Panasonic showed two new LCD TFT monitors at IBC, a new 8.4" HD resolution field portable display with DC supply for field production and an economical 14" SD model for studio applications. These join existing Panasonic LCD monitors at 18" and 15". LCD monitors are increasingly taking over roles held by CRT monitors in studios, production suites and outside broadcasts.

The 8.4" BT-LH900 is designed for both high definition and standard definition production. It can display 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576i, and 480i video format inputs. It has exceptional colour reproduction and gradation and is equipped with intuitive, easy-to-use manual controls. Its all-new Film Gamma Conversion Table and Waveform Monitoring Function support 16:9 HD production when using Panasonic's Emmy Award-winning Varicam.

The BT-LH900 offers a wide viewing angle of 170 degrees up and down. The 12-volt DC-powered monitor provides two SDI inputs (HD/SD switchable), Y/Pb/Pr component analogue input, and an RGB input.

In high definition mode, the unit offers 16:9 display of wide-screen images, and provides RS-232C control and a GPI terminal for remote control. The monitor's control section can be separated from the display to suit a variety of remote uses. The monitor incorporates an independent control knob for brightness, contrast, chroma, peaking/phase as well as a RG tally display.

The 14" BT-LS1400 meets a wide range of broadcast needs with compact size, lightweight, and a thin, space-saving profile. Offering high brightness of 450 cd/m2, high contrast of 400:1, a wide viewing angle of 160 degrees, the BT-LS1400 addresses virtually all display requirements. It is the first LCD monitor in its class to offer a fast video response rate of 16msec, assuring excellent motion rendition.

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