In a trendy wine bar just off Times Square earlier this month, ViewSonic showed off their latest wares, both monitors and projectors. Known for their value proposition, ViewSonic has rightfully owned a piece of both the monitor business and the projector market for quite some time. One reason for this is their "future proof connectivity" - if you don't skimp on inputs, you'll make a product that can accomodate future upgrades.
Screens of All Sizes
Viewsonic's VX2475Smhl-4K Ultra HD multimedia monitor sports an UltraHD 3820x2160 pixel native resolution for outstanding detail on gaming, photos and video content. This slim 24-inch model includes professional SuperClear PLS panel technology for wide-angle viewing and a 4ms response time that makes for smooth viewing and speedy reaction times for gamers. Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.2a and HDMI 2.0 to support Ultra HD 4K content at frame rates up to 60Hz.
Additionally, MHL capability allows seamless connection to MHL-enabled devices such as the Roku streaming stick, select phones and tablets and the WPG-300 ViewSync wireless dongle. Plug the wireless dongle into the display (or select ViewSonic projectors) and you can stream 1080p HD content from your mobile phone, PC, tablet or laptop.
Not common in monitors is the presence of two built-in speakers powered by internal 3-watt amplifiers. While not excetly enough to pump out "Big Sound," they will get you by in a pinch if you're not using separate powered speakers. The MSRP of the VX2475Smhl-4K is $611, but we've seen it available for pre-order online for around $400.
Moving up in screen size is ViewSonic's flagship VP2780-4K 27-inch Ultra HD LED monitor. It also features a native 3840x2160 pixels resolution, with input frame rates up to 60Hz, SuperClear IPS panel technology, a 14-bit 3D look-up table which provides a color palette of up to 4.39 trillion colors, and Delta E=2, the VP2780-4K delivers real color performance and wide-angle viewing. Equipped with advanced EBU color space and wide-range gamma setting, the Ultra HD monitor provides optimized screen adjustments for different viewing scenarios. The monitor also includes HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort1.2 inputs, dual MHL/HDMI inputs, and 4-port USB 3.0 connectivity. The VP2780-4K is available with a MSRP of $1,091.
One step down from the flagship (but one inch larger in size), we find the VG2860mhl-4K 28-inch Ultra HD LED monitor. Ideal for scientific renderings, online trading and even surveillance applications, theVG2680 offers full Ultra HD resolution (3840x2160 pixels) with DisplayPort 1.2a, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI 1.4, HDMI/MHL, DVI inputs and four USB ports. Because it lacks HDMI 2.0 or HDCP 2.2 support, this isn't the best choice for a 4K entertainment display (it won't fully support the next generation 4K media player sources), but it makes an excellent choice for high resolution multi-purpose computer monitor.
To that end, the VG2860's MultiPicture feature allows for simultaneous viewing of up to four split windows. Who said multitasking was dead? The VG2860mhl-4K has an MSRP of $885.
Big Pictures
ViewSonic was also touting the latest DLP projectors in their LightStream lineup, including the PJD7825HD (black), PJD7830HDL (white), and PJD7835HD (black). These new projectors all offer full HD 1080p resolution and range from 3,000 to 3,500 lumens of brightness. They offer two HDMI ports including the unique "PortAll" compartment which includes a hidden MHL/HDMI port. This port allows users to wirelessly stream multimedia content via an optional wireless HDMI dongle such as ViewSonic's WPG-300 dowww.ViewSonic.comngle for wireless streaming from mobile devices, notebooks or PCs. Other HDMI/MHL devices such as Roku's Streaming Stick are also supported. With the compartment closed, whatever is inside is effectively invisible. Each of these projectors can do native 3D from sources such as Blu-ray 3D players. Other inputs include RGB, Composite Video, Mini USB, USB, and Audio In/Out.
The LightStream series of projectors are expected to begin shipping in August with MSRP pricing as follows: PJD7825HD ($943), PJD7830HDL ($1,058) and PJD7835HD ($1,174). All are expected to begin shipping this August.
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