoLe che rimaniamo a Sua completa
disposizione per ulteriori informazioni o eventuali problemi, La salutiamo cordialmente..."

my rough translation
"...we're sorry to inform you that it is not possible to make the monitor (syncmaster 173P) compatible with Linux. We are at your service, bla,bla"

I hope we can find someone who put his fingers on this monitor and plug it to some linux box to know a real answer.
Let's see what happens.

btw: I read the reviews you, pallbearer, mentioned...is that enough to work the monitor... 1,2,3 beeps?!? don't think so.
"that's sleek, very sleek, verrry sleek, buttonless, very buttonless, nice, stilish, great-looking ... only for windows... ooops" <recorded at samsung>
____
lesip

Lesip,

I totally agree. What the hell is the point in developing such a sweet (expensive) monitor if your only going to market it to one group of computer users. It doesn't even work with Apples. *shrug* If they don't want my money I wont give it to them.

PB

Well, it seems things are not cristal clear down there at Samsung...
This is what I got in my e-mail today
<original italian>
"In merito alla Sua E-mail, La informiamo che con Linux basta inserire la risoluzione riguardante il monitor e linux si tara autonomamente, questo vale per tutti i monitor.
Restando a Sua disposizione e scusandoci per l'inesattezza precedente..."
<translated in...>
"about your e-mail (Syncmaster173p-Linux compatibility inquiry) we inform you that under Linux it's enough to set the monitor resolution and linux set itself correctly, and that is for every kind of monitors. We are at your service and we are sorry for the wrong answer we gave you,...."

Of course this is not the final chapter: I sent a reply to ask better info about this topic, asking to clarify in detail their experience and the tests performed with linux (and which distro).
It's a bit funny their sentence about the linux 'magical ability' to set up itself.
I may be a newbie but... it seems I am not the only one.
Again, let see what happens.

____
lesip

Thanks Lesip, I'll look forward to their reply. In the meantime, I'll be waiting to buy an LCD.

You should be able to get the horizontal and vertical sync frequencies, color depth, and the screen size in XF86Config.

That's about all there is to it. I would set the largest screen size to be that of the monitors maximum.

If you want a full screen terminal you set the vga=??? to match the size and color depth in your boot loader.

If your having problems after that I would say it's going to be the video card settings, not the monitors.

The problem is, with LCD monitors (or any for that matter) you have the ability to use OSD to change birghtness/contrast color saturations and a whole slew of other options to optimise the monitor to your taste--the default settings are not usually the best. Samsung just saw it fit to have these options controlled only through a windows app on one of their premier LCD screens.

I see, that's a bad choice obviously. I see no reason to limit oneself to that junk. Just get a different one.

Then again my laptop does not have buttons and on linux or windows I have not needed any.


There seems to be no need to adjust the size and position of the screen, it just seems to fit perfectly. And there are gamma tools you can use in windows and linux. Adjust screen size to supported sizes. RGB etc.., What else is there?

My SyncMaster 172t just works, I've never needed to adjust it with the OSD.

I withdraw this statement. There is really no need for buttons on an LCD. I have never seen a laptop with anything other than a brightness or contrast button. The problem you have on CRT type monitors with the screen not lining up correctly does not appear to be an issue with an LCD if the proper sync rates are used.