Acer began selling the 24-inch widescreen LCD monitor (P243W) at NT$14,900 (US$457) on 18 October in Taiwan. A limited 1,000 units will be available for sale, according to the company.The company also announced that new 19-, 20- and 22-inch widescreen monitors will be available in the market soon. Acer will roll out two 19-inch LCD monitors (P191W and P193W) with a dynamic contrast of 2000:1, a 20-inch LCD monitor (P201W), and two 22-inch LCD monitors (P221W and P223W).The 24-inch LCD monitor features DVI-D, D-sub and HDMI connections. Other features include a native resolution of 1920×1200, a brightness of 400 nits, and a dynamic contrast of 3,000:1. The 24-inch monitor has a response time of 2ms and a 92% NTSC color gamut, noted the company.Acer P243W 24-inch widescreen LCD monitorPhoto: Company

Samsung Electronics on October 20 launched the NV20, its new high-end digital camera, in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$12,900 (US$396), according to Samsung Electronics Taiwan.NV20 features a 12.1-megapixel 1/1.72-inch CCD image sensor, a 2.5-inch 230,000-pixel TFT-LCD screen, 3x optical and 5x digital zoom, dimensions of 96.5(W) × 60.0(H) × 18.6(D)mm and weighs 151.7g.In additional news, Samsung on October 20 also launched the i85, a 8.1-megapixel digital camera featuring multimedia functions including Xvid and MP3 playback, iMovie video recording and text browsing, at a recommended retail price of NT$11,900, Samsung Taiwan indicated.Samsung 12.1-megapixel NV20 digital cameraPhoto: Company

Qnap Systems has introduced a new member QBack-35S to its external hard drive enclosure QBack series. The device supports single 3.5-inch SATA hard drive with up to 1TB storage capacity, USB 2.0 and eSATA transfer interfaces. QBack-35S is dedicated to users who require highly secure, reliable, and low cost data backup with fast data access, and large storage capacity, said the company.With the QBack-35S, users can experience hand-free automatic synchronization backup, AES 256-bit encryption, and email (Outlook, Outlook Express, and Windows Mail) backup. The backup software QBack is enclosed in the package to provide four backup modes. In addition to auto-sync backup, one touch backup is supported. Users can back up data immediately by pressing the one touch button on the device. QBack also provides instant and schedule backup modes. Schedule backup enables automatic data backup according to the schedule defined by users. After the one-time configuration, simply connect QBack-35S to the computer via the USB 2.0 port and the selected data are automatically backed up to the device.Qnap QBack-35S external hard drive enclosurePhoto: Company

Epson Imaging Devices recently announced the development of an all-in-one LCD with an integrated cover (tempered glass or acrylic) and touch panel (resistive or capacitive). This new LCD takes advantage of the company's Photo Fine Vistarich widescreen viewing angle technology, which enables it to produce images even when viewed from 90 degrees from the top, bottom, left, or right, according to the company.The company has developed all-in-one LCDs in which the LCD panel, cover, and touch panel are combined without an air gap, thus preventing the loss of brightness and contrast that occurs when covers and touch panels are attached to LCDs with air in between. Thanks to their composite structure, the newly developed displays enable improved visibility and greater strength in a slimmer, more compact design, said Epson.To meet the widescreen-ranging needs of its customers, Epson Imaging Devices intends to combine these all-in-one touch-panel LCDs with the company's proprietary Photo Fine Vistarich widescreen viewing angle technology to produce high-resolution displays for use in in-car systems, such as satellite navigation, and in digital cameras and advanced mobile phones with built-in digital TV receivers.Epson Imaging Devices will exhibit these LCD applications at FPD International 2007, which will be held from October 24 to 26 at Pacifico Yokohama, Japan. Epson Imaging Devices: Specifications of the all-in-one LCD Item Details 3.1-inch model 7-inch model Resolution WVGA LCD (prototype) WVGA LCD (prototype) Screen size 7.8cm / 3.1-inch 17.7cm / 7.0-inch Pixels 480×800 800×480 Type Low-temperature polysilicon TFT Amorphous silicon TFT Display mode Photo Fine Vistarich, transmissive Photo Fine Vistarich, transmissive Viewing angle (V/H) 160/160 degrees (CR>100) 160/160 degrees (CR>100) Touch detection method Capacitive or resistive Capacitive or resistive Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Epson Imaging Devices all-in-one LCD panel with an integrated cover and touch panelPhoto: CompanyEpson Imaging Devices all-in-one LCD panel with an integrated cover and touch panelPhoto: Company

LG Electronics (LGE) recently announced its first 32-inch PDP (plasma display panel) TV, the 32PC5RV, which is to be launched in Brazil this month. The new TV will also be released in 27 nations worldwide by November, including countries in Central/South and North America, Europe, CIS region, North and Southwest Asia and the Middle East.The retail price of the 32-inch PDP TV will range from US$1,000 to US$1,100, depending on the market, noted the company.This small PDP TV is an affordable solution for buyers in the small size range market where LCD TVs are dominant, said LGE.The 32-inch wide flat panel TV is the fastest growing segment in the industry, as the large-size market is becoming saturated. According to DisplaySearch, demand for 32-inch LCD TVs has grown to 24.9 million units in 2007, and is expected to increase to 33.4 million units in 2008.As part of its strategy to drive technology forward and keep costs competitive, LG recently separated its PDP and LCD divisions.LGE's latest 32-inch PDP TV Photo: Company

Samsung Electronics will unveil a diverse array of leading-edge LCD panels including an ultra-thin 40-inch LED-based TV panel, 15.4-inch LED notebook panel, 22-inch monitor panel with DisplayPort interface and a 46-inch digital information display (DID) at FPD International 2007, in Yokohama, Japan (October 24-26).Samsung will introduce a 40-inch diagonal full HD LCD TV panel that is 10mm thick. The new display has the same profile as 10- to 20-inch LCDs designed for desktop monitors and its bezel has been reduced from a conventional 30mm to 14.6mm, highlighted Samsung. The panel, using an LED backlight, reproduces 92% of the NTSC standard for color saturation and features power consumption of 90W or less.For notebook PCs, Samsung will unveil widescreen LCD panels available in 16-inch and 18.4-inch sizes. In addition, Samsung will show its new 15.4-inch LCD with an active, white-LED backlight.At FPD International, Samsung also will exhibit its new 22-inch desktop monitor LCD with a next-generation DisplayPort interface.In the DID area, Samsung will spotlight a 46-inch model with a brightness level of 1,500nits, triple that delivered by LCD panels designed for TV viewing. The featured 46-inch model has a bezel no more than 10mm thick, to facilitate the formation of video walls comprised of multiple panels side by side, said Samsung.In the mobile display section of its FPD exhibit, Samsung is featuring a 7-inch display with an embedded touch screen on its upper glass layer. It also will show a 2.1-inch LCD with sensor-based automatic brightness control that adjusts the brightness of the backlight to match ambient lighting, while lowering power consumption by around 25 percent.In addition, Samsung will spotlight next-generation concepts such as a 14.3-inch plastic display, 8.1-inch e-paper, and a 14.1-inch active-matrix OLED panel.Samsung 40-inch LCD TV panel which is 10mm thickPhoto: Company

Transcend recently announced a new Ultra Speed version of its industrial CompactFlash memory card lineup with capacities up to 8GB.The operating temperature range of industrial CF cards is much larger than normal CF cards, with full functionality reaching down to -40 Celsius and as hot as 85 Celsius (normal CF cards are only rated at -25 to 85 Celsius).Transcend uses SLC (single-level cell) NAND flash chips in its industrial CF cards with the Ultra Speed cards supporting Ultra-DMA modes 0-4 and dual-channel operation to ensure maximum compatibility at the highest speeds possible, according to the company.Transcend's industrial CF cards achieve average read/write speeds of up to 42MB/30MB per second while maintaining industrial-grade stability and have built-in error correction code (ECC) to ensure data accuracy, stated Transcend.Transcend Ultra Speed industrial CompactFlash cards are currently available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities at pre-tax prices of US$47.20, US$77.80, US$142 and US$267, respectively.Transcend 8GB Ultra Speed industrial CompactFlash memory cardPhoto: Company

KWorld Computer has introduced an IPTV device, the LiveQ Hybrid, with integrated DVB-T and analog formant support.The LiveQ Hybrid adopts Cyberlink's multimedia software to provide users easy access to their favorite multimedia entertainment programs and data on their PCs while traveling around world, said KWorld.Users can log into CyberLink Live through a web page and access their favorite TV programs through LiveQ's built-in AV connection or access their PC files.KWorld LiveQ Hybrid IPTV devicePhoto: Company

BenQ has announced the launch of the T33 mobile phone, a sleek slide phone that features a dedicated side key design that provides easy access to a full-featured digital audio player, including FM radio, and camera functions.Weighing 90g, the BenQ T33 is designed with a stylish, sleek mirrored finish, presenting a distinctively chic appearance, according to BenQ. Consumers can slide open the BenQ T33 to reveal a one-piece keypad that is tailored for easy and accurate input of telephone numbers, the company highlighted. Designed for easy listening, the BenQ T33 allows consumers to enjoy music anywhere, even when no SIM card is inserted. With the press of the dedicated side keys, consumers can access all the controls that are needed to playback music, the company highlighted.The BenQ T33 supports MP3, AAC and AAC+ files. The BenQ T33 integrates other entertainment functions, including a built-in FM radio and lyrics display.The BenQ T33 is outfitted with a 2.0 megapixel camera that supports AVI video recording and playback. The BenQ T33 also has a phonebook that holds up to 1000 contacts. It can also read micro SD cards for more storage.BenQ T33 mobile phonePhoto: Company

Advansus announced the first of its latest series of Intel-based motherboards, the i945GM3-DCQI, a highly integrated mini-ITX motherboard built with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel 945GM Express northbridge and ICH7-M southbridge mobile chipsets.The motherboard also supports 24-bit LVDS, DVI and VGA for displays, 5.1 channel amplified audio and Gigabit LAN. It also features four COM ports, eight USB ports, two SATA ports and 16-bit GPIO, according to the company.The i945GM3-DCQI is a multi-purpose platform suitable for applications, including POS (point of sale), Kiosk, digital signage, gaming and medical use, added the company. Advansus i945GM3-DCQI motherboard specifications Item Detail CPU Core Duo/ Solo / 2 Duo processors Chipset Intel 82945GM Express chipset Memory Two DIMMS support DDR2 533/667 memory up to 4GB VGA Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics engine Display DVI and two channel LVDS for dual view Audio Realtek ACL888 5.1 channel audio codec LAN Realtek RTL8111B PCI-E Gigabit LAN Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2007Advansus i945GM3-DCQI motherboardPhoto: Company