Alienware's OptX AW2210 LCD Monitor

Alienware has always been a strong competitor in the PC gaming market. They have a reputation for providing some of the most powerful gaming laptops and desktops on the market to date, but one branch of the gaming market they never really got into was gaming monitors, until now. The first monitor Alienware brings to the market is a 21.5-inch widescreen 1080p OptX AW2210. This monitor has a lot of features that are sure to please any gamer including solid image quality, accessible and comprehensive built-in menus and an exterior design that sets it apart from your traditional monitor.

The one downside to this device is the price: $300. That is a lot of money to pay for a 21.5-inch monitor, especially if you take into consideration that Dell offers LCD monitors that rival this one in quality and cost a lot less. The Dell SX2210 has an identical panel to the AW2210 as well as controls for a webcam, face recognition software and a retail price of $220.

When you break it down, it appears that the $80 more for Alienware's AW2210 went into the monitor's aesthetics. This monitor is black and bold and looks good all around. It features a slim profile as well as a large plastic base that sort of resembles a Batarang. The LCD also looks a lot heavier than it actually weighs which could either be viewed as a pro or a con. The light weight makes it easier to carry around but it also makes the stability of the monitor questionable.

The monitor is specifically designed to keep ports out of view, which is great if you are looking at it but a royal pain in the derrière when you are trying to connect cables. It does, however, come with a great deal of ports. The back of this monitor is home to four USB 2.0 ports, two HDMI ports, a DVI-D port and line-in and line-out audio jacks which are all aligned vertically. The only problem is that they are hard to access. The good news is that the tilt, swivel and height of the display are fairly easy to adjust.

The aesthetic appeal of this monitor encompasses everything, including the impressive built-in menu controls. Some people are not a fan of touch sensitive controls and find it difficult to find the right spot to touch. However, the controls on this monitor work well and are really cool looking. The main menu button is even smart enough to detect your hand's proximity and light up before you touch it.

Five preset configurations await you in the menus: Standard, Multimedia, Game, Warm and Cool. These allow you to adjust various display settings. There is an extra added spot for user-defined custom presets as well and even manual options if the presets just are not tickling your fancy.

There have yet to be any reported lag features while playing games whether on PC or a console as well as no ghosting or any other common problems associated with monitor-overdrive functions.

One thing that this monitor does have over the Dell mentioned above is a Premium Panel Guarantee. This guarantee is more stringent than your average 3-year warranty and if you find even a single stuck or bright pixel, you can return the monitor for a brand new one. Your default warranty lasts for 3 years but you do have the option of purchasing a 4-year warranty for $40 extra or even a 5-year warranty for $60.

While $300 for a 21.5-inch monitor may seem steep to many people, Alienware's OptX AW2210 display has plenty of features to justify it. Plus, the extra warranty coverage ensures that you can enjoy your investment to the max.

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Sony's New 22-inch LCD TV with Integrated PlayStation 2

Sony is one of the top producers of technology in the world. This megacompany has produced some of the most amazing laptops, computers and televisions, but what is probably one of the company's biggest achievements is their gaming consoles. The PlayStation 3 is the company's newest console in the gaming world, and while the console is definitely a great piece of machinery, many people still consider the PlayStation 2 to be one of the best consoles ever created.

While video games are a huge craze in today's market, another huge craze is HDTVs. Well, now Sony is bringing you the best of both worlds in one single device. There have been all kinds of different technologies integrated into televisions like iPod docks, DVD players and even Blu-ray players. But now Sony has done something incredible, they have put a PlayStation 2 into a TV. And not just any TV, an HDTV.

The Sony Bravia KDL-22PX300 is a 22-inch LCD TV that has a built-in Sony PlayStation 2. This PS2 allows people to play not only PlayStation 2 games but also regular DVDs. Due to the fact that PS2 games were not originally created in the HD format, they still play in standard definition. However, the TV does present in 720p, and it has four HDMI ports, built-in Freeview tuner and even an Ethernet port for internet use. In addition to all that, the TV has three USB ports, Scart, VGA and Component video connectors.

One of the problems with the PlayStation 3 is that it hasn't really been backwards compatible with old PS2 titles since some of the very first models from Sony. That is why this TV seems like such a good value, especially with the fact that it has all those connections and support for 720p. There aren't really a lot of televisions integrated with gaming consoles. Actually, aside from Fuji's Divers 2000 Series CX-1 integrated with the Sega Dreamcast, there isn't any other device like this.

This is definitely one of the coolest devices that has come out recently and definitely one of the most unique. With many people considering the Sony PlayStation 2 to be one of the best consoles ever, it looks like Sony has made the perfect device. The Sony KDL-22PX300 is available now for around $300 and comes with a single controller.

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1 Million Apps Have Been Downloaded on Samsung HDTVs

Not that long ago, Samsung began offering apps on their HDTVs. This month the company hit a very important milestone concerning their TV’s apps marketplace. According to Samsung, since its launch in March, 1 million applications have been downloaded from the company’s Samsung Apps.

Samsung says that “the most frequently downloaded applications at the apps store include Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level, CinemaNow, and Texas Holdem. The company also added that Samsung Apps now has more than 200 applications including MLB. TV, Vudu, Netflix, and many more.

As of right now, Samsung offers access to its Samsung Apps marketplace on more than half of their 2010 line of HDTVs. By the end of the year, the company says that they expect that TV vendors will have sold a total of 6.5 million HDTV units that feature applications. It is being predicted that by 2012 that the market will expand to 20 million unit sales.

"Consumers want and expect choice and control. Not just on the go, not just in front of computer, but in the living room," says Eric Anderson, Samsung vice president of content development.

Now Samsung is not the only company to provide apps for their HDTVs. Most major TV manufacturers have certain HDTVs that offer apps on their sets. Vizio is one of those companies that is currently battling with Samsung for domination of the HDTV market.

The research firm iSuppli has been tracking the overall shipments of LCD TVs and found that during the third quarter Vizio shipped out the most LCD TVs of any company. They consumed 19.9 percent of the total LCD market shares. Samsung came in second behind Vizio with 17.7 percent of market share. When it came down to overall television shipments in the United States, Samsung was greatly assisted by their sales of plasma TVs. The company was the top manufacturer when it came to overall TV shipments with 19.3 percent market share, while Vizio came in second with 17 percent of the overall market share.

For more information check out Samsung's website.

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An Affordable 3D HDTV?

A lot of the newest technology seems to be moving in the direction of 3D, but the issue for the average consumer is that 3D technology tends to be extremely pricey. 3D HDTVs are incredibly fascinating but can burn a huge hole in your pocket. Well, if you considering moving into the 3D world with your next HDTV purchase, you should definitely look into the WD-60738 from Mitsubishi.

The 60-inch WD-60738 HDTV utilizes rear projection DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology. When it comes to DLP technology, it usually means that the set is bulky. Unfortunately, that is true with the WD-60738, but it does feature amazing 3D capabilities that make up for its bulkiness. This 3D HDTV from Mitsubishi is certainly not flawless, but it’s affordable and still has many features to offer.

As I mentioned above, the WD-60738 is definitely not slim. If you’re looking for a paper thin TV to mount up on your wall, this is not the TV for you. The set measures in at 15.1 inches deep, 36.7 inches high, and 53.9 inches wide. Despite the set's size, it only weighs 60.7 pounds, which really isn’t too bad. The 60-inch plasma screen features an anti-glare matte coating that is very convenient if the TV will be in a room that will have natural light in it at times. The set also features 10-watt speakers that are very loud with good bass, although they sound like nothing compared to the 16-watt speakers that were featured in Mitsubishi’s 2009 Uniden LT-46249.

The TV remote for the WD-60738 is pretty basic. It measures in at 8.25 inches and has 43 buttons. The only button that is illuminated is the power button, but the other buttons are fairly large and easy to recognize. Unfortunately, with this TV set there is no 3D mode to switch into on the remote; therefore, there is a separate remote that you must use when in 3D mode.

The next thing to consider about the Mitsubishi HDTV is its connectivity. The WD-60738 has all of its connection ports in the back of the set, which can be very frustrating if you are swapping input devices often. It features pretty basic connection ports including: three HDMI ports, a USB port, a 3D-emitter port, two sets of component A/V ports, digital and stereo analog audio outputs, an Ethernet port, and a TV antenna/cable coaxial port.

When considering this HDTV, it is important to know that the 3D transmitter is not built into the set. You will have to purchase an extra 3D adapter box that plugs into the 3D emitter port. Mitsubishi offers a 3D Starter Pack for $370 that includes: the 3D adapter, the 3D emitter, two sets of 3D glasses, a small 4.25-inch remote, and a 3D Blu-ray sampler disc.

The last thing to consider is the performance of the 3D HDTV. The WD-60738 offers lots of image controls, both basic and advanced. There are four preset backlighting options (Brilliant, Game, Bright, and Natural) and plenty of picture options that you can adjust (Contrast, Brightness, Color, Tint, and Sharpness). Although the HDTV functions well as a regular TV, it really shines when you turn on 3D mode. The 3D images have amazing depth. Mitsubishi worked extremely hard to cut down on the double imaging effect, and they were most certainly successful.

Mitsubishi’s WD-60738 3D HDTV is available now for $1,399. Really, if you’re looking for a 3D TV right now but don’t want to pay a ridiculous amount of money for one, this is a TV that you should definitely consider. It offers some great features for a fantastic price. This is truly the first “affordable” 3D TV.

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VideoWave HDTV: The Newest Technology from Bose

Bose is a company that has been providing high-end audio equipment and accessories since 1964. They provide anything from home theater sound systems to headphones for customers that are willing to pay dearly for their excellent quality. Well, Bose has finally expanded into the television and home theater field. On Thursday, October 14th Bose released their latest technology which they have been developing for the past ten years, the new VideoWave Entertainment System.

The entertainment system consists of four different pieces – a 46-inch LCD TV, a separate console connected by a Bose cable, an iPod dock, and an amazing remote control. All of these pieces are new and completely unique to Bose. When combined together, I believe that these pieces create one of the most incredible home theater experiences that I have ever witnessed. So what makes this system worth the $5,349 price tag? Well, here are just a few of the reasons.

The TV
The 46-inch screen offers a 1080p image, which isn’t the greatest I’ve ever seen on a TV before, but it definitely isn’t bad. When I saw the screen in Bose, I thought that the picture was crisp, clean, and vibrant. It was definitely something that I was impressed by. The picture is not the main attraction with this TV though. The sound on the VideoWave is what absolutely blew me away. When you purchase the LCD TV from Bose, you will not need to install one single extra speaker. The set provides incredible surround sound from within the TV itself.

Inside the TV there are 16 speakers, six subwoofers, and some breathtaking new technology that sends flawless sound from the TV into every single corner of the room. Therefore, the sound is coming from the TV set but can be heard everywhere around you. Bose calls this technology PhaseGuide, and it is absolutely amazing.

The Remote
The remote for the LCD TV is different than any other remote that I have ever seen. It is extremely simple, as it only has buttons for power, input, channel, volume, mute, and back. They decided that they only wanted to put the buttons that you would universally need. In the center of the remote there is a directional pad that is surrounded by a touch pad. The touch pad allows you to access all of the other buttons not featured on the actual remote. When you touch the touch pad, the picture on the screen will shrink and become surrounded by a rectangular menu that shows all of the other controls you may want to use.

The remote can take a little getting used to, but once you discover where the other buttons are located on the screen, it becomes quite simple to utilize. The remote really seems ingenius. It makes so much sense to simplify the remote and eliminate the unnecessary buttons from the physical remote.

The Console and Dock
The console is the connection hub for all of your extra devices like your Blu-ray player, DVD player, gaming consoles, etc. You can connect up to five devices to VideoWave at one time. There is also an iPod dock that is included. It’s a pretty standard iPod dock, but it does display your iPod’s menu on the TV screen which is incredibly convenient. You can control everything via the remote, which is also great. Another great feature included on the VideoWave is called Video Mute. This feature allows you to turn off the screen and video, leaving only the audio playing. This makes the VideoWave a great audio player as well as a fantastic TV.

The VideoWave is an absolutely fantastic home theater system. Unfortunately, since the system is $5,349, this set is not for everyone. You definitely have to pay for the excellent quality that Bose is providing. If you’re ready to make the leap with this new technology from Bose, then you most definitely won’t be disappointed. For the price Bose will also install the system in your home. If you’re interested in the VideoWave Entertainment System from Bose, then you will have to find a Bose store in your area to see the home theater system in action. Bose is only selling these new LCD TVs in their stores. For more information talk to your local Bose representatives.

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Two Is Better Than One

It is becoming a common sight today to see computers being run with more than one monitor. For casual computer users this may seem distracting and unnecessary. In reality having multiple screens can have many perks that most people might not even realize until they hook up the second screen. Dual monitors are great for everything from pictures, to web surfing, and especially gaming.

Digital pictures have almost completely replaced film, and with dual screens amateur digital photographers can organize their hobby more quickly and easily. One screen can be used to browse thumbnails while the other is being used to edit the photo and bring it into focus. While editing multiple photos, it is much easier to have two screens and be able to scroll through the pictures while not blocking the view of the picture currently being edited.

For people who need to keep email or social networking sites open while working, dual monitors are ideal. While internet tabs can keep multiple windows open, they do not let the user know when an email or message is received, and with dual monitors both windows can be kept in plain sight at all times.

Dual monitors are most useful for computer gamers. The two screens can be set to act as one large screen, doubling the picture for the gamer. With this extra screen space it is possible to keep an eye on everything going on in the game world without unnecessary scrolling. If the second monitor isn't being used for a larger view, it can be used to keep open a weapon or tool screen so the player can avoid wasting time clicking to open such screens.

Almost any computer can double up on monitors. Plasma or LCD flat screen monitors take up very little room and can offer major screen real estate. For the price conscious, CRT monitors can still be used for dual monitors. Even laptops can have a second desktop screen attached. The possibilities for a second monitor are endless and something to consider for serious computer users.

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Energy Efficient Monitors

While probably not the first thing that consumers look for in a monitor or television, energy consumption can be a game changer for more green-minded customers. Energy efficiency also can save on electric bills, and who doesn't like saving money? Here are the newest monitors that are highest up on the energy efficiency list while looking brilliant at the same time.

Dell LED G2210

The Dell G2210 is a backlit LED monitor that comes at a low price with a few special energy saving settings. The G2210 isn't anything spectacular, since it lacks full HD and an HDMI port, but makes up for it in offering a few features that are specifically designed for saving energy. The computer display uses 20.56 watts when fully lit and costs less than $7.00 a year to run. It also features Dell's popular OSD features. The G2210 has three settings, Standard, Energy Smart, and Energy Smart Plus. Standard lets the user set the brightness, Energy Smart caps screen brightness at 66% and uses ambient lighting to adjust brightness to the room, and Energy Smart Plus is the same as Energy Smart with the added feature of dynamic dimming, which lowers the brightness on overly bright images. Below are the specs.

Resolution: 1,680x1,050 pixels
Pixel-response rate: 5ms
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
Connectivity: VGA, DVI-D
HDCP compliant? Yes
Backlight: LED
Dimensions (W x D x H): 20.15" x 6.18" x 16.03"
Weight: 7.54 lbs

Price-$205.00


Samsung SyncMaster 305T LCD Monitor

As big as it gets for energy efficient monitors, the SyncMaster has 30 inches of vivid screen. Unlike the previous monitor, the Samsung SyncMaster also has impressive viewing angles. The monitor can extend in height three inches, rotate back 30 degrees, and back and forth 60 degrees. For its impressive size and brilliant display this SyncMaster does have a few downfalls in that it only has one calibration feature for brightness and one DVI port. The SyncMaster uses 128.22 watts, which is a little more than the aforementioned monitor but is also the best that someone can expect from a 30-inch monitor. Below are the specs.

Screen Size: 30 inches
Resolution: 2,650x1,600
Pixel-response rate: 6ms
Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
Connectivity: DVI, USB
HDCP compliant? Yes
Backlight: LED
Dimensions (W x D x H): 27.1" x 19.8"x 11"
Weight: 26.46 lbs.

Price-$1260.00

Lenovo ThinkVison 1940p

The Lenovo ThinkVision is the most energy efficient monitor on this list but also the smallest at 19 inches. It is an LCD monitor that has wonderful ergonomic features with the ability to pivot 90 degrees vertically, 50 degrees left and right and can raise 4.5 inches. One downside to the ThinkVision is its low resolution at 1,440 x 900 running at 75Hz, but it makes up for it in energy efficiency. When fully lit, the monitor uses 17.96 watts and costs around $5.64 to run for a year. Even better, when in energy saving mode the ThinkVision uses only 10 watts. Below are the specs.

Resolution: 1,440x900
Pixel-response rate: 5ms
Contrast ratio: 1000:1
Connectivity: VGA
DVI HDCP compliant? Yes
Backlight: LED
Weight: 12.8 pounds

Cost-$222.00

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