Panasonic has announced deliveries of its BT-LH80W 16:9 high-definition/standard-definition LCD monitor for studio and field applications. The 7.9″ monitor is shipping with an array of available accessories that reinforce its dual role as an HD monitor and widescreen color viewfinder.
The BT-LH80W offers high, production-level critical viewing with exceptional color reproduction and gradation, low power consumption (1.5 Amps) and a lightweight (less than 3.3 pounds) and durable die-cast aluminum chassis. This 800 x 450 pixel resolution monitor/electronic viewfinder reproduces up to 16.7 million colors, closely matching the chromaticity of CRT monitors, and is compatible with multiple HD/SD formats including 1080/24PsF, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. The monitor features the industry’s lowest image processing delay, a built-in Waveform Monitor and a Diagonal Line compensation function that reduces the occurrence of jagged noise in the diagonal direction.

Addressing the growing need for critical camera focusing in HD acquisition, the BT-LH80W features two advanced focus assist functions — Focus-in-Red and Pixel-to-Pixel matching. Focus-in-Red displays the edges of the focused area in red when sharp focus is achieved, while 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 user can utilize both focus assists at the same time.

To deliver maximum utility, Panasonic is offering an array of accessories for the BT-LH80W. Those accessories include a dual-mount rack (RAK-80) specially designed to hold two BT-LH80Ws side-by-side for a tight fit in studios or HD trucks. Also available is a strong, lightweight adjustable mount (BT-MOUNT) for on-camera use, which easily interfaces with the camera’s standard ¼”-20 thread and 3/8″ monitor thread. This mount features an “anti-spin” design that holds the monitor in place securely.

When used as an electronic viewfinder, the BT-LH80W can be configured with Panasonic’s full range of HD cameras, including the shoulder mount AJ-HDC27H VariCam, AJ-HDX900, 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 is also equipped with both 4-pin XLR DC input and an Anton Bauer battery gold mount, making it ideal for outdoor use.

The BT-LH80W is available now at a suggested list price of $2,700. The full range of available options include an HD-SDI input module (BT-YA80G), at a suggested list price (SLP) of $650; the dual rack-mount kit (RAK-80), SLP $195; the adjustable mount (BT-MOUNT) for on-camera use, SLP $150; a custom snap-on hood (HOOD80) for outdoor work, SLP $100; and for electronic viewfinder use, a 15- to 20-pin inter-connect cable* and DC cable kit (BT-CS80G), SLP $340.

The BT-LH80W joins Panasonic’s BT family of production LCD monitors, which includes the 8.4″ BT-LH900A, 17″ BT-LH1700W and 26″ BT-LH2600W models.