There are an increasing number of hybrid displays appearing on the market, offering both computer monitor and TV functionality in one, and LG's M94D series is just one ultra sleek example of that.

While a computer monitor is not going to cut it as a display for a videophiles' home cinema setup, LG is still targeting film fanatics, as well as gamers, with these new monitors.

Acer has announced its G24 widescreen LCD monitor, which it says is the first to offer a whopping 50,000:1 (yes, fifty thousand to one) contrast ratio.

Aimed at gamers and those wanting a decent high definition experience from their PC monitor, this 24-inch monitor has CrystalBrite technology, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution (16:10 ratio), HDMI input with full HDCP support, 176-degree viewing angle, and 400cd/m² brightness.

Business users wanting a visual reminder of how much energy their computer equipment is eating up might be interested in NEC's new EA191M 19-inch LCD monitor, which comes fitted with a carbon footprint meter.

LG claims that its new FLATRON W2252TE LCD monitor is the world's most eco-friendly 22-inch widescreen available, using just 22 watts of power yet still pushing out a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast, 250cd/m2 of brightness, and just 2ms response rate.

LG has announced two stretched monitors designed for large public areas where widescreen or "tallscreen" displays could be used to display data or other content.

Though they look as if they may have suffered from a spot of medieval torture, they are in fact meant to be this way, boasting either 29 or 38 inches diagonally with a resolution of either 1,366 x 398 and 1,366 x 480. They can be used either vertically or horizontally, have a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, and a 9ms response rate.

LG has unveiled its latest monitor (W2252TQ), a 22-inch widescreen monitor with a claimed 10,000:1 Digital Fine Contrast Ratio (DFC).

It features a special F-Engine "Movie Mode" in which this contrast ratio is achieved. It also offers 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, 2ms response time, 300 nits of brightness, and a 170 degree viewing angle.

ViewSonic has announced three additions to their Professional Series of LCD monitors.

The VP950b 4:3 aspect ratio 19-inch model offers 1,280x1,024 native resolution, 2ms response time, 280 nits brightness, and 2,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

The VP2250wb 22-inch widescreen model (pictured) ups the resolution to 1,680x1,050, keeps the decent 2ms response time, and offers 3,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

NEC has announced its new 30-inch MultiSync LCD3090 monitor, designed with graphic designers, photographers, and CAD/CAM users in mind.

The widescreen monitor features a four megapixel (2,560 x 1,600) wide gamut LCD, and offers premium colour performance (which has been a problem on LCD monitors in the past, and is why many designers have stuck with traditional CRT monitors).

The display can produce 102% of the NTSC colour scale (97.8% of AdobeRGB), auto luminance control with X-Light Pro backlight/sensor for consistent brightness and colour, ColorComp technology to provide even colour across the screen, and an IPS active matrix LCD offering wide viewing angles, lifelike flesh tones, and dark black levels.

It also features HDCP, the high definition copy protection standard, which means it can be used for displaying and working on protected high definition content.

Exact pricing and availability are to be confirmed, but don't expect it to be cheap.

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Surely fuelled by the phenomenal success of the Eee PC, Asustek has announced that it is planning to launch an extended family of "Eee" products, including a desktop PC, PC and monitor in one, and a TV. Unsurprisingly, the products' main selling point will be low cost.

The E-DT will be a desktop PC sold without a monitor, initially containing an Intel Celeron processor, with subsequent versions adopting Intel's Shelton'08 platform with Diamondville processors and the 945GC chipset. It's expected to launch in April or May this year, with an initial price estimate of between $200 and $300, but with hopes that it'll soon be sub-$200.

Providing a low-cost alternative to the likes of the iMac the XPS One, the E-Monitor will be an all-in-one PC and display (probably 19 to 21-inch screen size) and will feature a built-in TV tuner. Also based on the Shelton'08 platform, it's expected to retail for a decent $499, coming in September.

LG has announced its M228WD 22 inch widescreen display monitor, featuring a built in digital tuner and HDMI connection. While it's not going to rival dedicated high-end high definition TVs, it could make a great combo PC monitor and TV for elsewhere in the house.

It features a native resolution of 1,680 x 1,050, Digital Fine Contrast ratio of 3,000:1, 5ms response rate, 300 nits brightness, and a wide 170 degree viewing angle. Its HDMI connector means it can be used to connect up an HD DVD or Blu-ray player.

It'll be available from late November, price to be confirmed.

HANNS-G has introduced its latest widescreen LCD monitor. The HG216DP is a 22 inch, high definition ready display offering HDMI input, 1,680x1,050 natuve resolution, 5ms response time, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 300cd/m² brightness, and viewing angle of 160 degrees all round. It also has two 1W speakers, though you can pretty much forget about using them for any quality.

It's available for RRP £179, though can be found cheaper.

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HANNspree has added a new model to its Exquisite Measures (XM) series of LCD monitors. The "Boston" is apparently inspired by the city, featuring a 19 inch widescreen anti-glare LCD panel, 1,440x900 high definition (kinda) resolution, two 1.2W multimedia speakers, 150 degree horizontal / 140 degree vertical viewing angle, 5ms response time, 700:1 contrast ratio, 300cd/m2 brightness, D-Sub, Audio, and DVI-D inputs, and height adjustable stand. Looks wise, it features a darkish wood grain surround

It costs £134.99 and is available from Misco.

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Dell has announced the availability of two new flat-panel LCD monitors, primarily targeted at business users, but also with the mention of gamers. You decide.

The 24-inch UltraSharp 2407WFP-HC is supposed to be ideally suited to multi-tasking high-end graphic designers, gamers, content creators, and financial sector application users.

Its widescreen display features TrueColor Technology, offering 92% colour gamut, and providing accurate colour representation. It has a 178 degree viewing angle both horizontally and vertically, offers up to 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, has a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and 6ms response time.

NEC have announced that it is targeting its latest range of large plasma displays at the home theatre enthusiast who is 'looking for the best in contrast, brightness, clarity, and performance'.

The new XR range of PlasmaSync screens come in three sizes: 42, 50 and 60 inches.

Sanyo have previously introduced a 32 inch weatherproof TV and now have created a 42-inch screen.

The CE42LM4WPR costs three times as much as its indoor cousin, and this isn't really designed for the domestic market (unless you have a lot of money and an outdoor space that just has to have a large LCD monitor by it).