Incorporating superb performance features introduced in Panasonic's widely-adopted 26" and 17" LCD monitors, the BT-LH80W features the industry's lowest delay realized by an image processing circuit that converts interlaced into progressive signals with delay within one field; a built-in Waveform Monitor that graphically displays luminance levels from -5 to 108 IRE; and a Diagonal Line compensation that reduces the occurrence of jagged noise in the diagonal direction for improved response.

Two new focus assist functions -- Focus-in-Red and Pixel-to-Pixel Matching -- address the growing need for critical camera focusing in HD acquisition. Focus in Red displays the edges of the focused area in red when sharp focus is achieved. Pixel-to-Pixel allows the user to see an input signal pixel by pixel without any resizing, effectively confirming an image in a size equivalent to a 19" widescreen display (with a 1080/60i input signal).

The monitor is outfitted with an 800 x 450 pixel wide panel, 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-LH80W faithfully reproduces up to 16.7 million colors. With selectable color temperature and blue-only, the monitor makes it easy to match the user's standard. The BT-LH80W is also designed to work as an electronic viewfinder for Panasonic's full range of HD cameras, including the shoulder mount AJ-HDC27H VariCam, AJ-HDX900, AJ-HDX400, AJ-HPX2000 and AG-HPX500. The BT-LH80W will also support a full range of HD and SD production equipment.

The 12V DC-powered monitor provides a component (HD/SD) input, a composite (SD) input for easy field monitoring and a D-sub 15-pin viewfinder terminal. An HD-SDI input module will be available as an option. In high-definition mode, the unit displays 16:9 widescreen images on its native 15:9 panel. It has a wide vertical and horizontal viewing angle of 110 and 120 degrees, respectively. Its thin (2.6" deep), lightweight (less than 3.3 pounds), all-in-one design facilitates on-camera mounting, and RS-232C and GPI terminals allow for remote control.

The BT-LH80W has very low power consumption (1.5 Amps) and is equipped with both 4-pin XLR DC input and an Anton Bauer battery gold mount. Two BT-LH80Ws can be mounted side-by-side using an optional rack mount.

Other standard professional features include Blue-only and Frame markers; independent, front-panel controls for brightness, contrast, chroma and phase; a Cross Hatch overlay display to check camera tilt; and tally lamps (red/green front, red rear).

Available options for the BT-LH80W include the HD-SDI input module, a dual rack mount kit, a custom hood for outdoor work and an adjustable mounting arm for on-camera use. A 15- to 20-pin interconnect cable and a DC cable will be available as options to facilitate the use of the monitor as an electronic viewfinder.*
The BT-LH80W will be available in July 2007 with an estimated suggested list price of under $3000. The optional HD-SDI input module will also be available in July 2007 at an estimated suggested list price of under $700.

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.
*The optional 15- to 20-pin and DC cables will work only with Panasonic cameras.