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Samsung intros CX Series of LCDs, includes PC and HDTV tuner within
Here comes yet another release from InfoComm about a professional LCD -- Samsung's new CX Series, integrated digital tuner, HDMI ports and, uh, a PC? Humorously enough, Sammy's introduction of the 400CX, 400CXn and 460CX focuses more on how they're perfect for commercial applications than keying in on the fact that this thing has a full-fledged PC inside of it. The so-called "integrated network PC" is there to facilitate "easy content management," and just like other digital signage displays, this one is just fine being tilted horizontally or vertically. As for the 400CX and 400CXn, you'll find a 1,366 x 768 resolution; the 460CX gets a Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 panel. Each unit also possesses built-in 10-watt speakers, advanced cooling technologies and a three-year warranty. From what we can glean, we highly doubt you'll find a bona fide HTPC inside here, but those with enough patience may find a satisfactory alternative to the Lumenlab Q42.
ViewSonic launches DSM3210: digital signage solution in a box
ViewSonic's first mention from InfoComm was less than enthralling, but it's second attempt at making waves today is actually fairly decent. Marketed as an all-in-one digital signage solution for small businesses, the DSM3210 includes a 32-inch HDTV (complete with an HD tuner and HDMI / VGA inputs) along with authoring, packaging and presentation software to "create a complete digital signage and multimedia visual entertainment experience." Of note, the software bundled in is designed for Windows, so OS X / Linux users look to be clean out of luck. Reportedly, the kit will be available in July for just $999, but there's a good chance you'll have to wait until then to see what everything looks like.
Sharp goes wild with projectors / LCD monitors at InfoComm
Never mind those guys cranking out just one or two new gizmos at InfoComm -- Sharp's busting out the big guns. The company is using the stage in Vegas to introduce a swarm of new gear including the XG-P560W 3-chip DLP WXGA projector, XG-C455W / PG-C355W 3LCD WXGA PJs, XG-P610X XGA unit and four new BrilliantColor DLP beamers (PG-F317X, PG-F312X, PG-F262X and PG-F212X). For those unfazed, it's also showcasing 46- (TL-M4600) and 52-inch (TL-M5200) professional LCD monitors meant for digital signage applications. As you can probably glean, there's way too much data on the whole lot to cover in this space, so we'll kindly direct you to the read link if you're hungry for more.
Philips introducing 52-inch 1080p 3D display
It's no nightmare -- 3D is officially in style. Or it's succeeding in fooling us, one or the other. Further proof that taking things to the third-dimension is all the rage has arrived courtesy of Philips, who has announced its intentions to reveal a 1080p 52-inch 3D display at InfoComm later this month. The unit will utilize the same WOWvx technology showcased a year prior in its 20-inch display, and will feature 700 cd/m2 brightness, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and an 8-millisecond response time. The auto-stereoscopic display should be "commercially available from Q4 2008 onwards," but we haven't a clue how costly it'll be when it eventually lands.[Via SlashGear]
Eighteen 70-inch 1080p LCDs to advertise along Las Vegas strip
You've got to have some serious firepower to attract eyes in Las Vegas -- after all, there's already enough neon in place to keep the average tourist distracted for hours. That being said, Samsung thinks it has what it takes, as it's teaming up with Outdoor Promotions in order to install eighteen 70-inch 1080p LCD panels "on prominent bus shelters spanning the Vegas strip from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the south side to the Rivera Hotel and Casino at the north end." The units will all be sunlight-readable and boast 2,000 nits of brightness along with localized audio. We're told that advertisements put up on the beastly sets will shuffle every 7.5- to 15-seconds in a continuous loop, and while the initial 18 are slated to go up in October, another 20 are planned for early 2009 (pre-CES, pretty please?)[Image courtesy of IntelligentEconomy]
LG intros M3800S-BN / M2900S-BN stretched display monitors in UK
Though not the first stretched display we've seen per se, LG is taking widescreen to an entirely new plateau with its latest duo of monitors. Launched today in the UK, the 38-inch M3800S-BN and 29-inch M2900S-BN feature oddball resolutions like 1,366 x 398 and 1,366 x 480 (respectively) along with a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 9-millisecond response time and a VGA input. Obviously geared for digital signage applications, both units can display imagery horizontally or vertically, and while price points weren't disclosed, we'll go ahead and assume that they'll be pegged for purchase on those business-centric credit cards (if you catch our drift).[Via Pocket-lint]
OMDM's movable E-K50 II LED display is Big Brother's best friend
Just like a George Orwell flick gone awry, OMDM's movable E-K50 II LED display is downright frightening. The gargantuan display is basically one with a car, and it comes complete with built-in speakers to really get the message across. We can hear it now: "Please deposit your mobile communication devices here, telepathy is the new unlimited plan." Yikes.
Shinoda Plasma showcases 125-inch curved PTA display
Surely you remember Shinoda Plasma and its obscenely large PTA display, right? Unfortunately, this one's no 142-incher, but 125-inches of curvaceous screen real estate still isn't anything to sneeze at -- especially when we're talking about an actual prototype. The 3- x 1-meter display consists of three PTA (plasma tube array) modules connected together, and it features a rather uninspiring 960 x 360 resolution but weighs just 7.9-pounds. The actual "display part" measures just one-millimeter thick, and while this unit is likely to make a veiled appearance at InfoComm next month, a mass produced version will reportedly be produced in conjunction with Hibino. Honest opinion? We're still feelin' the resolution of Alienware's curved monster, but digital signage fans should certainly dig where this one is headed.[Via Pink Tentacle]
Samsung gears up to ship 46-inch "High Bright" panel
Interestingly enough, the last time we heard the phrase "High Bright," Runco was showcasing a prototype set meant to work and play in the great outdoors. Now, however, Samsung's looking to one-up that endeavor by actually shipping a High Bright DID panel later this month. The 46-inch unit is said to posses 1,500 nits of brightness, a contrast ratio of 3,000:1, 16.7 million colors, 178-degree viewing angles and a screen resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels. Sammy claims that it's around three times brighter than a typical LCD TV, and aside from remaining visible outside (you know, for pool parties and digital signage applications), it was designed to be tiled together to create "video walls." No word on what sets these panels will find their way into, but we wouldn't count on 'em coming cheap. [Via SlashGear]
IOGEAR extender takes DVI signals 100-feet over CAT 5e / 6
Granted, we've cast our glances upon DVI Extenders before, but IOGEAR's latest comes in just south of the magical $500 price point and is apt to warm the hearts of digital signage professionals everywhere. The simply titled DVI Video / Audio Extender Kit consists of a pair of DVI units, a local transmitter and a remote receiver, which owners connect with a CAT5e / 6 Ethernet cable. You'll also find an analog 3.5-millimeter jack for hooking up stereo speakers, and the three-year warranty should help you rest easy all the while. Available as we speak for $499.95.
Avocent offers up Emerge MPX1500 wireless HDMI extender
It's been a tick since we've heard a noticeable peep from Avocent, but the firm has recently unveiled the true successor to its Emerge MPX1000. The aptly-named MPX1500 is still a high-definition multipoint extender at its core, but rather than relying on swappable output modules, this unit packs a single DVI-D output and uses adapters to output HDMI, component, S-Video, VGA and composite. Additionally, this newer iteration comes in a much smaller enclosure and offers VGA resolutions up to 1,360 x 768 (while HDMI / DVI still goes to 1080i). Reportedly, users can still expect to see signals transmitted sans wires up to 150 feet through walls, and if interested, can pick one up as we speak for $995.
NEC shows off 52-inch MultiSync LCD5220 for digital signage
NEC continues to roll out 1080p LCDs aimed at commercial apps and this is its latest, the MultiSync LCD5220. Claiming to be the first professional grade 52-inch display, its for when the 65-inch LCD6520 is too big, and the 4620 just isn't big enough. Equipped with a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, its thin bezel, Digital Signage Technology Suite and TileMatrix technology make it perfect for a video wall of up to 25 displays, measuring 20 feet diagonally. NEC's been a leader in the digital signage market and with this panel its aiming to stay there when this panel ships in April for $8,149. While we keep an eye out for more news from the 2008 Digital Signage Expo, check out a couple more pics after the break and we're sure the purchase order will write itself.
Samsung's 82-inch SyncMaster 820DXn sports a built-in computer
There's displays made for digital signage, and then there's Samsung's SyncMaster 820DXn. Put simply, there's no commercial screen we'd rather have sitting in our living room, and while we doubt many would go for it, the specs here are pretty impressive. Outside of the expansive 82-inch 1,920 x 1,080 resolution S-PVA panel, you'll find 178-degree viewing angles, a 5,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, "ultra-high" brightness levels, eight-millisecond response time and the firm's own DNIe PRO image enhancement technology. It also includes built-in fans for extended usage along with an integrated PC consisting of an 1.8GHz Athlon64 X2 3400+ CPU, 4GB of flash storage, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, an ATI graphics set and Windows XP to boot. Granted, this thing was designed with luring customers in mind, and given the lofty $76,999 price tag, we don't expect it to do much else.
NEC reveals commercial grade 65-inch LCD6520 LCD
As if the 40- and 46-inch 20 series LCDs weren't impressive enough, NEC is expanding its lineup of commercial grade sets by unveiling a 65-inch behemoth. The MultiSync LCD6520 unsurprisingly checks in as the outfit's largest LCD to date, and it's also embedded with NEC's own Digital Signage Technology Suite (DSTS), which "includes more than 20 features and functions developed specifically for digital signage." Specs wise, you'll find a 1,920 x 1,080 (Full HD) resolution panel, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, six-millisecond response time and a built-in "expansion slot" that can accept third-party gear such as a CAT5 receiver, single board computer, HD-SDI, or DVI loop-thru for a daisy chain setup. There's also inputs for HDMI, S-Video and composite, optional 15-watt speakers (available in 2008) and an optional digital tuner for the landscape model. Of course, we doubt you'll be buying one of these bad boys without writing it off as a business expense, as the $18,499.99 (LCD6520L-AV) and $19,999.99 (LCD6520P-AV) price tags will essentially shoo off the casual fans.
Wal-Mart Canada to get narrowcasting digital displays
As Wal-Mart continues to inch ever closer to knowing our very thoughts as we peruse its aisles, the mega-corporation has announced plans to install narrowcasting digital displays in its Canadian locales. Reportedly, EK3 Technologies' subsidiary company ShopCast "has signed an exclusive agreement to install EK3 digital merchandising solutions in Wal-Mart Canada stores," which could mean that spots would air based on current buying trends or inventory levels. This dynamic approach to filling customers' heads with ideas of what to purchase will supposedly "enable [Wal-Mart] to strategically reach out to guests in-store to inform, entertain and help save them money." There's no word as to when this could hit US-based Wally Worlds, but it probably won't be long.[Via InformationWeek, image courtesy of USA Today]
Crestron intros DVPHD-PRO HD digital video processor
Just in case you were waiting for something a bit more sophisticated to drive that LCD4620, Crestron's DVPHD-PRO should make complex ads a whole lot more attractive. The self-proclaimed "advanced multi-window digital video processor and touchpanel interface" enables up to eight simultaneous video windows to be outputted onto a single HD display, as users can utilize four DVI inputs and four BNC arrangements (shown after the jump) to create an on-screen graphical montage. Moreover, the unit can handle both NTSC and PAL signals, is HDCP compliant, and boasts Crestron's 24-bit Isys graphics engine, which enables the creation of high-resolution images / backgrounds, dynamic text, and full-motion animations. Notably, the RS-232 and USB ports allow the box to be controlled via an external touchscreen monitor or whiteboard, and while pricing details aren't listed, we can't envision this bad boy coming without a serious premium.
ChyTV's HD 100 enables 1080p digital signage
If you've been holding back on procuring that LCD4620, ChyTV's HD 100 just might be the accessory that pushes you over the edge. The latest in the firm's lineup of video graphics information display systems, this particular iteration steps it way up by enabling real-time 3D text and graphics to be outputted in stunning 1080p for all your potential customers to see. Sporting DVI and VGA outs, this system touts dynamic graphics, an integrated MPEG player, page scheduling, and all the other tools you'd expect to flash your wares to passerbyers. Unfortunately, it looks like you'll be forced to personally inquire about pricing options, but tempting citizens with beautiful high-definition footage could very well prove invaluable.
NEC's 20 series LCDs: perfect for digital signage
NEC's latest LCD displays have more business on a video-wall demonstration than in your living room, but who said having a tile matrix of displays in your game lounge was a bad idea? The 20 series commercial LCD lineup consists of a 40-inch MultiSync LCD4020 and 46-inch LCD4620, both of which feature NEC's newfangled CV12 pixel technology. Hailed as the first displays to pack chevron-shaped pixels into a large-format LCD, it also delivers twice the contrast of traditional PVA panels, increases brightness and viewing angles, and minimizes off-angle color shift. Each touts a 1,366 x 768 resolution, 1,200:1 contrast ratio, ten-millisecond response time, and uber-thin bezels that come in "five times thinner" than current competitors. Don't count on these niche LCDs to come cheap, though, as you'll be laying down around $4,400 for the little guy and upwards of $6,300 for the 46-incher.
