Audio Video News

Convergence has taken another step forward with the newest offering from Princeton Graphics Systems. On June 13, the display and monitor maker introduced its Ai3.2HD, a 32" flatscreen CRT with HDTV compatibility and interactive television features.

With a 4:3 aspect ratio, the Ai3.2HD supports multiple scan rates, including high frequency horizontal scanning. It also supports three letterbox HDTV formats: 480p, 720p, and 1080i. Computer inputs enable graphics displays at VGA, SVGA, and XGA levels of resolution from either Mac or PC sources. An inboard NTSC tuner and USB port are both standard, as is the Ch.1™ interactive entertainment services for enhanced TV and Internet functionality. A DVDO 503 de-interlacer improves all video, according to advance publicity.

Moving images are said to be stunning on the 3.2, which has a wide video bandwidth of 40 MHz and dual auto-detect YpbP-to-RGB transcoder matrices for 480p and HDTV. "With a horizontal scanning frequency of 30-50kHz, the Ai3.2HD is capable of displaying 720p HDTV signals letterboxed in their native mode. 720p display capability is a rarity in digital-ready and HD sets because of the format's high horizontal scanning frequency of 45 kHz," stated the official press release. Color temperature and aspect ratio settings can all be fine-tuned to users' preferences.

The Ai3.2HD has a new high-output CRT with a fine dot-pitch high-resolution screen. The monitor is said to be 40% brighter than its predecessors, with superb gray scale, and enhanced black level. Excellent off-axis imaging is attributed to a new electron gun design which improves focus by 15%, combined with a new high frequency saddle-saddle deflection yoke which improves definition at the screen's corners by as much as 20%.

The Ai3.2HD "will set a new standard for discriminating customers," said William Wang, president and CEO of Princeton Graphic Systems. "We are extremely excited about the opportunity to offer this type of performance in a contemporary design which critics and consumers have come to expect from our brand."

Princeton Graphics introduced the Ai3.2HD at the INFOCOMM trade show in Las Vegas. Equipped with universal IR remote, keyboard, and mouse, the Ai3.2HD will begin shipping in July. EPA Energy Star™ and VESA™ compliant, the Ai3.2HD weighs 176lbs (80kg.) and measures 36 3/8" W x 27 3/4" H x 23 1/8"D. Suggested list price is $3,499.00.