PRODUCTION QUALITY LCD MONITOR
26” Model Delivers Highly Accurate Images and Unmatched Flexibility
LAS VEGAS, NV (April 23, 2006) – Building on the remarkable popularity of its 17” BT-LH1700W production monitor, Panasonic introduces at NAB 2006 the BT-LH2600W, a 26” HD production quality LCD monitor with unmatched versatility and image accuracy. Panasonic advantages include a true 16:9 widescreen panel, one-piece design, higher resolution, the industry’s lowest delay, and integrated HD-SDI/SDI I/O with embedded audio. An incredible value at under $5,000. Combining amazing features in a space-saving footprint, the BT-LH2600W will serve as the preferred display in HD and SD 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 -5 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).
Features and functionality new to the BT-LH2600W include a true HD resolution panel (1366x768), “Pixel to Pixel” mode superior camera focusing, audio level meters superimposed and translucent (eight channels HD-SDI and four channels in SDI), and a “safe-area” frame marker selectable both in 16:9 and 4:3 mode. Also, the large 26” diagonal screen can yield four 13” wide pictures when used with an external 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 chromaticity 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; and five user-defined buttons that can be set to Waveform Monitor, “Pixel to Pixel,” Split Screen Freeze Frame, Blue Only, H, V, H/V Delay, Monochrome, Aspect, Gamma and more. It has preset/manual video adjustments with amber indicator lights showing diversion from factory pre-set values, 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 two SDI/HD-SDI auto sensing inputs with one active through out, the BT-LH2600W is equipped with 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.
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.