TinyTV 2 and TinyTV Mini are miniature video displays in the form of old CRT televisions. Currently, an already heavily funded Kickstarter project, prices start at $49 and go up from there depending on the style and color of the television case and the inclusion of an equally tiny remote control. Obviously, I might just be receiving that World’s Best Uncle award sooner than I thought if I get one of these for my niece’s dollhouse.
The TinyTV 2 (the larger of the two tiny models) features a 216×135 pixel display, functional rotary knobs on the front for adjusting volume and changing the channel (next video file), a forward-facing speaker, 8GB storage (~10 hours of video) and a Li-polymer battery with about 2 hours of power. The TinyTV Mini features a 64×64 pixel OLED display, volume and channel buttons on top, an internal speaker, 8GB storage (~40 hours of video at this resolution), and a Li-polymer battery with about 1 hour of power. Both can easily have video footage uploaded, and their batteries recharged via USB-C cable, as well as be operated using an IR remote.
Most people want as large a TV as they can fit in front of the sofa, so it’s refreshing to see ultra-miniature televisions for a change. Plus, they’re much more budget-friendly. Sure I’ll likely miss a lot of the finer details watching House of the Dragon, but those dragons would probably scare me on the big screen anyways.
The jury is still out, but many people already swear by having more than one monitor to boost their productivity. This is probably more applicable to people that need to have a lot of content displayed on the screen at the same time. These can be a mix of references, monitoring tools, communication applications, and the actual work that needs to be done. Given how much of today’s office and creative work revolves around those, that case is more common than not. Not everyone, however, might have enough desk space for a second monitor, especially if their desktop PC is already taking up space. Taking that into consideration, this kit tries to make use of that fact and turns your desktop’s towering case into a second monitor, albeit with a few critical requirements.
There are plenty of ultra-wide or ultra-large computer monitors these days, but many people already have a decently big screen on their desks. It could be more effective to add a second monitor rather than buying a new and bigger one, but some desks aren’t big enough to accommodate those. That’s especially true if the PC itself is standing right next to the monitor rather instead of being hidden from view, a setup that is quite common both in offices and in homes.
Motherboard manufacturer ASRock seems to have stumbled upon the idea of using the desktop PC case as a second screen to avoid having to put another monitor on your desk. The ASRock Side Panel Kit practically mounts a 13.3-inch display panel on the inside of that case. It might actually sound like an ingenious solution to save space, but the conditions needed to be met make it a little bit more trouble than it’s worth.
For one, your PC case must have transparent side panels because this screen doesn’t replace those panels and mounts from the inside rather than the outside. It also works with a specific motherboard feature that isn’t exactly widely available on many desktop computers. Of course, ASRock sells motherboards that meet the requirements, which is possibly a strategy to get interested buyers to also invest in one of those.
That said, while this ASRock Side Panel Kit does look useful and space efficient, its ergonomics might be questionable. Having a screen off to the side and perpendicular to your main monitor might strain your neck in the long run. It might be useful for almost static content that you rarely check, but you might as well just have a single monitor where you can switch to those apps from time to time instead.
There are tons of solid computer monitors available right now, which is great for anyone who needs a second screen for their home office setup or a special gaming monitor for their rig. Not to mention, display technology has evolved a lot in the past few years: OLED Flex, QD-OLED and built-in smart platforms have become more prevalent, and things like color accuracy, image quality, size and resolution have seen big improvements, too. Engadget can help you make sense of the computer monitor space and help you decide which monitors (or, at the very least, type of monitor) is right for you. Whether you’re a business user, a content creator, a multitasker or into competitive gaming, you have plenty of options to choose from and we’ve outline our top picks for the best monitors below.
Factors to consider
Panel type
The cheapest monitors are still TN (twisted nematic), which are strictly for gamers or office use. VA (vertical alignment) monitors are also relatively cheap, while offering good brightness and a high contrast ratio. However, content creators will find that IPS (in-plane switching) LCD displays deliver better color accuracy, picture quality and viewing angles.
If maximum brightness is important, a quantum dot LCD display is the way to go — those are typically found in larger displays. OLED monitors are now available and offer the best blacks and color reproduction, but they lack the brightness of LED or quantum dot displays. Plus, they cost a lot. The latest type of OLED monitor, called QD-OLED from Samsung, just came out in 2022. The most notable advantage is that it can get a lot brighter, with monitors shown at CES 2022 hitting up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness.
MiniLEDs are now widely used in high-end displays. They’re similar to quantum dot tech, but as the name suggests, it uses smaller LED diodes that are just 0.2mm in diameter. As such, manufacturers can pack in up to three times more LEDs with more local dimming zones, delivering deeper blacks and better contrast.
Screen size, resolution and display format
In this day and age, screen size rules. Where 24-inch displays used to be more or less standard (and can still be useful for basic computing), 27-, 32-, 34- and even 42-inch displays have become popular for entertainment, content creation and even gaming these days.
Nearly every monitor used to be 16:9, but it’s now possible to find 16:10 and other more exotic display shapes. On the gaming and entertainment side, we’re also seeing curved and ultrawide monitors with aspect ratios like 21:9. If you do decide to buy an ultrawide display, however, keep in mind that a 30-inch 21:9 model is the same height as a 24-inch monitor, so you might end up with a smaller display than you expected. As a rule of thumb, add 25 percent to the size of a 21:9 monitor to get the vertical height you’d expect from a model with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
A 4K monitor is nearly a must for content creators, and some folks are even going for 5K or all the way up to 8K. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need a pretty powerful computer to drive all those sharp pixels. And 4K resolution should be paired with a screen size of 27 inches and up, or you won’t notice much difference between 1440p. At the same time, I wouldn’t get a model larger than 27 inches unless it’s 4K, as you’ll start to see pixelation if you’re working up close to the display.
One new category to consider is portable monitors designed to be carried and used with laptops. Those typically come in 1080p resolutions and sizes from 13-15 inches. They usually have a lightweight kickstand-type support that folds up to keep things compact.
Samsung
HDR
HDR is the buzzy monitor feature to have these days, as it adds vibrancy to entertainment and gaming – but be careful before jumping in. Some monitors that claim HDR on the marketing materials don’t even conform to a base standard. To be sure that a display at least meets minimum HDR specs, you’ll want to choose one with a DisplayHDR rating with each tier representing maximum brightness in nits.
However, the lowest DisplayHDR 400 and 500 tiers may disappoint you with a lack of brightness, washed out blacks and mediocre color reproduction. If you can afford it, the best monitor to choose is a model with DisplayHDR 600, 1000 or True Black 400, True Black 500 and True Black 600. The True Black settings are designed primarily for OLED models, with maximum black levels at .0005 nits.
Where televisions typically offer HDR10 and Dolby Vision or HDR10+, most PC monitors only support the HDR10 standard, other than a few (very expensive) models. That doesn’t matter much for content creation or gaming, but HDR streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other services won’t look quite as punchy. In addition, the best gaming monitors are usually the ones supporting HDR600 (and up), rather than content creation monitors – with a few exceptions.
Refresh rate
Refresh rate is a key feature, particularly on gaming monitors. A bare minimum nowadays is 60Hz, and 80Hz and higher refresh rates are much easier on the eyes. However, most 4K displays top out at 60Hz with some rare exceptions and the HDMI 2.0 spec only supports 4K at 60Hz, so you’d need at least DisplayPort 1.4 (4K at 120Hz) or HDMI 2.1. The latter is now available on a number of monitors, particularly gaming displays. However, it’s only supported on the latest NVIDIA RTX 3000- and 4000-series, AMD RX 6000-series GPUs.
Inputs
There are essentially three types of modern display inputs: Thunderbolt, DisplayPort and HDMI. Most monitors built for PCs come with the latter two, while a select few (typically built for Macs) will use Thunderbolt. To add to the confusion, USB-C ports may be Thunderbolt 3 and by extension, DisplayPort compatible, so you may need a USB-C to Thunderbolt or DisplayPort cable adapter depending on your display.
Color bit depth
Serious content creators should consider a more costly 10-bit monitor that can display billions of colors. If budget is an issue, you can go for an 8-bit panel that can fake billions of colors via dithering (often spec’d as “8-bit + FRC”). For entertainment or business purposes, a regular 8-bit monitor that can display millions of colors will be fine.
Color gamut
The other aspect of color is the gamut. That expresses the range of colors that can be reproduced and not just the number of colors. Most good monitors these days can cover the sRGB and Rec.709 gamuts (designed for photos and video respectively). For more demanding work, though, you’ll want one that can reproduce more demanding modern gamuts like AdobeRGB, DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 gamuts, which encompass a wider range of colors. The latter two are often used for film projection and HDR, respectively.
Console gaming
Both the Xbox Series X and Sony’s PS5 can handle 4K 120Hz HDR gaming, so if you’re into resolution over pure speed, you’ll want a monitor that can keep up and provide the best gaming experience possible. 4K resolution, HDR and at least 120Hz is the minimum starting point, but fortunately there are 27-inch displays with those specs starting at well under $1,000.
Pricing and parts shortages
Though the pandemic has eased, monitor supply is still a bit tighter than pre-pandemic levels due to supply and demand issues. To that end, you may have trouble finding monitors at Amazon, B&H or elsewhere for the suggested retail price point. For our guide below, we’re basing our picks on the MSRP, as long as the street price doesn’t exceed that by more than $25.
Best monitors under $200
Best monitors under $400
Best monitors under $500
Best monitors under $1,000
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-buy-a-monitor-143000069.html?src=rss
Curved screen displays have been in trend for the last couple of years, and now we are looking up the horizon for the next big move. LG has just announced a cool OLED TV that is capable of bending on demand to morph into a curved display. This announcement comes on the back of Corsair showing off its 45-inch bendable gaming monitor at Gamescom just a few days ago.
Dubbed the LG OLED Flex – a.k.a LX3 model – it is touted to be the first bendable OLED TV on the market. The 42-inch display is targeted at gamers and professionals who demand the next level of immersion, and also want the flexibility to have a normal flat screen TV. The transition between the two modes happens seamlessly with remote control.
Even better the display can be set anywhere between the twenty levels of curvature. That means, the bendable feature is fully customizable to a maximum of 900R curve. I can think of scenarios where the screen bend can be toggled for strategy, FPS or racing games for maximum gaming prowess.
The 4K display comes with a 0.1 millisecond response time, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDMI 2.1, ALLM (auto low latency mode) and support for VRR (variable refresh rate). This display is also G-SYNC compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium certified for a smooth viewing experience. Thus, making it ideal for pairing with the latest gaming consoles like Xbox Series X or PS5.
Another feature that’s very useful is the anti-reflective coating for minimum distraction in a bright environment. The stand on the display is height adjustable – 10 degrees towards or 5 degrees away from the gamer, and tilt adjustable – up and down by 140 millimeters. It also gets dual front-firing speakers for ultra-premium immersive sound output. Therefore, it can be used for other purposes like video editing or binge watching too.
There’s no word on the pricing or availability of this amazing display yet, but it should be positioned competitively to capture the chunk of geeky buyers. As per LG, the Flex bendable display is going to be on display at the IFA 2022 in Germany this week, so better keep an eye!
With a lot of people continuing to work from home even after the worst of the pandemic is over (hopefully), we are seeing products that want to help people create a semblance of work-life balance. It’s crucial now more than ever for people to make sure that the lines between home life and work life are not always blurred. Technology can play a part in creating this balance and we’re seeing some great product concepts out there that will hopefully become actual products later on.
Designer: Studio WA + CH
One concept that won 3rd place at a recent LG Display competition is Vivid, a movable augmented reality screen that can be used for work but also turns into part of your decoration when needed. It’s basically a virtual divider that uses a transparent OLED screen that can serve as a whiteboard or conference call screen when you’re working and then an AR screen when you finish your workday and want to relax. With just a click you’ll be able to transform your space from busy to peaceful.
Vivid has a built-in camera on its right side which can be pretty useful for work especially when you’re doing video calls. Instead of just being on a small screen on your laptop or phone, you get a more immersive experience when meeting with colleagues. It can also be used as a digital whiteboard for those brainstorming sessions or even when you’re just working on your own and you need to write out ideas on a bigger space.
When you’re transitioning from work to rest, the OLED display becomes a space where you can display things like plants, artwork, or other images or videos that you can consider relaxing. You can choose to use the transparent standby mode or the display mode, depending on what you want to blend in with your surroundings. You can also use the screen for viewing videos, browsing social media, playing games, or use it as your personal trainer with exercise content.
The device is designed to be light and portable so it’s easy to move around in your house. It can also be combined with a few other screens so you can create a bigger digital wall if needed. I wouldn’t mind having at least one in my home especially now that I’m trying to figure out a way to balance work, play, and rest.
Although there is still some debate about it, many advanced computer users swear by the benefits of having more than one monitor. Of course, it’s not easy for everyone to use multiple monitors, even if just two, because of various reasons. For some, the price of a second monitor could be prohibitive, especially if they actually need to get a new pair just to keep things balanced and symmetrical. For others, desk space is the bigger issue, given how two monitors double the footprint. Unfortunately, the majority of multi-monitor setups seem to glorify having multiple individual monitors, as if that was the only solution available. Thinking outside the box, two designers came up with a novel alternative that addresses those concerns and even manages to add a bit of fun to your desktop.
Depending on how you work, simply adding a second monitor can more than double your productivity by increasing the amount of information you can display at a glance. Monitors, however, are inherently designed to be used as a single piece, so chaining two or more together feels more like an afterthought. In addition to how much space they take up, dual monitor setups are often less ergonomic than a single monitor that has been positioned and angled properly.
It doesn’t have to be that way, of course, but few manufacturers have taken the time to really think about the problem. Sure, some have come up with ultra-wide monitors that are equivalent to two monitors side-by-side, but those don’t address the space and ergonomics problems. Geminos’ solution is genius in its simplicity, putting two monitors on top of each other with a very minimal gap between the two.
Of course, a monitor that is taller than it is wider is pretty unconventional, but even LG thinks it might actually be more ergonomic and more efficient. With an almost square aspect ratio, your eyes or your neck don’t have to travel in any direction too much to get to the content you need. Geminos is also completely adjustable, so the top screen can slide up and down while the bottom slides in and out to match your specific desk setup.
Technically speaking, Geminos is two 24-inch monitors that open and close like a book, which helps minimize the space it takes up whether it’s in use or folded down. It’s perfect for a minimalist desktop design and doesn’t compromise on the amount of content you can display. You might need some time getting used to the unconventional shape and position, but switching to more ergonomic products often has an adjustment period anyway.
Geminos isn’t just a stacked dual-monitor, though. It has a built-in 1080p webcam that makes short work of video meetings and virtual classes. There’s also a built-in docking station in the base for all your connectivity needs, including 100W USB-C passthrough charging. All you really need is a computer, a keyboard, and a mouse, and you’re on your way to increased productivity and better ergonomics. At only $699 ($499 if you’re fast enough), Geminos will not only turn your dual monitor plans into reality but also make it your most comfortable monitor setup ever.
They were ridiculed at first, especially by those from Apple’s camp, but the gigantic phones previously known as “phablets” have become the norm today. Naturally, there are now people wishing for the old days, with phones that don’t like they want to jump out of your hand and drop to the ground. These compact or mini phones are becoming rare, especially among the more premium smartphone models. Once in a while, however, there does come something that bucks the trend and offers something that seems to answer those cries. Based on an accidental leak from the manufacturer itself, the ASUS Zenfone 9 could very well be that blast from the past that you’ve been waiting to happen for a very long time.
Designer: ASUS
Smartphone design has always been a matter of making compromises. After all, you can’t throw everything, including the kitchen sink, inside a device that should still fit in your pocket. Today’s breed of smartphones almost make that impossible with their extra-large screens, and foldable phones were conceived as another form of compromise. Of course, one could just adopt a slightly smaller screen, and ASUS seems to be going old-school with its next high-end flagship.
Granted, 5.9 inches is hardly small compared to iPhones before the 2019 iPhone 11, but it’s significantly smaller compared to today’s premium devices. While it does mean that it has a more compact and handier size, it also means there’s less space to view content, especially with rather sizable bezels around the screen. To some extent, ASUS is prioritizing ergonomics over functionality, which seems to go in line with its vision of using the Zenfone 9 as a sports action camera with the right accessories.
The phone also has a headphone jack, something that has become almost extinct in smartphone designs. Even the modular and repairable Fairphone 4 has eschewed this connection in favor of a single USB-C port for both charging and audio output. With the Zenfone 9, however, you won’t have to ignore your wired audio equipment or spend for an adapter that you will often lose. It’s a subtle yet important feature for those who aren’t in the market to buy new speakers or headphones. And despite that gaping hole, the phone still boasts the highest dust and water resistance rating for its kind.
Unfortunately, the compact size of the Zenfone 9 makes the two cameras look even bigger than they would normally be, like two bulging eyes peeking from the phone’s back. As mentioned, ASUS seems to be aiming for practicality and ergonomics rather than aesthetics, and the Zenfone 9 won’t be a looker, at least not in a good way. In exchange, however, the phone’s main camera is being promoted to have 6-axis stabilization, which makes it a good tool for recording sports or active scenes. Given its smaller size, it would give you a better grip to make that happen as well.
Since the promotional video was taken down, it’s not entirely certain whether this is the final form of the ASUS Zenfone 9 or just an early concept. Given the mainline Zenfone’s history, it’s not that far from reality and could be the real deal. It’s definitely an outlier in the smartphone market, so it’s good that consumers still have a choice when looking for these rare features. Hopefully, next year’s Zenfone will be able to deliver the same things but in a more aesthetically pleasing package.
Are you one of those people that cannot resist writing or drawing on a fogged-up window? There’s just something so inviting about sliding your fingers along that surface and making your mark by doodling some random thing there that you know will eventually disappear. Still, it’s something fun to do when you find those steamed windows in various places. But what if it’s something you can do even without the need for fog or steam? That’s one of the things that they came up with at a hackathon at a Japanese creative agency.
These creatives from the agency created a device called Wipe Fake which is basically like a magic slate with a digital twist. They were able to recreate what we do when we swipe through a window fogged up because of condensation. You touch, draw, sketch, and create something using your fingers and this device does that. It is even able to add some water droplets effects which is what we experience when we do it on an actual window.
Users will be able to wipe off what they did and then start all over again. What makes it even more amazing is that you will be able to view “scenery” from behind the screen. You can install a display behind it which will eventually be revealed when you draw and swipe through the window. The display doesn’t really serve a higher function other than it’s fun to draw on something like this. I mean you probably can’t use it in a meeting but you can make it part of your guessing or drawing game.
Wipe Fake is one of three concepts that came out of a in-house hackathon where they had to come up with ideas to use a transparent liquid crystal display for an R&D project called µProto. The other one is called Biotalk which highlights animals in aquariums or zoo displays and give viewers more information about them. The third one is called Suru Heart which will show you the “heart” of the person you’re talking to on the other side through non-verbal cues.
The future of TV will only bring us smarter solutions and innovations, as well as a level of convenience never known before. Even if people no longer watch traditional TV, the demand for television sets as electronics has increased significantly, especially during the pandemic, alongside computers and other gadgets. Moreover, people’s use of TVs and similar displays has changed throughout recent years, thanks to the addition of touchscreen goodness. As a result, display technology has immensely evolved, and with touchscreen technology being invented, our digital lives are forever changed. And as the world prepares to live in a post-pandemic world, we can expect further changes and enhancements not only at home but in offices, schools, and businesses all over the globe.
People’s resilience means companies and brands will have to listen and adjust to our needs, and it is for this reason, a group of designers has thought of a new multifunctional smart screen called Flip. The TCL Flip is a smart display that offers a better interactive experience between the screen and every user. Moreover, it adapts well to the different activities at home or wherever you decide to use the Flip.
The Flip display is only a concept for now, but a prototype was made for testing among a group of Millenials and Gen Z users. About 75% of the 80 testers said that the concept is very cool, while 56.34% said the board game mode is what will make them purchase the Flip. The display can be used in different ways, depending on the need at the moment—whether as a regular TV, an upright display for your phone, a digital board game, or a large drawing pad.
The TCL Flip comes with storage underneath for small items like maybe a remote, charger, or a power adapter. The screen works with a magnetic stylus pen at the rear of the shell for easy use and storage. The main display is supported by what seems to be a folded board in a triangle position with wheels. The covered portion is the storage, while another layer is the additional support for the display when you want to use it as a board game or drawing board.
We can imagine playing air hockey or finger soccer with this TCL Flip, while artists would love to use this to put their creativity to a digital board that can make their lives easier. This is only a concept, but we know TCL will make a lot of money once this project goes into production. It was given an Honorable Mention Award at the Design Intelligence Awards last year (DIA 2021) for its ingenious design and aesthetics. We have seen similar products, but we think this version is more attractive, convenient, and easier to use. If you also have a similar design you want to share with the world, click here to enroll for the 2022 Design Intelligence Awards FOR FREE!
We are so dependent on screens and displays these days, even just for looking at content. Most of the things we need to see every day are often displayed on computer monitors, TVs, and our phones. With more content and more data coming into our lives, it’s almost like we can’t have enough screens around us. In the somewhat distant future, every surface might indeed have a display, an interactive display even, but there are still plenty of technological and psychological hurdles before we get there. In the meantime, Samsung is more than happy to fill our world today with screens that can fold, roll, or even slide in order to give us as much display real estate as we need without forcing us to carry large backpacks or briefcases just to fit a 12-inch tablet.
It isn’t time yet for a new foldable phone, but it’s Display Week 2022 in sunny San Jose, California, and Samsung isn’t going to miss out on the opportunity to show off what it has been cooking behind closed doors. Then again, some of these aren’t particularly new to our eyes, given how they’ve been prefigured by patents and even revealed by Samsung a few months ago. And given how these are already on display for the public to see, they’re more likely to arrive in the next few years rather than the next decades.
Fold it Your Way
Foldable phones are no longer alien to us now, but they’re still novel enough to be seen with some suspicion and apprehension. As marvelous as these may be from an engineering point of view, we’ve barely scratched the surface. Earlier this year, Samsung showed off its Flex G and Flex S foldable screens in action, and this week it’s reminding everyone who will listen to what these flexible displays can offer, presuming they actually become products.
The Flex G, for example, can either be a large screen that folds down twice into a more bag-friendly form, or it could be a makeshift laptop, with one-third of the screen as the keyboard and the other two-thirds for the display. The Flex S, on the other hand, can fold in opposite directions, forming a Z or S shape, and it’s easy enough to imagine it as a phone that transforms into a true tablet or vice versa. Both designs have been spotted before, both in patents and in prototypes, but Samsung might be more confident now to move forward and bring these displays to commercial products.
Let it Slide
The newest member of its gallery, however, is its “slidable” screens. Technically a combination of a sliding mechanism and a rollable display, this technology allows a device to expand its screen space without drastically changing the form of the device. A phone, for example, can remain a phone while its top slide out to show a bit more content. Given how tall smartphones are these days, that’s not exactly a big leap in form factors.
Similarly, an 8.1-inch tablet that suddenly has its sides slide out to expand to a 12.4-inch screen won’t drastically change the way you use the device. You just have more space for content or possibly more apps side-by-side. This kind of shape-shifting device might be a bit more approachable to consumers compared to foldables since it doesn’t require them to switch between modes or mindsets. Whether these are more robust than folding screens, however, remains to be seen.
For the Rest of Us
Truth be told, only a small fraction of today’s smartphone-using population has embraced foldables. There are a variety of reasons to hold off from those, with durability and price being the strongest deterrents. Until Samsung and other manufacturers have sufficiently addressed those concerns, foldables, rollables, slidables, and other -able displays will remain novelties and luxuries that could eventually die off as fads.
Of course, Samsung hasn’t completely forgotten about common people and has a few of its more normal but more usable innovations also on display, no pun intended. Amusingly, its latest QD-Display technology also stands as a testament to how technology, marketing, and even design go back and forth like a pendulum. The display market swings between LCD and OLED technologies every so often, sometimes with different marketing names and tweaks like MicroLED and Quantum Dots, in an attempt to get buyers’ attention and money. Samsung’s QD-Display TVs and monitors are just about to roll out to the public, so we’ll see soon enough what that buzz is all about.
