Acer goes head to head with Samsung with new TV-monitor hybrid

Does the future of computer monitors lie in them becoming TVs?  Samsung, LG, Hyundai, AOC and Hannstar all already think so--and Acer has just joined them.  Why do without extra inputs, a HD tuner and remote control if it doesn't cost that much more than a regular monitor?

Acer AT2356 MARCHANDS €     Amazon.fr m...  359.00  Ubaldi  444.00  Rue du comm...  449.00  Pixmania ce...  449.93  Grosbill  451.00  La redoute  468.65  Compare prices

The AT2356 is a 1920 x 1080 pixel 23'' Full HD monitor.  Amongst other things, there are two HDMI inputs at the back--which is useful for attaching a games console, a multimedia hard drive or any other combination of video sources.  The built-in tuner supports HD signals and has a seven-day EPG.

Our only real compliant is that, like everybody else, Acer has chosen a TN panel with a 5 ms response time.  We really can't wait for more responsive monitors to arrive, even if a little bit of ghosting is easy to forget once you're immersed in a TV show.

Head-to-head with Samsung

The AT2356 has got something of an uphill struggle on its hands: for us, the current star in the domain of monitor-TV crossovers is the Samsung P2370HD.  It might only have a single HDMI Input, but it benefits from advanced image correction circuitry that can match that currently found in TVs.  The difference is most obvious when comparing non-HD sources like TV channels and DVDs, which undergo a much smoother upscaling.

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