14 DAY TRIAL // Even though TVs and PC monitors have been, more or less, easy to distinguish from each other so far, there are always exceptions to the rule, and it seems that Packard Bell just presented a new one in the shape of the Maestro TV monitors.
Though some end-users employ large HDTVs instead of a monitor for their PC, things don't exactly work the same the other way around.
In fact, for a monitor to be used a a TV it needs to not only have a good enough image quality for the switch to be worthwhile, but it must also be equipped with a TV tuner.
Needless to say, such monitors are far fewer in number than 'regular' ones, and this may just make Packard Bell's latest release all the more appealing.
What Packard Bell plans to soon launch is a pair of displays that go by the names of Maestro 220 and Maestro 240.
The former has a screen size of 21.5 inches, whereas the latter is larger, at 24 inches, the rest of their feature set being basically the same.
For one, their native resolution is, as one may expect, 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, and this means that any quality of video playback up to Full HD is supported.
Another significant asset is the dynamic contrast ratio of 12,000,000:1.
Of course, as end-users will likely have expected, both Maestro models employ LED backlighting, which ensures a decent level of visibility and, of course, energy efficiency.
In fact, both the Maestro 220 and Maestro 240 are compliant with the Energy Star 5.0 standard.
Other specifications of the monitors include two 5W speakers, an USB port, dual HDMI, SCART and a D-sub input.
Still, in the end, the more noteworthy feature is the hybrid TV tuner that lets the two act as both PC monitors and TV, depending on what their owner has in mind.
Availability is scheduled for this month but pricing details have not been disclosed yet.