Eizo Nanao Corporation (TSE: 6737) today announced the releaseof a full high-definition monitor, the FlexScan HD2441W.Featuring two High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)inputs, the FlexScan HD2441W is ready for connecting withother full HD devices that also come with HDMI ports.

The spread of digital TV broadcasts and full high-definitionDVD players, gaming consoles, video cameras, and otheraudio/video devices has made extremely detailed pictures readily available in resolutions up to1920 × 1080 progressive. To enjoy the high-definition content usually requires purchasing a largescreen LCD TV, but with the FlexScan HD2441W, EIZO offers the same full high definitionplayback capabilities plus the versatility to serve as a PC monitor in a practical 24.1" screen size.

The FlexScan HD2441W has a 1920 × 1200 native resolution and can display full HD images at 1920 × 1080p. It can detect the amount of change in an image and applies the ideal degree of interlace/progressive conversion to minimize artifacts. In addition to the standard 480i to 480p (interlace to progressive) conversion, it produces high quality images even when doing high speed processing necessary for 1080i to 1080p conversion.

Designed for optimum connectivity, the HD2441W comes with a comprehensive range of input connectors. In addition to the dual HDMI inputs, DVI-D (digital) and D-sub (analog) inputs for connection to two PCs are also included as is a USB hub with two upstream and two downstream ports. By connecting the PCs to the monitor through the upstream ports, two USB-compatible peripherals such as a mouse and keyboard can then be shared among both PCs, reducing desktop clutter. Furthermore, with the HD2441W’s audio output jack, one set of speakers can be used for both PCs as well as any audio/video devices connected through the HDMI inputs.

The HD2441W offers several features for realistic moving image playback. The first two features – ContrastEnhancer and OutlineEnhancer – are from an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), originally developed for EIZO LCD TVs. ContrastEnhancer corrects gamma levels in both dark and light images to the ideal levels and raises the LCD panels’ dynamic contrast ratio (black and white range seen over a period of time) from 1000:1 to 3000:1. The OutlineEnhancer sharpens blurred areas of moving images and comes with seven levels of user-controlled adjustments. An overdrive circuit reduces midtone (gray-to-gray) response time to 6 ms and helps prevent ghosting during moving picture playback. This circuit has minimal effect on “input lag” or the difference between the time a signal is inputted to the monitor and then shown on screen. Gamers can rest assured that their movements and those of their opponent are virtually synchronous with what they see on the screen.

To ensure the screen is never too bright or too dark, EIZO’s BrightRegulator function reads the ambient light of the office environment and adjusts the screen brightness accordingly. Brightness is also kept at the ideal level with EIZO’s patented backlight sensor. Within minutes of the monitor being turned on, this sensor corrects for brightness fluctuations that normally can occur for up to two hours. In addition, the sensor counteracts the effects of a power surge to keep brightness stable and protect against backlight deterioration.

Additional Features

- A “16:9 Full” mode ensures no overscanning occurs when viewing HD content so the entire picture is shown and no important data or imagery in a scene is lost.
- Picture-in-Picture for one PC (main screen) and one video input (sub-screen). The location and transparency of the sub-screen can be adjusted in the OSD menu.
- Support for high bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) through the DVI-D input
allows for viewing of content from HDCP-equipped devices.
- Brightness, contrast, gamma, saturation, hue, gain, and color temperature settings in the OSD menu.
- ArcSwing 2 stand with a curved range of movement so the screen can be positioned up highnear eye level or lowered at an angle akin to reading a book.