It took Sony just two months to update its TRIMASTER series of (pretty expensive) OLED monitors, and the two new professional displays the company announced [JP] today (a 25-inch model for $7,400 and a 17-incher for $4,900) are more affordable than the first ones (which went for $16,000 and $29,000 respectively).

Here are the main specs:

• full HD resolution, “Super Top Emission” OLED screen with Sony’s 10-bit panel driver
• interfaces: 2x 3G-SDI, HDMI, composite, audio, Ethernet
• aluminum body
• 89 degrees viewing angle
• a 1W mono speaker

This is the smaller model, the PVM-1741 (the 25-incher, the PVM-2541 is picture above):

Mainly targeting TV, advertising and movie production companies, Sony plans to roll out both models in the second half of this year.

Today, Toshiba put out a new portable USB-powered monitor. It’s a pretty cool to be able to carry around a second monitor that runs purely on USB power; that’s like a blogger’s dream. The carrying case even unfolds into a stand.

The specs are:

• 14-inch LCD
• 1366 X 768 pixels
• 2.8 pounds
• 220 nits brightness (with optional AC adapter)
• 400:1 contrast ratio
• 16 millisecond response
• Support for Windows XP and up
• Video through USB, no VGA/DVI/HDMI video cable required
• Price is $199.99

[via Engadget]

If you’ve ever tried to calibrate your monitor, then you’d know it can be a tedious task. If you’ve never enjoyed the task, then check out Eizo’s ColorEdge CG275W. The new 27-inch IPS display promises to free you from needing an external calibration unit or utility and can do the calibrating over night.

The 2560×1440 screen has a brightness of 270 nits, 6ms response time, and an 850:1 contrast ratio. All the standard conections are available: DVI, DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort.

It plans to ship at the end of this month, with variable pricing.

Press Release

It has become a bit quiet about OLED lately (apart from the NGP announcement), but today Sony announced [JP] not one but two so-called TRIMASTER EL master monitors with an OLED display. There will be a 25-inch (BVM-E250) and a 17-inch model (BVM-E170), specifically aimed at TV and movie production companies.

Sony says these monitors are based on their XEL-1 OLED mini TV and are the first of their kind.

Here are the main specs for both models:

• full HD 1080p OLED screen
• aluminum body
• Ethernet
• HDMI, DisplayPort, SD-SDI, 3G-SDI, and HD-SDI ports

Sony will start offering the big model in Japan on May 1 ($29,000) and follow with the smaller one on July 1 ($16,000).

If you currently look for a large sub display for your computer, Japanese accessory maker Green House has a pretty interesting solution in its pipeline: the GH-USD16K [JP] is a 15.6-inch LCD screen that boasts a power consumption of just 5W and requires only a USB 2.0 connection to work.

Spec-wise, you can expect 1,366 x 768 resolution, 400:1 contrast ratio, and 220cd/m2 brightness. The display is sized at 377.7×141.8×287.8mm and weighs 1.2kg. If you want to go wild, you can connect up to six of the devices to a single machine.

Green House will be selling the GH-USD16K on its Japanese website by the end of this month (price: $215).

High-end computer display maker EIZO has announced [JP, PDF] a 3D monitor for the Japanese market today, the DuraVision FDF2301-3D. The LCD is sized at 23 inches, offers full HD resolution and comes with directional backlight. But the major selling point here is that users can view 3D images without glasses.

Users will be able to choose between the following 3D modes: Side by Side, Anaglyph, Frame Sequential, and Dual Input (the recommended viewing distance for 3D images is 890mm). EIZO says their display is the first to offer such a feature set.

The device comes with two DVI-D interfaces and one VESA Stereo Sync port. It’s sized at 650×261.7×566.3mm and weighs 16kg.

EIZO plans to start selling the DuraVision FDF2301-3D in the first half of 2011. Mainly geared towards academic institutions, the company expects the price to hit “millions of Yen” (one million Yen is currently US$12,000).

That makes the FHX series the must-buy, right? Well, no. If you’re not gaming, you may want to sacrifice the extra milliseconds and one inch. Why? Well, look at it. It’s embedded above. The FHX model looks down right pedestrian in comparison.

In late 2008, we’ve shown you a wraparound view video system for vehicles that was developed by Fujitsu. While that system was pretty cool, we can now show you a video of the updated version. The system is still based on four video cameras mounted around a vehicle, and it produces images in 3D. To be more specific, users can view 3D images that are projected onto a “3D curved” surface.

As a result, users can see in all directions from a freely chosen viewpoint around the vehicle. Fujitsu says that the system helps drivers in certain situations, for example when parking, turning, or merging in lanes, and reduces the risk of accidents.

Japanese Toyota customers can now actually order the system as an extra when buying certain models, for example the Prius.

This video (shot by DigInfoNews in Tokyo) provides more details about the Fujitsu system:

Leading health monitor manufacturer Tanita today announced [JP] a sensor-equipped mat that’s supposed to measure the deepness and quality of your sleep. The company, which is also active in the US, says placing the mat under your mattress is enough. The system will then keep track of your body motion, breath rate and pulse throughout the night.

All data from the so-called Sleep Scan system is stored on an SD or SDHC card and can be analyzed through a piece of software Tanita is bundling with the “hardware”. You can then evaluate the quality of your sleep (how long you really slept, how often you woke up during the night etc.) through graphs and a “sleep score” the software gives you, based on information coming from the capacitor microphone inside the mat that tracks vibrations.

The mat is sized at 863×314×26mm and weighs 1.3kg. A 2GB SD card is enough to store the data of about 500 sleep cycles.

Tanita plans to start selling the Sleep Scan in Japan from May (price: $395). As mentioned above, the company is active outside Japan but hasn’t said yet if the Sleep Scan will find its way to international markets as well.

Via Kaden Watch [JP]

There really isn’t too much to say about these Lenovo monitors. To be honest, I never even knew Lenovo made monitors till now. Speaking of monitors, I sure would to find one that’s not incredibly expensive, has a 1920×1200 resolution, and has a headphone jack. I’m a diva.

The highest end of the three monitors just announced today—the L2261, the L2361p Wide, and the L2461x Wide with multi-touch—has multi-tiuch. The name did give that away, but I needed to mention it to help pad this random story about random monitors.

All of them are a mere 1080p, which isn’t exactly anything to brag about in the realm of computer monitors. 1920×1200 or bust, I say.

Oh, price: $Lots. The L2461x Wide with multi-touch commands a $549-$580 price. I suppose if multi-touch if that important to you…

Short Version: Samsung’s SyncMaster XL2370 is a 23-inch LED backlit monitor that retails for around $300. At under eight pounds and less than two inches thick, there’s a lot to like here.

With traditional 23-inch LCD monitors starting at around $200, is it worth an extra $100 for an LED backlit screen? Samsung’s offering consists of a bewilderingly thin and light frame, nice rich colors, and quick 2-millisecond response time for gaming. You’ll give up VESA mounts, built-in speakers, and tactile adjustment buttons, but if those things aren’t important to you, the $300 Samsung SyncMaster XL2370 makes for a very compelling purchase – especially if you’re looking for something that won’t take up much space and is easy to move around.

Product Page: Samsung SyncMaster XL2370

How keen are you on touchscreens? Keen enough to navigate Windows 7 while using such a monitor? Acer has a new one, the T230H, which will allow you to do exactly that. A big selling point is that it’ll increase your productivity, but I’m not so sure.

I mean, is it easier to use a touchscreen to navigate Excel, or flip about Firefox? You’ll still have a keyboard, I should think, so it’s not like the iPhone where you’re forced to get used to this radical, new interface; you have no other choice. Here, you’re split between touching the screen and typing away on a traditional keyboard.

But I’m still not the biggest fan of touchscreens yet, so my bias is palpable.

Anyhow, the specs:

• 16:9, 23-inch, 1920×1080 LCD.

• HDMI interface

• 2ms response time, which should placate the twitch gaming crowd

• 80,000:1 contrast ratio

And so on. Again, there’s got to be a market for these things, but I’m not so sure I’m a part of it.

Samsung has just announced a pair of LCD monitors with built-in TV features that promise to “eliminate the line between work productivity and HD entertainment,” according to the press release. And speaking of that press release, it appears that Samsung has also eliminated the most basic and important spec from the products’ list of features.

Price? Nope, that’s there — $250 for the 933HD+ and $330 for the 2333HD. Resolution? 1360×768 for the 933HD+ and 1920×1080 for the 2333HD. Response time, contrast ratio, that stuff is all there too.

It’s a little known fact that for every one person that writes about technology products, there are 50 public relations people. Maybe 100. It might even be 1000. I don’t know the exact number except to say that they’re everywhere and they all somehow have my phone number and they all somehow know where I live, so I certainly don’t want to brass anyone off but see if you can tell me what’s missing from this press release:

Samsung HDTV Monitors Eliminate Line between Work Productivity and HD Entertainment

Samsung’s 933HD+ and 2333HD LCD Monitors Offer Extensive Range of Entertainment Options

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, the number one worldwide brand of LCD display products, today announced the debut of its entertainment-centric monitors, the 933HD+ and 2333HD. At an estimated street price of $249.99 and $329.99, respectively, both monitors produce picture perfect HD quality in a sleek design and are now available from Samsung resellers and retailers.

“With more homes having multiple entertainment centers, the 933HD+ and 2333HD are the perfect companions for users who want integrated HDTV functionality from a desktop monitor. The added bonus is that both these monitors are self-contained and functional right out of the box, and can quickly connect to any entertainment device,” said Doug Albregts, vice president, Information Technology Division, Samsung Electronics America Inc.

COMPACT TV WITH CONNECTIVITY

The 933HD+ and 2333HD have all the benefits of a compact television including a digital TV tuner with an optional cable or satellite connection and up to two HDMI connections, depending on model, to connect digital devices such as a Blu-Ray player and gaming system. The integrated stereo sound system offers great sound and includes Dolby Digital (2333HD). The 933HD+ and 2333HD’s slick glossy black finish features a rounded bottom edge with matching crystal-like acrylic bar.

MULTI-PERFORMANCE

Whether watching movies, sports or a PowerPoint presentation, the 933HD+ and 2333HD offer Samsung’s quality performance with a dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and 5 millisecond response rate. Movies can be fully appreciated in 16:9 widescreen formats without distortion or stretching and there is ample space to run multiple applications simultaneously. Settings, such as brightness, backlight and color effects, can be quickly customized with a touch of a key using the MagicColor, MagicBright, Color Effect and Image Size functions.

“With more users viewing HD broadcast, watching Blu-ray movies and playing video games on their monitors, the 933HD+ and 2333HD are space savers for those looking for a multi-purpose monitor to place in a tight space, like a studio apartment or dorm room,” said Young Bae, director, Information Technology Division, Samsung Electronics America Inc.

933HD+ and 2333HD

• 1360 x768 or 1920×1080 (2333HD only) resolution
• Dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1
• 16:9 aspect ratio
• 5ms response time
• Remote control

Monitors are available through Samsung resellers and distribution channels, which can be located by calling 1-800-SAMSUNG or by visiting www.samsung.com. Samsung Power Partners receive special promotions, lead referrals, training and technical support, as well as collateral and marketing materials. Samsung also recycles all monitors through its RECYCLING DIRECT^SM Program. To find out more about becoming a Samsung Power Partner or the RECYCLING DIRECT^SM Program, visit www.samsungpartner.com.

Here’s the live copy, which will hopefully be updated by the time you read this (it’s been over two hours already, though).

UPDATE/SPOILER: Samsung e-mailed saying that the 933HD+ and 2333HD displays are 19 and 23 inches, respectively. So there you have it. Sweet, sweet closure.

If you’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting for an LCD monitor that’s only 0.65 inches thin, your wait may soon be over. Otherwise, a standard monitor ought to do just fine. But if thin’s your thing, ASUS has just announced its line of “Designo” monitors that’ll be available in 20-, 22-, 23-, and 24-inch sizes.

In true ASUS form, there’s no pricing or availability information yet but you’ll be able to buy one of five monitors: 20-inch at 1600×900, 22-inch at 1680×1050, 21.5-inch at 1920×1080, 23-inch at 1920×1080, and 23.6-inch at 1920×1080.

After your hipster friends are done oohing and aahing, you can tell them that “The design concept behind the Designo MS Series is inspired by the binary state, incorporating a series of contrasting elements like the numbers 1 and 0, straight lines and circles, and black and white into an ultra-slim monitor with a 16.5mm profile.”

Very fancy, indeed. The ring stand allows for one-finger tilt adjustment, too.

ASUS Introduces the Designo MS Series LCD Monitors [ASUS.com via Engadget]

The monitor itself is the ASUS VH242H. Specs include the following:

• 23.6-inch viewable area with 1920×1080 resolution
• HDMI, DVI, and VGA inputs
• 5ms response time
• 300 cd/m2 brightness
• 20,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
• Built-in speakers

This is a new monitor (not refurbished). There’s a three-year warranty, too.

ASUS VH242H 23.6in Widescreen LCD Monitor [ZipZoomFly.com via dealnews]

The 7-inch 800×480 Mimo monitor is a portable USB-powered display that’s easy to set up and use and ought to fit neatly in most laptop bags. At $130, it’s not outrageously priced, either, considering you’re getting a pretty capable second monitor that weighs just 1.3 pounds and requires only a single cable in order to operate.

Specs (from ThinkGeek’s product page):

• Small monitor runs completely off of USB, giving you an extra mini display whenever and wherever you need it.
• No extra power needed. The Mimo monitor is powered by USB.
• No extra video card. The Mimo has a built in video card that runs over any USB 2.0 connection.
• Rotating Portrait or Landscape view. Go vertical for notes and spreadsheets, horizontal to watch a movie.
• Great for laptop use. The Mimo stores easily in your bag and is ready to go simply by plugging it in
• Mac and Windows driver support (intel Mac only)
• Display size – 7″
• Display resolution – 800 x 480
• Brightness – 350 cd/m2
• Contrast ratio – 400:1
• Connections – USB 2.0

Pros: I came away impressed, overall. The Mimo is a DisplayPort monitor, and I’ve run into some wonkiness with DisplayPort devices in the past. This time, though, setup was a breeze and the little monitor was easily able to play back video files from Hulu Desktop, which I didn’t think it would have been able to do cleanly.

The fact that there’s just a single USB connector makes the Mimo a truly special device. Notebook and netbook owners who find themselves wishing for a little extra desktop real estate for e-mail or Twitter or whatever it is you kids are into these days will find that the Mimo travels well and offers just enough additional space to help you remain productive without weighing your bag down too much.

The stand and monitor are both built solidly without being too heavy and the ability to position the screen horizontally and vertically is a huge plus.

Cons: Not too many here, folks. Some might be put off by the $130 price tag — you could get an actual big boy monitor for less — but the Mimo’s not meant to compete with traditional displays. The DisplayPort software sometimes doesn’t play nicely with 64-bit operating systems, especially the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Release Candidate (I couldn’t get it to work), but that’s hardly the fault of the product itself, as it doesn’t claim such support.

Overall: In a word: Impressive. I thought the thing would be more gimmicky than anything, but it works well and that extra 800×480 to play around with is perfect for loading up widgets, e-mail, video, music, and anything else that normally takes up space on your regular desktop.

Mimo Mini USB Monitor [ThinkGeek.com]

Like this video? View more here…

It’s made by “Auria” if that means anything to anyone. Further specs include a 23.6-inch viewable area, 1920×1080 (1080p) resolution, 5ms response time, 300cd/m2 brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, built-in speakers, and DVI/VGA/HDMI input.

The price reflects a $30 instant rebate.

Auria EQ236 Black 23.6″ 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD [Newegg]

Big-ass monitors are so hot right now. They’re like 21-inch CRT monitors back in the late 90′s. So hot. So very, very hot. Luckily they’re coming down in price, as evidenced by the 28-inch Hanns-G widescreen HDMI monitor that Newegg.com is selling for $299.99 with free shipping.

Here are the key specs:

• 1920×1200 resolution
• 27.5-inch viewable area
• 500cd/m2 brightness
• 800:1 contrast ratio
• 3ms response time
• HDMI and VGA inputs
• Built-in speakers

The price reflects a $70 instant discount and, again, there’s free shipping. Come on, you’re making some decent money now. You’ve earned it.

Hanns·G HG-281DPB Black 27.5″ 3ms Widescreen LCD HDMI Monitor [Newegg]

These 7-inch MiMo USB monitors aren’t NEW new but they are now being sold at ThinkGeek, which is new. Just a shade under $130 gets you a USB-powered 7-inch monitor with an 800×480 resolution.

The screen can be oriented up-wise or wide-wise and there’s no power cord to forget, chew through, or sever with a Ginsu. Brightness is 350cd/m2, contrast ratio is 400:1. Might make a nice side monitor for all that twatting or twooting or twitterling you kids are into these days.

Mimo Mini USB Monitor [ThinkGeek]

If you need further proof that monitor prices, they are a-falling, here’s a 22-inch Acer for $99.99 plus $11.99 for shipping.

To be fair, it’s 21.6 inches but you get a 1680×1050 resolution, 300 cd/m2 brightness, and 2500:1 contrast ratio. Inputs include DVI-D and, presumably, VGA. No speakers but, hey, big whoop. Listen to your Discman instead.

Acer 21.6 WIDESCREEN LCD [OnSale.com via FatWallet]