ViewSonic Pushes Smaller-Sized LCD TVs
By Doug Olenick -- TWICE, 9/24/2007
NEW YORK — With large-screen-size HDTV LCD television sales booming, ViewSonic is looking to make a splash with smaller varieties targeted for use in kitchens, home offices and bedrooms with its new DiamaniDuo line.
The 19W-inch and 22W-inch DiamaniDUOs are a first for ViewSonic. The company has focused on computer monitors and 32-inch and larger LCD TVs, but this is its first effort to market a small screen TV/computer monitor.
"We noticed nobody is focusing on small screen LCD 'for the other room' so we developed the DiamaniDuo concept," said Gene Ornstead, ViewSonic's product marketing television and digital signage products director.
The 22-inch model has 1,680 by 1,050 screen resolution; a 1000:1 contrast ratio; 5ms screen response; ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner; and composite, component and HDMI inputs. The 19-inch version has a 1,440 by 900 screen resolution and an 800:1 contrast ratio.
Unlike the company's larger TV models, computer-monitor-style LCD panels were used with the DiamaniDUO line, Ornstead said.
The models will ship in early October with sale prices in the $299 to $349 range, low enough to be considered an impulse buy, Ornstead said. ViewSonic and its retailers, RadioShack, Office Depot, Fry's and CompUSA, are still in the process of deciding whether to merchandise the DiamaniDuos in the TV or computer section. Because these units are geared toward the kitchen and other rooms, ViewSonic is holding talks with home improvement retailers about carrying the models so consumers can include them when they decide to renovate their kitchen or build a home office, Ornstead said.
The company also announced three new models in its VX line, the 19W-inch VX1940w, VX1932wm and the 22W-inch VX2240w. The VX1940w and the VX2240w have a 4000:1 contrast ratio 2ms response time, and 1,6850 by 1,050 screen resolution. The VX1932wm has a 2000:1 contrast ratio and a slightly lower 1,440 by 900 screen resolution.
All are shipping in late October with prices of $249 for the two 19-inch models and $349 for the 22 inch version.
