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widescreen posts

LG's WIDEBOOK laptop series for 16:9 party people

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 17th 2009 at 3:59AM

In the never ending quest to capitalize on the book metaphor, we bring you the WIDEBOOK from LG. It's wide see, 16:9 wide for what LG calls a cinematic experience. Oh, just you never mind that cinematic typically refers to 21:9 -- this is marketing-speak, not science. Anywho, the five new models are LED backlit with Intel Core 2 Duo procs and include the 15.6-inch R580/R560, 14-inch R480/R460, and affordable 13-inch R380 that boasts a "Smart On" feature for five-second boots. The R580 (with Blu-ray) and R480 are premium models while the R560 and R460 lay claim to the "workhorse" moniker. The laptops come in either 1600x900 or 1368x768 pixel resolutions with up to 4GB of DDR2 memory and 500GB of disk, 802.11n and HSDPA data, e-SATA and HDMI interfaces, 1.3 megapixel cams, and 1GB of NVIDIA GeForce graphics. Expect to see 'em make the jump to the global stage throughout September. Until then we've got pics, lots of pics, and the full specs from the press release below.

Gallery: LG WIDEBOOKS

Show full PR text

AgfaPhoto intros beginner-friendly Optima 1, 100 and 102 cameras

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 7th 2009 at 5:11AM

AgfaPhoto might want you to believe that its Optima range of cams is "perfect for the ambitious photographer," but in truth they're entry-level shooters with a slant toward helping the less technically gifted. The new cameras come with 28 automated functions, such as a 'beauty mode' that masks skin imperfections, and a quirky 1920 x 1080 picture format for making widescreen photos that match your 1080p display. The Optima 1 and 102 (pictured) share a 12 megapixel sensor, but diverge on optical zoom (5x versus 3x) and LCD size (2.7 inches versus 3 inches), while the 100 is essentially a 102 scaled down to 10 megapixels. Shaping up as a decent proposition for the often overlooked untrained photographer, the trio will be available in Europe come September at prices between €129 and €179 ($186-$258) [Warning: PDF read link].

[Via ZDNet]

Dell quietly launches trio of widescreen LCD monitors, waits for you to notice

by Darren Murph posted Aug 7th 2009 at 3:55AM

As has annoyingly become the norm with Dell LCDs, the outfit has seemingly just thrown three new ones onto the world's platter tonight with nary a peep from its press line. Up first is the 23-inch ST2310 (shown above), a slick widescreen panel with a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution, narrow bezels, a curved rear, DVI / VGA / HDMI inputs, 250 nits of brightness, a useless 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, five millisecond response time and audio in /out ports for good measure. The 22-inch E2210H and 20-inch E2010H (shown after the break) both tout an all-business motif, with the former pushing a Full HD native resolution and the latter handling just 1,600 x 900 pixels. The whole trio looks to be available right now, with retail marks set at $229, $199 and $139 in order of mention.

Read - Dell ST2310 monitor [Via LogicBuy]
Read - Dell E2210H monitor [Via LogicBuy]
Read - Dell E2010H monitor [Via LogicBuy]

Continue reading Dell quietly launches trio of widescreen LCD monitors, waits for you to notice

Benq updates E-series monitors with auto-calibration sensor, fresh styling

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 7th 2009 at 2:14AM

Having recently refreshed its G-series of monitors, BenQ is back for more with an update to its pricier E-branded panels. The pair of new models come with the SensEye 3 auto-calibration sensor, which corrects contrast, color and clarity according to the mode you choose. Set for worldwide availability this month, the 21.5-inch E2220HD and 24-inch E2420HD both come with 1920 x 1080 resolution on 16:9 displays, 300 nits of brightness, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and a "class-leading" 11 ports that include four USB, two HDMI, a DVI and a VGA input. The external redesign is highlighted by a side-mounted power button, sure to appeal to -- well, just about anyone. Click through for higher resolution shots, including a close-up of that Vaio TT-inspired button.

Continue reading Benq updates E-series monitors with auto-calibration sensor, fresh styling

Philips' 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV: not for Americans

by Darren Murph posted Jan 31st 2009 at 6:58AM

Oh, bollocks! If one particular spokesman who opened up to ZDnet today is accurate, Philips' totally sweet 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV won't ever be sold on American soil. Quite frankly, we're wondering what's up with Philips and its apparent disdain for the US market. It farmed out its Blu-ray / DVD and TV operations in North America to Funai, it didn't even bother showing up in Vegas for CES, and anything even remotely swank that it produces seems to be reserved for those overseas. What happened to the worldwide love, Philips? Did someone give you the impression that Yanks wouldn't buy one of these completely mesmerizing new panels? Sigh.

[Thanks, Sean]

Philips' 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV gets showcased on video

by Darren Murph posted Jan 29th 2009 at 4:35PM

Philips' groundbreaking Cinema 21:9 HDTV looked so curious when it launched a fortnight ago that we actually questioned its authenticity. Clearly, this beauty is for real. Pocket-lint was lucky enough to be on-hand for its unveiling in London, and it hosted up a nice video showing off the 56-inch beast in action. The black bars you've grown used to detesting were indeed gone, and while Philips wouldn't dole out any hard specifications, we are told that it boasts five HDMI sockets, a Spring release date and an estimated £3,000 ($4,276) price tag. Vid's after the break, per usual.

Continue reading Philips' 56-inch Cinema 21:9 HDTV gets showcased on video

Philips introduces ultra widescreen Cinema 21:9 LCD TV

by Darren Murph posted Jan 15th 2009 at 10:40AM

Last July, we took a look at whether or not ultra widescreen HDTVs could eventually become a reality. Fast forward half a year and change, and here we have Philips answering that with a resounding "sure, why not?" The Cinema 21:9 is said to be the planet's first cinema-proportioned LCD TV, and of course, it'll also incorporate Ambilight technology around the borders. We'll be frank -- we had our doubts upon seeing the lackluster website linked below that this thing was even real, but Philips itself confirmed to us that the panel will be shipping this Spring in Germany, Belgium, the UK and France. We're also told that a full site will launch on January 29th, though no pricing details (nor a US release date) were mentioned. Our one and only wish? That this thing would've been displayed at CES last week.

[Via GadgetVenue]

Compaq's Presario CQ70: lots of screen, not a lot of dough

by Joshua Topolsky posted Oct 9th 2008 at 8:06AM

It looks like Compaq has added a big-daddy to its line of Presarios just released, tacking on the 17-inch CQ70 to the gang. The new laptop (currently available at Circuit City) sports a 2GHz dual-core Pentium T3200 CPU, 3GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, a 1440 x 900 widescreen display, 802.11b/g/n, a 5-in-1 card reader, and a bunch of other expected goodies (you know, like USB ports). The CQ70 is listing for $729.99, but after a series of shocking rebates at the aforementioned giant electronics retail chain, it can be yours for $579.99.

[Via Electronista]

Dell's 22-inch S2209W monitor to reach Full HD resolution?

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 24th 2008 at 4:00AM

22-inch monitors have generally been stuck at a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution for years with just a few notable exceptions. Now it looks like Dell is about to change that with the introduction of a newly designed, S2209W monitor with rumored 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution. The evidence stems from that prototype pictured above as well as drivers already available on Dell's support site. Still not sure how we feel about the piano-black, Samsung-esque design, though. One more snap after the break.

[Thanks, Alex P.]

Read -- Dell drivers
Read -- Prototype

Continue reading Dell's 22-inch S2209W monitor to reach Full HD resolution?

Vuzix rolls out 'first' widescreen HMD

by Stephanie Patterson posted Sep 17th 2008 at 6:12AM

Although the iWear AV310 Widescreen from Vuzix isn't the first 3D HMD we've come across, or the largest virtual display (likened to a 52" screen viewed from 9-feet), it's the first 16:9 widescreen version to hit the market. Equipped for use with both NTSC and PAL, this unit will run you about $250 and has a mysterious "video" input for use with a wide range of devices, though there's currently nothing to say what style of connector can be used or what resolution it runs at. Oh well... we're still waiting on a headtracking version anyway.

Update: As a commenter pointed out, this likely isn't the first "widescreen" HMD, though the company is claiming it's the first 16:9 model.

[Thanks, Greg]

Widescreen LCDs going widescreen by 2010

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 3:50AM

The term "widescreen" is one of the most notoriously confusing monikers (this side of Full HD) used to describe a display's specifications. Widescreen generally translates to a 16:10 aspect ratio when discussing computer LCDs (monitors or laptop displays) or 16:9 if you're talking about the living room TV. Of course, it can also refer to the 2.35:1 ratio often used for films or something entirely different if you're Apple touting the wonders of your new widescreen iPhone. Fortunately, we're trending towards at least some convergence around the 16:9 aspect. DisplaySearch predicts that by 2010, 16:9 panels will make up 90% of new laptop displays and 67% of new monitors. Acer has been at the forefront of this transition with products like its Gemstone Blue laptops and the Acer P224W monitor pictured above. The move is being driven by panel manufacturers' desire to maximize production efficiency -- something they should have realized before the glass sizes diverged in the first place. Regardless, the end result should be more pennies saved by you, Joe Consumer, and that's a good thing.

BlackBerry touchscreen phone to be dubbed 'Thunder'

by Joshua Topolsky posted May 13th 2008 at 12:42PM

The industrious Boy Genius has apparently unearthed more juicy tidbits about that rumored BlackBerry touchscreen device. Word from BG is that the new iPhone-ish handset is now internally dubbed the "Thunder," and will come to Verizon and Vodafone as an exclusive device. The phone will reportedly have four physical keys (send, end, menu, and back), sport a hybrid CDMA EV-DO Rev. C / GSM HSPA radio, and could come equipped with a 4G LTE component. Outside Waterloo's labs, the device could be known as the BlackBerry 9500 -- though it's possible that designation could change. BGR has included a self-made mockup (above) of what the device may look like, but as of now, no one has laid eyes on this mythical creature.

Lenovo axes the 4:3 ThinkPad T61 -- are widescreens better?

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 21st 2008 at 10:32PM

Lenovo's the latest laptop vendor to go to a mostly-widescreen lineup today, as it retires the 4:3 14.1-inch ThinkPad T61. All that's left in the standard ratio are the 12.1-inch X-series laptops, and even those are something of a novelty in today's 13.3-inch dominated market. It's not a formal move and there's no announcement, but it's clearly a growing trend -- Apple, Sony, and HP don't offer any 4:3 laptops either -- and it's got us wondering what people prefer. Just amongst Engadget editors there's no clear agreement: some of us prize vertical real estate, while others say tiling windows horizontally provides maximum multitasking power, and one ed rocks both 16:9 and 4:3 displays side-by-side -- but that's probably crazy. What's your aspect ratio of choice? Hit us up in comments!

Hands-on with Dell's XPS 630i desktop and 16-inch concept laptop

by Evan Blass posted Jan 7th 2008 at 1:59PM

Once we heard that Dell was showing off the XPS 630i "compact" desktop and 16-inch, 16:9 XPS laptop concept at its booth / lounge, we headed right over the moment that the show floor opened. Unfortunately the notebook was locked behind a glass case, precluding any real face time with the prototype widescreen system, but luckily we were able to get right up in the grille of the 630i to check out all the angles. Of course, you'd rather peep some pictures then hear us drone on about our impressions, so check out the gallery below for the full package.

Gallery: Hands-on with Dell's XPS 630i desktop and 16-inch concept laptop

Dell 3008WFP 30-inch monitor review roundup

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jan 4th 2008 at 10:04PM

The 3008WFP widescreen LCD, everyone's favorite, 30-inch, DisplayPort-rocking Dell monitor is up for review, and we've got a roundup to prove it. If you'll recall, the behemoth is the first Dell monitor to sport the emerging DisplayPort technology, and it also offers a fairly impressive set of other connectivity options, including dual DVI ports, HDMI, VGA, S-Video, component, and composite. The folks at Hot Hardware weren't totally stoked on the setup process, but loved the screen's performance and flexibility. The cats at Computer Shopper seemed pleased as well, though not head-over-heels in love, particularly with the high price tag and color / grayscale "weakness." CNET Australia had similarly high marks, praising the number of inputs, super-high resolution, and sheer size, though they took issue with the screen's reflectiveness, the need for a high-end graphics card, and gradient handling. Still, none of the minuses stopped them (and Hot Hardware) from bestowing their "Editor's Choice" award on the monitor. Don't take our word for it, though -- hit the links and see for yourself.

Read - Hot Hardware (Editor's Choice)
Read - Computer Shopper (8.0 out of 10)
Read - CNET Australia (8.9 out of 10)