HD displays.(high definition)(new products at 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show)

The 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held last month in Las Vegas, brought with it much talk and several product launches surrounding high-definition (HD) video. During the event, digital content providers pledged support for HD; in fact, Warner Home Video announced plans to release more than 50 film titles on HD DVD. Industry-leading hardware vendors likewise demonstrated support of HD. These pages house the latest display technologies from several major players in the HD monitor arena. Today's market bears a wealth of options for those seeking HD-enabled LCD or plasma devices. To gain the most up-to-date product availability and pricing information, visit each manufacturer's Web site directly.

Sony

The Sony PFM-42X1 is a 42-inch, high-definition XGA-resolution display priced at $4599. The high-definition plasma offers high-contrast video and sharp text at 1024x768 (XGA) resolution. The new progressive-scan display, equipped with digital (DVI-HDCP) and analog inputs, is well suited to video, PC, and HD TV applications. Sony also offers the 50-inch FWD-50PX1 high-definition, WXGA resolution display, priced at $6569. Like the PFM-42X1, this new HD plasma can display more than one billion colors, high-contrast video, and sharp text at 1280x768 (WXGA) resolution. For video, PC, and HD TV content, the FWD-50PX1 features multiple inputs, including dual RBG, YUV (component), and composite Y/C (S-video).

Sony Business Solutions & Systems; http://bssc.sel.sony.com

Apple

Apple expanded its Cinema family of flat-panel monitors with the debut of a 30-inch HD display. The Apple Cinema HD wide-format, active-matrix LCD is reported to be the world's largest high-resolution display, offering a 30-inch viewing area and 2560x1600 pixels. In addition to a 16:10 ratio design, the new offering sports dual FireWire and dual USB 2.0 ports, a DVI interface, and an all-new aluminum design with a thin bezel. The 30-inch Cinema HD display is designed to work with an Apple Power Mac G5 professional desktop system and an Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL graphics card. Now available, Apple's 30-inch flat panel is priced at $3299. The company's new 23-inch Cinema HD display, offering 1920xl200 resolution and a $1999 price tag, also is capable of displaying high-definition television (HD TV) content. For use with Power Macs, Powerbooks, and Windows-based systems, the 23-inch model features two FireWire 400 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, as well as an industry-standard DVI interface.

Apple Computer; www.apple.com