mydigitallife

Computers have become an integral part of everyday life, and the visual component of those, namely computer monitors, are constantly evolving to meet new standards in terms of energy consumption, design, size and ergonomics as well as clarity and usability.

The latest trends in monitors are twofold, according to Bruce Byrne, Visual Communications Specialist at Drive Control Corporation (DCC), official distributors of Philips monitors. "On the one hand, from a business perspective, the trend is edging towards energy efficiency, eco-friendliness and generally a move towards 'green' products. From the consumer side, on the other hand, the trend is all about style, sleek design, High Definition (HD) resolution capability and wide-screen viewing," he says.

Going green is one of the biggest drivers for businesses when it comes to purchasing equipment such as computer monitors. Corporate responsibility, international adoption and legislation and best practice guidelines are pushing business buyers towards considering more environmentally friendly options. In addition, increased pressure from all sides to reduce energy consumption is another top of mind consideration.

"In terms of power consumption, the Energy Star standard is the generally accepted best practice," says Tyrone Young, marketing manager for Philips Monitors at Philips South Africa. "The new version of Energy Star ratings,
version five, specifies even lower total power consumption than ever before, showing that this is a major concern for business across the globe."

With regards to power consumption, a number of things can be done to address the issue, including adherence to the latest Energy Star requirements. Two lamp monitor technology is also another emerging standard. Traditionally
monitors used four or six lamps, and the newer two lamp versions therefore dramatically lower power consumption.

"Philips' introduction of the world's first ever monitors with intelligent power sensors is another energy innovation," adds Byrne. "This technology, which is currently available on a few high-end Philips monitors, has a revolutionary power sensor which detects user presence and automatically adjusts monitor performance accordingly, reducing power consumption by up to 50%."

Going green has also had an additional impact on monitors. Packaging is being reduced and is becoming more recyclable and environmentally friendly with eco-friendly materials finding their way into the monitors themselves.
On top of this, monitors are being rolled out that contain far less lead and mercury than before and are therefore 'kinder' to the planet.

"From a consumer perspective eco-friendliness is not the most important driving factor, as aspects like flashy design and performance tend to be more desirable in this market," says Young. "There is also a move towards HD capability and widescreen technology, driven by the entertainment industry."

HD monitors are being driven by convergence, as more and more personal computers (PCs) are being used for entertainment such as watching movies and gaming. As a result, HD monitors are being produced in widescreen _ (16:9) format to accommodate the aspect ratio of HD video. Connectivity is therefore tending towards DVI (Digital Video Interface) and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface).

A more compact form factor and attractive design are leading to the integration of functionality such as stereo sound, as well as ease of use functions like USB inputs and keys to control certain features, into the
monitors themselves.

While not mainstream yet, there is also an emerging market for LED display screens, although the cost of these is still quite high which limits entry to this market. LED screens are being touted as the next big thing, as the technology is now more stable than ever and consumers are demanding ever greater quality. The biggest upshot to LED monitors is the phenomenal contrast ratio (1000000:1) which delivers crisp, clear pictures, natural colours and incredibly rich detail. As an added bonus, LED monitors are also eco-friendly, as they do not use mercury, and have higher energy efficiency and lower power consumption compared to traditional monitor technology.

"There can be no doubt that LED monitor technology will be the way to go in the future," concludes Byrne. "While it might be too expensive currently, it is anticipated that the technology will become mainstream in the near future
when the price point of this technology drops." 

For more information contact

Bruce Byrne

Drive Control Corporation

Tel: 011-2018927

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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