WIDESCREEN HD/SD PRODUCTION LCD MONITOR
26" Model Delivers Reference Quality Images and Unmatched Versatility
SECAUCUS, NJ (February 16, 2006) – Building on the remarkable popularity of its 17” BT-LH1700W production monitor, Panasonic will unveil at NAB 2006 a 26” production quality LCD monitor, the BT-LH2600W, with unmatched versatility and reference video quality. Innovations that differentiate the versatile 26” display from others in its size category include a true widescreen panel, one-piece design, higher resolution, the industry’s lowest delay, and standard HD-SDI/SDI with embedded audio. Combining low weight, a small, space-saving footprint, and affordability, the BT-LH2600W will serve as the essential main monitor in production environments such as studios, edit rooms, newsrooms, NLE suites, and master control.
Incorporating the superb performance characteristics introduced in the 17” model, the BT-LH2600W features two auto switching SDI/HD-SDI inputs, a high-speed response with no blurring; the industry’s lowest delay realized by an image processing circuit that converts interlaced into progressive signals with no visible delays; a Waveform Monitor that graphically displays luminance levels from zero to 108 IRE in any of the monitor’s four corners; and a Split Screen/Freeze Frame function for scene comparison and critical color matching (live input vs. freeze frame).
Functionality new to the BT-LH2600W include increased resolution (1366x768), pixel mapping of any of five areas of the screen for superior camera focusing, audio level meters superimposed and translucent (up to eight channels), and an 80% (of 4:3) “safe-area” frame marker in 16:9 mode. Also, the 26” diagonal screen yields four 13” pictures when used with a quad splitter.
The monitor offers a 700:1 contrast ratio (panel’s spec) and is compatible with multiple HD/SD formats including 1080/24PsF, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. Closely matching the chromatic ranges of CRT monitors, the BT-LH2600W faithfully reproduces up to 16.7 million colors. With selectable Color Temperature, the monitor makes it easy to match the user’s standard. Gamma is likewise adjustable and Cine Gamma (Film-Rec) compensation is included, expressly for monitoring with Panasonic’s VariCam HD Cinema™ Camera.
The monitor’s all-in-one design eliminates the need for an umbilical cord or separate AC power supply.
The model is equipped with intuitive, broadcast-grade controls, including a menu that can be positioned in five different screen locations; five user-defined buttons that can be set to Waveform Monitor, Blue Only, H, V, H/V Delay, Monochrome, Aspect, Gamma and more; and preset/manual picture adjustments with indicator lights. Frame marker lines (including 4:3, 16:9, 2.35:1), or background shading at 0%, 50% or 100% can be displayed.
In addition to its dual SDI inputs, the BT-LH2600W is equipped with one SDI output and component (Y/Pb/Pr), PC RGB, Y/C and composite inputs/outputs. It has a wide vertical and horizontal viewing angle of 176 degrees. Diagonal Line Compensation reduces the occurrence of jagged noise in the diagonal direction for improved SD response.
Other valuable features include GPI and RS-232C ports for external control of many functions; built-in, amplified stereo speakers; and a red/green/amber tally lamp. The BT-LH2600W comes complete with a desk stand, and an optional wall mount (TY-WK32LR1S) is available.
The BT-LH2600W will be available in June at a suggested list price of $4,950.
About Panasonic Broadcast
Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast and professional video products and systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a unit company of Panasonic Corporation of North America. The company is the North American headquarters of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC) of Japan, and the hub of its U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, access the company’s web site at www.panasonic.com/broadcast.