Computers

NEC puts the wow into work with its $8000 curved display

NEC puts the wow into work with its $8000 curved display
The NEC CRV43 in all its ultra-widescreen curved glory
The NEC CRV43 in all its ultra-widescreen curved glory
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The NEC CRV43 in all its ultra-widescreen curved glory
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The NEC CRV43 in all its ultra-widescreen curved glory
The NEC CRV43 is bulkier because it uses DLP technology
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The NEC CRV43 is bulkier because it uses DLP technology
The NEC CRV43 ultra-widescreen curved display
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The NEC CRV43 ultra-widescreen curved display
The front panel controls of the NEC CRV43
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The front panel controls of the NEC CRV43
Close-up of the NEC CRV43 curved display
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Close-up of the NEC CRV43 curved display
The NEC CRV43
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The NEC CRV43
Rear view of the NEC CRV43
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Rear view of the NEC CRV43
The NEC CRV43 rear-angle view
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The NEC CRV43 rear-angle view
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View gallery - 17 images

June 5, 2009 NEC’s CRV43 ultra-widescreen curved monitor is one of those bits of tech that's definitely drool-worthy and likely to put some real wow into the workplace. The 43-inch curved display is essentially four digital light processing (DLP) monitors stitched together with LED backlighting to deliver an impressive set of numbers - 2880x900 double WXGA native resolution, 0.02 second response time, 200 cd/m2 brightness and 10,000:1 contrast ratio. First unveiled at CES in January 2008, the monitor will go on the market next month. All you need is a cool USD$8000 and it's yours to drool over.

While you may be imagining the immersive gaming experience to be enjoyed with such a monitor, the uncommon resolution and 32:10 aspect ratio means you’ll be hard pressed to find a game that the monitor will support. Rather, NEC is targeting high-end users in the simulation, digital imaging as well as the command and control industries, which require lightning-fast response times, a broad field of view, greater dynamic range, wide color gamut and employ multiple monitor set-ups.

The user’s taskbar is extended natively across the length of the seamless curved screen, which according to NEC increases productivity and lowers frustration by eliminating the bezel and screen gap issues that occur with multiple monitor setups.

Since DLP is a projection technology, the CRV43 is actually a little bulkier than it appears front on. Side views give a better idea. The monitor is no featherweight either, tipping the scales at 52.5lbs (23.9 kg) with the stand. Since reaching around the back might be a bit of a stretch, NEC has provided front panel controls.

One input setup is possible due to single link DVI-D and HDMI 1.3 input connectors. The CRV43 also includes USB 2.0 connectivity. The LED backlighting provides for a wide color gamut with 100 percent coverage of sRGB and 99.3% coverage of Adobe RGB.

For your eight grand – $7,999 to be precise – you receive a three-year parts and labor warranty, including the backlight.

You may now commence drooling.

Darren Quick

View gallery - 17 images
3 comments
3 comments
Matt Fletcher
I don't see how it's worth it when you can get 3 24" Samsung monitors for $300 each that are 1920x1200, which can be supported with a second graphics card for an additional $200. The only difference is you will have two edges in the screen but well worth putting up with for more than doubling the screen size. Don't believe me then lets compare the cost & screen size.
-CRV43 Cost= $8,000.00 Size =2880x900=2,592,000 with a 43" display
-3 24" Samsung monitors graphics card Cost= $1,100 Size= 5760x1200=6,912,000 or stacked sideways= 3600x1920=6,912,000 with over 60" of display
Craig Mclaughlin
Yeah It may no be worth it to you or me now. But if I had the cash I would so get it. Also this is the first release. The prices will come down in the future. Look at the first flat panel monitors when they first came out. Its got to start some where.
Jack Pryne
I agree with you both: Very cool, but I'll stick with multiple flatscreens for now. Even two is great!