Soyo DYLM2284
Size: 21.6″
Pixel Format: 1680 x 1050
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Viewing Angle: 170/160
Response Time: 5ms
Input: DVI, VGA
Price: $199.99 (lowest found at TigerDirect as of 2008.04.23)
This Soyo 22″ is in fact a 21.6″. The viewing angle suggests a TN+Film panel and most of the other specifications are pretty ho-hum.
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Panasonic BT-LH1760
Size: 17″
Aspect Ratio: 15:9
Pixel Format: 1280 x 768
Frequency: 120Hz
Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
Viewing Angle: 176/176
Image Processing: 10-bit, 3D LUT
Input: DVI-D, HD-SDI/SDI, Component (Y/Pb/Pr), RGB, PC RGB
Availability: April 2008
Pricing: MSRP $4500
During the NAB 2008 conference, Panasonic introduced the BT-LH1760 production LCD monitor. Although the size is diminutive compared to regular LCD monitors that have been popping out lately, the performance specifications sure does not disappoint. Panasonic is putting its BT-LH1760 performance up against those of CRT’s. This is the first time in a long time since I have seen a small 17″ LCD monitor sporting an IPS LCD panel. And I’m quite excited.
Dell 3008WFP
Size: 30″
Pixel Format: 2560 x 1600
Brightness: 370 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (dynamic)
Viewing Angle: 178/178
Response Time: 8ms
Color Gamut: 117% NTSC
Panel Type: S-IPS
Input: DVI, DisplayPort, VGA, S-Video, Composite, Component, HDMI
Dell’s 3008WFP 30″ LCD monitor sports a LG Display supplied S-IPS panel. The S-IPS panel that is inside Apple’s 30″ was specially developed by using a unique copper-bus design that took a lot of engineering work. The copper-bus enables Apple’s 30″ to run flicker-free at 2560 x 1600 at 60Hz on a huge 30″ screen. I am not sure if Dell uses the same LCD panel on its 3008WFP, which has a wider color gamut and a better contrast ratio.
Samsung 942BW
Size: 19″
Pixel Format: 1440 x 900 (16:10)
Response Time: 5ms Gray-to-Gray (GTG, MagicSpeed)
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 500:1
Input: DVI with HDCP
Special Feature: Narrow bezel, MagicBright3 (automatic brightness, contrast, gamma optimization)
Price: MSRP US$249.99
The design is quite simple and boring. It is your typical 19″ wide LCD monitor with the regular 1440 x 900 pixel format. The 5ms response time isn’t that impressive. However there are some interesting features such as MagicBright3 that automatically optimizes brightness, contrast, and gamma. I wonder how it optimizes brightness unless it has some sort of light sensor. It probably doesn’t, so that means it changes the brightness based on the image content, which could end up simply annoying the user. Another “feature” is the narrow bezel. I guess it’s better than having a really thick bezel. Thin is in, whether it is the bezel or the depth. The price is decent at $250. Street prices according to PriceGrabber seems to be around $225 as of this writing.
Source: Business Wire, via Engadget
Lenovo ThinkVision L220x
Size: 22″ Wide
Pixel Format: 1920 x 1200
Response Time: 6ms
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Viewing Angle: 178/178
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
Input: USB (4), DVI with HDCP
Availability: November 2007
Price: ~$550
Typical 22″ LCD monitors have a pixel format of 1680 x 1050. And that seems fine with most of the users that purchase 22″ LCD monitors. Why? Well, the price is right. The price is right because the LCD technology used is of the TN variety that makes the cost of manufacturing those panels much cheaper compared to IPS or VA. The second, but a lesser known reason, is that the pixels are much larger than 20″ LCD monitors with the same pixel format. Consumers are more comfortable viewing slightly larger fonts. As consumers age in general, they will continue to prefer larger fonts. But isn’t it strange that the more pixels you have the fonts have to get smaller?
