LG Smart Monitors Feature Auto-Adjusting Brightness, Proximity Sensors

LG's new Smart Monitor series feature a notebook-like auto brightness feature, a cinema mode, and proximity sensor that light up controls only when users reach for them.

South Korea’s LG Electronics has announced a new line of “Smart” W53 widescreen LCD monitors that look to make the everyday computer display a little easier to use—and friendlier on the eyes. The new monitors feature a notebook-like auto brightness feature that enables them to automatically adjust their brightness based on ambient light around them; other features include cinema mode that blanks out everything except on-screen video, and a proximity sensor that illuminates controls only when a user’s hand gets near them.

“LG conducted extensive research throughout Europe and Asia, and learned that one major complaint people had about their monitors was eyestrain from the screen being either too bright or too dark,” said president and CEO of LG Electronics Business Solutions Company B.B. Hwang, in a statement. “Because of this, LG’s W53 Smart Monitors are packed with the world’s first full suite of intelligent features that optimize the screen’s brightness to reduce eyestrain. This also significantly reduces power consumption by lowering the intensity of the backlight.”

LG will offer its W53 Smart Monitors in sizes ranging from 18.5 to 27 inches; sizes above 21.5 inches will offer full HD 1,920 by 1,080 resolution; all monitors will boast a 50,000:1 contrast ratio and a 2 ms response time.

LG plans to introduce the W53 series worldwide starting this month; no pricing information is available.