Acer's new 38-inch UltraWide: FreeSync, 3440x1600 res

The first thing that jumped out at me was the resolution of this monitor. The following tweaktown blog article provides a quick rundown of this monitor specifications:

Acer's new XR382CQK is a 38-inch UltraWide monitor with a native resolution of 3440x1600 (compared to the 3440x1440 on 34-inch UltraWide displays) - with AMD's FreeSync technology offering up to 75Hz. We also have DTS Sound with 2 x 7W speakers, and Acer's impressive ZeroFrame design. Here's the full run down of what to expect:

• AMD FreeSync™ renders smooth, stutter-free gameplay
• Ergonomic stand promotes optimum comfort with adjustable tilt, swivel and height
• ZeroFrame design affords maximum viewing area and near seamless multi-monitor setups
• Dynamic sound effects thanks to DTS® Sound and two 7W speakers
• Excellent multitasking capabilities via picture-by-picture, picture-in-picture and daisy chaining

Display connectivity includes 1 x DP, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, and 4 x USB 3.0 ports.

I think the additional pixels on the XR382CQK will be interesting to see, with 3440x1600 being a nice addition to the 3440x1440 native res I've come to know and love over the years. The 75Hz refresh rate is a little disappointing, as we're in a world of 3440x1440 monitors with a native 100Hz refresh rate. But still, 75Hz with FreeSync will be great for UltraWide gamers who aren't playing twitchy first-person shooters.

Acer's new XR382CQK is available at US retailers for $1299 right now.

Targus has introduced a USB 3.0 Dual Display Adapter

Peripherals major Targus introduced the ACA039US, a USB display adapter that takes advantage of the USB 3.0 SuperSpeed interface, and provides two display outputs, supporting two displays. Based on DisplayLink DL-3900 chipset, the ACA039US relies on USB 3.0 for both host connectivity and power. It gives out two display outputs: DVI-I (single link) and HDMI 1.3. Each connector supports display heads at resolutions up to 2048 x 1152 pixels, even though the DL-3900 chipset supports 2560 x 1600 (over dual-link DVI). The HDMI 1.3 connection gives out 5.1-channel audio, and is HDCP 2.0-compliant. The ACA039US from Targus will be released to market soon, at a price of US $99.99.

Toshiba has a monitor that is truly portable!

The Toshiba 14” USB-powered Mobile LCD Monitor is ideal for adding an additional screen to any Windows-based laptop at work, school or home. Featuring a 14-inch diagonal widescreen display with up to 1366x768 HD resolutions, it provides clear and crisp images as a laptop’s LCD. Weighing only 2.8 pounds and less than 1” thick, this ultra-portable monitor is designed to fit in most laptop bags. Both the monitor’s power and video are powered via USB, eliminating the need to carry an AC adapter or video cabl

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Samsung Unveils SyncMaster Monitor with Ultra Wide Band Wireless Technology

Samsung flexed its market arm today by releasing one of the first monitors to feature Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology. UWB is a method of wirelessly connecting the monitor to the PC/Laptop. The power cord stays, but hey, the lesser the cables the better, right? Samsung is bundling a UWB dongle that plugs into the PC/notebook's display connector, and relays video wirelessly to the display.

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InFocus also makes LCD Thin Industrial Grade Panels

If you are putting together a meeting room and are deciding to for go the typical projector/projector screen setup, you may want to consider InFocus’s line of industrial grade panels. Business Class LCD Screens provide you with a  product that is designed from the ground up to support the type of use you will need in a heavily used product.

These screens are built thin to take up less depth in your room, with metal frame construction to help protect the unit. Even the connectors are made of metal instead of plastic to withstand constant plugging and unplugging that occurs with daily use. These screens contain 5 times more PC and video modes than most consumer TVs, so you can be assured that it will recognize your device’s output and fill the screen automatically.

InFocus thin display advantages

• Automatically syncs to your device’s resolution and fills the screen
• 70+ data and video modes – up to 5X more than consumer flat panel TVs
• Saves valuable meeting time

Consumer TV disadvantages

• Not really designed for computer input
• 3-10 modes -- mostly for video, not data
• Wastes time to manually adjust your computer settings to fit the TV

Durable For Shared Use - A consumer TV's weak warranty, plastic parts, and cheap components can't stand up to the multiple users, long hours, and frequent connecting that occur in meeting rooms every day. InFocus thin displays are built for business

InFocus thin display advantages

• Metal construction stands up to multiple users in a shared meeting room
• Commercial-grade components handles frequent connecting and disconnecting
• 3-year limited factory warranty and extended warranty options
• Industrial strength power supply

Consumer TV disadvantages

• Plastic construction not designed for use in shared spaces
• Lower-quality components designed to be hooked up once and left alone
• 1-year warranty that may be voided if TV is used in a business setting
• Low-grade power supply, which is often the first component to fail

With InFocus’s accessories and these displays you are sure to have a great result!

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LCD makers fined $857 million for price fixing

Other news today has the European Commission issuing a fine to AU Optronics, Samsung, LG, Chimei InnoLux, Chunghwa Picture Tubes and HannStar Display after the companies held so called "Crystal meetings" between 2001 and 2006. The fine? €648.925 million ($857.49 million).

The goal of these meetings was for the sic companies to agree on a price range for their products and the minimum pricing on LCDs.The intent of this agreement was of course to boost profit for these companies. Interestingly, Samsung was the company that reported the meetings and their content and was granted immunity. Each company was fined a different amount.

"Foreign companies, like European ones, need to understand that if they want to do business in Europe they must play fair," Joaquín Almunia, Vice President of Competition Policy in the EC, said in a statement. "The companies concerned knew they were breaking competition rules and took steps to conceal their illegal behavior. The only understanding we will show is for those that come forward to denounce a cartel and help prove its existence."

Europa Press Release

Looks like VGA is in its last days

Manufacturers are taming up to phase out the VGA and LVDS display connectors by 2015. You may be surprised in who they are: Intel, AMD, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung and LG have all made this commitment. So, what are they replacing it with? HDMI and DisplayPort will be pushed as you new default connections (and this is happening already).

AMD has said that it will discontinue VGA and LVDS outputs from most of it's products by 2013 following this by a complete stop by 2015.

Intel has also said that HDMI is being increasingly adopted by PC's for easy connection to consumer electronics and TV's while DisplayPort is expected to become the single PC display output for monitors, projectors and embedded flat panels.

HDMI and DisplayPort allow for slimmer laptops, support higher resolutions, more colors and features than the 20-year-old VGA connector. On top of the features and benefits they also consume less power which is always a good thing for mobile tech.

AMD had a little something to say: "Display standards are rapidly evolving, with new features such as multi-display support, stereoscopic 3-D, higher resolutions and increased color depth quickly moving from early adopter and niche usage to mainstream application,". "VGA, DVI and LVDS have not kept pace."

ASUS 27 Inch Monitor with Full HD-WebCam

Looking for more screen real-estate?  ASUS might have the product you are looking for. With full HD resolution support (1920 x 1024) the VK278Q has LED-backlit  illumination with dynamic contrast ratio (DCR) of 10,000,000:1, and features a 2.0 megapixel webcam, 2 ms response time and 3W stereo speakers.

While these features are functional, I would have thought that this size monitor would have much better resolution approaching 2560 x 1600 would have been nice. The webcam and speakers are a nice touch but I can’t say that I would recommend this product for those of you that need better resolution. However, if what you want are bigger images because your eyesight is going this could be the right product for you. Look for it at around $369.