Three New Monitors for Graphics Professionals

Three New Monitors

Three companies introduced new monitors late in 2004. The trend seems to be toward LCDs that are designed to be easier to calibrate
while giving graphics professionals better color and brightness”?all part of a complete color-managed, more streamlined
workflow.

LaCie 321 LCD Monitor

The LaCie 321 LCD monitor is aimed at
graphics professionals serious about
color rendering. Providing a 21.3-in. diagonal
viewing area, the LaCie 321 also features
a 1600 x 1200 resolution, a CRTgrade
color gamut (72% of the NTSC video
standards gamut), 10-bit gamma correction,
a contrast of 500:1, and a brightness
of 250 cd/m2.

The monitor's viewing area allows a
double-page spread or full A3 page to be
displayed in exact 1:1 ratio. This allows
users to view a document on their monitor
in the same format as it will be printed.

The LaCie 321 can be height-adjusted,
tilted, and swiveled to suit all work environments;
landscape mode can be
changed to portrait-mode viewing. For
more demanding color-related tasks,
such as photo retouching and on-screen
proofing, the LaCie monitor hood keeps
ambient light to a minimum to not interfere
with image color.

The LaCie 321 Monitor is both Mac- and
PC-compatible and has a DVI and VGA connection.
List Price: $1699, with a 3-year
warranty. Optional BlueEye 2 calibration
software is also available ($279). (Laacie:
www.lacie.com)

Formac's Gallery Xtreme
LCD Displays

Formac Electronics has released its
Gallery Xtreme LCD display line. Featuring
a 19- or 20.1-in. screen, the new Gallery
Xtreme displays incorporate Formac's digital
graphics and conical-viewing angle
technology as well as its ColorProof VA TFT
technology.

The Gallery Xtreme 1900 features a
19-in. viewing screen, a resolution of
1280 x 1024 pxl and a screen ratio of
5:4. The display's brightness of 280
cd/m2, contrast ratio of 700:1, and pixel
response of 15 ms provides for detailed
and smooth images as well as vivid colors,
says Formac. The ultra-wide conical
viewing angle is geared toward accurate
calibration for work in color-critical
applications.

The Gallery Xtreme 2010 features a
20.1-in. viewing screen, a resolution of
1600 x 1200 pxl, and a screen ratio of 4:3.
It boasts a brightness of 300 cd/m2,
while its contrast ratio and pixel response
are the same as the Xtreme 1900. Its
viewing angle is also the same as the
Xtreme 1900.

Both displays feature two USB ports
on the back of the display for keyboard
and mouse connections; the Formac Display
Connector combines power, USB, and
graphics signals into one cable attached
to the unit, reducing desktop cable clutter
to a minimum. The Gallery Xtreme line is
Mac- and PC-compatible and can be connected
using a DVI or ADC connector. Standard
warranty is 1 year; an optional 3-
year warranty is also available. List price
of the 19-in. display: $599; list price of the
20.1-in. version: $899. (Formac: www.formac.us)

NEC MultiSync LCD 70 Series

The NEC MultiSync LCD 70 Series of flatpanel
LCD monitors from NEC-Mitsubishi
Electronics replaces the company's 60
Series. Featuring an industrial thin-frame
design, the MultiSync 70 Series currently
comprises five new 17- and 19-in. models,
with 15- and 20-in. models to follow by
February 2005.

The monitors all feature: a resolution
of 1280 x 1024; a contrast ratio of 450:1
or 500:1; and a brightness of 230 cd/m2
or 250 cd/m2. In addition, the MultiSync
LCD 70 Series has XtraView wide-angle
viewing technology, which improves horizontal
and vertical viewing angles up to
176″?.

Other features include NaViSet software,
which enables users to adjust display
settings with a keyboard and mouse
rather than using the OSM buttons, and
“No Touch Auto Adjust,” which automatically
adjusts screen settings when the
monitor is first turned on. Cabinet colors
available are silver/white or black. A
detachable base allows for wall mounting
to free up desktop space. Street prices
range from $425 to $630. (Nec-Mitsubishi:
www.nec-mitsubishi.com)