If a 20.8-inch QXGA LCD was just enough to get your HD juices a-flowin', LG's latest bunch should really get you wound up. On display at FPD International 2007 in Japan, these "G Platform" plasmas claim to trump any other PDPs in the contrast department, as every one of them features a 30,000:1 ratio. Additionally, the company noted that color reproduction has been improved by "optimizing the panels' color phosphors and utilizing dielectrics," and there's also the 100Hz refresh rate to eliminate blur / flicker. Reportedly, the displays will be available in Q4 of this year in 32-, 42-, 50- (HD) and 50- / 60-inch (Full HD) models, but your guess is as good as ours when it comes to pricing.

[Via FarEastGizmos]

Korean display-maker Alphascan, a company of dubious and confusing origin, has apparently licensed Samsung's flat-panel technology and applied it to its new 22-inch slim monitor, the J2210W. The stylish, 16:10 display features a brightness of 300cd/m², a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 1680 x 1050 resolution, 5ms response speed, and D-SUB / DVI jacks. No word on price or availability Stateside, but we wouldn't recommend holding your breath. Feel free to peruse the monitor's "translated" info page on the read link.

Although LG is probably off attending to more pressing matters, the LCD team isn't fazed by all the drama at 3GSM, as it's busted out a new 19-incher with the oh-so-popular "world's best" label slapped right on. The FLATRON L1982U purportedly boasts the "world's highest" contrast ratio for an LCD computer monitor at 3000:1, and we're guessing the "computer" part is what allows it to hold the honors. Nevertheless, this beauty is dressed in all black, features the "f-ENGINE picture-enhancing" technology, Auto Bright to automatically set the brightness according to ambient light, 170-degree viewing angle, 2-millisecond response time, tilt / slide functionality, and a height adjustable stand. Reportedly, the firm's L1900J and L1970HR are also (albeit quietly) receiving the 3000:1 treatment, and while prices don't seem to be readily available, we're sure you'll be paying a premium for all that newfound darkness.

[Via PCLaunches]

Not one to let LCD (10,000:1) and SED (50,000:1) HDTVs steal the spotlight, Pioneer has fired back at CEATEC with a 60-inch plasma featuring a 20,000:1 contrast ratio (on the left). Compare that to the 3,000:1 contrast ratio of the current (on the right) 1080p PRO-FHD1 / PDP-5000EX ,and you can see how that is kind of a big deal. Despite the distinct lack of pricing or other information, Pioneer hopes to have its next big thing in PDP on shelves in time for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

With so much focus on response time these days, it's nice to see Samsung play up another aspect of its newest 19-inch LCD, namely the display's impressive 2000:1 contrast ratio. That's not to say the SyncMastermagic CX919B has a slow refresh rate -- to the contrary, it seems to employ the CX917B's "Response Time Accelerator" to go from gray to gray in a zippy 2-milliseconds -- rather, the highlight here just happens to be that "Dynamic Contrast" technology which promises to deliver truer blacks. Besides these two key details, however, not much else is known on the specs tip -- including our old favorites, pricing and availability.