LCD Monitors 2010

NEC E461 and E551 LCD Monitor

NEC has launched its latest technology named as NEC E461 and E551. This cool LCD has a good performance than other monitors, it has 46-inch E461 and 55-inch E551 both feature 1920x1080p Full HD, and up to 5000:1 typical contrast ratio. It may contains 210W and fully connectivity, in terms of 4 HDMI inputs, analog RGB, composite video and S-Video.

Other features include multiple picture modes, features advanced video and a 120Hz refresh rate, built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM analog/digital tuner, built-in closed captioning and integrated CONEQ Sound technology. It is have a swivel stand, its detachable for wall amount applications. The NEC E461 and E551 LCD is available with a retail price of $999 and $1,499 respectively, and will be released in the month of August.

Samsung UN55C7000 55-Inch 3D LED HDTV

Samsung has unveiled its latest technology, now it is a 55-inch wide screen HDTV. One unique features of this TV is that it can connect on web applications therefore you can stream movies, play games, display your slideshows of pictures, and many more not just watching like on ordinary television sets. The Samsung 3D LED UN55C7000 HDTV features HDMI, movie connect share where in you can insert a USB 2.0 flash drive, or connect to digital camera to see a clip or images, and it also has skype built-in. Core specifications includes 240Hz Clear Motion Rate and 6,000,000:1 Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio. They also added a feature that can eliminates all motion blur for excellent performance.


Dell SX2210T Multi-touch LCD Monitor + Webcam

Dell has unleashed their latest technology, but this time a 21.5 inch multi-touch LCD monitor called Dell SX2210T. What’s good with this Multi-Touch LCD Monitor is it has a webcam that you can use for chatting and other video conferencing stuff. If you’re using Windows 7 Home Premium & above with its multi-touch capabilities, the Dell SX2210T monitor features full HD 1920 x 1080 experience with 16:9 widescreen display. Aside from that the Dell SX2210T multi-touch monitor has a 220 cd/m2 brightness, dual microphones for video chat, and the capability to to flick, tap, drag, and scroll with your fingers using its multi-touch technology.


HP S2031, S2231 and S2331 LCD Monitors

HP has announced their latest affordable LCD monitors which are expected to be released and sold to the market in late May 2010. These are the S2031, S2231 and S2331 series. These brand new model of monitors have a contrast ratio of 1000:1, a resolution of 1600 × 900px, 250 nits of brightness levels and has a response time of 5 ms. Only S2031 model supports 1080p and 300 nits of brightness levels. For the price, the S2031 costs $150, whereas for S2231 has a price of $190, while the S2331 has a selling price of $220.


BenQ “World’s Slimmest” Monitor

BenQ, the leading LED monitor manufacturer has finally introduced its three latest and the world’s slimmest LED monitors in India. Yes they are three, this are the BenQ V2220 (21.5” W), V2420 (24.0” W) and V920 (18.5” W) these three are also known as BenQ’s V series. These three V series has the following features: LED backlighting technology, set apart by proprietary Senseye Human Vision Technology, which has six preset modes: Game, Movie, sRGB, Eco, Photo, and Standard. This latest monitor is also energy saving because it can consume up to 44 percent less energy compare to those other LED monitor.

LED Versus LCD Monitors

      Computers are important electronic devices in a world of technology in which changes need to be made so as for all sorts of improvements to be made possible in all sorts of domains. Computers need to be good quality ones in order to enable for such improvements to be obtained. A very important hardware component which is said to widely influence the performance of our computers is the monitor on which results which come from all kinds of instructions which we require for the computer system to operate are being displayed.

Nowadays there are numerous models of computer monitors available for everyone interested in learning more about them to analyze and compare them. Many users have also been interested in being able to learn about important aspects related to the idea of considering a LED versus LCD monitors comparison, as they are widely used nowadays and users should be able to decide which of them they might enjoy more working with.

 

When trying to discuss about important aspects in a LED versus LCD monitors comparison there are important aspects which need to be mentioned abut both of these two types of monitors. When discussing about TV monitors, it should be mentioned the fact that the main difference between LED and LCD monitors is related to their backlighting techniques.

This difference is very important to be taken in account because the lighting techniques are said to influence the picture quality very much and in this way they can represent an important factor which might help users decide which of these two types of monitors might be more appropriate for them to work with. In this respect, in a comparison such as LED versus LCD monitors it needs to be mentioned the fact that LCD TV monitors use fluorescent type of tube lightning while LED TV monitors are said to use the light being emitted by diodes. It should also be made aware to all of us the fact that there are both diverse types of fluorescent lights and LED backlighting styles available nowadays.

Other aspects which should be considered in a comparison such as the LED versus LCD monitors one are the contrast presented by these monitors, the color accuracy presented by them, the viewing angles included, certain functional considerations which are also important, their longevity and many other such aspects which might enable users to decide which of them might be more appropriate to be used. In what concerns the contrast presented by these monitors it has been considered that most of the LED TV monitors are advantageous form this point of view.

In what concerns the color accuracy, things are a little different as both of these tow type of TV monitors are said to be kind of equal in quality form this point of view. Certainly, this applies in cases in which the backlight color is not affected in any way as when this happens LED TV monitors are once again said to be more advantageous to be used. When discussing about the viewing angles, many users have also considered LED TV monitors to be better. Certainly, these opinions might not be the same among all of us but many of the users who have compared these two types of TV monitors have considered this to be the case.

 

There are also many situations in which LED TV monitors have been considered equal with LCD TV monitors and which are also important to be mentioned in a discussion on LED versus LCD monitors comparison. These situations refer to their use and to the quality of their video playback. There are also many features which cannot be generally considered either better or worse in one type of monitors or another as this depends on many factors and it cannot be made a general rule concerning them. Anyway, it is always possible for different users comparing these two types of monitors to have different opinions and in this way when we are interested in buying one type or another we should also try to compare them so as for a better decision to be made.

Connecting a Monitor/Projector to Your Laptop

• Getting Set Up

    Advancements in processors, other hardware, and operating systems (OSs) now make multitasking easier than ever. A typical computer session may include browsing the Web while downloading music, or editing a photo while virus scan runs in the background. For example, Intel's latest mobile processors allow laptop users to simultaneously run multiple, resource-intensive programs while consuming very little power.

Because of the increase in energy efficiency and performance, laptops in general have become smaller, thinner, and lighter. Most new models come equipped with dual monitor support and accelerated video technology, making connecting an additional monitor a simple operation. 

Why use a second monitor?

   Dual monitor configurations make complex projects easier to work on. Graphic designers, for example, often have several editing programs running at the same time. Adding an additional monitor doubles visual "real estate," giving users more room to work and play. Your desktop view can either be replicated on the second screen or stretched across it to form a larger work area.

Smaller laptop screens are great for traveling, but can be hard on your eyes for extended use. Connecting a full-size monitor to your laptop computer allows you to choose screen resolutions and refresh rates that cause less eye strain.

Whether you plan to make a presentation, are working on a massive project or your laptop screen suddenly stops working, learning how to connect a monitor to your laptop can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Connect a monitor to your laptop

    Laptops usually have one or more digital visual interface (DVI), video graphics array (VGA), or separate video (S-Video) ports. DVI ports are used to connect some flat panel LCD displays, while VGA ports can connect either LCD or older style CRT monitors. In addition to monitors, S-Video ports can also be used to connect video cameras, DVD players, and TVs.

If you have an older laptop that does not have a monitor port, you can purchase a USB 2.0-to-SVGA video adapter. The adapter plugs into one of your USB 2.0 ports. With it, one or more LCD or CRT monitors can be connected to your computer. They are reasonably priced and can be found online or through your local computer dealer.

Let's get started.

• Shut down your laptop and unplug it. Set the monitor next to the laptop on a secure surface.
• Determine which type of connector your monitor has and plug it into the corresponding port on the back or side of your laptop. DVI ports are usually white, and most VGA ports are blue (refer to your laptop owner's manual if necessary). If your monitor uses a different connector than what is available on your laptop, you can get an adapter to make them work. Tighten the connector screws, and then turn on the monitor.
• Plug your laptop in and turn it on. If the monitor does not show your OS loading, go to the next step.
• On your laptop keyboard, locate the FN key and the display function key (typically F5, F7 or F8), which usually has a picture of a monitor or the words CRT/LCD on it. To activate the monitor display, hold down the FN key, then press the display function key. It may take a few seconds for the monitor to respond. Refer to your laptop owner's manual if you have trouble locating or using the display function key.

Configure the screens

    Most laptops mirror your desktop on the second monitor by default. By changing a few settings, you can extend your desktop across both monitors, allowing you to drag open programs from one screen to the other.

In Windows Vista*:

• Right-click on your desktop and select "Personalize" then "Display Settings."
• Arrange the two virtual monitor displays by dragging the boxes to correspond to the location of your actual monitors. For example, if your laptop is located on the left of the monitor, drag the two boxes so that Monitor 1 is on the left and Monitor 2 is on the right.
• Select the additional monitor from the drop-down menu, check the box beside "Extend the desktop onto this monitor" then click "Apply."
In Windows XP*:
• Right-click on your desktop, then select "Properties." In the Display Properties dialog box, click the "Settings" tab.
• Arrange the virtual monitor displays if necessary. Select the additional monitor, check "Extend my Windows desktop," then click "OK".
Connecting a monitor to your laptop is that easy. Other OSs such as Linux use slightly different software configurations, but they are very similar overall. Experiment with different settings and monitor combinations to get the most out of your new dual-screen workstation.

Buying LCD monitors

Monitor technology 

Panel Technology
   CRTs have effectively been replaced by its thinner and brighter sister, the LCD. Under the umbrella of LCD technology, there are a few choices to consider before buying a monitor. First, you'll have to decide which panel technology is right for you.

   The three main panel technologies currently used in LCDs are: Twisted Nematic (TN), Vertical Alignment (VA), and In-Plane Switching (IPS). Manufactures make the vast majority of consumer monitors using TN panels.

   Not surprising, TN panels are the cheapest of the three technologies to make. With a few exceptions, monitors that cost $300 or less will likely have TN panels. The main advantages of TN panels are their fast--usually 2ms--response time and, of course, low price. Their major disadvantages are narrow viewing angles, relatively low brightness, and inaccurate color reproduction. 

   Next up are VA (mostly seen as S-PVA) panels. VAs have improved viewing angles compared with TNs, better color reproduction, and they typically have a much higher maximum brightness. Also, they tend to have the lowest black levels of all three panel technologies. Unfortunately, a VA panel's response time and input lag are not quite as fast as a TN panel and they can cost anywhere from $400 to $800, and sometimes more depending on the panel's size. Also, you can expect a VA-based monitor's profile to be wider than a TN's.

   Lastly, we have IPS. IPS-based monitors are usually the most expensive; however, the new e-IPS panels cost as little as $300 for a 22-inch model. They also have the best viewing angles of all three technologies and produce the most accurate colors; however, their blacks are not as deep VA panels. IPS monitors are the slowest of the bunch in both response time and input lag.

Backlight
   Beyond panel tech falls backlight technology. Most monitors use cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL)-based backlights--several fluorescent tubes stretched horizontally across the screen. Monitors that use Light Emitting Diode (LED)-backlights, however, rely on individual LEDs all over the back of the screen that turn off or on independently, giving the displays more precise control over the amount of light that comes through. The purported advantages of an LED backlight are better energy efficiency, more accurate color reproduction, a conceivably thinner panel design, and a higher potential brightness level.  

   However, so far only a few monitors have truly taken advantage of this technology. Also, so far, we've only seen LED-backlit monitors using TN panels, so don't expect great viewing angles or perfect color reproduction just yet on LED backlit monitors. Once we see some VA and IPS LED-based panels hit the market, we'll begin to see the true potential of the technology realized.  

 Which LCD panel is right for me?

Let's quickly sum things up.

TN
+ Lowest price
+ Fastest response time
- Inferior color reproduction
- Very narrow viewing angles

VA
+ Good viewing angles
+ Deep blacks
+ Medium price
- Color shifting on extreme angles
- Relatively slow response times

IPS
+ Good response times
+ Great color reproduction
- Expensive (e-IPS are more "medium price" however)
- Blacks not as deep as VA

Our best advice is to get what's right for you. Determine how you plan to use the monitor, and then decide which panel technology is best suited for you.  

LCD Monitor basics

    Aspect ratio: Although some people contend 4:3 monitors are still best for surfing the Web, the vast majority of monitors available for purchase today have a width to height proportion (or aspect ratio) of 16:10, with 16:9 coming in at a very close second. For the last few years, with the advent of wide-screen monitors, most screens have been of the 16:10 variety. Starting in late 2008--and picking up steam in 2009--monitor vendors have really been pushing out 16:9 monitors as fast as they can make them.

    This shift to 16:9--and by association to a 1080p (1,920x1,080 pixel) resolution--aspect ratios stems from the industry's desire for monitors to become more like HDTVs, and this seems to be the direction the computer monitor industry is headed right now.  Companies will most likely still release professional-grade monitors where precise colors are crucial, in the 16:10 aspect ratio, as there really is no good reason to change ratios.

    Still, today it comes down to 16:10 or 16:9 ratios. The difference between the two ratios is most prevalent while watching movies. On a 16:10 monitor, you have a choice when watching a movie filmed in 1.85:1 aspect ratio, such as on "Sin City."  You can either watch it letterboxed format at its original 16:9 aspect ratio, or watch it in full screen with the image stretched to fit the screen. On a 16:9 monitor you can watch the same movie in full screen with no stretching. Movies shot in 2.35:1 (like "Iron Man") are always letterboxed, whether on 16:9 or 16:10 monitors unless you zoom the image.

     Essentially, a 16:9 monitor can display a full-screen 16:9 Blu-ray or digital movie shot in 1.85:1 without stretching the image to fit the screen. A 16:10 monitor will need to stretch the same movie's image a bit to get it to full screen without any black bars.

  Black Level: No display can show black without some light seeping through. Black level is a measurement of how much light emanates from the display while showing black.

  Brightness: A measurement of how much light a panel can produce. Luminance is expressed in candelas per square meter (cd/m2). A measurement of 200 to 250 cd/m2) is OK for most productivity tasks; 300 to 400 cd/m2 is great for movies and games.

   Contrast ratio: The difference in light intensity between the brightest white and the deepest black. While contrast ratios typically don't exceed 1,000:1 on monitors; lately, manufactures have been pushing Dynamic Contrast as a spec, and sometimes misleadingly calling it contrast ratio.

    Before a monitor is released to the public, panels go through testing in the vendor's own lab. These tests produce the specs that the vendor will then publish with the release of the monitor. Specs such as maximum brightness, pixel pitch, pixel response time, contrast ratio, and dynamic contrast ratio are all determined in the vendor's lab.

   When testing normal contrast ratio, vendors use a device that measures luminance to determine how much light is emanating from a display while it's showing both a completely black and a completely white screen. They then take each number, do a bit of math, and come up with the contrast ratio.

   Now, aside from a relatively low number of LCDs that use LED-backlighting technology, all LCDs have a lamp built in to their screens. When you turn your brightness setting down, you're actually just dimming the lamp in the back. When the vendors dim the backlight to get the contrast ratio score, they dim it to a point, but do not turn it off.

   When they test to get the readings for Dynamic Contrast, however, they turn off the backlight. With the backlight off, the darkness of the black level increases by a factor of 10 or more. At this point, the vendor takes its reading for the dark screen and compares it with the white screen reading it recorded earlier. Since this new dark screen level is so dark, it increases the contrast ratio. The problem is that the screen only gets this dark when the video signal is black or near black--not very useful when you're watching a movie, or playing a game, or doing pretty much anything. The primary reason for including this feature is that the contrast ratio goes from 1,000:1 to 10,000:1, and even 30,000:1. When vendors push Dynamic Contrast as a spec for LCDs that use LED-backlighting technology, however, it may be more appropriate. Direct contrast ratio works differently with LEDs than with lamp-based LCDs. When a portion of an image in a movie is relatively dark, the LEDs in that local area of the screen are dimmed. This occurs on a frame-by-frame basis and lowers the black level in that dark area only. Unfortunately, this implementation has its weaknesses, as well, as there can be some noticeable visual glitches in the areas that darken.

   Bottom line? Take all measured specs with a grain of salt; however, take Dynamic Contrast specs with a huge bucket load of salt.

   DisplayPort: Heralded as the successor to DVI and HDMI, DisplayPort is a higher bandwidth connection that could facilitate thinner and lighter monitors as they would no longer require special circuitry (and hardware to run that circuitry) to receive video signal. Adoption of this technology has been sparse, so far to say the least.

   DVI: Some newer monitors forgo including Digital Visual Interface (DVI) in favor of HDMI. If this is the case with the monitor you're interested in, make sure the monitor includes a DVI to HDMI cable or that your video card supports an HDMI connection. Having said that, we recommend getting a monitor with at least one DVI connection.

    HDMI: An HDMI connection is used to connect the display to a high definition source, such as a Blu-ray player, video game system, or a DVR-based HD cable/satellite set-top box. HDMI connections have become more common recently and it's the exception now when a monitor, 22 inches and larger, doesn't have one. If you're planning to use your monitor as a television, this is an essential feature.

    Pixel-response rate: This refers to how quickly a pixel can change colors, measured in milliseconds (ms); the lower the milliseconds, the faster the pixels can change thus reducing the ghosting or streaking effect you might see in a moving or changing image. Based on new evidence, however, it's likely you won't see any streaking or ghosting in a modern LCD when watching a movie.

   Input lag: A delay in which the LCD's image lags behind what's been sent to the screen. Not everyone notices input lag and vendors rarely, if ever, quote this figure for their monitors. Input lag affects gamers the most. If split-second reactions are paramount in your gaming sessions, do some research as to a monitor's input lag before you buy.

    Ergonomic options: Most LCDs offer some degree of screen tilt, usually 30 degrees back and 5 degrees forward. Some include a swivel feature, many offer height adjustability, and some panels can also pivot between portrait and landscape modes, making legal-size documents and Web pages easier to view. Some LCDs can be attached to VESA-compatible mounts that connect to third-party wall mounts or swinging arms. Resolution: Dictated by screen size, aspect ratio, and sometimes the manufacture's digression. Make sure you are comfortable with an LCD's native resolution before you buy it. Remember, an LCD that scales its image to a non-native resolution will never look as good. 

    Memory card readers: A few monitors have media card readers built into the bezels. This is a handy addition for digital photo enthusiasts who want to see their pictures without using a PC.

    USB: Many displays have USB ports. Typically, they are not powered hubs, but simply convenient ports to connect low-powered devices such as a keyboard or a mouse, thereby reducing the tangle of cables that run back to the computer.

    Audio: Some monitors offer audio functions, either as standard items or as optional accessories. These may include a headset jack, a volume control, or embedded speakers. In general, these speakers are of limited quality, and an inexpensive $30 speaker set from an office-supply or computer store will often provide much better sound.

    Viewing  angle: Largely dictated by panel technology. The physical structure of LCD pixels can cause the brightness and even the color of images to shift if you view them from an angle rather than facing the screen directly. Take manufacturer's specifications with a grain of salt and make your own observations if possible.

   HDTV: As work and entertainment products continue to converge, many monitors now have features designed to take advantage of television and movie content. Some include TV tuners and connectors for video signals from cable television systems or antennas. Many new monitors are simply HDTVs in disguise.

 Image Quality

What to look for:

Office work/Web surfing

• Good text reproduction

Gaming

• High brightness
• No ghosting during fast gameplay
• No delay in onscreen action after entering a command

Movies

• Low black level
• Wide viewing angle
• Accurate colors

Photo editing

• Accurate colors
• Good viewing angle  

Inspecting
A few tips on how to look for what you want.

    Viewing angle: Look at the monitor from different angles and be aware of how much the colors shift or if the screen darkens. Also, pay attention to the angle when the screen begins to look different. Colors and brightness should not change when viewing the screen from an off angle, either from the sides, top, or below. TN panels will be the most egregious offender.

    Text: Go to a Web site and scrutinize the legibility of small text. Firefox lets you change the font size from its options menu. Also, be aware of any color tint problems when viewing black text on a white background

    Accurate colors: View something on the monitor you're familiar with, like a digital photo of a loved one or colleague you see every day and notice how different the colors in the picture look from the monitor.

    Glossy screens can seemingly increase the contrast of movies and games. Some don't appreciate the extreme reflectiveness, however. View both glossy and matte screens and decide which looks better to you.

    Low black level: The closer a monitor can get to displaying black, the better. True black is illusive and the most you can hope for is that a monitor displays very dark gray. Check out dark scenes in movies and notice how dark the black gets without actually losing the detail of a scene.

An adequate graphics card is a necessity
    What's going on inside your computer can have a profound effect on what's displayed on your monitor. If you hook up a 4- or 5-year-old PC to a top-of-the-line new monitor, there's a good chance your graphics card will need an upgrade to give you the best possible image quality. You'll need a card that supports your interface, be it DVI or HDMI, and it will need to support your monitor's resolution--this is especially important on 30-inch models with 2,560x1,600-pixel resolutions. Sometimes, improving your graphics card's performance can be as easy as installing a driver upgrade from the manufacturer's Web site.  

Monitor Warranties

   When choosing a monitor, consider the company behind it.

   First and foremost, make sure that the company offers a money-back guarantee. Most displays will show its problems right out of the box or within the first month or two of use, so you want to be able to return it for a refund or an exchange with a minimum of hassle. A 90-day return policy is standard, but this varies among retailers (many online retailers give you only 30 days). Also, beware of restocking fees.

    Next, consider the warranty coverage. Most companies offer two to three years of parts-and-labor coverage; anything less is suspect. Make sure that the backlight is covered by the warranty; manufacturers used to exclude them from coverage, but more and more now include them. Also note a company's policy on defective pixels; one or two defects are to be expected, but if there are many, you should be able to return the unit for exchange or a refund. Some companies deal with pixel problems on a "case-by-case" basis, meaning that they don't have a set policy. If you end up with a problematic display, you'll have to negotiate with the company. This is where the satisfaction-guaranteed return policy can become very important.

    You're far less likely to need technical support for a monitor than for a computer system or a software program. Still, it's good to know that there's someone you can call if trouble arises; look for toll-free support numbers and weekend coverage.

    Be sure to keep all of the packing material for your monitor. If you should ever need to return it or ship it back for warranty service, you'll need the packaging. Monitors can be bulky, fragile, and extremely difficult to protect adequately. You don't want to end up improvising when shipping it.