The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse may be bearing down on us as we speak, but I was very impressed by the Gateway XHD3000 30-inch Extreme HD Display, a “Quad-HD” display that boasts more than four times the resolution of standard 720p high definition along with advanced display technology. The monitor is similar to what I hope that Apple will introduce if it ever updates or replaces its long-in-the-tooth 30-inch Cinema Display. But more on that later.

The XHD3000 features 2560×1600 widescreen ultra-high resolution and uses the Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processor. In addition, the display’s advanced upconversion makes standard-definition video look high-definition, and will even upscale 1080p high-definition video to 1600p. Basically, it doubles as a computer display and TV screen or high def viewing device. Heck, the only thing stopping it from being a full-fledged television is the lack of an ATSC tuner for receiving over-the-air HD broadcasts.

The XHD3000 can be connected to the a variety of computer and entertainment devices via its range of inputs including HDMI, single-link/dual-link DVI-D, VGA, component, s-video and composite interfaces. What's more, it sports a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 brightness and 6ms refresh rate. It has a viewing angle of 178 degrees both horizontally and vertically.

Connect this baby to a Mac Pro and the results are gorgeous. Photos, movies, the Mac OS interface, heck, everything looks clear and sharp. I also hooked up the Gateway display to my 15-inch MacBook Pro and a 24-inch iMac (yes, you can run a 30-inch display with this "consumer" system, though Apple doesn't tout the fact) and the picture was also good, though not as impressive as the Mac Pro set-up. Why? Simple: you can't push the Gateway display to its full pixel potential with the laptop or the consumer/prosumer Mac.

I also connected it to a DVD player and the Apple TV, although I have no Blu-ray player (sob) to test it with. Basically, the only complaint I have against the display's picture is that there's no backlight adjustment.

Gateway says that the XHD3000 is the industry’s only display that offers High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) support over both single-link and dual-link DVI interfaces, and I'll take their word for it. High-definition picture-in-picture (PIP) functionality allows users to work on computer applications while simultaneously viewing programming from cable, satellite or other video sources at full HD resolutions, which is very, very, very sweet. However, note that the PIP only works with dual-link DVI-D connections. And most picture controls are disabled for DVI-D. Heck, if you're going to spring for a display this large, go ahead and make sure you're using dual-link; the performance is weaker on a single-link or (especially) VGA connection.

The display comes with a four-device universal IR remote control, but I didn't find it very impressive. It offers no discrete input buttons or discrete power on/off buttons. On the other hand, the IR emitter that comes with the display is nice. It allows control of a device that may not be in direct IR range. The XHD3000 also has a contexual menu system that is very "Apple-ish" with no physical buttons to push.

The XHD3000 sports a DXP-powered, full length speaker bar that uses eight low-profile neodymium transducers. The overall audio quality is good if not great (though having the speakers connected does save a lot of desktop space). I've yet to find a non-surround sound speaker system I love as much as my [url=http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/review_bose_companion_5_computer_speakers]Bose Companion 5 speakers[/url], but I can still use 'em because ...

The Gateway display includes discrete audio inputs for each video input and allows for automatic audio switching. If a more expansive audio experience is required, the XHD3000 has separate analog and digital audio outputs for connection to home theater systems using the display as a high bandwidth audio and video switchbox. In addition, the display has dual headphone inputs, so it can be used in a classroom or training environment to support a multi-user audio experience.

Another plus is that the XHD3000 sits on a stand that can swivel and tilt. It also has an integrated product tour and tutorial built into the firmware of the display. It's useful the first time you set up the monitor, but becomes irritating thereafter. Thankfully, you can disable the tour/tutorial in the menu.

The XHD3000 isn't cheap at US$1,699.99. However, when compared to Apple's 30-inch Cinema Display, its price tag doesn't come across as extravagant. Consider the Gateway display's specs and then those of [url=http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=B0137FD9&fnode=home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/displays&nplm=M9179LL/A]Apple's super-sized monitor[/url], which is another hundred bucks more. Gateway's display comes out ahead.

Unlike Apple's display, the Gateway monitor has no FireWire connections. However, it has six USB 2.0 ports, S-Video, Component, HDMI, Toslink, single and dual-link DVI, analog (VGA) and audio inputs for all video inputs (HDMI audio, RCAx4, S/PDIFx2). Four USB 2.0 ports are on the back; two more are on the display's left side.

I wish the warranty were better for the XHD3000; it's just one year. For the size and features (as well as price), you'd think the warranty would be at least two years.

Still, the performance, especially with the dual-link connection, was fantastic in all the ways I used the display. I'm not much of a gamer so you may wish to check out the gaming review of the Gateway display at [url=http://www.gamealmighty.com/tech-review-individual/review/Gateway_XHD3000_30_Extreme_HD_Display_Review/]Tech Almighty[/url], which says that the device "blows away the competition and offers the best gaming monitor on the market."

There's few of us that truly need a 30-inch display. But if do need one (or want and can afford one), the XHD3000 is truly an impressive piece of hardware.


Macsimum rating: 8.5 out of 10.