The need for speed
BenQ gives hard-core gamers and movie buffs two more reasons to ditch their CRTs. The company unveiled a new pair of 17-inch LCDs--the FP767 v2 and FP783--that each pack a blazing 12 millisecond pixel-response time. That's fast enough for gaming, viewing and editing video, and tackling precise graphics work with CRT-caliber image quality. Currently, Samsung's SyncMaster 172X is the only other LCD with as fast a pixel-response time.

Both BenQ displays also offer a 500:1 contrast ratio and a brightness level of 300 cd/m2. The FP767 v2, a revamped version of an earlier model, has a native resolution of 1,280x1,024 and is expected to ship in January 2004 with a retail price of $519. The FP783 is a CES Innovations 2004 Design and Engineering award winner; it has a native resolution of 1,024x768, analog and DVI input, a USB 2.0 hub, optional 2W speakers, and a Webcam. Pricing and availability for the FP783 were unknown at press time.

Sony HS73P

Bright makes right
Although we weren't thrilled by its design, Sony's SDM-HS53 delivered decent image quality for the money. But now, Sony has given its 17-inch sibling an upgrade with the SDM-HS73P, the first desktop LCD to integrate Sony's Xbrite panel technology, which received a favorable response when it was introduced on VAIO notebooks last year. Sony says that Xbrite technology enhances a monitor's brightness performance in addition to contrast, viewing angles, and overall image clarity. The SDM-HS73P is expected to ship in February 2004 with a retail price of approximately $610.

Sony SDM-S204

Sony also announced the fairly high-end 20-inch SDM-S204, built for "high-demand engineering and desktop publishing applications." We don't have all the specs, but the SDM-S204 has a native resolution of 1,600x1,200 and multiple digital and analog connections, and it features Sony's ErgoBright technology, which automatically adjusts the display's brightness to ambient light conditions. The SDM-S203 is expected to ship in February, with a retail price of approximately $1,199.

Back to the future
Sharp's unique 3D LCD technology displays three-dimensional images--no special glasses required. It's currently on display in Sharp's newest PC notebook, the Actius RD3D; and although Sharp hasn't formally announced a 3D desktop LCD, it is showing a prototype at CES. It works, it's very cool, and it's just another reason for gamers, movie buffs, and everyone else to get excited about the future of LCDs.

New kid on the block
Last but not least, Xerox barges into the crowded monitor market (on the back of Proview technology) with eight new LCDs for home and office: two 15-inchers, four 17-inchers, and two 19-inchers. Aside from the XL775D, touting a respectable 16 millisecond pixel-response time, none of the models feature particularly innovative specs, but we look forward to putting them through their paces in CNET's Labs.

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