Talk about your incremental upgrades: PC hardware manufacturer IO-Data has just introduced an update to that 24-inch LCD-TV241XBR WUXGA display we saw last spring, but for the life of us, we can't figure out exactly what improvements the LCD-TV241XBR-2 offers. Just like its predecessor, this new full HD monitor sports a 1000:1 contrast ratio, maximum brightness of 500cd/m², built-in analog TV tuner, and a DVI input supporting HDCP encryption. Sure its not the most stylish 24-incher around -- if aesthetics are your main concern, BenQ, Dell, and heck, even Gateway offer snazzier looking models -- but with a suggested retail price of only €740 ($972), you'll be able to pick this one up for well under a grand. And hey, this must be the "upgrade" that IO Data's talking about: the XBR-2 is going for at least $250 less than the XBR did at its debut.

It seems that a new networked DVD player cum media extender pops up nearly every day around here -- just recently, we saw models from Omisys and NeoDigits -- and now I-O Data has released yet another model called the AVeL LinkPlayer AV-LS300DW. Also available without WiFi as the AV-LS300D (but what fun is that?), the 300DW is a follow up to the AVLP2/DVDG that the company released almost two years ago, supporting the same MPEG-1/2, DivX, XviD, WMV9, MP3, AAC, WMA, and Ogg files as its predecessor. What makes the new model different is an HDCP-capable HDMI output, which brings in the possibility of streaming HD content as well as upconverting your DVDs to 720p or 1080i. You can pick up the wired version for $294 or the wireless model for around $30 more -- if you live in Japan, that is.

[Via Akihabara News]

IO-Data just announced their new LCD-TV241X which, as the name suggests, doubles duty as your PC's display while throwing up some that sweet, sweet TV for some post-pivot tablin' downtime. This 24.1-inch LCD brings 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) Full HD resolution, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 178-degree viewing angle, and a rather sluggish 16ms response. Sure, it's not the first choice for gamers or the aesthetically elite. But with a built-in analog tuner and a slew of ports including Japanese D4, DVI-D, VGA, and S-Video this panel makes for a nice do-it-all display. Expected to drop in Japan starting at the end of June for ¥139,650 or about $1,240.

[Via Impress Watch]