The Entertainment PC system requires a picture tube ideal for both PC graphics and television/movie video. This section defines the requirements for large-screen entertainment monitors.
Although an entertainment monitor is not required for Entertainment PC 98, a large-screen monitor that is sold with an Entertainment PC 98 system must meet the requirements defined in this section.
6. Large-screen monitor is 20 inches or larger if included with an Entertainment PC system
Required
Recommended: 31 inches or 33 inches, measured on the diagonal.
7. Large-screen monitor is 16:9 if included with an Entertainment PC system
Recommended
Recommended: Support 1280 × 720 resolution at 60 Hz.
The 16:9 ratio supports the output capabilities for high-definition television (HDTV) display.
8. Entertainment monitor supports 800 × 600 at 60 Hz refresh rate
Required
Recommended refresh rate: An integral multiple of the video frame rate for any mode in which video is displayed full screen.
DVD movies and typical satellite digital broadcasts provide main-level/main-profile MPEG-2 streams, which is the middle level of the five possible levels of MPEG-2–encoded video data. This translates to 720 × 480 × 30 fps for NTSC and 720 × 576 × 25 fps for PAL. Consequently, 800 × 600 is the optimal resolution.
For PAL, this is an integral multiple of 25 Hz. For NTSC, this is an integral multiple of 30 Hz, with an ideal rate of 120 Hz to support 24 to 30 fps content. Because most broadcast video content (such as NTSC or satellite MPEG-2 video and film) is created or adjusted through temporal rescaling or pulldown expressly for 60-Hz television monitors (at a 3:2 ratio), further pulldown to other refresh rates (such as 72 Hz) will introduce unacceptable motion artifacts, such as non-linear screen motion.
9. Entertainment monitor’s host control is DDC2B-compliant, with digitally controlled geometry
Recommended
The host control of the monitor should be managed using DDC2B-compatible adapters and drivers. This recommendation is based on DDC2B, which defines the communications channel between the display and host system.
Geometry control is necessary for adjustment of PC television images and includes the following controls: skew, pin cushion, size, brightness, contrast, and position. If implemented, geometry control must be provided through a software application rather than through dials on the monitor case. Controls must be revealed through a driver with a remote-controllable user interface.