/ 02.16.2011 12:00AM
Sony Debuts 17- and 25-inch OLED Reference Monitors
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF.: Sony
is growing its OLED line, literally. The vendor this week unveiled two new OLED
reference monitors in screen sizes suitable for racks and trucks. The new BVM-E
17- and 25-inch OLEDs follow the introduction of a 7-inch OLED reference
monitor at last year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas.
The 25-inch is being displayed at the HPA Technology Retreat beside a cathode-ray
and a liquid crystal display monitor. The footage consisted mostly of still
images, so it was not possible to assess motion blur, and the CRT had flicker
because of the source material, but was adequate for color comparison. The OLED
appeared sharp and true from a wide arc of viewing angles. The OLED technology
is being presented as a replacement for CRT monitors.
One of the key features of these two new Trimaster EL series models is the use
of top-emission technology, which is said to be more efficient than the
bottom-emission lighting used previously. This “Super Top Emission” technology,
as Sony calls it, involves a “micro-cavity structure and incorporates color
filters. The micro-cavity structure uses an optical resonance effect to enhance
color purity and improve light-emission efficiency.”
The Trimaster siblings sport 1920 x 1080 resolution, 10-bit drivers; 3Gbps, HD,
SD-SDI, and HDMI ports, DisplayPort; plus optional ports for up to four input
adapters. They have 3D signal analysis functions, a 30,000-hour lifespan.
Sony says that the 25-inch version will start shipping in mid-April and the
17-inch monitor is expected to be available in June. The 17-inch is reportedly
priced at around 1.3 million yen (US$15,500); the larger one at around 2.5
million yen (US$30,000).