Get the big picture!

Dec 21, 2005 13:45 GMT  ·  By

LG Electronics introduced the world's largest LCD monitor, with a 55 inch diagonal. M5500C is a widescreen LCD monitor with a 1920 X 1080 pixels native resolution that through progressive scan gives true 1080P. LG's new M5500C comes with a 3138 USD price tag.

1080p is the short name for a category of video modes. The number 1080 stands for 1080 lines of vertical resolution, while the letter p stands for progressive scan or non-interlaced. 1080p is considered to be an HDTV video mode.

The company claims that M5500C is the largest LCD in mass production and that the new monitor can be used in various environments. It has both DVI and VGA connectors, so that M5500C can be used for watching movies or delivering presentation or just as a PC monitor. Moreover, LG's new monitor features HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), a technology that allows M5500C to be compatible with the actual operating systems and also with expected ones like Microsoft's Windows Vista. Also, M5500C can display from HDTV sources.

HDCP (High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a specification developed by Intel for protecting digital entertainment content that uses the DVI interface. HDCP encrypts the transmission of digital content between the video source, transmitter (e.g. computer DVD player or set-top box) and the digital display, or receiver (e.g. monitor, television or projector). HDCP is not designed to prevent copying or recording of digital content but to protect the integrity of content as it is being transmitted. M5500C has a 550:1 contrast ratio and a luminance rating of 500cd/m? (candelas per square meter), giving a bright, clear and sharp picture, making it ideal for public display also. Moreover, the M5500C has a special ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts to the optimal screen brightness.

You can mount it on a wall or an arm, because LG's M5500C is complaint with the VESA 800 x 400 standards. In addition, the RS232 In and Out ports make the configuration task simpler. The viewing angle of M5500C is of 176 degrees. The monitor features 16.7 million colors, and also S-Video, composite video, DVI and HDCP connectors.

LG's M5500C has a 10 ms (milliseconds) response time, in comparison with other big LCD displays, that have a much poorer response time. But if we compare it to smaller counterparts from the same product range, the screen seems inferior. Though, LG claims that M5500C's image quality is exemplary.