DoubleSight DS-1500 fuses two 15-inch LCDs in one frame

DoubleSight Displays LLC this week announced its new DS-1500 flat panel display. The display fuses two 15-inch LCD panels into one frame, providing a total 2,048 x 768 pixel resolution that's controlled through two independent analog video connectors. DoubleSight is accepting pre-orders for the display now, and will charge US$799 for the monitor once it begins shipping in the next few weeks.

The monitor is compatible with Macs and PCs alike, though you'll need a computer that has two analog video (15-pin D-sub) connectors (Power Macs that have DVI or ADC interfaces can be connected using adapters). Because the display is drawing input from two separate VGA sources, you could also hook it up to two independent computers.

Each screen operates at 1,024x768 resolution at 75Hz. The screens have a brightness rating of 250cd/m(2) and a 400:1 contrast ratio, with a response time of 25ms. The display has a 130-degree horizontal and 100-degree vertical viewing angle, and can tilt 45 degrees off its horizontal access and 20 degrees vertically. You can also remove the tilt-and-swivel stand and use a VESA-compatible mount, or bolt the display to a wall. The DS-1500 uses a single power cord.

Although Apple's own 23-inch Cinema HD Display may be more aesthetically pleasing for users who don't want a large vertical seam running down the center of their display, DoubleSight anticipates that the DS-1500's low price ($1,200 lower than Apple's top-end screen) and versatility will outweigh any drawbacks. A DoubleSight spokesperson told MacCentral her company expects the DS-1500 to be a popular draw for financial services, IT and customer support personnel, musicians, gamers and anyone else looking for two monitors in one.

DoubleSight told MacCentral that the first production units of the DS-1500 should be shipping in the next few weeks -- for now, they've set up a pre-order request form on their Web site. The company expects to be in full production on the system by early January.