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NEC releases 5:4 monitor: Cue the yawns

NEC adds 5:4 monitor to EA Multisync series. You know, I'd almost forgotten they still make standard aspect ratio monitors.

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Eric Franklin

All glory to the Hypnotoad! NEC

You know, I'd almost forgotten they still make these. When i say "these," I'm of course referring to standard aspect ratio monitors. With the advent of wide-screen 16:10 and now 16:9 monitors, the last three to four years has seen 4:3 and 5:4 monitors go the way of the Dodo.

NEC seems determined that we don't forget standard aspect ratios and in September will be releasing the 19-inch MultiSync EA190M. According to NEC, the display is designed for "a variety of business environments, government applications, and education users."

Just what government applications are we talking about here? In every episode of "24" I've ever seen, everyone uses wide-screen, 24-inch Dells. This monitor must be for less well-funded government divisions.

According to NEC, the EA190M consumes 50 percent less energy and contains 50 percent less mercury than traditional LCD monitors. It has a one-touch button to go into EcoMode. This most likely puts a cap on the brightness since a display's brightness is the main determining factor for power consumption.

Here are a few other features of the EA190M:

  • 250 cd/m² brightness
  • 900:1 contrast ratio
  • 1280x1024 resolution
  • 5ms pixel response time
  • Four-way ergonomic stand (110mm height adjust, pivot, tilt, and swivel)
  • Down-firing multimedia speakers with headphone jack
  • Five presets (standard, text, movie, photo, game)

The EA190M will begin shipping in September with an estimated street price of $259. The display ships with a standard three-year parts and labor warranty, including the backlight.