Panasonic Introduces new 18.5 inch Professional LCD Video Monitor

The monitor offers a number of broadcast based features including Y/R/G/B WFM, a SDI CC (closed caption) display and a RS-485 serial remote. As part of the monitor’s power-saving design, the BT-LH1850 consumes 22W (at DC input) which translates to a 54% reduction on the conventional model (BT-LH1710, launched in 2008 consuming 48W). The monitor also uses a mercury free LED back light, making it environmentally viable. When the luminance level on the LCD display falls, the colour space narrows. At the same time, the colour phase shifts causing colours to drift. The LH series compensates for low luminance situations by making colour adjustments using a “3D-LUT” (look-up table) for each RGB colour and applying 10 bits image processing. In this way, low luminance issues are eliminated and true colour reproduction is achieved.

As well as a waveform monitor, a vector scope allows the user to select RGB signals. Markers can be displayed for 4:3 and 16:9 modes and a crosshatch function displays a grid on a panel screen, allowing horizontal and vertical checks. The monitor offers seven aspect markers in all including 4:3, 13:9, 14:9, CNSCO 2.39, CNSCO 2.35, 2:1, and VISTA when in 16:9 mode.

In addition, the BT-LH1850 features the "pixel to pixel" function which displays inputted video without any resizing, and a “still frame display” function which can freeze a frame and display it as a sub-screen. By supporting the EIA-708 HD SDI closed captioning standard, the monitor can display up to eight windows simultaneously.

The new monitor features video input and remote terminals to produce high quality performance and operability when in a system configuration. The HD/SD automatic select function, two SDI inputs (SDI1/SDI2) supporting embedded audio, and a HDMI (Type A) input are standard.  A wide variety of digital HD products, such as a  DVD player can be connected and a DVI-I digital and analogue compatible interface is also available for connection to a PC or non-linear-editing system.

In addition to a GPI terminal and a RS-232C terminal, the monitor comes equipped with a RS-485 terminal. A tilt stand as well as stereo and speaker outputs come as standard and, for convenience, all front panel operations other than POWER switch, MENU operation and volume control can also be disabled by a KEY lock function.

The new BT-LH1850 will be available in April, with a RRP of € 2.430,00 (excluding VAT)