The Zone

The second part of the two page feature is here!

The LG M3200C-BA Flatron monitor - with a USD2199 list price that includes HDMI with HDCP, 1080i-ready, 1600:1 contrast ratio and a three year warranty, its more sensible to own than some newer sets. Don't forget that there's a bulk discount price, too!

Continuing where we left off, the main reason for the increase in exposure of industrial monitors is due to two main reasons - affordability and future-ready. While the general public would be more receptive to finished, sleek products for their homes where they can brag about their latest big-screen TV, there is a percentage of the population who would rather DIY their garages instead of pre-ordering one from ACE or Home Depot. They include the average family man who buys supplies in bulk at Tesco, to the up-and-coming studio executive who needs a large, but affordable screen (or screens), or for art directors and the like in the creative industry to fulfill their display needs. (more after the jump)

Monitors like the Sharp PN-455 pictured below are capable of displaying native, unscaled HD resolutions of 1920 x 1080, and since it is primarily meant for digital signage usage, you can expect better build quality than your run-of-the-mill flatscreen. Since it has a high native resolution, you can actually use it as a PC monitor from 10 feet away, giving its 45" screen size. Try playing Oblivion on that.

The Sharp PN-455 with 1080i capabilities (the imaging chip does not support 1080p)

Some companies also produce whoppers such as the PK-8420 from Orion, which is a 84" plasma monitor that actually consists of four different 42" screens that are joined together by a seamless edge manufacturing process, giving you "1706 x 960 active pixels, with support for all HDTV resolutions and computer resolutions up to 1600 x 1200" - as quoted from Akira's website Cool, eh?

Fancy having ESPN, AXN, StarSports and Sky on a single display without Picture-in-Picture?

While these industrial monsters are pretty much high-tech and very desirable, there are a couple of downsides to owning one (and some of them very much obvious)

1. Product information is scarce, leaving you with limited choices most of the times. Samsung does not release any official MFM information on the web, though some sites, such as those offering HD displays will have some information and model numbers. LG has their own site on commercial displays here.
2. Unless you have an extended family that is willing to help you bulk buy these things, or your boss is kind enough to over-order a couple of units for your new office, there is high chance that you'll be able to buy one off-the-shelf.
3. Most don't come with speakers out-of-the-box. Not really a hinderance, though for you DIY-ers, since you might already have a home system setup.
4. Finding a willing supplier that is able to sell to individuals (even in a bulk buy) is a tad hard, giving that most do their business online.

The above list does not mean that owning an industrial display is that bad, but, if you have an avenue, or chance to purchase a single unit, why not? You might be in for a pleasant surprise!