facebook rss twitter

BenQ still betting on 16:9, launches four full-HD displays

by Parm Mann on 15 September 2008, 14:26

Tags: BenQ Monitors, BenQ

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qapcv

Add to My Vault: x

Cast your memory back a few months, and you'll remember details of BenQ's forthcoming 16:9 monitors.

Well, not a whole lot has changed - the monitors are still forthcoming, but BenQ has provided details on all four models and a complete specification, so let's take a closer look.

The 16:9 range consists of two displays with a black-piano finish; the 21.5in E2200HD and the 24in E2400HD, and two bright-white displays; the 21.5in M2200HD and 24in M2400HD.

All four displays feature a native resolution of 1,920x1,080, a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and a 2ms grey-to-grey response time. The monitors are equipped with HDCP-ready HDMI 1.3 and DVI connectivity, and the home-user orientated white models feature an attachable two megapixel webcam.

There's an adequate 170-degree viewing angle, and built-in stereo speakers. Throw in BenQ's three-year warranty and the monitors seem to be a promising solution.

The real talking point, however, is the 16:9 aspect ratio - as opposed to the traditional 16:10 ratio found on most monitors. BenQ's argument is that a native 1,920x1,080 screen allows for full-HD footage such as Blu-ray to be viewed without black bars at the upper and lower edges of the display.

16:9 displays have another all-round benefit, too. LCD TVs have been using the 16:9 aspect ratio for years, and with the millions of screens in production, BenQ states that 16:9 monitors are cheaper to produce. That could be reflected in the launch price of its first 16:9 displays - the E2200HD and E2400HD are expected to land later this month priced at approximately £150 and £250, respectively.

Official press release: BenQ announces their new E 16.9 range, the M white range, and the G widescreen range



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
Marketing gimmik.

24" is no-where near big enough to replace your main TV and appreciate HD resolutions (the viewing distance is going to be too great for most people)…..and who exactly needs a 16:9 PC monitor?

Seems to me that they are just fiddling you out of 120 lines of display for no good reason.
I use my PC as a TV in my room. It's more than big enough, viewing a little more than a bed-length away (and to the side a touch too, obviously). Small enough that lowish quality videos can still be viewed without distracting pixelation (you can see if you're looking for it), but big enough to clearly make out everything.

My argument is that my 16:10 Dell is happy enough, and I can watch non-widescreen things a bit larger than I could on this 16:9 one, but I can see there being a market if the quality is decent for that sort of money.
I don't mind the black bars on my 16:10 22", but if they're cheap then it's not a bad option.

Extra inputs would make sense though if it's going to replace a tv in the bedroom/etc.
If somebody's in the market for a monitor they can watch full HD content on then £150 is the cheapest around by far, especially for a quality monitor with HDCP. It looks like this is coinciding quite well with the drop in prices for blu-ray drives to sane levels, so I reckon it could sell quite well.
TN Panels, fail, come on TFT companys, make a effort to bring out a quality product at least.