We applaud the effort, we really do, but even $499 for a projector touting a lowly 800 x 600 native resolution, 2,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,200 lumens is a tad steep in our eyes. Then again, you'll likely find ViewSonic's 5-pound PJ513DB marginally cheaper on the street, and of course, it's quite obvious the outfit was aiming this one at those deep-pocketed boardroom bigwigs and district superintendents. Nevertheless, this DLP PJ promises to toss up a visible image even in well-lit rooms, and you'll find composite / S-Video / component inputs 'round back to go along with the VGA in / out ports and the audio input. Knock off another Benjamin or up that resolution a hair, and maybe then we'll talk.

[Via Electronista]

Somehow we don't think the digital photo frame market really needs another entrant, but we suppose it's not worth kvetching over. Aside from the plethora of LCDs cranked out by the firm today, it's also doling out its first three digiframes ever here at CES. The 7-inch DP701W4WH features a 800 x 480 resolution, 220 cd/m2 brightness and a 400:1 contrast ratio, while the 8-inch DF88W-523 offers up an 800 x 600 resolution and 300:1 contrast ratio. Bringing up the rear is the 8-inch DF87G-533, which boasts the same resolution as the DF88W but ups the contrast ratio to 500:1. Best of all, the trifecta is available as we speak, and you can snag your own for $99 (P701W4WH) or $119 (F88W and DF87G).

Believe it or not, ViewSonic actually is nearly done with its CES outpouring, but if you're somehow able to stomach more, the 22-inch VLED221wm LED display is fairly impressive. Hailed as the first LED display to rock a 12,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, this thing is also able to display 118-percent of the NTSC color gamut. Furthermore, you'll find a five-millisecond response time, a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution and a Windows Vista certification that's practically meaningless. Right down your alley? Check it out next month for $799.

Ready for more? Sure you are! Comin' up next is the ViewSonic VP 50 series, which includes a trio of newcomers. Kicking things off is the 19-inch VP950b, which sports a 1,280 x 1,024 resolution, 280 nits of brightness and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, while the 22-inch VP2250wb steps up to a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution and a 3,000:1 contrast ratio. Last but not least, we've got the 26-inch widescreen VP2650wb, which offers up a stellar 1,920 x 1,200 resolution and a 3,000:1 contrast ratio. The pain? $379, $449 and $579, respectively.

In addition to the new 42- and 47-inch models in the 85 series, ViewSonic is introducing two entirely new lines -- say hello to the 30- and 90-series HDTVs. The 30 series is the smaller end of the scale, with the 1366x768 15.6-inch N1630w, the 1440x900 19-inch N1930w, and the 22-inch, 1680x1050 N2230w. On the other side of things, the five new models of the 90 series range from the 26-inch, 1366x768 N2690w to the 1080p, 52-inch N5290w. ViewSonic says the N1930w and N2290w will be out in March, the N1630w and N3290w will be out in April, and everything else will hit in May, with prices ranging from $249 to $2,499.

As the ViewSonic barrage continues, the firm is offering up a new duo of LCD monitors for those lookin' for just the basics. The 19-inch X1962wm and 22-inch VX2262wm both rock "invisible speakers," a glossy black finish, a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, 6,000:1 contrast ratio and 300 nits of brightness. So yeah, it totally looks like the only reason to opt for the 22-incher is if your eyes just aren't what they used to be, but nevertheless, you can snag either next month for $269 / $369, respectively.

Not really lookin' for a projector? Fret not, as ViewSonic is also dishing out a new pair of "affordable" 1080p LCD TVs. Announced today at CES, the immediately available 47-inch N4785p / 42-inch N4285p both come with 1080p resolutions, a glossy piano black finish, Advanced ClearPicture and an integrated NTSC / ATSC / Clear-QAM tuner technology to boot. As for the smaller guy, you can expect a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, while the larger of the two gets 1,500:1. You'll also find the usual complement of ports on both, and while the 42-incher is set at $1,399, the 47-inch iteration only demands two Benjamins more.

Were you expecting a 1080p home theater PJ from ViewSonic? Yeah, we can't exactly say we were either, but nevertheless, we won't complain with yet another option in the segment. Launching today, the Precision Pro8100 boasts a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 1,000 ANSI lumens, a 13,000:1 contrast ratio, VGA / component (2) / S-Video / composite (2) inputs and Silicon Optix Reon-VX with HQV. Granted, $5,000 sounds a bit steep considering the competition, but it's a-waitin' if you want it.

Those looking for a projector for something other than their home theater now have a bundle of new options to consider courtesy of Viewsonic, which has just announced five new models intended primarily for business and education use. Those include the PJ557D, PJ559D, PJ560D, PJ551D and PJ260D models, each of which appear to be only minor upgrades over earlier, similarly-numbered models. As with those previous models, these are all squarely at the low end of the spectrum, ranging in price from $649 to $1,099, and topping out at the standard XGA resolution. Standing out the most from the lot is the PJ560D model which, at 3,200 lumens is the brightest of the bunch, and the PJ260D, which is the only portable projector from the batch (although it still boasts a decent 2,000:1 contrast ration and 2,000 lumens). Look for all five to be available from all the usual sources sometime next month.

ViewSonic's Diamani DUO lineup claims to be a couple of widescreen HDTVs at heart that just handle monitor duties on the side, but we don't see any reason to neglect these two displays just because you don't have television on the brain. The 19-inch NX1932w offers up a 1,440 x 900 resolution, five-millisecond response time, 800:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, a pair of five-watt speakers, integrated ATSC / NTSC / QAM tuner, and a bevy of inputs including HDCP-compliant HDMI, VGA, component / S-Video / composite, and audio in / out. The 22-incher musters up a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, but otherwise mimics its smaller sibling in the specs department. The new duo is available immediately for $349 and $399 -- we'll let you guess which pricetag belongs to which.

[Via CNET]

Not satisfied with just the TV watching crowd getting their fix today, ViewSonic also introduced a plethora of monitors for the gaming and budget-minded sets. Up first is the 19-inch VX1940w ($249), 22-inch VX2240w ($349) and 19-inch VX1932wm ($249), all of which sport a two-millisecond response time, 300 nits of brightness and DVI / VGA inputs. The latter sports a 1,440 x 900 resolution and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, while the other two offer up a 1,680 x 1,050 native resolution coupled with a 4,000:1 contrast ratio. Moving right along to the Value series, the widescreen 19-inch VA1926w (WXGA+), 20-inch VA2026w (WSXGA+) and 22-inch VA2226w (WSXGA+) displays all feature 2,000:1 contrast ratios, 300 nits of brightness, DVI / VGA connectors, and five-millisecond response times. Oh, and for those not needing 16:9, the VA926 offers up a 1,280 x 1,024 panel. In order of mention, you'll be looking at $229, $249, $279 and $259 pricetags on the four Value monitors. Phew, got all that?

Read - ViewSonic's new VX monitors
Read - ViewSonic's new VA monitors

Viewsonic is updating its line of low-priced HDTVs with three new 35 Series LCDs, available now. The N2635w, N3235w and N3735w layer a piano black finish over their 1,366 x 768 resolution, 8ms refresh time and 500 nits of brightness. Sure these might not sport the awe inspiring specs of some resolution hogs, but since the 37-inch and 35-inch models hitch their 1,200:1 contrast ratio to $899 and $699 price tags, respectively, along with the 26-incher's 800:1 contrast ratio and $599 SRP, you can still afford a house to show them off in...or to hide your 720p shame from 1080p-enamored friends.

As iPods gradually find their way into the hands of every man, woman, and child the world over, manufacturers are finding it more and more economically viable to produce relatively expensive home theater equipment focused solely on the owners of the popular little DAP. Case in point is ViewSonic, which followed up its iPod-friendly ViewDock monitors with the PJ258D, claimed to be the first projector with a built-in dock for your 5G 'Pod. With a resolution of just 1024 x 768, this $1,300 machine is obviously not the best choice for displaying your 1080p content, but according to Laptop magazine, it does an admirable job displaying the iPod's VGA output on a 5-foot+ screen. Also getting high marks was the unit's brightness, which measured 2265 ANSI lumens -- even though its only rated at 2000 lumens out of the box. Less impressive are the controls and connections: buttons are small and hard to see, the included presentation remote won't connect to your notebook for PowerPoints, and the dearth of inputs means that you'll either need a switcher or another projector altogether if your rack is packed with gear. Still, despite these and a few other issues (most notably heat output and fan noise), the PJ258D earned itself 3.5 out of 5 stars, making it seem like the perfect choice for partiers on the go who don't need to wake up the next day and give a presentation at work.