Viewsonic demos 120Hz desktop LCD at NVISION 2008

Viewsonic showed off a 22-inch, 120Hz desktop LCD display prototype at NVISION 2008 on Monday in San Jose, Calif.

While most computer LCD displays refresh at 60Hz, the Viewsonic prototype achieves virtually double the refresh rate, which can be beneficial when watching a movie. Since the 24 frames per second (fps) framerate that film is shot at can be evenly divided into 120Hz, it makes for a smoother framerate than what you get with a 60Hz display, especially during action scenes.

In my experience, movies running at 120Hz look like video as opposed to film and takes away from that movie-like feeling. Some people prefer the 120Hz look, but I really can't get used to it. It just feels like I'm watching a very big budget home movie. Games I have not seen at 120Hz, but there is evidence that there could be smoother performance 120Hz compatible displays.

Viewsonic's 120Hz LCD prototype may be released later this year.

(Credit: Viewsonic)

The prototype display is also compatible with NVIDIA's Stereoscopic 3D technology.

In addition the Viewsonic prototype has a 3ms gray-to-gray response time, integrated 2Wx2 stereo speakers and a Dual Link DVI input.

Other specs include:

• 1,680x1,050 resolution
• 300 candelas per square meter brightness
• 1000:1 contrast ratio

Viewsonic expects its first displays featuring 120Hz technology later in the year at select resellers, retailers, and e-tailers. No pricing is available yet.