DailyTech - Gateway Announces HDCP-Compliant LCD Display

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Hardware Gateway Announces HDCP-Compliant LCD Display
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - June 16, 2006 5:19 AM

10 comment(s) - last by MDme.. on Jun 16 at 4:05 PM

Unfortunately the new display only goes up to 1440x900

Gateway this week announced its first HDCP-compliant LCD panel, called the FPD1975W. The screen is a 19-inch wide aspect ratio display that boasts decent resolution with support for HDCP content protection. Although the unit does not include a HDMI input, it does come with a DVI-D connection as well as an analog DB-15 input. The DVI-D input accepts traditional DVI signals as well as HDCP-DVI signals.

The FBD1975W will be one of the first few displays out to be able to claim true Windows Vista HDCP support, and be able to play back Blu-ray and HD-DVD movies when they actually ship. DailyTech previously reported that BenQ also announce an HDCP-capable display at Computex called the FP241W, which is a 24-inch wide aspect ratio LCD.

Gateway's FBD1975W specifications:

Size: 19-inches
Aspect ratio: 16:10
Brightness: 300cd/m2
Contrast ratio: 700:1
Resolution: 1440x900
Response time: 8ms gray-to-gray
Inputs: DVI-D, DB-15 VGA
Lamp life: 50,000 hours

Resolution for Gateway's new 19-inch seems a bit on the low side, as some smaller 15-inch displays are already at 1440x900. The most interesting part is that even though the FBD1975W will support HDCP playback of HD content such as Blu-ray and HD-DVD, it will not be able to play those back at native resolution, since 1920x1080 is not supported. Without actual support for a native 1920x1080 resolution at the least, the screen will be unable to playback Blu-ray or HD-DVD content at their full HDCP-protected resolutions.

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Eh?

By Fluppeteer on 6/16/2006 6:36:01 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Without actual support for a native 1920x1080 resolution at the least, the included support for HDCP is not required.

I'm not sure where that comes from. HDCP is just as necessary for, say, 1280x720. It may be that the ICT won't be used for Blu-ray and HD-DVD, so that only 1080p will need HDCP (if my understanding of the AACS is correct), but that doesn't mean that nobody else is using HDCP. Sky (satellite) in the UK needs it, for example - otherwise you get downscaling to standard def resolutions.

I'm not sure about the "15-inch displays" at this resolution - are these not mostly laptop screens? In which case, you could just as well mention 15.4" 1920x1200 or 15" 2048x1536 laptop panels. 1920x1200 isn't standard at anything under 24", with (IIRC) 1680x1050 standard around the 20" mark. It sounds about right, for the market positioning - for all that I'd be more inclined to buy one at WUXGA resolution.

For a computer monitor, 1440x900 is better than 1280x720 - and they need to show some increase over 1280x1024, because a widescreen that's got the same resolution as your average SXGA 19" but with the bottom chopped off doesn't look like a value proposition. For a HDTV, it would have been better to stick to 1280x720 (or 1280x768 with some letterboxing) if they can't make it up to 1920x1080/1920x1200. Sounds like this is a monitor first and a television second, probably as you'd hope for a 19" screen.

--
Fluppeteer

RE: Eh?

By Tuan Nguyen on 6/16/2006 6:42:40 AM , Rating: 2

Updated for greater clarity.

Tuan

Parent

RE: Eh?

By Fluppeteer on 6/16/2006 8:35:14 AM , Rating: 2

Ah - I see the confusion. It's true, this display (like many
flat panel HDTVs) won't display 1080 encoded images ideally.
However, not all HD content will be 1080 - it's likely that
a lot (especially that currently recorded in 720p) will still
be (1280x)720p when on a next generation disk.

Just because it's not 1080 doesn't mean it's useless for HD.
Without the HDCP, if/when the ICT starts getting used you'd
have even lower resolution (or no output). The same applies
to streamed content through Vista, not just the next gen
disks.

So it's a good feature to have, if a somewhat unexciting one.
(I understand that new monitors above 20" have to have HDCP
anyway, in the US? If so, fitting it to a 19" panel is generous,
but not unwelcome.)

--
Fluppeteer

Parent

boring

By squeezee on 6/16/2006 6:45:23 AM , Rating: 2

Its just a regular old 19" widescreen lcd, adding HDCP doesn't magically change anything about that. Considering most displays coming onto the market from now on this announcement rates as a *YAWN*.

what 15" screens come with a 1440x900 res?

By R3MF on 6/16/2006 10:29:31 AM , Rating: 2

"Resolution for Gateway's new 19-inch seems a bit on the low side, as some smaller 15-inch displays are already at 1440x900."

i love dell to make an ultrasharp version!

Parent

By gramboh on 6/16/2006 12:05:28 PM , Rating: 2

Not really excited to watch HD content on a 19inch widescreen, that is tiny vertical.

I more or less understand HDCP and it's impact on resolutions but imagine if you knew nothing about HD in general, there is no way the average consumer would be able to figure this out when they don't even know the different HD resolutions, what DVI and HDMI are etc. I wonder if the salespeople at Best Buy even understand it.

RE: HD

By OrSin on 6/16/2006 12:33:33 PM , Rating: 2

Best buy sale people understand stuff about 3 days before my parents and they are clueless. Thy to explain to them you want a TV with wither DVI or HDMI interface took me 15 minutes and then they just went from box to box looking for the words on the box. I should get a training fee when ever I walk into one of these stores.

Parent

RE: Wait a tick

By stevehp on 6/16/2006 2:51:54 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
So does that mean the Gateway FPD2185W 21" LCD is not HDCP compliant... even tho it claims it?

Exactly I own the FPD2185W, and the fact sheets all say it is HDCP compliant so what's the deal did I and others get lied to or is this a DailyTech goof.

RE: Wait a tick

By MDme on 6/16/2006 4:05:29 PM , Rating: 2

me too. I have a Gateway FPD2185W and all the manuals and websites say it is HDCP ready. It's even on the sticker at the bottom right of the frame.

It is probably a goof up. don't know who's fault though.

Parent

Wait a tick...

By Swaid on 6/16/2006 5:30:23 AM , Rating: 2

So does that mean the Gateway FPD2185W 21" LCD is not HDCP compliant... even tho it claims it?

Ready for Tomorrow
The 21” Widescreen comes with built-in innovative compatibility features so you can handle tomorrow’s technology today. The HDCP Video Content Encryption Chip allows encrypted high-definition video to be played on the display through the DVI port. The Protection Video Path ensures the display is compatible with future software packages.

Connections and Inputs
• Analog (VGA): 15-pin mini d-sub VGA
• Digital (DVI-D): 24-pin DVD-D (supports 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i). Includes HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection)
• Composite video
• S-Video
• Component Y Pb Pr (supports 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i)
• AC power input
• USB 2.0 B-type (PC input)
• USB 2.0 A-type (PC input)

(taken from Gateway's site)
http://accessories.gateway.com/AccessoryStore/PC+A...