Philips Proves Their Widescreen Brilliance [high-performance 220SW9 LCD monitor]

God help us. Not another LCD computer monitor. Haven’t we seen enough of those already? With the glut of LCD computer displays lining the shelves, most manufactured by the same two Chinese companies, it’s no surprise that we have a hard time getting a rise over another product offering in this category. After all, what can they possibly add top entice us? A wider monitor? More shades of black and grey cabinets? Actual compatibility with Windows Vista? Well, the Philips Brilliance line of intelligent widescreen LCD monitors may actually have some new tricks to show us.

The Philips Brilliance 220SW9 LCD widescreen monitor is not for the faint of heart. If you are looking for a serious upgrade to your dreary display you won’t have to look too far. The 22-inch display unit has some pretty cool features like a built-in sensor that actually knows when you are not in front of the screen. Say you get up from your desk to head over to chat up that little hottie in accounting, it will automatically dim the display saving about 50% on the actual operating requirements. This should be airbag-standard on all laptops.

This lovely LCD also comes stacked with Philips SmartImage and SmartContrast. SmartImage is an exclusive, leading edge Philips technology that analyzes the content displayed on your screen and enhances the contrast, color saturation and sharpness of images and videos for ultimate display performance – all in real time with the press on a single button. SmartContrast automatically adjusts colors and backlight intensity to dynamically optimize the contrast for the best digital images and video viewing. It even has a setting that will optimize the power consumption for your more run-of-the-mill office tasks. I think I’m in eco-lust.

Picture/Display

• LCD panel type: TFT-LCD
• Panel Size: 22″ / 55.9 cm
• Aspect ratio: 16:10
• Pixel pitch: 0.282 x 0.282 mm
• Brightness: 300 cd/m
• SmartContrast ratio (dynamic): 10000:1
• Contrast ratio (typical): 1000:1
• Viewing angle: 176-deg (H) / 170-deg (V), @ C/R > 5
• Response time (typical): 5 ms
• Optimum Resolution: 1680 x 1050 @ 60Hz
• Display colors: 16.7 M
• Horizontal Scanning Frequency: 30 – 83 kHz
• Vertical Scanning Frequency: 56 – 75 Hz
• sRGB

Connectivity

• Signal Input: VGA (Analog ), DVI-D
• Sync Input: Composite Sync, Separate Sync, Sync on Green

Power

• Consumption (On mode): < 45 W (Typical)
• Consumption (economy mode): 34 W
• Consumption (Off Mode): < 0.8 W
• Power LED indicator: Operation – Blue, Stand by/sleep -blue(blinking)
• Power supply: Built-in, 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz
• Complies with: Energy Star

The introduction of yet another LCD computer monitor certainly isn’t much reason to get excited. That being said, there are exceptions to every rule and Philips has managed to prove this out with their Brilliance display. Energy Star performance and eco-friendly features coupled with the proven display expertise we’ve come to expect from Philips make the 220SW9 a worthy member of the family. The 22-inch Brilliance widescreen LCD display is set to hit the UK in July for 170 GBP ($282) with North American availability not far behind. Surf on over to www.philips.consumer.com for more details.