Philips Reveals 3D Display with Ambiglow Technology

Since acceptable display quality isn't varied enough to differentiate between monitors, display makers have to use other means of attracting customers. Philips has a very unusual one in mind.

Philips has officially introduced the Gioco 278G4 3D display, whose specifications are, overall, regular, but whose special perk is bound to turn some heads even if not everyone ends up buying them.

We are talking about the Ambiglow technology, which casts a "halo of light matching the image on the surrounding wall."

There are ten lights on the back of the monitor, arranged in rows of five near the vertical edges. They have adjustable brightness levels.

What they do is color the wall behind the monitor in a shade that matches the image being displayed on the LCD screen.

Buyers only need to make sure that the distance between the monitor and the wall or other flat surface is of at least 15 centimeters / 5.90 inches.

"We're very excited about the new 27-inch Gioco," said Jeroen Brants, product manager Europe at MMD.

"This is the first Philips LCD display to feature Ambiglow. This technology creates a completely engaging and immersive 3D experience, and really brings 3D games and movies to life."

The 27-inch monitor has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) and W-LED backlighting technology (white LED, for better brightness and contrast).

The viewing angles are of 178 degrees, both horizontally and vertically, and the brightness of 250 cd/m2, while not remarkable, is more than enough considering that the Ambiglow technology is supposed to help in low-light rooms, during evening and late night movie or game sessions and such. 250 cd/m2 is more than enough in those situations.

Furthermore, the dynamic contrast ratio is of 20,000,000:1 and the refresh rate is of 120 Hz (60 Hz in 3D mode).

Finally, Philips gave the Gioco 278G4 3D monitor a response time of 7 ms in 2D (IPS panels are slower than TN, which would have managed 5ms or less). The display is priced in the UK at £319.99 / $513 / 394 Euro. A 2D only version should be found too.