Oooh, pretty lights in LG's new gaming monitor

Hey, if the monitor is able to display graphics like these, I'll deal with giant cracks in my desk.

(Credit: LG)

I'm going to be quite honest. I've never noticed input lag with any of the monitors I've tested here at CNET. All monitors have input lag to some degree; that's the nature of current computer technology. However, the amount of input lag a monitor has is less important than the amount of input lag a gamer can perceive. If you don't notice it, it's not an issue.

On Thursday, LG announced its W2363V LCD monitor that it claims will eliminate display delay. LG says it can achieve this through something that goes by the marketing buzzword Thru Mode. According to LG, Thru Mode "removes image processing." Really? I'd really be interested to know how the image actually gets onscreen if it's not processed. That's a question for when I get my hands on this sleek-looking monitor.

The monitor has a Full HD resolution of 1920x1080; 300 candelas per square meters brightness; a 70,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio; 2ms response time; and a built-in headphone jack.

Connection options include VGA, DVI-D, Component, and HDMIx2. The display also features built-in speakers that support SRS TruSurround HD and features 360-degree surround.

The most unique feature--I mean, other than removing image processing--is what the Mad Men at LG call Tru Light. In the bottom of the bezel is a bar with a white light. The light illuminates and reacts to the action (or non-action) seen onscreen. For example, if you're playing a fast-moving game, the light would flash in correlation with the shooting, jumping, or slicing onscreen.

Judging from the demo on LG's site it looks like it could be pretty distracting and annoying. Also, does it annoy anyone else that all the gaming footage they're showing of Aion is prerendered CG, even though they're trying to tout the monitor's ability to display real-time imagery?

I guess that's marketing for you. Unfortunately, LG has no current plans to release this thing stateside. Maybe, we should start bugging them to though.

[EvanSei]

I always admire the minute details in things, and the little add ons to make something more interesting than it really is, such as how the windows icon in windows7 glows bright when the pointer is moved over it, but the light at the bottom of this screen would get very annoying, very fast. and I would not buy a monitor with it, unless the light could be turned off.

[1812dave]

Light show on the bezel below the screen?? What a stupid, distracting, money-wasting "feature". DUH!

As far as the "no processing"?? yeah, right. another DUH! Talk about marketing BS.

[choctawfootball]

what a JOKE !

they call it a "gaming monitor" with 1920x1080 resolution.

ha ! too funny...

[boyracer2k]

And that's not gamer how? Any resolution can be considered "gaming" resolution, there's no right or wrong.

[deathxxshark]

What's wrong with gaming at 1920x1080? Lots of people do it. I do it with my PS3. Feels exactly the same as playing on an SDTV, except everything is clearer at 1920x1080....

[BCF1968]

well choctaw no TVs have resolutions greater than 1920X1080 and most monitors don't. I would suspect less than 2% of people use a resolution of greater than 1920X1080. And don't bring up photographers or people into design who would need greater resolution. Obviously I'm not referring to those types.

[mclebron23]

HAHAHA you must be ******* retarded. 1920x1080 is the perfect resolution for gaming dumb ass. ps3, an 360 games native resolution is 1920x1080...if u play PC then oh well, PC gaming sucks anyway. =)

[jaroslaw_k]

Since this monitor 'removes image processing', it may also 'remove energy consumption'...
On, the Wonderful World of Marketing!

[poultryfish]

How much time did they spend on that demo video? They should have taken the time from making that and do some focus testing. A light, to flash with the SOUND? What?!

Although, from the looks of the video, it can be turned off.