ViewSonic used the recent CEDIA Expo to unveil its first 16:9 widescreen LCD multimedia display for dual use as a digital TV and PC monitor.
The NextVision N1700w features a 17W-inch widescreen display that will accept DTV signals including the 480p, 720p and 1080i broadcast formats, as well as analog NTSC signals and computer signals.
The unit is shipping soon with a $1,199 suggested retail price.
Image specs list 1280 by 768 pixel resolution, more than 450 nits of brightness and a 450:1 contrast ratio. Multimedia enhancements include 3:2 pull down and a 3D digital comb filter that supports both enhanced definition television (EDTV) and HDTV resolution formats.
Other capabilities include full-screen viewing and picture-in-picture (PIP) capability for watching video or TV content while working simultaneously on PC applications.
The multiview or POP function allows users to create up to nine picture windows on the screen for viewing multiple TV channels at the same time.
Also included are advanced digital de-interlacing and image scaling, a 20-watt integrated speaker system, a 181-channel NTSC tuner and a slim-line remote control.
Also introduced at the show were two compact portable three-panel TFT LCD video projectors — models PJ501 and PJ551 — designed for either business or home theater applications. Estimated street prices are $1,795 and $2,195, respectively, and both are available now. Each model weighs less than five pounds and is rated at 1,500 lumens of brightness. They will accept video signals, including HDTV formats, as well as PC input. ViewSonic also displayed the VPW505, a 50W-inch high-resolution plasma display, which carries an $8,995 estimate street price.
