New ViewSonic monitors, TVs, iPod-enabled projector
updated 01:50 pm EST, Mon January 8, 2007
New ViewSonic displays
ViewSonic is showcasing several new products at CES, including TVs, monitors, and a unique projector. The PJ258D is DLP projector with a docking station, allowing video iPods to output directly to the system without cables. iPods can be charged simultaneously while playing. The projectors are further promoted as being light at less than four pounds, and supporting resolutions up to 1024x768, at a brightness of 2,000 lumens with 2,000:1 contrast. Other external inputs include VGA and S-video. The PJ258D will go on sale this quarter for the cost of $999.
The company's first 1080p LCD TVs are the N4261w and N4661w, measuring in at 42 and 46 inches. Both sets will have 8ms reponsse times and ATSC/NTSC tuners, though the 4261 will have 1,500 contrast and 450 nits of brightness, compared to the 4661's 800:1 contrast and 500 nits. A lower-end option is the 26-inch N2652w, which will however have similar performance to the 4661. Another set debuting at CES is a 37-inch model with an iPod video dock, but this is merely a prototype. The 2652 will ship in February for $699, while the 4261 will come in March for $1,799. Plans for the 4661 will only be announced in the second quarter.
Computer monitors now include new widescreen LCDs sized at 20, 22, 24 and 28 inches. The 20- and 22-inch models (VX2055wmb/wmh and VX2255wmb/wmh) have 1.3-megapixel webcams with microphones, and an extremely low response time of just 2ms. Supported resolutions reach up to 1680x1050. The 24- and 28-inch screens (VX2435wm and VX2835wm) can hit 1920x1200, and correspondingly, accept HDCP input to play content from sources such as Blu-ray and HD DVD drives. The 2055 and 2255 will retail in March for $349 and $449; the 2435 will ship in February at $699, and the 2835 in April at $879.
