Audio Video News

Flatscreen TV is on almost everyone's wish list. It's a product category that cuts across all demographic boundaries. From home theater enthusiasts to casual TV viewers, everyone agrees that flatscreens are "way cool."

Unfortunately, they've been too expensive—until fairly recently. Sampo America is one of a handful of companies pushing the envelope of affordable flatscreen technology. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show, the company debuted two new plasma video monitors that incorporate a features set designed specifically for the movie enthusiast and custom installer—including an enhanced calibration interface, advanced color calibration functions, discrete power and input controls, split-screen side-by-side picture, and dual high-definition component video inputs. The two 42" plasma displays—the 1024 x 1024 pixel PME-42X6 and the 852 x 480 pixel PME-42S6—break new barriers with respective retail prices of $5999 and $4999.

The two new 42" widescreen displays are "fan-less video monitors incorporating Sampo's 'MotionDSC' digital processor, which provides adaptive motion de-interlacing for digital progressive line scaling," states a new product announcement from Sampo. "Both units offer a robust feature set including discrete input calibration memory, selectable preset color temperature settings, advanced multi-window viewing, variable 4:3 image aspect ratios, discrete power on/off, dual high-definition component video inputs, built-in amplifier and speakers, and BBE and SRS Surround Sound processing."

Inputs include composite, S-Video, component video, DVI, RGB and audio. RS-232 and USB ports are provided for control purposes. The monitors can be coupled to optional NTSC TV/CATV tuner modules that expand their capabilities, adding convenience functions such as Closed Caption decoding, favorite channel programming, and channel lock/V-Chip.

"This year's plasma video monitor solutions from Sampo reflect the integration of a host of new features designed to make the displays easier to use for the average consumer, while providing an increased level of calibration to suit the needs of professional video enthusiasts," stated Sampo America sales director Brian Ballard. "By listening to the recommendations of our customers and product reviewers, we have increased the functionality and performance in our new product line while at the same time making the products more affordable." Sampo's new plasma monitors will be available in the first quarter of 2002, Ballard said.