Samsung monitors now have TV, 3D functions

After reinventing the TV, making it so thin and equipping it with 3D and Internet capability, Samsung has set its innovative eye to the PC monitor by providing it with some features found on its latest line of televisions.

The Korean electronics giant recently introduced three PC monitors, whose functions have gone beyond just providing a display for a desktop CPU.

3D capability is now introduced in the new Samsung SyncMaster SA950 monitor, a 27-inch LED display with an unusual design—the wide screen is bordered by a thin strip made of glass-like material and connected to a crystal-clear acrylic stand on its right side rather than on the center of the monitor.

The new 3D monitor features Samsung’s 3D HyperReal Engine that enables the rendering of vivid 3D images without causing dizziness to the viewer. The monitor is also capable of transforming 2D content—photos, movies or games—into instant 3D with a push of a button.

An energy saving feature is incorporated into the 3D monitor. With Eco Light Sensor, the monitor can detect the amount of surrounding light to automatically adjust the brightness of the screen. When the monitor is placed on the window side, the sensor will increase the brightness of the screen so as to minimize glare. When the surrounding light is back to normal, the brightness of the screen will automatically revert back to its normal comfortable level.

The SyncMaster SA950, which comes with 3D Active Glasses, is also equipped with Ultra Clear Panel, which enhances color contrast for sharper images and features a wide range of ports to support different connectivity, such as DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI.

The 19-inch SyncMaster LT23A350 is the first Samsung monitor to have an internal HDTV receiver. It’s a full HD monitor capable of PIP (picture-in-picture) technology, allowing the user to view TV shows while browsing the Web or writing documents.

The monitor’s internal HDTV receiver also provides digital TV functions such as TV guide and auto-channel search.

As an entertainment monitor, the SyncMaster LT23A360 features Dolby Digital and SRS TheaterSound for an extraordinary audio experience.

Samsung also introduces the monitor that serves as a central hub for connections that used to be accommodated by the PC desktop.

The Samsung Central Station monitor features a docking base with ports such as USB 3.0, HDMI, and LAN to connect external devices such as external hard drive, camera and printer.

The dock’s USB port is also capable of charging cell phones or music players even when the monitor is turned off.

Also, this monitor can connect with a laptop via a Wi-Fi USB plug (to be plugged onto the notebook), turning it into a larger, extended monitor for the notebook.

The Samsung Central Station monitor, which will be available in August, will retail for P19,990.

The new 3D monitor and the multi-function monitor are currently available and may retail for P31,990 and P14,999 respectively.