Gateway announces 24" 1080p desktop LCD

Irvine (CA) - Gateway has added two new desktop LCDs to its monitor lineup. A 22" and a 24" complement the already existing 19" and 21" models and also integrate HDCP functionality that allows users to watch movies from HD DVD or Blu-ray media.

The new high-end LCD measures 24" and is Gateway’s first widescreen monitor that supports full 1080p (1920x1080 progressive) resolution thanks to its maximum 1920x1200 pixel capability. The LCD offers a dual-component interface, a touchscreen-based configuration menu, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 450 cd/m2 brightness and a 6 ms refresh rate.

All those features don’t come cheap at $680, but the package is one of the cheaper ways to enjoy high-definition content at 1080p, provided you already have all the other components necessary for video playback : A Blu-ray/HD DVD drive or player, an HDCP-equipped graphics card and third-party Blu-ray/HD DVD player software.

Gateway’s 22" HD LCD can’t handle 1080p and will play movies through its 1680x1050 pixel resolution only at 768p (1366x768 progressive), but is also significantly cheaper : With a price tag of $400, it costs exactly as much as Gateway’s 21" screen, but does not offer the rotating screen capability of its smaller sister model. According to Gateway, the 22" LCD offers 300 cd/m2 brightness and a 700:1 contrast ratio. A height-adjustable stand, which is standard on the 24" and 21" LCDs, is available for an extra $70.

Gateway also offers a 19" HD LCD, which provides a resolution of 1280x1024 pixels and includes the rotating screen functionality, for $230.