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Multitasking with LCD: The latest monitors converge PC and TV functionality
Lisa Wichmann
These days, it seems just about every technology that can be crammed into a cell phone has been--from high-resolution cameras to Internet connections and TV programming. Now it looks as though PC monitors are starting to follow the convergence trend too.
Sony of Canada Ltd., for instance, unveiled a new PC/TV combination monitor last month, called the MFM-HT205. The 20-inch LCD display incorporates computing and home entertainment applications, creating an all-in-one solution for viewing multi-media content, according to the company.
"The HT series embraces the shift toward converged TV and PC functionalities," said Frank Holcomb, a product manager with Sony of Canada in Toronto.
The new monitor joins previous launches of the 17-inch MFM-HT75 and the 19-inch MFM-HT95. All of the HT series include built-in TV tuners and allow users to watch TV or DVDs in full widescreen mode, while multitasking with desktop PC applications.
The latest display is equipped with a variety of connectivity options, including S-video, HD-15 and DVI-HDCP inputs. All the monitors have Sony's XBRITE LCD technology and ErgoBright technology for crisp graphics and rich colours, Sony reports.
Response time on the HT series is six milliseconds; contrast ratio is up to 1600:1. The sound package includes two three-watt stereo speakers, and the monitors are MAC and PC compatible. Manufacturer's suggested retail price is $999.99
Work and play
Samsung has also brought a new LCD display to market, with the SyncMaster 940MW. It's a wide-format 19-inch monitor that can also perform as a TV. The 940MW is HDTV-ready and incorporates Samsung's MagicTuner technology, which supports TV signals from anywhere in the world, the company reports.
Designed for the home, home office and business user, the monitor is suited to people who want to watch TV while working at a PC. Picture-by-picture functionality allows users to watch two sources at the same time. It also has built-in Virtual Dolby BBE sound.
Samsung describes the PC/TV convergence as the "work and play computing experience." The 940MW handles DVD viewing, gaming and HDTV. It also delivers a contrast ratio of 700:1, and a wide horizontal/vertical viewing angle of 160º by 160º, according to Samsung. The street price is estimated at US $699.
Meanwhile, Acer America Corp., which bills itself as the leading provider of LCDs in Canada, has seen significant growth in the flat panel market. In 2005, it saw a growth rate of 683 per cent in the LCD market, compared to the industry average of 65 per cent, acccording to Acer. Most of the growth occurred in the 17 and 19-inch segment.
Early last year Acer added two new monitors to its Prestige line. The 17-inch and 20-inch widescreen displays have fast response times for viewing DVDs and video games. They deliver up to 600:1 contrast ratio and have three inputs (VGA, AV and DVI-D).
The 17-inch AL1732d and 20-inch AL2032wd are big on design and aesthetics, Acer reports. The AL2032wd won the iF Design Award 2005, a global competition involving approximately 1,900 products. Prices for the monitors start at $479.
For its part, NEC Display Solutions of America, has unveiled the MultiSync 90-series, which will replace the company's 80-series. More than 25 features have been added or improved upon to produce crisper, clearer images, enable better control and connectivity and increase energy efficiency, NEC reports.
The "i" models were designed for colour-critical markets such as medical imaging, graphic illustration and photography. Options include a 19-inch, 20-inch or 21-inch display.
The "p" models are suited to CAD/CAM users who require high resolution, precise images and adjustment flexibility, but may not have need for exact colour reproduction. These come in 19 and 21 inches.
The 90-series also contain eco-related features such as AmbiBright and Eco-mode, that manually or automatically adjust the displays' brightness to the ambient lighting. These features provide better energy efficiency and longer product life, according to NEC.
Lisa Wichmann is editor of Purchasing b2b magazine.
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