Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ

The Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ is one of only two 120Hz LCD monitors to support Nvidia's 3D Vision Kit and probably the better of the two. The 2233RZ has a ton of cool features and a good spec sheet to go along with it.

The screen is limited on height adjustment and rotation having only a 25 degree backward tilt. The monitor itself sits about 3.75 inches off of your desk and the glossy bezel 0.75 inches on the sides and 0.8 inches on the top. The oval base of the 2233RZ measures about 10 inches wide and 8.5 inches deep and is all around pretty stable. The 2233RZ's panel measures roughly 1 inch deep with an added 1.5 inches behind that to house the ventilation system, backlight and connection options. Width wise the 2233RZ measures 20.3 inches and is 22 inches diagonal.

Onscreen display buttons are located in the bottom right side of the monitor and includes five different buttons positioned vertically. The five buttons mentioned are composed of Menu, Up, Down, Enter and Back with the power button located below. The Up and Down buttons double as contrast and brightness tweakers when needed. The Menu button brings up the OSD menu with controls for brightness, contrast and OSD menu options. The menu comes with many presets including Text, Game, Movies, Internet, Sports and Dynamic Contrast. One negative aspect about the 2233RZ is that it does not have in built-in speakers so any sound output will have to be through attached speakers.

This monitor includes a DVI connection but is without both HDMI and VGA connections. The 2233RZ is HDCP compatible allowing HD content though the DVI port is tucked away on the monitor which makes it a little tricky to access sometimes. The monitor has a resolution of 1,680x1,050 pixels as well as a 3ms pixel response rate. The contrast ratio comes in at 1,000:1 and brightness is 300cd/m2 with a 6:10 aspect ratio.

Overall, the Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ is better than the other Nvidia 3D Vision Kit compliant ViewSonic FuHzion vx2265wm. The specs are better and performance seems to better all around. The 2233RZ, depending on where you buy it from, will run you anywhere from $270.75 to $399.99. One thing to keep in mind though is that the SyncMaster 2233RZ is only available right now bundled with the Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision Kit. If you are interested in buying this without the 3D Vision Kit then you are going to have to wait until late April.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

Promising New TV Features in 2010

There are going to be a multitude of new features found in TVs that will be released in 2010. TV’s are promised to be bigger, better, and more reasonably priced this coming year. New features are said to include more LED backlighting, faster refresh rates, 3D features, and built-in Internet connectivity.

The vast majority of the TV market that accounts for the sales in the U.S. are flat-panel, LCD TVs. This means that most of the TVs released in 2010 will possess these qualities. Bigger TVs are constantly being pushed by providers, but this year will also show other features that will differentiate one TV from the next. LED backlighting and higher refresh rates are something that will show great improvement in the coming TVs. Many will use backlighting in either an “edgelit” configuration or a full backlit design with local dimming to provide better blacks. Faster refresh rates are a guarantee as manufacturers are wishing to drastically reduce motion blur in TV sets.

Another very interesting development that is going to be pushed this year is TVs with 3D capabilities. Sony and Panasonic are the companies that have been talking the most about their 3DTVs. This feature could branch out into more than just 3D movies but also television broadcast in 3D. How cool would it be to watch a football game with the players jumping right off the screen?

The last of the most interesting developments of 2010 is the Internet capabilities that will be included within the set. With all the advances that are being made, soon enough Internet features will be found standard on TVs. This should be one of the things that manufactures are sure to push hard for.

Thin is in, so most of the newly released TVs should be even thinner than what’s already on the market. The LED backlighting technology takes up a lot less room allowing for the thinner screen. Manufacturers are also pushing more energy efficient TVs, so expect to find more environment-friendly TVs at a much more reasonable price.

OLED TVs are beginning to get plenty of attention these days, but they are not going to be mainstream any time soon. This coming year, it is expected that there should be a couple sets that are 15 inches or larger, but they will cost you more than a 32-inch LCD TV.

We can definitely look forward to these fantastic developments in 2010. Manufactures will be offering their best in the coming year.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for a Plasma Rental, or large screen Monitor Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable AV Rentals nationwide!

LG Full HD 3D LCD Monitors

Everything just has to be in 3D nowadays doesn't it? It started off with every animated movie and it's mother coming out in 3D and now the 3D hand is slowly clutching around our computer monitors. In a recent press release, LG announced the world's first mass produced Full HD 3D-capable monitor.

This new monitor is a 23-inch thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). The monitor itself delivers full HD resolution and offers a picture almost two times as crisp as currently available HD 3D displays. Being as this monitor is apart of LG, it adopts the company's proprietary technologies like "high performance 3D exclusive controller" which can process over twice as much image data as some of the other HD 3D LCDs and copper bus line. This helps to improve the resolution of the monitor as well as the picture quality. The LG monitor is also a "double threat" as it can not only produce 3D images but also reproduce 2D images which allows the user to switch back and forth between 2D and 3D.

3D images isn't something new. The technology has been around on video games, movies and different animations. However, this is the first time that it has full HD resolution. LG hopes that this panel will help boost the development of high resolution 3D contents all the while letting consumers view true-to-life 3D images. In a statement from LG Display's Vice President and head of IT marketing Davis Lee, "LG Display has made a major breakthrough in the display industry race to deliver the depth and dynamic nature of 3D images. LG Display will continue with efforts to keep pace with the fast growing 3D market with leading 3D technology and products in order to create new value for customers."

More and more industry partners are beginning to shift their focus of product away from 2D technologies and towards 3D technologies. This shift in product is expected to to make the 3D display market grow at a very fast pace. Plans have recently been brought to light by the Korea Communications Commission to start a trial service for the world's first full HD 3D terrestrial broadcasting from the second half of 2010. Also announced in Japan and the UK is a launch of trial services for 3D satellite broadcasts.

The 3D revolution is coming, whether you asked for it to or not and with products like mass produced HD 3D monitors, it looks like there is no getting around the fact that 3D is taking over. I guess we better start getting used to it.

Mimo's 7-inch iMo Pivot Touch Monitor

Mimo isn't known for it's top of the line, full fledged monitors. What it is known for is it's USB-based 7-inch mini-monitors. Join Mimo's mini-monitor family is the recently debuted iMo Pivot Touch. There are many notable features associated with this little guy but probably the biggest one is that it is the first touchscreen monitor out on the market to be priced below $200.

There are a lot of cool features on the iMo Pivot Touch. The monitor features a fully pivoting ball and joint 7-inch LCD screen that boasts 800x480 resolution, 350 cd/m2 brightness and a 400:1 contrast ratio. The device can also detach from it's stand and operate in stand-alone mode. The iMo requires just a single USB 2.0 connection for both power and connectivity which means there are no extra unnecessary wires and the power button is integrated directly into the USB cable.

This device comes just in time for this year's holiday season too and, in celebration of Black Friday, mimomonitors.com is giving everybody that orders a monitor from them FREE GROUND SHIPPING which includes the iMo Pivot Touch from November 23-30. But the deal doesn't stop there. In addition to free shipping, every monitor purchased will receive a free Mimo care package. The care package includes everything you need for your mini-monitor including a Mimo carrying case, a set of iProtector Screen Films and a stylus for all touch screen purchases. On top of all that, Mimo has also cut prices on a number of products including the 720-S Mobile Slider Touchscreen, the 710-S Mobile Slider and the iMo Foto Frame Printer as well as all of Mimo's accessories. But hurry up and get it while you can as the deals end at 12:00 pm EST on November 30th. You can order the iMo Pivot Touch now for the low price of $199.99, although it won't ship until December 3rd.

World's First Curved Display: 43-inch CRVD™

Ostendo as produced the worlds first curved display. The 43-inch and 2880x900 resolution make it ideal for anyone looking for a top of the line display.

The CRVD has an aspect ratio of 38:10, which is 180% larger than a display with a 16:9 ratio. The curved screen is designed in such a way to engage 75% of the viewer's Human Visual System (HVS) peripheral vision. The 43-inch screen is about the same as working with two monitors only you don't have to install extra drivers and have other things plugged in. In fact, the CRVD is virtually ready to use out of the box. It works with existing hardware and software.

Another great feature of the CRVD is that it claims to reduce eye strain. The makers claim that if you're using multiple monitors you're eyes are constantly moving and adjusting because of the difference in distance between the monitors. With one continuous, curved, screen eye strain is severely reduced or eliminated because the user's focal distance remains constant across the screen.

All these great features come at a pretty hefty price tag, $6,499. So if your pockets are deep enough, it could quite possibly be the worlds most perfect display. But for the rest of us, perhaps we can hope for a lower priced model to come forth down the road.

Vizio's Incredible Deal: The VF551XVT

Now that the Christmas season is approaching fast, sales are going to go up in all areas including electronics. The best way to save some cash during this season is to shop the sales and do your research. Well if your looking for an amazing yet affordable HDTV, look no further than the Vizio VF551XVT.

This 55-inch LCD HDTV has a crazy amount of features for the $2,199 price tag. Vizio continues to provide affordable and up-to-date technology. The model is LED backlit with 240Mhz technology. Although the VF551XVT is 5 inches thick, this is because of Vizio’s TruLED backlighting technology that is utilized. This is comprised of 960 LEDs distributed across 80 blocks to allow for a even backlighting of the whole entire screen. The enormous 1920 x 1080 pixel LCD screen is surrounded by a 1.8-inch black bezel which isn‘t bad, but it does have a 2.5-inch-tall speaker bar that is a flashy silver that stands out quite a bit. This little shiny speaker has great sound quality though. It features a deep bass, realistic surround-sound effect, five audio presets (Flat, Rock, Pop, Classic, or Jazz), and the ability to create your own custom sound preferences with the built-in equalizer. The 78 pound monstrosity is supported by a sturdy black stand that unfortunately does not swivel.

The remote control that comes with the VF551XVT is a 8.6 inch wand that is glossy black with silver details. All of the buttons are clearly marked, backlit, and easy to press. The control can also be programmed to control up to three other devices besides the VF551XVT.

Pretty much any connectivity option that you want to use can be found on the VF551XVT. It features five HDMI ports, a 15-pin PC VGA connector and mini audio port for the PC sound card, two composite and component video and stereo audio ports, one optical SPDIF output, two sets of analog audio jacks, a coaxial cable/antenna jack, and a USB port for viewing photos and playing music and videos. Above all the ports in the front of the TV, lie the Power, Channel, Volume, Input-Selection, and Menu buttons.

The VF551XVT features advanced picture settings that include Noise Reduction, Smart Dimming, and Color Enhancement. Smart Dimming is the process by which the backlighting is raised and lowered to provide deeper levels of black. Other advanced features include Color Temperature and Smooth Motion. The Smooth Motion utilizes the 240Mhz technology to allow the best possible picture with no blurring. When the VF551XVT underwent a basic darkroom calibration, it turned in an average contrast ratio of 1173:1 which is amazing for the price of the TV.

To top everything off, the Vizio VF551XVT is extremely energt efficient. It uses an average of 168 watts of power. This means, using the average customers rate of use, that running your new HDTV will only cost you about $3.00 per month. The VF551XVT is definitely on board with the new energy efficiency demands.

So overall the Vizio VF551XVT is an incredible big screen TV that offers you tons of features for an extremely reasonable price. This is one of the best HDTV bargain deals available right now. If your looking for a new big screen, the VF551XVT should definitely be at the top of your list.

Vega: An Android Tablet

A new Android based tablet, which combines a computer and monitor into one device, will be the next device to run on the Android 2.0 operating system. The Android netbook from Acer and both the Barnes & Noble Nook and the Spring Design Alex eReaders proceed Vega, but Android is already proving that it cannot be restrained to the phone.

Vega is made by Seattle-based company Innovative Converged Devices and is slated to be released early next year. The tablet is designed to be used all over your home for high definition entertainment, including: music, gaming, and on demand web-tv, as well as chat, video chat, social networking, email, voice, SMS and MMS text messaging.

Its contains a NVIDIA Tegra processor with 512MB RAM and additional storage via microSD. It has a built-in 1.3 MP camera, wi-fi (3G) connectivity, Bluetooth support and a large touchscreen that will be available in 7, 11 and 15-inches. It also has a removable stand so you're not confined to using it standing up or laying it down.

Its labeled as being "low-cost" but there aren't any prices out there for it yet. It is being rumored that it will be available for a low-cost or subsudized price from the major carriers throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

LG 15-inch OLED TV

LG has just launched their 15-inch OLED TV.......in South Korea. We saw a prototype of this model at this year's IFA and jaws literally dropped. This tv is only the second mass produced OLED TV to hit stores anywhere in the world. With this model going on sale it makes it the largest commercial available OLED display around.

This tv is one of the most amazing pieces of technology around today. It has a 1366xRGBx768 pixel resolution (HxV) with 16.7 million colors as well as a 100,000:1 contrast ratio. This 15-inch OLED has all azimutz angle viewing angles, a 0.01 ms response time, LVDS interface, 87% NTSC color gamut, 200/400 luminance (Peak/cd/m2) and comes with outline dimensions of 347.938x210.293x1.70-inches (HxVxT mm).

LG is planning on investing more in organic displays but this all depends on how the market finds an uprising momentum. People have been drooling over this OLED TV since late August and the thought of having it here in the states is driving most of us crazy. We should see this product hit our store shelves in December. It is coming in at a 3 million won price in South Korea which will translate roughly into $2,600 here in America. LG also plans on unveiling a 40-inch OLED TV in the "not too distant future" at which point anyone who lays eyes upon it may die of excitement. But until then, we will have to settle for the 15-inch model which is still driving us crazy.

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Planning your next trade show or big event and looking for an AV Rental? Then call 800-736-8772 for affordable Audio Video Rental soltions nationwide!

Acer's New 23-inch T230H Multitouch Monitor

With the recent release of Windows 7, Multitouh Monitors are the new "in thing." Acer has been one company that is taking full advantage of the new technology with laptops and desktops. But just when you though they were finished, Acer has debuted a new 23-inch T230H monitor.

It's bigger than similar monitors offered from Dell and Hewlett Packard and it has some impressive specs. This includes a full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 2ms response time, a 80,000 : 1 contrast ratio, and an HDMI port in addition to DVI, D-sub, and VGA. It also features 300 cd/m2 brightness, two 1.5W speakers, and 160/160 degrees viewing angle.

Amazon.com currently has the monitor listed for $372.99.

VIZIO Adds Smaller TVs to its LED Lineup

LED Backlit LCD HDTVs are all the rage these days, but so far, only in the larger television market. Yesterday, VIZIO set out to change all of that when they announced they were adding two new TVs to their LED lineup: a 19 inch and a 23 inch model.

Both the VM190XVT and the VM230XVT offer a sleek, thin, one-inch profile with full edge to cover glass and invisible proximity touch controls that illuminate when you touch it and fade as you move your hand away. They also feature an ambient light sensor that ensures you always have the best picture and maximize energy savings by allowing you to adjust the brightness based on your room's lighting. Not watching TV? Your television can double as a digital picture frame when it's off. Both are earth-friendly, the VM190XVT exceeds Energy Star Guidelines by 55% while the VM230XVT exceeds thems by an outstanding 65%.

The TVs are mercury free and feature a 20,000:1 Dynamic Contrast ratio, which makes blacks deeper and whites brighter. These stylish TVs have the ability to tilt up to 25 degrees and feature SRS Truvolume, which eliminates inconsistencies, and SRS TruSurroundHD which delivers immersive high definition surround sound. The 19-inch model will retail for about $349.99, while the 23-inch will set you back about $399.99. VIZIO did not say when the TVs would go on sale in the United States.

Samsung's New 40-inch LED the World's Thinnest?

Ever picked up your standard no. 2 pencil and thought "Man I wish my TV was this thin"? Well if you have then your wish has come true. The world's largest flat screen TV maker has just made the world's smallest flat screen TV. Samsung, which is also the largest producer of memory chips, has reported that the new LED TV on it's line measures an incredible 3.9mm thick. This is just around a third of the size of the last TV Samsung released yet it still maintains the same high-definition quality.

The 40-inch flat screen is an LED, or light emitting diode, panel TV. LED TVs have proven to be lighter and more energy efficient than LCD TVs, or liquid crystal display TVs. The only downside is that LED TVs are more expensive and not as available as LCD TVs. Samsung had previously held the record for the world's thinnest LCD TV which came in at 7.9mm thick. This was beaten by LG's 42 and 47-inch LCD's which come in at 5.9mm thick.

Samsung is known for delivering quality products and this new LED is no different. This 40-inch model has a 120Hz refresh rate along with a reported 5000:1 contrast ratio. That is all the info currently available on the product as of late but keep checking back for more information as it arrives. Overall, thin is the way to go in terms of TVs so it looks like we can expect even smaller ones in the future. Maybe we will reach a time when we watch TV on a piece of glass like we see in all those niffty futuristic movies. But until then, I think we will be o.k. settling with a 3.9mm thick TV.

Dell SX2210T Brings Multitouch to 1080p Panel

Dell's new SX2210T Flat Panel LCD Monitor has a lot of really cool features. It's touch-sensitive meaning it detects your fingers vs. another pointing device close to the screen. It has tilt adjustment capability, plug and play capability, on-screen display adjustment, software documentation media, energy saving features, a security lock slot, and 2.0 mega pixel internal webcam with integrated microphone which is great for using Skype.

The monitor features a 1920x1080 resolution, including full-screen support for lower resolutions and it is 21.5 inches. It also has HDMI and DVI inputs and like the original SX2210 (which is not touch-sensitive) a 1,000 : 1 contrast ratio and 2ms grey-t0-grey response time.

The SX2210Tis now available for a mere $469 at Dell's online store and when attached to a computer running Windows 7, the accompanying multi-touch panning and zooming should work like a charm!

Mobile TV Coming to a Device Near You

On Friday, the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) approved a standard for mobile digital broadcasts. The ATSC oversees United States television standards. The new standard will allow local television stations to broadcast to mobile devices such as laptops, handheld TVs, mobile phones, and in-vehicle systems on frequencies they already have. Other countries, such as South Korea and Japan, already have mobile TV. Samsung and LG helped make the standard happen by joining together and presenting the ATSC with unified specifications.

LG is said to already be conducting trials using the prototype GSM and CDMA phones in addition to a single-chip tuner (LG2160A). It will most likely ship in portable DVD players and other mobile devices sometime in 2010. Samsung also revealed a single-chip mobile digital TV tuner that is small and has enough power to work with mobile phones and smaller devices.

Some American consumers already have the ability to watch television on their Verizon Wireless and AT&T handsets via the FLO TV network, but FLO TV is a national service and is paid. Experts say the new technology will become a competitor for FLO TV. The ATSC hasn't specified when compatible products will be shipped but did say that about 70 broadcasters would have test signals set up by the end of 2009.

Best Buy to Sell "Value" Version of 32-Inch LCD & Blu-ray

It may not have 120Hz motion processing and a contrast ratio higher than 20,000:1, at least not compared to a similar model made by Sharp, but it will be a few hundred less dollars. Best Buy has decided to sell a 1080p LCD with Blu-ray disc player under it's Insignia store brand and even though reviews say not to expect a lot in the way of loading times or audio support, it is a very good deal for the 32-inch LCD. It has a built-in HDTV tuner, is ENERGY STAR qualified, and a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. It features PC video input, 2 HDMI inputs, a built-in Ethernet port, and 3 audio outputs.

The Best Buy website says the product is "coming soon" and lists the price at $699. They also offer a two year parts and labor warranty.

Here is a run-down on some of the specific specs:

Product Height: 21-3/5" with stand (19-4/5" without)
Product Width: 31-1/3"
Product Weight: 30 lbs. with stand (26.4 lbs. without)
Product Depth: 11-4/5" with stand (4" without)
Screen Size: 32"
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Display Type Flat: panel LCD
Built-in Player: DVD
Built-in DVR: No
Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Vertical Resolution: 1080p
Brightness: 450 cd/m²
Comb Filter: 3D Y/C digital
Media Card Slot: No
USB Port: No
HDMI Inputs: 2
DVI Inputs: No
S-Video Inputs: 1
Component Video Inputs: 1
Composite Inputs: 2
PC Inputs: 1
RF Antenna Input: 1
Headphone Jacks: Yes
Audio Outputs: 1
Watts/Channel: 10
Speakers: 2
Simulated Surround: Yes
Language Options: English, French, Spanish
V-Chip: Yes
Sleep/Alarm Timer: Sleep timer, yes; alarm, no
Channel Labeling: Yes
Remote Control Type: Standard
ENERGY STAR Qualified: Yes
Screen Refresh Rate: 60Hz
USB Input: No
Ethernet Port: Yes

3 New Smart USB Monitors from DoubleSight

Monitor manufacturer, DoubleSite Displays has announced the release of three Smart USB LCD monitors. With USB connection for both power and video, these monitors are easy to add to any computer (they are both PC and Mac compatible) and their small size makes them the perfect accessory for any desktop, laptop or netbook computer. The monitors feature built-in support for Multi-Monitor Mode, both landscape and portrait viewing, and supports a variety of applications. Best of all, no additional video port, cable or power adapter is needed!

The Smart USB Monitors are perfect for exporting toolbars and menus; monitoring emails and viewing calendars; instant messenger or internet phone applications; watching movies and internet video; and viewing pc-based photo albums. Their light weight - less than a pound - and small size (they tuck easily into an average size briefcase) make them easy and convenient for travel, especially when you're using it as an addition to your laptop. The stand is removable and a snap-on cover protects the monitor when it's not in use.

There are three different models of the Smart USB Monitors:

DS-70U Smart USB LCD Monitor - 7 inch LCD Screen - Priced around $119.00
DS-90U Smart USB LCD Monitor - 9 inch LCD Screen - Priced around $139.00
DS-90UC Smart USB LCD Monitor with Web Cam - 9 inch LCD Screen - Priced around $159.00

Emo Labs' new "Invisible Speakers"

Remember spending all that money on your flat panel TV? Just to find out that the sound of the TV was horrible because the dimension of the TV doesn’t allow the available room to put an efficient speaker system in them. Well now Emo Labs has created a new invisible speaker system that is actually the screen of the TV! The sound comes directly from the screen, making a more natural and realistic sounding experience from your multimedia devices. In the demo Emo Labs says in a recent study over 50% of flat screen buyers are dissatisfied with the way their TV sounds. Emo Labs’ Edge Motion audio technology is the most efficient use of space for putting an audio speaker system into multimedia devices, such as, TVs, laptops, monitors, and other portable devices. When watching the TV, the sound actually comes from what is making the sound. Like when people are talking, the sound actually comes from their lips. This zero footprint speaker system is going to revolutionizing the way you watch TV. Emo Labs is proving that, just because your TVs are getting slimmer, you shouldn’t have to give up your audio quality, or have to buy an external speaker system to deliver great sounding audio. Emo labs are the first company to release this kind of idea, and have no direct competitors (yet).

After watching the demo for this product I was pretty impressed at how good the picture looked, as well as delivering great sounding audio. This is going to be a very successful product in my opinion. DisplaySearch predicts that TV sales will be up to 188 million units sold in 2012. This is a massive sales opportunity for Emo Labs, because the smaller the TVs are getting, the harder it is to place a nice sounding speaker system into them. Emo labs is helping accomplish the impossible. Now companies don’t have to worry about making their TVs too small. They can worry about how the overall performance of the TV instead of trying to figure out how to cram a small speaker system into a small area.

Dell's New LCD Monitors ST2210 & ST2310

Dell is adding to its ST Family of HD Widescreen Flat Panel Monitors. Now that their 24-inch ST2410 LCD monitor is on the market, the company has announced that they are selling two smaller models: the ST2201 and the ST2310. Dell promises "amazing clarity and realism" and "elegance, fluid geometry and creative technology."

The St2210 is a 21-5 panel and it has 1080p resolution and 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. It has 250 nits of brightness, a five millisecond response time, and HDMI/VGA/DVI inputs. It is available for $259. The ST2310 is similar, only slightly larger at 23 inches and it retails for $229.

Dell promises that the new ST monitors are all super-energy efficient. However, while you can angle the monitors forward and backwards, you can't adjust the height up or down.

NEC's MultiSync EA190M 19-inch Monitor

NEC, the leading provider of commercial LCD displays and projectors has announced the MultiSync EA190M, a 19-inch standard-aspect ratio desktop display. It's designed for various businesses, government, and education users.

The monitor is super environment-friendly and energy efficient. It consumes 50% less energy and contains 50% less mercury than most LCD monitors. With the touch a button, users can enable ECOmode, which allows you to switch between two energy-saving modes. It even features a carbon footprint meter that allows you to track how much carbon you are using or saving and adjust your settings accordingly.

The EA190M offers a native resolution of 1280 x 1024 and a full- motion video with Rapid Response of 5ms. It has a brightness of 250 cd/m, and a 900:1 contrast ratio. It provides crisp, bright images and its 4-way ergonomic stand offers 110mm height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and pivot capabilities. Other features include multi-directional NaViKey, down-firing multimedia speakers with headphone jack, Energy Star 5.0 and TCO 5.0, and Dynamic Video Mode with five presets (standard, text, movie, photo, and game)

NEC will begin shipping the monitor in September and it will cost approximately $259 with a three year parts and labor warranty including the backlight.

Panasonic's New $30,000 85-inch Plasma

If you want a really big Plasma TV, Panasonic's got the deal for you! For a mere $30,000, you can purchase Panasonic's TH-85PF12U, which is being called the industry's first 85-inch, full-HD, 1080p plasma.

The body depth is 3.9 inches and it weighs approximately 260 pounds. Screen dimensions are 74.4 inches by 41.8 inches. According to CNET, the screen size would be the equivalent of putting four 42 inch plasmas together. But according to Panasonic, the TV is still much thinner and lighter than most Plasmas.

While large Plasma Televisions don't usually provide the best quality, this model has been said to do just that as it features Panasonic's NeoPDP technology. This technology has been used effectively in smaller Plasmas and provides not only a quality picture, but uses a lot less energy.

Sony to Sell 3D TVs by 2010

Today, Sony announced that is plans to sell 3D televisions by the end of 2010. So far, the 3D industry has focused mainly on theater (over 7,000 digital 3D screens are expected to be in theaters worldwide by the end of 2009), so the Sony announcement will come as a big boost to the 3D world. Sony chief executive, Howard Stringer, is expected to announce that Sony will sell 3D Bravia television sets and also make the company's Vaio laptops, PlayStation 3 consoles, and Blue-ray disc players compatible with the new technology, at the IFA technology trade show in Berlin. Sony believes that 3D is "on its way to the mass market through technology, distribution, and content," but does insist there are still some issues to be face, including agreeing on a single 3D standard and avoiding a format war.

While there are several types of 3D technology, Sony will be going with "active shutter" technology, which means using electronic glasses with tiny shutters that open and close in sync with images on TV. This creates a 3D impression and is different from the "polarisation" technology used in theater that only works when viewers are sitting at a certain angle.

Many in the electronics industry believe 3D will soon be the new HD. Hyundai is also currently working on 3D television sets for Japan and Panasonic has announced it has plans for 3D TVs in the works. Neither company has matched Sony's commitment, however, to making 3D TV mainstream.

There has been no word on exactly how much the TVs will cost, but analysts predict the earliest versions to cost several thousand dollars. Hyundai's 3D TVs currently retail for about $4900.

Mitsubishi's New VUDU Powered 1080p HDTVs

As seen with LG tv's and, eventually, VIZIO tv's, Mitsubishi is now shipping VUDU integrated 1080p flat panel tv's. Mitsubishi's 46-inch LT-46249 and 52-inch LT-52249 models from the Diamond Unisen model will be equipped with an Ethernet port. This port allows for direct connection to the internet so you can download the VUDU products directly to your tv. But, if you don't like messy cables running all over your house, then you can get wireless access through the use of a VUDU wireless accessory bridge.

According to Frank DeMartin, Vice President of Marketing for Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, "We are always looking for new ways to elevate the large screen experience for consumers, and the Mitsubishi VUDU-integrated TV's will combine unprecedented HD program choice with unparalleled picture performance. Owners of Diamond Unisen Immersive Sound TV's will now have convenient access to high quality entertainment content."

VUDU offers one of the biggest HD movie libraries housing over 2,200 HD titles with 16,000 titles over all. But one big thing coming later this month is that the VUDU service on the Diamond Unisen TV's will offer popular internet services like Flickr, Pandora, YouTube and Picasa as well as an "On Demand TV" section with over 80 channels to choose from.

"VUDU's extensive HD library HD library of recently released Hollywood titles provides the perfect entertainment solution for Mitsubishi's Diamond Unisen TV's. Through this collaboration, with Mitsubishi, we are expanding the reach of the VUDU Service to a broad new segment of consumers, providing an outstanding movie watching experience with true 1080p and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Surround Sound." according to VUDU CEO Alain Rossman.

As an added bonus, people who purchase The Diamond Unisen TV's integrated with VUDU will receive two months of free rentals or purchases (up to $50.00 worth) which includes SD, HD and HDX movies which will allow owners to experience the 1080p image quality and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound which features Dual Driver Extended Range Sound and Variable Smooth 240 Film Motion for viewing slow and fast moving images.

The Diamond Unisen models feature wide color gamut backlight technology to reproduce approximately 25% more color than most LCD-TVs and both the 46-inch and 52-inch models are EnergyStar 3.0 qualified. The 46-inch Diamond Unisen model will run you around $2,599 and the 52-inch model will run you around $3,099.

New: LG's 15-inch OLED TV Coming in 2010

Last week, LG, the world's second biggest TV brand, released a set of photos of its new OLED 15-inch screen and in September, they will be showing off a model at the IFA 2009 consumer electric show in Berlin. The television is set to start selling in Korea by November 2009, and overseas in 2010. As far as affordability goes, be prepared to dip into your life savings for this one. If Sony's two-year-old 11-inch XEL-1, the world's first OLED TV, is any indication, it retails in the United States for a cool $2,500.

The television set will use organic display technology and is the largest commercial model to do so, so far. These active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM-OLED) displays use self-glowing materials, have better picture quality, consume less power and are thinner than liquid crystal displays (LCD). Compared to LCDs, the much higher price has kept it from becoming a mainstream, mass-produced technology for TVs and PC monitors, however, OLED screens are starting to make their way to high-end mobile phones.

According to LG, DisplaySearch research projects OLED TVs to reach 320,000 units in 2011 and 2.33 million by 2013. LG says it also plans to unveil a 40-inch OLED in the "not too distant future."

Dell's New Trio of Widescreen LCD Monitors

It seems that it is becoming a normal thing with Dell to create a new product, put it out in stores and to not have their press team say anything at all. Dell has just put out a new trio of widescreen LCD monitors that appear to be out on the market now. The trio is composed of the Dell ST2310, Dell E2210H and the Dell E2010H.

The Dell ST2310 has a sleek widescreen panel with a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution. The ST2310 has a 23" panel size with a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and a Dynamic 50,000:1 contrast ratio. The monitor has a 5ms response time and supports 16.7 million colors a 0.266 mm pixel pitch. An optimal resolution of 1920x1080 at 60Hz with a 160 vertical/160 horizontal viewing angle and 250 cd/m2 brightness make this monitor particularly nice to look at. The ST2310 has narrow bezels and a curved rear for optimal viewing. This monitor also comes equipped with DVI-D/VGA/HDMI inputs as well as audio in/out. The ST2310 is the most expensive in the trio coming in at around $230.

The next monitor in the lineup is the Dell E2210H. The E2210H is a 21.5" monitor with a widescreen (16.9) aspect ratio. It has a Twisted Nematic panel type. It has an optimal resolution of 1920 x 1080 with a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 160 vertical/170 horizontal viewing angles. There is a 5ms response time as well as color support for 16.7 million colors with a 0.248 pixel pitch and 250 cd/m2 brightness. The E2210H comes with VGA/DVI-D inputs as well as audio in/out. The smaller E2210H is going to run you about $200.

The final monitor in Dell's new trio is the Dell E2010H. The E2010H is a 20" monitor with a widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio. Like the E2210H it also has a TN-Twisted Nematic panel type. The optimal resolution comes in at 1600 x 900 at 60Hz with a 1000:1 contrast ratio. The E2010H has a 160 vertical/170 horizontal viewing angle with color support for 16.7 million colors as well as a 0.277 mm pixel pitch, a 250 cd/m2 brightness and a 5ms response time. Like the E2210H, the E2010H comes with VGA/DVI-D inputs and audio in/out. The E2010H is the cheapest monitor in the trio coming in at around $140.

This new trio from Dell delivers good visuals and doesn't break the bank. All three monitors are Energy Star certified and received EPEAT Silver. However, the E2210H and the E2010H are both Halogen-Reduced. If you need a decent monitor for a decent price then you should definitely check out this new trio from Dell. Although it does make you wonder how Dell hopes to sell many of these monitors without telling the public about them.

Samsung Unveils New 8500 Series LED HDTV

Samsung just unveiled a new model in their expanded LED HDTV lineup with the all new 8500 series. Samsung came up with the innovative idea of using white LED as a backlight source for their TV's. The 8500 Series is capable of having an incredible 7,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio that provides extreme detail and image depth. It has a Wide Color Enhancer Pro which ensures that colors are constantly vibrant. And Samsung's Ultra Clear Panel works hard to make images clearer and brighter regardless of the rooms ambient lighting.

This latest model of tv is also compliant with the Energy Star v3.0 ratings. The 8500 Series includes an Optimized Energy Savings mode which adjusts backlight and the quality of the picture and it does this without having to sacrifice overall viewing experience. This series incorporates an ultra-quick 2ms panel response time which is combined with Samsung's latest version of Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology which has a true 240Hz refresh rate. This drastically improves the playback of fast-paced content.

The 8500 Series also features Samsung's Medi@2.0 suite. This allows users to access content from more sources. Developed in association with Yahoo!, Internet@TV - Content Service provides onscreen access to popular content on the web from sites like Yahoo!, Twitter, USA Today, YouTube and many others. The widgets-based interface and scrollbar can be activated with the push of a single button. It runs along the bottom of the screen which makes browsing for the latest content and programs easy.

Users will be able to have access to the growing library of widgets. Samsung's Medi@2.0 suite allows wired and wireless DLNA compatibility which allows you to enjoy your music, photos and videos from your network PC directly on your television. Also included for entertainment are things like pre-loaded photos, games, artwork and recipes. There is also two USB 2.0 connections which can be used for playing a multitude of photo, audio and video files from portable devices including external hard memory.

The 8500 series measures only 1.6 inches deep and features Samsung's Touch of Color bezel. This series provides consumers with flexibility and style in an HDTV. There are two versions of the 8500 series, a 46-inch and a 55-inch both of which come with a built-in tuner and an assortment of multimedia connections. You can also hang these models with Samsung's ultra-slim wall-mount solution. It reduces the gap between the TV and the wall to a tiny 0.6 inches.

Both TV's have full HD 1080p, down-firing speakers with integrated woofer, SRS TruSurround HD, 4 HDMI (HDMI-CEC) version 1.3 inputs on the side, 1 component input on the back, 2USB 2.0 inputs on the side, 1 Ethernet connection on the back, 1 optical audio output on the side, and 1 PC input on the back. The 45.9-inch model will run you around $3,600 with the 54.6-inch running you around $4,500 and both are available this August.

Remember that if your organization is holding a special event, or exhibiting at a trade show, that Monitor Rental companies can provide short term AV hardware nationwide.

Acer's G24 Gaming Monitor

If you are in the market for a gaming monitor, then look no further than the Acer G24. The G24 is a decent 24-inch monitor that is perfect for gaming but not really much else. It has a bright, glossy, reflective screen with a smooth bright orange bezel. It has a 25 degree backward tilt which is basically the monitor's only ergonomic perk. The monitor also doesn't include screen height adjustment, pivoting or panel swiveling. It comes with three connection options which are DVI, HDMI and VGA which all support a 16:10 aspect ratio and 1,920x1,200-pixel native resolution. All of the connections are located on the back right side of the monitor close to the neck and are easy to access although some may complain that the HDMI slot is too close to the neck.

The display comes with a 14.2 inch wide base with two 7 inch long "toes" that extend from the neck at 45 degree angles. Due to the wide base and 16 pound weight, the monitor is fairly grounded producing minimal wobble when struck. However, if you do not like the foot stand or you prefer the wall mounted approach, then you can do so by utilizing the removable foot stand and the four screw holes to be used in conjunction with a VESA wall mount. The power button is represented by a small blue LED light in the bottom right-hand corner with the button directly underneath it. There are five buttons on the left side of the monitor which represent the monitor's left arrow button, right arrow button, menu button, auto button and an "e" button. The "e" button displays the available presets when pressed which include User, Standard, Movie, Text and Graphics. The main difference between these presets is their differences in brightness and color temperatures. The rest of the OSD includes color temperature controls, brightness and contrast.

Reports have come in, however, that trying to navigate the OSD is complicated and frustrating. The different categories on the OSD are not represented by words but rather symbols. Each symbol is aligned horizontally along two rows and can be navigated to by using the arrow keys on the front of the monitor. A symbol of a sun represents the controls for brightness and contrast which you can also get to by using the arrow keys. You select each option by pressing the menu button once you have highlighted the desired symbol which brings up another menu. From this point you chose one of two different options aligned vertically. Select the bottom option via the arrow and menu key, then use the arrow key and menu button again to select the brightness option and then use the arrow key again to select adjust your brightness. Most people find this method old fashioned and ultimately frustrating.

But where this monitor really excels at is games. The display's super-high-gloss screen and high brightness make games look really impressive. The high gloss really makes the colors pop and results in vibrant images. Games also feel a bit faster an more responsive then they do on some other monitors. For the optimal viewing angle you are going to want to be directly in front of the monitor about a quarter of the screen's distance down from the top. The Acer uses a TN+Film panel, which adds extra gloss to the screen. However, this extra gloss doesn't make well for using the monitor for non-entertainment purposes. Heavy backlight bleeding and reflections in the super glossy paneling make it hard to watch movies unless directly in front of the monitor. Like mentioned before, this monitor is great for gaming but isn't recommended for much else than that. You can get this monitor for a price somewhere between $359 to $399.

Panasonic's New TC-L37X1

Panasonic’s new 37-inch TC-L37X1 LCD HDTV might have a convenient iPod docking station for simple browsing and playing of your iPod through the TV’s remote control, but the average contrast and mediocre picture size setting that for go image detailing are certainly a draw back.

The iPod dock is certainly a feature that drew me in to look closer at this TV. It is a separate module that connects to the TV through a mini USB port located at the back of the set. When you dock your iPod, the TV immediately launches to shortcuts to select stored music and video files. All of this is easily controlled through the TV’s remote control.

The TC-L37X1 also features several HD-compatible video inputs. It has three HDMI inputs, one component video port, and a VGA port that will support the screen’s 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution. The TV also includes an SD card slot that can be easily used for display a digital photo slideshow.

This HDTV has a 12,000:1 contrast ratio and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The biggest problem that has been discovered with this TV is it’s dark-room contrast. It features a fairly bright black level at .17 candela per square meter (cd/m²). Most great HDTV’s produce .03 cd/m² or less of a black level. In normal daylight though, the screen produces a bright picture that provides a very good picture contrast.

The TC-L37X1 itself has a slick, clean design. It features a glossy black bezel, rounded corners and smooth edges, and concealed bottom-firing speakers. The remote has large, easy to see buttons, and it’s design allows for a firm grip.

The Panasonic TC-L37X1 has its ups and its downs. Its up to you whether or not you think its worth it’s price tag of $799.95. It does feature the iPod dock and has a variety of HD-compatible video inputs, but the dark-room contrast issues certainly are something to take into consideration when shopping around for a new HDTV.

New TV with SD Card Slot

The British LCD TV company, Cello Electronics, has announced their new television that has the capability to record anything from TV onto an SD card. This new development makes the transfer of recordings to a computer or another device with an SD card slot a piece of cake.

With its two TV tuners, two SD slots, and split screen functionality, the TV is able to record two different channels at the same time. It also features a built-in DVD player. The TV is available in three different sizes: 22-inch, 26-inch, and 32-inch. It also features a 16:9 display with 1440 x 900 resolution.

The TV will be available in July and pricing is confirmed at £399 ($661) for the 26-inch and £469 ($777) for the 32-inch. These new SD card developments are very useful and make media transfer so much easier. Cello Electronic's new TVs will only be produced for the European market but the knowledge of the possiblities of these new developments is the important part. It will be interesting to observe if other TV's follow in Cello Electronic's footsteps and begin developing more TV's with easy media transfer capabilities.

The New Samsung PN50B850 Plasma Screen

The new Samsung PN50B850 1080 p plasma is certainly what we can call a true “flat screen” TV. This beautiful creation is currently the thinnest big-screen television available on the market. It measures only 1.2-inches thick and still is able to offer a multitude of fascinating features.

The PN50B850 sits atop a metallic swivel base and features a glossy black bezel with transparent outside edges making for a clean, chic appearance. There are also no annoying indicator lights, the Samsung logo found on the lower bezel does not illuminate, and the touch-sensitive controls for the TV can easily be found on the right hand side. The control for the PN50B850 is amber-backlit and features clearly labeled buttons, tactile feedback, and quick-acting performance.

The number of integrated input connections has multiplied for the PN50B850. It contains a variety of ports including: four HDMI, VGA, component video, RF input, Ethernet jack, and two USB ports. The set also includes cable guides and wire holders to hide the many different cables and connections you will be hooking up through your TV.

The PN50B850 is easily synchronized to an active broadband connection in your home. This enables simplified firmware updates and quick access to the TV’s Content Library. Having a broadband connection set up also allows for customizable applications powered through Yahoo Widget Gallery. This includes news and weather updates and access to sites including Flickr and Twitter. The multimedia player featured on the set supports a variety of files such as MP3, JPEG, DivX, MKV, MP4, MPEG-2, and several others. There is also a Wi-Fi-enabled mobile device that allows for the viewing of text messages, call information, and saved media files on the TV screen.

The Samsung PN50B850 is 50-inches of pure plasma bliss. With its 1920 x 1080 resolution, EnergyStar compliance, and variety of luxurious features, what more could you really ask for? It has a starting price of $2,299.00, which is a pretty good deal for the fantastic package that Samsung is delivering. Considering all the facts, I would say if this plasma screen is in your budget, it is one to certainly check out further.

The Eco-Friendly MutiSync E222W

The amazing, 22-inch, eco-friendly MultiSync E222W from NEC is set to join our world in early July. It allows you to go green with its Eco Mode that reduces power consumption and heat generation. It also includes Intelligent Power Management and an off timer. These features will assist in energy conservation and reduction of carbon emissions by switching to a low-power state automatically when the monitor is on but not in use. The MultiSync E222W consumes 50% less power and contains half the mercury content of most LCD displays. It is Energy Star 5.0 and EPEAT Silver compliant.

The E222W also contains some consumer pleasing specs. It has an ErgoDesign adjustable stand that features 4-way ergonomic design including: height-adjust, tilt, swivel, and pivot. It has 1680x1050 16:10 resolution, 250 cd/m2 brightness, and a fantastic 5 millisecond response time. With the reasonable price tag of $269, this monitor is definitely something to look forward to this summer.

Worlds First Curved Display

NEC is releasing the world’s first Curved Monitor this summer. The CRV43 curved ultra-wide display is a huge 43-inch monitor with a native resolution of 2880x900px. The downside, it costs $8000! Ya, pretty high of a cost, but what do you expect from the worlds first curved monitor.

The new NEC 43 inch curved monitor is basically 4 LCD Screens combined in one. No longer do you have an annoying spaces in between each monitor and also it is curved giving to give it the perfect viewing angle.

It also features a lightning fast response time of .02 seconds and comes with DVI-D and HDMI 1.3 inputs. Some problems I could see with this is anything being able to support this at its native resolution i.e. xbox, television, or watching a movie in fullscreen. Also The back looks huge on this thing, almost like an old CRT monitor and the weight on this thing has to be enormous. Also lets not forget the enormous price tag on this thing of $8000. Just imagine though playing your favorite racing game or flight simulator on this though, that would really be worth the extra penny.

Overall looks great and its curved, but the price sucks. Expect this to be out sometime this June of 2009.

Sharp AQUOS 20-inch DX LCD HDTV

Everyone these days is going for one of those fancy new LCD TVs. And why not? There big, shiny, pretty, and new and everybody loves shiny new things. Now, to completely optimize you visual experience, one of the best things to do is to upgrade with a Blu-ray player to watch all your movies in stunning high definition quality. The only problem with this is that most LCD TVs are expensive and most Blu-ray players are expensive, leaving you with a big price to pay if you want the full package. If only there were some way to get them both simultaneously without paying out the wazoo for it!

Well now, thanks to Sharp, there is. Sharp has just released the worlds first 20-inch LCD HDTV with a built-in Blu-ray player. That's right, no more going to the store and having to cough up big bucks to get both a Blu-ray player and an HDTV since Sharp has so nicely integrated them both into the same device. But there is one little catch. Although you have the wonderful convenience of having a Blu-ray player built into your t.v., you will not be able to view your lovely Blu-ray movies in full resolution.

The AQUOS 20-inch DX only comes in with a 1,366 x 768 resolution, which sort of defeats the purpose of the Blu-ray player. This has baffled many consumers worldwide. However, the Blu-ray player is a complete loss. Sharp boasts that the AQUOS DX Blu-ray integration is able to record t.v. programs onto Blu-ray dvd's.

There are some larger models in Sharps arsenal that range up to 52-inches. These larger models are said to have 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution, 30W speakers, 9 different inputs, 176 degree viewing angle, and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. These specs are for the 37-inch and up models only however. Any model smaller than 37-inches will have a 1,366 x 768 pixel resolution, 20W speakers, and a 1500:1 contrast ratio like the AQUOS 20-inch DX. You can get these models in either black (LC-20DX1-B) or white (LC-20DX1-W).

This 20-inch model has a great vision with the integrated Blu-ray player but fails to follow through with the necessary resolution to make it worth your while and at a price of $1,593, it doesn't quite seem worth it. But I will leave that decision up to you. The Sharp AQUOS 20-inch DX LCD HDTV ships in Japan at the end of this month with it hitting American store shelves soon after that.

World's Thinnest LCD From LG

It seems like everything we own these days has to be the slimmest or the smallest. We have to have the smallest phones, the slimmest computer and now even the slimmest t.v. With such an emphasis on size, there are different opportunities for things to happen. One of which being the goal of having the "Worlds Thinnest LCD". With their new 42in and 47in LCD tv's, LG has accomplished the feat of world's thinnest LCD.

These new tv's are the thinnest 1080p LCD TV's to use edge-lit LED backlights. These tiny tots come in at an incredible 5.9mm (0.23in) of thickness. Considering these tv's are made by LG, you can bet that the company is going to incorporate some of their signature components into the tv's. Added into the tv's is LG Display's LGS, or Light Guide Sheet, Technology. This incorporation cut the thickness in half compared to the typical LGP, or Light Guide Plates.

The tv's do pretty well performance wise. They both have an improved color gamut switching from the 72% NTSC, which was standard, to 80% NTSC. The tv's have a motion picture response time (MPRT) of 8ms. This is due to the incorporation of 120Hz technology, which reduces motion blur. Both the 42in and the 47in come in with 178/178 viewing angles, 450 cd/m2 brightness, and 10-bit LCD panels. The 47in model consumes roughly 130W of power and the 42in consumes 110W.

If your worried about transporting these tv's or mounting them on your wall, thinking they are too heavy, then I can tell you there is nothing to worry about. The 42in model weighs in at around 13.42lbs (6.1kg) with the 47in coming in at 16.06lbs (7.3kg). This is half the weight of all the typical LCD TV's on the market that also use CCFL backlights.

These tv's are definitley slim. But is slim always better? I guess we will find out when these hit store shelves later on this year.

Analog to Digital TV Transition - What You Need to Know

By June 12, 2009 every full-power television station in the United States will be mandated by law to broadcast exclusively in a digital format. For the millions of people in the United States still using analog TV's, there is no need to worry about your TV set becoming obsolete, but there are steps you will need to take in order to continue using your current analog set. This includes using a digital-to-analog converter box and connecting to a subscription service such as cable or satellite TV. Of course your analog set will continue to work with gaming consoles, VCRs and DVD players other similar products.

Digital Television, also known as DTV, is an innovative type of broadcasting technology that provides clearer pictures and sound when compared to analog signals and also allows for more programming choices on your television. For example, an analog signal is limited to providing only one program at a time while a digital signal is able to offer multiple Standard Definition (SD) digital programs simultaneously or a single 1080p High Definition (HD) program. DTV also allows stations to offer improved picture and enhanced audio such as surround sound straight to your TV.

In addition the switch to DTV will offer a number of public benefits. This includes freeing up parts of the broadcasting spectrum to allow for more public safety communications such as police, fire, and rescue teams. Some of the spectrum will also be auctioned off to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services for phones and internet. On top of this broadcasting companies will be able to offer interactive video and data services that simply are not possible with current analog technology.

For those of you wondering if you have to wait until after June 12, 2009 to begin watching DTV, the answer is no. Digital television is available now and you are already using DTV if you subscribe to any high definition or multicast programming from any of your local broadcasting stations.

Human Sensing Monitors

Ever since the emergence of sci-fi books and movies, people have been teased with technological advances that are, for lack of a better term, totally cool. We've all wanted our own personal robot to do things for us, a flying car, or even appliances that are voice command and that respond to you, and with companies like Terrafugia (who just successfully tested the first flying car) and Eizo, we are not that far off.

Eizo Nanao introduced last Thursday two brand new monitors, the 20 inch FlexScan EV2023W-H and the 23 inch FlexScan EV2303W-T. These two monitors are pretty cool. First off, they are the among the first in the entire world to receive the TCO Displays 5.0 certification, which was recently just announced. The 20 inch and 23 inch monitors are the first monitors are the first ever products from Eizo to achieve the EPEAT Gold status. The Flexscan EV2023W-H has been outfitted with a VA panel with 178 degree viewing angles, a 1600x900 native resolution, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio. The Flexscan EV2303W-T comes with a 160 degree viewing angle, a 1000:1 viewing contrast, and a TN panel with 1920x1080 native resolution. Both the EV2023W-H and the 2303W-T come with one D-Sub (analog) input and one DVI-D (digital) input and 250 cd/m2 brightness.

These screens have a bunch of new features like a cabinet design that has been slimmed down from previous monitors. But the coolest and newest innovation in the screens is a motion activated sensor that only activates the screen when the user is present. Green is the new way to go these days and Eizo has created this new system in hopes of conserving energy by having the monitor go inactive without the presence of the user and coming back on when the user returns. This is possible by the new EcoView Sense integrated into the monitors by Eizo. EcoView Sense prompts the monitor to enter its power save mode when the presence of the user is undetected for 40 seconds and reopen when the user returns. The software is supposedly able to differentiate between animate and inanimate objects. For instance it is supposed to be able to tell the difference between a person and the back of a desk chair.

But this begs the question that if the sensor can detect the movement of the human, can it differentiate between a person and a cat or other type of pet? If it comes on when the user enters, will it do the same if a cat jumps up on the desk or if the dog gets curious? This is potentially a big drawback to the monitor and its energy saving plan. How can the monitor shut off if a pet cat decides to take a nap in front of the monitor?I'm sure the monitor will have some type of technology to differentiate size variables from a human to a cat, but that is still something to keep in mind.

With this new technology and all the breakthroughs in everything else, the robotic sci-fi future we have all been dreaming of is approaching closer and closer everyday. Once these monitors hit store shelves on May 21st, 2009, we should see how well the technology really works. The Eizo Nanao EV2023W-H will have a price tag of $385 while the Eizo Nanao EV2303W-T will be sold for $455.

Ultra-thin 1080p Samsung UN55B8000

New from Samsung is an Ultra-thin 55" 1080p LCD HDTV with a 240hz refresh rate, anti-blur technology, Ultraclear anti reflective screen, and LED backlighting. This top-of-the-line HDTV offers an astonishing high-definition picture with only a depth of just over an inch making this one of the slimmest HDTVs ever made which is truly amazing for such a large screen.

In addition to being a High Definition TV, the UN55B8000 gives a plethora of multimedia entertainment options. The TV is equipped with a rear Ethernet port so you can connect to your broadband internet and access tons of Yahoo! Widgets such as Flickr, Yahoo News, and USA Today. With a simple touch of a button, you can dock these web widgets at the bottom of the screen and continue your TV viewing without interruption. The TV also has USB ports on the side so you can also connect your thumb drive to your TV and view your favorite video clips or pictures with ease.

Additionally there are a variety of viewing options for this TV. Equipped with four HDMI inputs and a single component video input, the UN55B8000 HDTV makes it easy and simple to connect to all your high-definition devices. The HDMI inputs in this TV offer Consumer Electronics Control which lets you operate compatible HDMI-equipped components using only your TV's remote. The component video inputs also doubles as a composite input so you can connect your VCR or camcorder.

Due to this models slim design, HDMI compatabilities, and Multimedia options, it has already become an extremely popular Large Screen LCD Rental. If you are interested in renting this equipment, see here for a quick and easy Samsung UN55B8000 Rental Quote.

Samsung SyncMaster 70 Goes Green

Samsung has just given us a glimpse at its new green monitor. There is not a lot of information out yet, but what we do know is that the SyncMaster 70 Series consumes 33 percent less energy than any other Samsung and that's enough to make AL Gore proud.

A typical desktop computer uses about 65 to 250 watts. With most devices you can look at the label to see how much energy they use, but that doesn't work so well with computers. As far as monitors go they use any where from 35 to 80 watts. So saving 33 percent is something worth looking into.

The Syncmaster gives you a choice of 20 or 23 inch display screens and it sports a 50000:1 contrast ration, 2ms response time. There is no word when it will be available to purchase and the screen resolution is still a mystery. But the big question is the price. We'll just have to wait and see how much money along with electricity we can save.

Samsung BD-P1600 Blu Ray Player

Most of us remember when home entertainment went from the good 'ol VHS tape to the DVD. But probably all of us remember when we switched from DVD to either HD DVD or Blu Ray DVD. For awhile, there was a big "war" between the two systems. Everybody was worrying about which ones to get, which one was better. Even the new video game consoles got involved. The Xbox 360 went the way of HD DVD and Sony's PS3 turned to Blu Ray. In the end, we all know who won, and if you don't, then try going to Walmart and asking for an HD DVD player and see what happens.

Samsung was the first producer to come out with a standalone Blu Ray player. However, as of 2008, Samsung was starting to trail the pack working hard to keep up with Panasonic. While Panasonic was shipping its first Profile 2.0, Samsung was still launching their 1.1. Samsung promised that future versions would be up to par and now, it seems, the tides have shifted.

Samsung has just launched the BD-P1600 which comes complete with all the features one expects on a Blu Ray player. The P1600 comes with Profile 2.0 compatibility, and onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. But Samsung's BD-P1600 goes above and beyond the norm. The P1600 provides improved operational speed, Netflix and {andora streaming, and the ability to to add Wi-Fi capabilities by way of a USB dongle, which is sold separately. But not all is well in the land of the BD-P1600. Users of the player have one major fault, the flip down panel that runs along the entire front of the system.

The seamless and sleek front panel design. On first look, you wonder where the disc tray is, until you realize that the whole front flips down. The eject button and on/off button are all located behind the panel, which gets tedious when you want to do something. The panel does pop up and down whenever you eject the disc tray with the remote. But the panel does feel very weak and it wouldn't surprise anybody if the tray broke off or stopped popping back up. There is also a USB port under the panel if you want to use it for something like BD-Live Storage. You are forced to use this port because the back one is taken by the Wi-Fi adapter. You will also have to perminatley have the panel down if you use the USB port which looks tacky.

It is obvious that you will be using the remote more often than the buttons on the system. The remote that comes with the system is a good redesign over the previous model's remote. However, here are some problems. Fortunately, most of the buttons are logically placed with a good separation. Yet important buttons like pop-up menu, disc menu, and title menu are stuck at the bottom of the remote and, to make it worse, are unclearly labeled. Another feature that would have been great to see on the remote is easy access buttons for Netflix and Pandora. To activate these features you will have to dive into the menu system, yet it really isn't much of a hassle.

The interface for the player is visually nice. It has bright colors and HD graphics. However, some may not be fans of the vertical alignment for the set-up menus which could be confusing to some. But luckily you do not have to go into these menus very often so it doesn't amount to a huge issue. On the flipside, the interfaces for Netflix and Pandora are great. The Netflix interface is identical to the Netflix Player by Roku. And, like all Netflix instant streaming devices.

The BD-P1600, like most 2009 Blu Ray players, is Profile 2.0 compatible. This means it can play back the internet enabled BD-Live available but you will need to have the player connected to the internet via an ethernet cord or the Wi-Fi and have a USB connected for storage.

The BD-P1600 has onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. What this means is that this player can decode those soundtrack formats so they can be played back on almost every single HDMI-capable AV receiver. Also supported is Bit stream output, in case you want your decoding to be done in your AV receiver. And the P1600 also has the capability to play DVDs with DTS formats like DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and Neo:6. This player has standard connectivity with the main connection being the HDMI output which can handle 1080p HD video and high-resolution multichannel audio. This player also comes with a component taht allows you to play Blu-Ray at 1080i and DVDs at 480p. Audio connections are also basic which includes an optical digital-audio output and an analog-stereo output.

The BD-P1600 performs well overall on visual performance. It is very responsive and loads movies and menu screens faster than most Blu-Ray DVD players. The player performs well a=on almost all Blu-Ray movies and, since there are way more standard DVDs than Blu-Ray ones, it is important that this device play those DVDs in good quality as well, and it does.

Overall the Samsung BD-P1600 is one of the best Blu-Ray players on the market. It is a step up from Panasonic's devices and a large step up from Samsung's previous models. The BD-P1600 has a price tag of around $252.99 to $299.99 depending on where you buy. However, this price is raised a bit considering you have to by the Wi-Fi dongle separately which will run you around another $80. But with this price tag comes quality. Nearly all reviews of this device have received a rating of 4 out of 5. A good by if you are in the market for a Blu-Ray player or just want to blow your tax refund check on a piece of technology.

The Best HDTV Today

With all the makers of HDTVS (High Definition) clamming to be the best on the market it’s hard to know which one is the “Best” for you. Here are the ones cnet.com found to be the best for the money.

The Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD Produces the deepest black levels of any large-screen display it has extremely accurate color points and color temperature; superb antireflective screen; 72Hz refresh mode works well with 1080p/24 sources; Pure picture mode delivers superior settings out of the box; extensive picture controls; excellent connectivity, including 4 HDMI and one PC input. The Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD represents the pinnacle of flat-panel HDTV picture quality. Starting at $2,549.00 it may just be the “Best” HDTV you can buy.


If the Pioneer is not what you’re looking for then maybe the Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U is more to your liking. It highly accurate color; excellent uniformity with little false contouring; THX mode obviates in-depth calibration; relatively effective antireflective screen; solid connectivity with four HDMI and one PC input; with a price of $ 2,767.00

New Dell Crystal 22-inch Monitor

Dell has just released a brand new 22 inch monitor called Dell Crystal. It’s award winning design makes this new monitor one of the best looking 22 inch monitors around. Winning best of innovations at CES 2008 this monitor has a very unique look with its polished metal tripod stand, and its outside frame of tempered glass. Both the buttons and the speakers are built into the outside layer of glass making it truly stand out from your everyday monitor.

Panel Performance
The Dell Crystal has a native resolution of 1650 x 1050, a lightning 2-millisecond response time, and a high contrast ratio of 2000:1. Crystal also features a 98% color gamut verses the typical 72% color gamut, making it have a much broader range of colors.

The monitor also comes with a built in 2-megapixel webcam and 4 integrated speakers.

Some drawbacks on a sleek monitor like this is obviously the price. Coming in at $500 (and that is on sale it normally costs $1000) it is about double the cost of a normal 22 inch monitor. Also with the tripod stand there is also no height adjustment on the monitor and the glass smudges very easily.

Overall a great monitor if you are willing to pay for the premium.

Ghostbust Your Plasma

Have you ever turned off your TV or monitor and there was a ghostly image on the screen? This ghost is referred to as plasma burn. Plasma burn occurs when there is uneven wear in phosphors on a phosphor based screen, whenever a static image is left on the screen for too long; especially a high contrast image the potential for burn in is there.

Newer plasma based tubes include burn-in reduction features. Screen savers and pixel shifting help with the prevention of burn in. Pixel shifting is a slight unnoticeable shift in the image a by one or two pixels. If a ghost does happen many new sets can blast a burn-in with a white image for several minutes to hour. Cable and satellite service providers help with preventing burn in by giving you the option of changing pillar boxes that can also burn in by changing them from black to grey.

Potential for burn-in is greatest during the first 100 or so hours of use, during that time if you keep the contrast low and avoid showing static images or letterbox bars on the screen for long stretches of time it will help prevent any burn-ins. You might get some image retention once in awhile if you look hard enough after hours of static images, but even then it's temporary, not permanent. Video games may be a worry because of static logos that are in the corner of the screen but as long as you wait till after the first 100 hours before any long use it should be fine. Just keep mixing it up. Also, cheaper models of TVs are more prone to burn-in like the Insignia, but a good rule is not to go too cheap if you want to play it safe.

LCD Monitor Picture Quality Challenge CRT Displays

Picture Quality of LCD Monitors, Are We There Yet?


The days of heavy CRT based monitors weighing down your desk and occupying valuable workspace is pretty much an artifact of the past. The mass transition to the lighter and thinner LCD monitor is nearly complete. However, even as the last few holdouts cling to their favorite CRT, questions of picture quality still arise. While the LCD’s have replaced CRT’s on desks around the globe, the main complaints have been inaccurate colors and hard to read text. This was a serious problem in early LCD models, but gradual improvements of the technology behind the LCD’s have eliminated complaints from all but the most picky of consumers. So are we there yet?

Modern LCD’s have not only grown in screen size while decreasing in cost, but many have beautiful and functional displays as well. Screen brightness and refresh rates have nearly matched their CRT counterparts, allowing gamers to play the latest shooters, and artists and photographers work on their masterpieces using the latest technology. The latest models also offer nice extras such as USB ports and HDMI connections for video applications.

As with most things, it’s still a matter of “you get what you pay for.” There are still some cheap models that have the same issues that have previously plagued adoption of the technology. However, even most mid-priced models and above have overcome the majority of issues and are ready for prime time. There are even a few inexpensive gems out there.

Street prices for LCD monitors range from $99 on up, with the best values found in the $199 to $249 range.

So, are we there yet? The answer is a resounding yes!

Samsung SyncMaster 305T 30" LCD Monitor

Everybody loves things that are big. Big cars, big houses, big t.v.'s and now it seems that the love for anything big is spilling over to the computer world. Until recently, monitors didn't come in very large sizes like t.v.'s or anything like that. The biggest one you could previously get waqs around 24 inches. But our insatiable desire for big has driven us to upgrade.

Now you can get a computer monitor in a 30 inch size! There are only a handful of vendors in the market supplying this monster monitor: Apple, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Gateway, and Samsung. Samsung has come out with the SyncMaster 305T LCD monitor that is, obviously, 30 inches. Now unlike other monitors, the SyncMaster does not come with a ton of feature sets. Included with the monitor you get one DVI ort, a USB 2.0 cable for the integrated hub, and an AC power cord.

The SyncMaster sports a 2,560x1,600 resolution but in order to view it like this you are going to need a high-end video card and a dual-link DVI cable because if you use a single-link cable then your video card will not support it thus making the highest resolution 1,920x1,440. If you like to tinker with the settings of your monitor then you will be sad to know that the only thing you can alter is the brightness. To adjust something like contrast, you must access the monitor's panel which is locked by Samsung. However, if you have a video card that has these abilities then you can adjust them from there.

The video connections for the Syncmaster are also limited. Other than the DVI port on the back left side of the monitor there are no other connection options. There are, on the other hand, four USB downstream ports and one USB upstream ports. As expected with such a big monitor it supports HDCP. A downer for this monitor is that it does not have any HDMI or component video connections which greatly limits the number of devices the screen can be connected to. You can extend the height of the screen 3" and can rotate it 30 degrees to the back and 60 degrees to the left and right by way of a lazy susan design.

The SyncMaster 305T is impressive no matter what you use it for. It plays blu-ray and regular DVD's with incredible clarity boasting a 999:1 contrast ratio. The monitor also works gretat for gaming. The picture is so clear its like you are there in the game. This 30 inch monitor is top of the line all around. While it could come with a few more features it is definatley one to look for if you are in the market. The Samsung SyncMaster 305T 30" LCD monitor comes under a price tag of around $1,330 but can normally be found cheaper online, but $1,330 is still a great deal compared to some of the other models out there so you can't go wrong with the SyncMaster 305T.

Army Invests Another $50 Million In Flexible Displays

The U.S. Army has just renewed is partnership and provided another $50 million to Arizona State University to continue with research on flexible display technology at the Flexible display research facility.

The U.S. army had already invested $50 million back in 2004, bringing its total investment to $100 million.

The Army says the are interested in flexible displays so that they can mount them on soldiers clothing. Soldiers could easily wear them on their sleeves or their wrists and then use them to receive critical data in real time.

Flexible Displays will also be more durable than regular LCD screens, allowing the soldier to not have to worry about breaking the screen during combat. They also consume very little power compared to normal LCDs.

Sorry HDTV…. I can’t see you.

High Definition in the world of display technology usually refers to 720 horizontal lines, or more, of video format resolution.

HDTV has taken over the world of television viewing, there in most homes, all the good sports bars and by some estimates as many as 90% of new commercials are being shot with HDTV in mind. It’s not just TVs, these days if it has a screen it is more than likely HD. The problem with this is. If you are one of the third of the country that wears glasses or contacts then an HDTV may not be for you, unless of course you are up for a trip to the eye Doctor for a new prescription. 

Dispensing optician Phillip Hyde recommends that if you are interested in HDTV you may first want to schedule an eye exam to make sure you are ready and able to get the full benefit from these TV's. If you have poor eye sight that is simply not correctable you may want to invest in an HDTV set just for the ease of viewing a large screen.

On the bright side those who do suffer from poor eyesight might want to consider saving a little money by buying a set that’s a model or two down from the "bleeding edge" of HDTV technology. Becasue according to Phillip Hyde you most likely will not be able to see the difference anyway. But of courses it’s your money.

Two Monitors Better Than One

Is using two monitors actually better than using one? According to numerous study’s and surveys the answer is yes, and it is said to increase productivity 7% to 50%. Those are some high numbers, but lets just dig a little deeper here.

Computer users nowadays are always multi-tasking. You usually will be surfing the web with numerous tabs, you will also be instant messaging you buddies, checking your email, typing something up on word, and maybe even playing a game. Now how can you ever expect to fit all of this on one monitor, it just is not possible. This is where two monitors really comes in handy. For example you are writing a paper about a topic you researching on the internet. Instead of having to keep tabbing back to the article and then back to word you can just have the article on one screen and word on the other.

Using two monitors is so easy. A main complaint that many people say is I don’t want to have to go through the hassle of setting up two monitors and getting the right software for it to work. Well the good thing here is Windows already has a built in monitor feature that will automatically register your second monitor when you hook it up to your computer. To edit this feature just right click your desktop background and go to settings. It will show both of your monitors and it will let you adjust a number of features for both monitors.

Some computers may not support two monitors though. To check this, just look on the back of your computer and check to see if there is another monitor input (VGA or DVI) right next to where your first monitor is plugged in. If you look on the back of your desktop and you see your first monitor is hooked up to a VGA or DVI port, but you do not see another VGA or DVI port. If this is the case then you have an older video card that only has 1 hookup for a monitor. There are two ways around this: You can either buy a monitor switch box or buy a better video card that has dual monitor ports. You can buy a brand new low end card that has 2 monitor ports for around $50-$100.

Once you have two monitor inputs just plug in both monitors with either the VGA or DVI cords. If your video card has one VGA input and one DVI input then you are going to have to put on a DVI to VGA adapter on the DVI port to get it to work. This adapter will usually come with any video card you buy. Once again your computer will automatically register your second monitor once you turn it on.

In closing this is well worth the effort. I highly encourage you to give this a try and I guarantee that you will never want to go back to one monitor again. If you have any questions leave us a comment.

Samsung Unvieils New Luxia HDTV Line

Samsung has just unveiled a new line of television that utilize LED-backlight technology, called Luxia. The new HDTV’s offer promise to bring a new line of high quality display, energy efficient technology and ultra thin design.

The Luxia line-up comes with a handful of new feautures including Samsung’s signature Touch of Color image display that helps produce better contrast ratios and a full range of colors with crystal clear detail. They will also come with a built in internet yahoo widget that will allow you to watch internet videos, check your mail, and view photos. Additionally the Luxia line will be one of the many new televisions coming out with a 240 Hz refresh rate, which will help make a clearer picture. Expect to see the new line-up of television to hit store shelves in the first half of 2009.

HP w2207h Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor

HP's w2207h 22-inch wide screen monitor is a diagonal, wide LCD-TFT active matrix monitor. It has a 1680x1050 resolution at 60Hz. It allows you to comfortably view two full pages of text or images side by side. It also comes with digital photography and video editing.

Ever wanted to veiw everything you look at in a portrait view? Well now you can, with the HP w2207h monitor you can rotate your monitor into a portrait view to see long documents or web pages from your PC. And with a double-hinge base you can adjust it to just the right height.

Ever get the feeling like your desk is crammed full a stuff just getting in the way? Well you don't have to worry about that because this monitor comes with a nice slim profile and integrated speakers. And you can also mount this monitor on any wall for access in any room of the house because this monitor is compatible with any VESA standard mount.

Now I know as well as anybody that "Green" is the way to go now and all you green freaks out their will be very pleased to know that the HP w2207h monitor is ENERGY STAR and MPR ll qualified and it's recyclable. It comes standard with a one year warranty and custom support.

Contents of the box upon delivery contains the monitor, power cable, audio cable, VGA cable, HDMI cable, documentation CD, and warranty card. All of this runs under the price tag of $299.99 and offers free standard shipping.