monitors
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NEC intros three new LCD displays Stateside
It looks like those three new NEC monitors we mentioned a few days ago are making their way over to the States, with prices, release dates... you know, the whole shebang. Now slightly redubbed the ASLCD174WXM, ASLCD194WXM, and ASLCD224WXM, the displays pack many of the same features, though they differ ever-so-slightly where it counts. The 17- and 19-inch models feature a 1440 x 900 resolution, with 800:1 and 1000:1 contrast ratios, while the 22-inch version sports a 1680 x 1050 resolution with a 900:1 contrast ratio. All three models use the company's Ambix dual-input technology, NEC's ECO Mode low-power settings, and include built-in speakers. The monitors will be available in March, with prices ranging from $209.99 for the ASLCD174WXM, to $229.99 for the ASLCD194WXM, and $329.99 for the ASLCD224WXM.
Samsung announces 245BW and 226CW widescreen monitors
It wouldn't really be a Samsung release party without some monitors, now would it? -- and true to form, Sammy included a pair of 22- and 24-inch widescreen models in today's slew of announcements. The 245BW (pictured above) offers up a pretty standard 1920 x 1200 resolution, 5-millisecond response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio (3000:1 dynamic contrast), and 400 cd/m² of brightness, while the 226CW (pictured after the break) also features the expected specs, including 1680 x 1050 res, 300 cd/m² brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and rather snappy gray-to-gray 2-millisecond response time. Sammy is also playing up this latter unit's Wild Color Gamut CCFL backlighting technology, along with each model's suite of Magic-branded fine-tuning options that we're all so familiar with. Both monitors are shipping immediately, with the 24-incher retailing for $550 and the 22-incher asking $380.
Extravagant World of Warcraft setup includes 47 PCs, seven monitors
And you thought adding a trio of displays to your mobile gaming rig was hardcore. To be frank, calling this setup "extravagant" could be the understatement of the month (or year), but it's a tad hard to articulate how mind-blowing a 47 PC, seven monitor World of Warcraft installation actually is. According to the original poster, all but two of the machines are "diskless" to cut down on load times and energy consumption, and both he and his SO threw down for oh-so-comfy recliners to kick back and raid in. Of course, envious (and understandably skeptical) commenters have questioned the true motives behind such a momentous rig (farm much?), but it's not like this is the first time we've seen a fanboy take things to the extreme. Click on through to catch the full gist.[Via Core77]
First Look: iStat menus beta and screenshot gallery
For what seems like forever (or at least since April 29th, 2005), the crew at iSlayer have leveraged their obsession with system performance and statistics and provided us with arguably the best darn donationware iStat widgets on the block. For a little while now, they've been teasing their fellow stat enthusiasts with screenshots on the iSlayer blog of their latest creation, iStat menus, which is currently in a private beta. As you might guess, iStat menus is an app (installed and managed as a System Preferences pane) that will display your vital system stats in the menubar, complete with a thoroughly customizable set of options for displaying just the information you want to know. Thankfully, the iSlayer folks were kind enough to give me a copy of the beta, along with permission to post thoughts and a screenshot gallery for your perusal. While I've been trying iStat menus out, I've also been asking the crew a few questions surrounding how it stacks up against iStat pro and nano, especially in terms of performance. One catch with the way iStat menus runs is that it doesn't create its own separate process that can be monitored in Activity Monitor (or, I assume by relation, the Terminal). Instead, each menu item monitor you activate runs as a Menu Extra which lumps itself into the SystemUIServer thread, so the only way Marc Edwards at iSlayer recommended I could compare iStat menu's performance against my long-time favorite iStat pro is simply to watch that thread before and after enabling iStat menu's items. %Gallery-3291%
Sierra Sounds' iN STUDIO 5.0 iPod-friendly speakers
We must admit, it's somewhat refreshing to see a set of Made for iPod speakers hit the marketplace that could potentially sound better than a poorly-amplified glorified tweeter, and Sierra Sounds' iN STUDIO 5.0 set is looking to up the ante by catering to the more discerning set. The pair of monitors are purportedly best matched in one's recording studio, as they feature an integrated 50-watt dynamic amplifier, built-in iPod dock, a pair of auxiliary inputs, S-Video output, and a fully enclosed power supply to boot. Additionally, users can control the action from afar with the wireless infrared remote, and Pod owners should be delighted that they can pick a set up in a black, red, or the oh-so-trendy white color scheme. Set to ship later this month, the iN STUDIO 5.0s will run you just under four Benjamins.[Via iLounge]
Acer releases new xSeries LCD monitors
Acer's recently carpet bombed the US with no less than five new LCD monitors in its entry-level xSeries lineup, with models ranging from 17- to 24-inches that are rather obliquely said to be designed for "multimedia, gaming and video applications." Since the specs on these two standard and three widescreen displays are average at best, we're not sure that pros in any of the above mentioned fields would really be interested -- but with prices ranging from $180 (17-inch x171s) to just $600 (24-inch widescreen x241Wsd), they could certainly give Dell, Samsung, and friends a run for their money. Specifically, the two square models (the 17-incher and 19-inch x191sd) share the exact same configuration save for maximum viewing angles, with both displays offering up 1,280 x 1,024 resolutions, eight millisecond response times, 700:1 contrast ratios, and 300cd/m² maximum brightness. The widescreen models do just a little bit better: the 19-inch x191Wsd and 22-inch x221Wsd rock 1,440 x 900 and 1,680 x 1,050 resolutions, respectively, along with five millisecond response times, 800:1 contrast ratios. and the same max brightness as their buddies; meanwhile, the 24-incher steps up the resolution to a pretty standard 1,920 x 1,200, contrast ratio to 1000:1, and brightness to 400cd/m², but retains the five millisecond response time of the other widescreens. Should be in stores now, so go nuts.[Via PC Launches]
IO-Data shows off 24-inch LCD-TV241XBR-2 TV / monitor
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.
LCD price-fixing probe targets LG.Philips, Sharp, Samsung
A number of TFT LCD manufacturers are under investigation by government regulators in Asia and the US for possible price-fixing. LG.Philips was subpoenaed by American, Japanese and Korean authorities on Monday, while Samsung was hit with legal papers on Tuesday. Further, Sharp was "contacted" by the Japan Fair Trade Commission and the US Department of Justice, though it's unclear if that meant it got a subpoena too. But the fun doesn't stop there, reports IDG News Service, with the European Commission now getting in on the act, too -- the EC said that it was trying to "ascertain whether there is evidence of a cartel agreement and related practices concerning price fixing." Of course, this comes hot on the heels of that video card investigation we heard about recently, as well as the RAM price-fixing fiasco that Mitsubishi (and previously Samsung) were involved in. We'll keep you posted if other display makers get swept up into this.[Via Slashdot]
BenQ FP93G X+ 19-incher shines with 2ms response time
While certainly not the first 2ms monitor by any means, BenQ's just come out with a blazing new 2ms 19-incher, the FP93G X+ (not to be confused with the 2ms BenQ FP93G X), hot off the heels of last week's other BenQ display announcements. Deets are slim on this one, other than it's got a tiny 13mm bezel, 300cd/m2 brightness and an 800:1 contrast ratio. Also, it's loaded up with that Advanced Motion Accelerator stuff we've heard about for awhile now, and has VGA and DVI connectors. The X+ will hit the streets for an unspecified price starting in December -- hey, that's today. Where did November go?[Thanks, Steven]
ViewSonic, Apple readying 17-inch widescreen monitors?
It looks like there's a good chance that you'll soon be able to put some new monitors on your holiday wish list. DigiTimes is reporting that ViewSonic and Apple will be releasing 17-inch widescreens later this year or possibly in early 2007, leading to expectations that they'll replace the existing entry-level and mid-level displays currently on the market. As far as ViewSonic is concerned, this intel from "industry sources" seems pretty reasonable given that the company's just updated the rest of the line recently. What about on Apple's side? Yep, it's been awhile since the company has even had a 17-inch display -- so let's just say that we can't wait for CES and Macworld Expo 2007. [Via TG Daily]
Sanyo CE42LM4WPR: the new 42-inch "ruggedised" monitor
If you've got a big budget and need a monitor that can withstand outdoor conditions ranging from firehoses to dust clouds to exhaust fumes, then Sanyo may have just the product for you. For £3,825 ($7,274) you can get Sanyo's latest, the CE42LM4WPR, which brings 42 inches of viewing awesomeness (viewable at 178 degrees), a screen resolution of 1366 x 768, a contrast ratio of 800:1 and a panel brightness of 500cd/m². That's $173 per waterproof inch, if you prefer to calculate it that way.[Via Gizmag]
NEC LCD3735WXM joins the 37-incher club
While we've seen an assortment of 37-inch TVs before, seriously, who wouldn't want 37 inches of liquid crystal awesomeness? This new NEC LCD3735WXM will hit the stage (also known as your home entertainment center) with an ATSC high def tuner, 1366 x 768 resolution, VGA / DVI (with HDCP support) along with S-video, component and composite video inputs, 16:9, and a 1,600:1 contrast ratio and a 9ms response time. Sadly, you'll have to wait until next month to throw down $2,300 to get one of these, though.
Haier HV-2200TSW brings 22 inches of radiance
Sick of news from the Korea Electronics Show? Of course not, that's why you're reading Engadget on a beautiful Sunday instead of being outside and enjoying the world. We've just come across this new piece of Haier hotness, the HV-2200TSW. Oh yes, it's comin' atcha with a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, packs 300 candelas-per-square-meter of brightness, brings a 700:1 contrast ratio and has a 5-millisecond response time. And we welcome you to guess as to whether we know the price of this display or when you can get it. Yes, it's just as frustrating for you as it is for us.
Sony to cease hawking monitors
Farewell Sony, we will miss your curvaceous and courageous sense of monitor style. Yes, it appears for the moment that Sony's monitors will soon simply be a footnote in history, as the company has stopped marketing its flat-screen displays in North America, Japan, and by the end of the year, Europe. According to Heise Online, Sony made little profit on the monitors even though it was the 10th largest manufacturer of monitors worldwide, and sold 3.07 million units in 2005. Oddly however, the site also reported that Sony would be launching some new models from its G-series by year's end. Still, it seems well within the realm of possibility that you'll be able to snag that soon-to-be discounted remainder Sony monitor that you've been eyeing sometime early next year.[Via I4U News]
HP LP3065 30-inch monitor details revealed
Yesterday we told you about the HP LP3065, but as we noted at the time, details were sparse. Today, HP got its act together and finally put up some more information about this mammoth of a monitor. Here's what we've found out: 1000:1 contrast ratio, 2560 x 1600 pixels, 92 percent color gamut, 178 x 178 degree viewing angles, three dual-link DVI-D inputs and two dual-link DVI cables -- and has a respectable brightness of 300 nits. HP also tells us that the LP3065 will be available in November and "is priced not to exceed $1999", or translated from PR-speak, will be $2000 or less. But better than all of those deets are HP's PR annotations left on its monitor fact sheet (linked below). There are a couple gems like: "This monitor features an amazingly sharp 2560 x 1600 high resolution panel, extra-wide 178 x 178 degree (usually I just say 178 degree viewing angles) . . ." and ". . . the widest available in an HP monitor (this will the widest in the market for about 4-6 months. Can we get away with saying widest available on the market?)." Uh, HP, you actually can't. Dell and Apple have already come out with 30-inch monitors -- and they did it way before you. But thanks for playing! [Warning: PDF link!]
Samsung's new 22-inch widescreen LCD
So we're not sure if this is the same Vista-focused product that the company was supposedly working on with Microsoft, but Samsung has just revealed a new 22-inch widescreen LCD known as the CX223B/W that should go nicely with the upcoming OS. Available in black or silver, this monitor features a pretty decent 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, 5-millisecond response time, and most importantly for HD fans, an HDCP-enabled DVI port (though HDMI seems to be missing). The lack of info on other important specs such as contrast or brightness makes us think that the display is not scheduled for an impending release, a notion that's only further supported by the lack of any pricing details. If you can't wait for the CX223BW to start shipping in the US, there's always that LCM-22w2 from Westinghouse to keep you occupied for the time being, and both Dell and LG are expected to drop new 22-inch models in the near future as well.
NEC's new LCD1990FX and LCD1990FXp displays
So NEC's got another pair of monitors, submitted here for your approval: the LCD1990FX, and its black counterpart, the LCD1990FXp. Oh, you know, they're just your usual overpriced ultrathin-bezeled (7mm) EIZO-like professional studio monitors with the usual features; 178° viewing angles, 250cd/m2 brightness, 1500:1 contrast ratio, 20ms response time, DVI, VGA, and 19-inch 1280 x 1024 resolutions. In otherwords , probably not enough to justify that ¥102,900 ($880 US) price tag, but that bezel man, that bezel. If you ever wanted to build that grid of LCDs, this screen is your obvious choice.[Via Far East Gizmos]
Pioneer releases 50-inch, 1080p PRO-FHD1 plasma
If you like to watch high definition video-- and we mean really, really like to watch it-- then Pioneer has a new 50-inch plasma on the market that promises unrivaled picture quality and realism -- for a pretty steep price. We first heard of the Elite PureVision PRO-FHD1 back at CES in January, where we instantly knew from the specs that this was a pretty special model: it delivers full 1080p resolution using over two million pixels that are just .576 millimeters across, features a 3,000:1 contrast ratio and 1,000cd/m2 peak brightness, and sports two HDMI, one DVI, and one component input. What you're not getting here, though, are any built-in tuners; not only does this display lack a digital ATSC tuner, but it's also missing even a regular NTSC version -- which actually isn't that big of a deal for consumers with a set-top cable or satellite box. Apparently you can run right out and pick up your very own FHD1 as of today, but some of you may need to bring along several methods of payment, just in case you don't have any credit cards that are $10,000 under the limit.[Via HDBeat]
Asus rocks out with PG191 19-inch gaming monitor
When it comes to gaming monitors, performance is everything, so Asus was off to a good start by endowing its new 19-inch PG191 LCD with a zippy 2-millisecond response time. However, we're not sure that it was also a good idea to build two speakers and a subwoofer into this unit; although they do lend the monitor a rather, um, distinctive look, it would seem that most consumers who are really into their gaming already own a set of dedicated speakers -- and probably a 5.1 or 6.1 setup -- which perform better than the ones Asus is offering here. Also, part of the package is a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera, which may indicate that the company is actually targeting wannabe-gamers with this model -- folks who envy the rockstar lifestyle portrayed by Fatal1ty and friends, but who have yet to begin accessorizing their own PCs. Rounding out the specs are your standard 1,280 x 1,024 resolution, 800:1 contrast ratio, and 320cd/m2 brightness, along with a DVI port, in-game video capture software, and special audio/video settings designed to enhance gameplay. No word yet on pricing or availability, but if the speakers and camera add too much loot to the bottom line, we can't imagine that many real gamers will be interested.
LG's 19-inch, 2ms Flatron L1970HR reviewed
So PCMag decided to run LG's 19-inch Flatron L1970HR LCD through their suite of tests to see if its 2-millisecond response time really performs as advertised, and the good news for gamers is that this display indeed delivers excellent motion performance with little ghosting and few artifacts. You're also getting good color reproduction and a contrast ratio of 1600:1 that sounds great on paper, but in reality you can expect some loss of shadow detail and noticeable compression at both ends of the greyscale. Another trade-off for that zippy response time is resolution, as the 1,280 x 1,024 pixel array may not be enough for hardcore gamers or folks working on documents and photos all day, with the biggest knock being the monitor's inability to render smaller-sized fonts. In the end, unless all that you're doing is watching movies and playing video games all day (in which case we'd like to hear more about your job), it sounds like super-smooth video may not be worth the sacrifices you're making in other departments.
