Asus multimedia monitor

We�ve already talked about convergence in gadgets where mobile phones increasingly are coming with high resolution cameras, MP3 players and even with an astonishing 8 GB of internal memory.

Now it seems the monitor manufacturers want a piece of the action too. The new ASUS PG1191 19 inch monitor comes packed full of extras you wouldn�t expect to see in a conventional monitor.

The 19" LCD screen comes with a 1024�768 resolution and 800:1 contrast ratio, as well as a standard DVI input, but that�s where �standard� ends.

To enable you to watch films, videos and play 3D games without ghosting, Asus have added a so called TraceFree technology, boosting the response time to 2ms apparently producing a smooth, video like quality.

There�s also some �intelligence� built in the monitor, which can somehow detect what�s being shown on the screen and optimise the display mode, choosing from 5 different modes.

Incorporated into the monitor are :

� a USB 2.0 hub with three ports

� a 1.8 Mega Pixels web camera

� an integrated 2.1 speaker system (two 10-Watt speakers and 15-Watt super bass system)

� ports for speakers and microphone

I don�t know why they didn�t go all the way and feature a built-in microphone, but maybe sound quality was a concern.

But who cares, it�s a cool system and I want one! There are no details on pricing though; so I�m keeping my fingers crossed.