CES 2009

Hmmm, just what movie is this anyway?

(Credit: ViewSonic)

It wasn't all stereoscopic screens and crazy 3D glasses at ViewSonic's showing at CES. The company also introduced a new 24-inch monitor, the VX2433.

In keeping with what seems to be a trend with monitors at this year's CES, the new 24-inch display has a 16:9 aspect ratio and includes a "Full HD" 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution. However, connection options are limited to HDMI, so I hope that ViewSonic includes at least a DVI-to-HDMI cable.

The display has a 2ms pixel response time and an aspect ratio adjustment that, according to the company, ensures your images are never distorted regardless of signal source. The display also includes integrated SRS WOW HD speakers and an Ecomode that automatically reduces power consumption and can extend backlight life.

The ViewSonic VX2433 will be available soon for $279, according to the company.

Obey the G2410!

(Credit: Dell)

Dell finally throws its hat into the whole green computer monitor trend, and of course by green I mean eco-friendly.

Thursday, Dell announced its brand new, aptly named G series of displays, which includes the 22-inch G2210 and the 24-inch G2410. Each monitor includes light-emitting diode (LED) backlighting and is made from recycled material.

Each display has a purported contrast ratio of 1000:1. Now, Dell states that each display achieves a significantly higher dynamic contrast ratio, but If you know how vendors determine dynamic contrast ratio numbers, then you know how meaningless they can be. So I won't even bother quoting the 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio...oh, too late.

Here are a few more quick specs:

• Maximum resolution: 1680x1050 (G2210)/1920x1080 full HD (G2410)
• Typical power consumption: 18W (G2210)/20W (G2410)
• Brightness: 250 cd/m2
• Response time: 5ms black-to-white
• VGA, DVI-D, with HDCP connections

Each display also includes a number of features that should save it from expending extra power when unnecessary. These include a light sensor that responds to ambient light, automatically adjusting its level when appropriate, and a dynamic dimming feature that decreases on-screen brightness when the image on-screen consists primarily of white or bright areas.

On the eco-friendly front, displays are built free of PVC, BFR, CFR, arsenic, and mercury.

Also, according to Dell, the displays are up to 20 percent slimmer and up to 28 percent lighter than comparable models.

Both display will be available at Dell.com in late February, with prices starting at $279 for the G2210 and $359 for the G2410.

(Credit: Acer)

The Acer P224 has been around for a few months, but now the 22-inch display is getting an upgrade.

DisplayLink and Acer announced at CES that the monitor will now be available with a USB hub that not only includes a Dolby speaker system for built-in sound, but DisplayLink technology as well.

DisplayLink technology allows users to connect multiple monitors to a single system solely with USB. DisplayLink also announced that it is extending its support to Acer's B series of monitors, which are more tailored for office use.

As for specs, the 22-inch monitor features a contrast ratio of 10,000:1, a native resolution of 1680x1050, and a pixel response time of 5ms, according to Acer. I'd be interested in finding out how Acer came up with that contrast ratio spec. I have my suspicions, but until I can get it in to test those my suspicions are only speculation. I will look forward to actually testing the monitor in a couple of weeks.