Widescreen
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Mustek to introduce its own LCD HDTV lineup at CES
With CES fast approaching, we're sure to see tons of last minute additions as firm's look to showcase their gadgetry to the world, and now Mustek is doing just that. More commonly known for its ho hum cameras, digiframes, and PMPs, the company has just announced that it will start selling its own self-branded lineup of LCD HDTVs, and if everything goes as planned, will have demo units on display in just a few weeks. Aiming for the same value-conscious crowd that Vizio seems to have wrapped around its finger, the 42-inch LTV-4210, 32-inch LTV3210, and 27-inch LTV2710 should each hit well below more prestigious brands in terms of pricing. The low- and mid-range models each sport a 1,366 x 768 resolution, 1200:1 contrast ratio, 6.5-millisecond response time, and "built-in surround sound speakers." The flagship 42-inch flavor boasts full 1080p support, HDMI, integrated NTSC / ATSC tuners, dual 10-watt speakers, a 176-degree viewing angle, 550 cd/m2 brightness, and then borrows the other specs from the less-featured siblings. Of course, the actual quality (and pricing) of the panels is still yet to be seen, but thankfully, that sneak peek should come sooner rather than later.[Via I4U]
Hitachi does 800 x 480 display for phones
Heck, plain ol' QVGA displays on phones are still a fairly scarce commodity in some parts of the world, but Hitachi knows you want... nay, need more. VGA, perhaps? Nope, keep going; think wider. Hitachi has officially started pumping out copies of its 2.9-inch, 800 x 480 cellphone display, promising web browsing experiences that could finally catch up with the 3G data speeds modern handsets are offering. The company points out that such crazy-fresh resolution typically leads to crazy-fresh battery drainage thanks to increased backlight brightness requirements, but engineers have apparently put in some late nights miniaturizing the circuitry and designing a new pixel structure to minimize power draw. Better yet, the panel promises a 170 degree viewing angle and a 400:1 contrast ratio. Only thing left, it seems, is for some scrappy manufacturer and/or carrier to step forward and announce a killer device wrapped around this sucker. Why do we get the strange feeling we should keep our eyes on NTT DoCoMo for that?
V7 kicks out budget 22-inch R22W02 LCD monitor
Just in case the world didn't have quite enough low-end, questionably built LCD monitors, we've got one more comin' down the pike, as V7 -- formerly "known" as Videoseven -- unveils its R22W02 monitor. This 22-inch LCD has a "focus on value," which presumably means it takes a hit in the quality department, but regardless, it sports a 16:9 aspect ratio, on-screen controls, 700:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 1,650 x 1,050 resolution, 5-millisecond response time, VGA / DVI input, and a less-than-attractive black / silver color scheme. No, you won't soon be boasting about this thing to your pals, nor will find anything above marginal specs, but you will get a (relatively) large widescreen panel for "under $349."
Metareview - Zelda: Twilight Princess (GameCube)
For Wii-less GameCube owners it's a no-brainer; you pro'ly been had your copy of Twilight Princess. But for those few Wii owners who are considering the GameCube edition, still unable to take decisive action, here are several takes on how the two versions match up:
Pantech goes wide with SKY IM-U160
When you've finally managed to saturate your home market with digital TV-packing cellphones, what is there left to do but take it widescreen? That's the question Pantech is posing with its new IM-U160, a rather distinctive member (if you call eerily similar to an LG Chocolate "distinctive") of its high end SKY line. Besides the 2.6 inches of 15:9 ratio goodness on which to view DMB programming, the rectangular slider offers a touch sensitive set of buttons on the top side (ring any bells?) that can be set to vibrate when pressed, 184MB of Flash expandable via microSD, a 2 megapixel autofocus cam, and the typical potpourri of multimedia support. A Korean launch appears to be imminent, and expect it on US networks -- oh, that's right -- never.
BenQ FP241W 24-incher reviewed
The folks at bit-tech.net recently took some time to sit down and stare at BenQ's new FP241W 24-inch widescreen LCD to see how it stacks up against the competition, coming away mightily impressed with the monitor in most respects. Specs-wise, the FP241W hits all the right marks, with the de facto 1920 x 1200 resolution, 6ms response time, 500cd/m² brightness, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and an ample supply of inputs (both video and USB), not the least of which is an HDMI port -- something its biggest competitor lacks. Of course, specs alone aren't exactly a hard and fast way to judge a monitor, but bit-tech finds the BenQ lives up to them, performing well in both gaming and regular desktop use and, in their opinion, beating Dell's more popular option in just about every respect. About the only faults they found were a few problems with adjusting the monitor (you'll have to live with it about three inches off your desk), a lack of memory card reader, and a relatively plain design -- although given some of some of the monitors we've seen, we're content with BenQ playing it safe.
Trusted Reviews gets reliably anonymous details on touchscreen 6G iPod, iPhone
Trusted Reviews - a name already filled to the brim with reliability - is claiming to have the inside scoop from an anonymous but "extremely well informed" 3rd party exec who revealed that Apple will drop the much-rumored wide/touchscreen 6G iPod in December - y'know, the month that virtually *no* new products are released because people are too busy trying to navigate the mall with their heads intact to notice any ads for spankin' new products. TR also continues with confirmation from Mr. Anonymous' crystal ball that the iPhone is landing in January, complete with a 'trial period' of the service and - drum roll please - a 3 megapixel camera. Man, I'm surprised they didn't have to pull Mr. A's fingernails to snag some of these juicy details.When questioned regarding the crystal ball's credentials for telling the future, Mr. A replied that Apple works very hard to keep their 3rd parties informed because they "make more money from the affiliates programme than from selling iPods." I guess that sheds a little more light on yesterday's preliminary 4th quarter earnings report - too bad the affiliate program's mountain of revenue wasn't singled out so we could see just how overshadowed the iPod really is.[via Gizmodo]
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 reviewed
When Panasonic threw down the much-anticipated successor to the LX1, we couldn't wait to get our paws on one, and while glamour shots tell a portion of the story, we all know it's the performance that counts. The digicam gurus over at DPReview put the DMX-LX2 through a gauntlet of tests, and found that Panasonic (yet again) delivered a "unique, powerful, and innovative" camera that suffers from an all too common inability to shoot at even moderately high ISOs. While the crew was thoroughly impressed with the near-perfect 16:9 implementation, plethora of manual controls, and "effective image stabilization," they just couldn't get over the "excessive noise" seen at all ISO levels above 100. It was noted that image quality was "superb" when plenty of natural light was available, and even minute details like the "big, bright LCD monitor" and "high quality construction" were given adequate attention; however, the unnecessary increase in pixels and less-than-effective Venus III engine rendered disappointing low-light results. Nevertheless, reviewers did admit to being overly critical due to Panasonic's neglect in addressing the noisy shortcomings from the LX1, but eventually awarded the LX2 a shiny "Recommended" medal for those confident in their post-processing skills (and ability to conjure light).[Thanks, cycomachead]
Dell getting ready to take over 19-inch widescreen LCD market?
Since Dell is already the number one vendor in the LCD market, and they've wowed more than a few eyes with the gorgeous 3007WFP, why not jump right in the lucrative 19-inch widescreen market and scare away the competition? Apparently the Texas powerhouse appears to be doing just that, as DigiTimes reports that the world's leanest company has sent out requests for quotations from well-grounded panel manufacturers AU Optronics and Chi Mei Optoelectronics. While the 1907FP currently stands as Dell's top-end 19-incher, it's supposedly hoping to grab an even bigger chunk of the profitable sector, as "54.6 percent of the total second-quarter widescreen LCD market" came from folks not quite ready to make the 20-inch leap. While it's likely the company will not stick to a sole supplier should it look to trample all those same-sized alternatives, we'd guess Michael and Co. wouldn't send out RFQs to the world's largest and most prominent 19-inch panel manufacturers on a whim -- but hey, we've seen zanier things fly from Dell's doors.[Via TGDaily]
Daysis intros 23-inch DAY232TP monitor/TV
For those who prefer to do their monitor shopping overseas -- or, you know, live there -- Daysis has got another option to make your decision a bit harder. The 23-inch DAY232TP packs decent, if not spectacular specs, with a 600:1 contrast ratio, 12 ms response time, 300cd/m2 brightness and, of course, that 1920 x 1200 resolution all the cool kids demand these days (not unlike that Quixun also competing for your attention today). What's more, it'll also double as a TV, with a built-in tuner and bundled remote, as well as picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture functions. Otherwise, you'll get the standard DVI and VGA inputs, though you'll have to settle for S-video or composite if you're planning on hooking this up to something other than a computer. The superstitious among you may want to steer clear of this one though: at the current exchange rate it'll run you an even $666.[Via Akihabara News]
Quixun's 23-inch QHD-M23W widescreen LCD
Japanese manufacturer Quixun has given its massive 30-inch widescreen display a little bro, announcing the matching QHD-M23W monitor for those looking for something a little less monolithic. At 23-inches though, it's still sure to impress, with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 400:1 contrast ratio, 300cd/m2 brightness, and 10 ms response time -- resolution aside, those specs are all the same as the 30-incher. Also of note, the monitor includes a component input in addition to the standard DVI and VGA ports -- a nice bonus for anyone looking for a display that'll do double duty in a home theater/gaming setup. As you've no doubt guessed, this one's only available in Japan (at least for now), where it'll run you 89,800 Yen, or just over $770.[Via Impress]
How-To: Make a custom projector screen
The quest to build a great home theater is one of our recurring themes for Engadget's How-To Tuesdays. And as anyone home theater buff will tell you, any HDTV worth its weight in salt will present its viewer with a 16:9 (1.78:1) aspect ratio display, or in some cases, project a 1.8:1 ratio. For todays How-To, though, we're building one of the holy grails of the home theater: a 2.35:1 widescreen. Yep, that's movie theater widescreen, alright.
Daysis 20.1-inch widescreen LCD
Korean manufacturer Daysis has entered the crowded fray of 20-inch widescreen LCDs with its DS201W monitor, which looks to be thoroughly average in every respect except for one key area: price. Spec-wise, the display pumps out the standard 1680 x 1050 resolution and promises an 800:1 contrast ratio, 300cd/m² brightness, and 12 ms refresh rate, with the LCD panel itself coming courtesy of LG. Both VGA and DVI ports are included, as well as an audio-in port if you want to use the sure-to-sound-great built-in speakers. Best of all, however, the display costs just 300,000 won (about $300 US), although actually getting one over here would probably prove to be more trouble than it's worth.[Via Akihabara News]
Sony cooking up widescreen mobile display
Some modern phones seem to have enough trouble with battery life as it is without throwing a glorious 16:9 display into the mix. Be that as it may, Sony's hard at work on exactly that, and we admittedly can't help but revel in the thought of dropping one of these suckers into a Sony Ericsson handset somewhere down the line. The screen is apparently only a part of their "RealityMAX" graphics subsystem that'll presumably handle all your MPEG and 3D acceleration needs, and at just under 3 inches long with a 432 x 240 resolution and 262K color depth, we've no doubt that watching a movie (or at least some manner of broadcast television) would be a very rewarding experience indeed.
NY Times on Vista's widescreen gaming woes
Vista promises to give PC gamers an experience that's more Xbox than XP but, as the New York Times' Seth Schiesel discovered, they've got a ways to go before delivering on that goal. His umbrage: widescreen gaming. Hardcore PC gamers -- a profligate breed whose annual technology budget amounts to more than the last 3 generations of consoles combined -- and their requisite widescreen gaming displays are an important audience for Microsoft's latest OS upgrade. So what's the trouble? Schiesel explains:"Beta Vista simply does not run games properly on many of the big monitors that Microsoft and media companies are encouraging consumers to buy. I have no doubt that Microsoft will come up with a solution before Vista is released. But it is such a glaring problem, and one that goes so directly to the heart of the gaming experience, that if any halfway serious gamers asked me right now if they should install the beta Vista on their main PC's, I would say no."Well, if we're only gonna be talking about beta software having bugs, then count us out. That's why it's not out yet! Granted, Vista probably should have been out now a couple times over, but this is another reason why it isn't. Schiesel focuses his criticism with, "But this video-display issue raises a question about how well the company really understands the hardcore players who will always be the tastemakers and most faithful customers in PC gaming."Good question. I use my 24" Dell monitor to play my 360 in glorious, widescreen HD. PC games ... eh, notsomuch. Any gamer with a widescreen monitor has spent more than their fair share of time traversing widescreengamingforum.com fiddling with arcane settings in the attempt to duplicate the seamless experience we've grown to expect from consoles. Microsoft is going to need more than a fancy new operating system to make all games widescreen compliant, they're also going to need the full support of an increasingly diverse development community.[Via VGM Watch]
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Ultraportable Acer Ferrari 1000 reviewed
Acer's Ferrari 1000 is likely to be nominated for sexiest ultraportable, but even if not, this 12.1-inch widescreen machine looks pretty impressive; not too far back we announced that this thing was hitting the street, and now it's been properly test-driven. As expected, the Ferrari 1000 utilizes the AMD Turion 64 X2 and comes stuffed with 1GB of RAM, 120GB SATA hard drive, 1.3 megapixel webcam, external DVD+/-RW optical drive (where are the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray drives?), ATI Radeon Xpress 200M graphics chipset, 1,280 x 800 WXGA screen, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, and reads practically every flash card we've ever heard of. cNews in Russia found very little to grumble about: the 3.7-pound machine wheeled through benchmarks, but apparently left reviewers disappointed by fingerprints showing on the carbon fiber. Going for about $4,000, this notebook ain't cheap, but if you want an ultraportable to match your Enzo, you can take delivery later this month.
Etronics' Inkel Widetouch W-7.0 offers GPS, PMP, and DMB
We love the idea of having GPS and PMP functionality in the same gadget, and when we see one of these devices with a 7-inch widescreen we certainly sit up and take notice, but unfortunately we'll need to make some friends in Korea if we ever hope to install the Inkel Widetouch W-7.0 from Etronics in our ride. Without any detailed specs on this upcoming model, we're going to assume that it's very similar to the ARM-powered Widetouch 5.6 we spotted last month, as both units also offer an optional DMB tuner to complement the media playback and navigation features. As usual, no word on pricing or release dates for this piece, but since the DMB-equipped 5.6 was going for around $600, we can safely assume that a similarly-configured 7-incher will cost at least a hundred bucks more. Keep reading to see just how fun it is to roll around with one of these in your Mercedes...
Gateway releases 19-inch FPD1975W widescreen LCD
If you're looking to the ditch the CRT for a more space-friendly LCD, but don't want to throw down $600 for Gateway's FPD2185W, the company has a new option for you that knocks only 2-inches but a full $300 off of its well-received 21-inch model. HDBeat points out, though, that you lose more than just desktop real estate with the 19-inch widescreen FPD1975W (pictured, not actual size), as Gateway has dropped both the Faroudja DCDi image processor as well as the 2185's composite inputs. You still get a decent set of specs here, with the 1,440 x 900 resolution and HDCP-capable DVI inputs ensuring that HD fans are well covered, while the 8-millisecond response time and 700:1 contrast ratio should probably serve to attract more than a few gamers. This model is available immediately from Gateway online, although if you don't mind spending a few more bucks, you should probably take a look at Dell's 2007WFP before making your purchase.[Via HDBeat]
Acer releases 22-, 24-, and 26-inch LCDs
We're not sure how business savvy it is for a company to announce in a press release that two of the 16:10 LCDs it's just unveiled -- in the same release -- will be made obsolete by key spec bumps in just a few months, but that didn't stop Acer from revealing that both the new 22-inch AL2216W and 26-inch AL2616W will be replaced by HDCP-capable versions during the fourth quarter. Reason being, the current iterations of these models -- both members of the company's Value Line -- lack the necessary digital inputs to support the HD copy protection standard, although that's not the case with the the third display released today, the DVI-sporting, 24-inch AL2434WR. Like the AL2616W, the 24-incher -- part of the Office Line -- features a 1,920 x 1,200 WUXGA display, 6-millisecond gray-to-gray response time, and a 1000:1 contrast ratio, while the AL2216W is slightly quicker (5 milliseconds) than both, but offers less pixels (1,680 x 1,050) and a lower contrast ratio (700:1). As of this writing, pricing has not been revealed for any of these new units, but if you're interested in the Value lineup, we're thinking that maybe you should just save your pennies anyway and hold out for HDCP.[Via BIOS]
VoodooPC's 17-inch, dual-core Envy u:734 notebook
If VoodooPC's $5,000 Envy u:909 gaming laptop is a bit too rich for your blood, the company has come out with a more reasonably-priced 17-inch model that still manages to pack in a dual-core processor and top-of-the-line graphics card. The new Envy u:734 starts at "just" $3,800 and features a T2400 Core Duo processor (upgradable to the T2500 or T2600), nVidia GeForce Go 7900 GTX video card, 1,900 x 1,200 pixel widescreen display,1GB of RAM (2GB max), an 80GB HDD (160GB possible), 8x DVD burner, and the usual suite of ports, card readers, and wireless radios (three flavor WiFi and Bluetooth). You can place your order for this 8.1-pound desktop replacement starting today, and as usual, you can choose from about a million different color schemes along with numerous tattoo options for shlocking up personalizing your rig.[Via DailyCE]
