Sony has announced new lightweight and slim Full High Definition  (Full HD) multi-format LCD monitors, adding to its comprehensive range of  professional and industrial LCD monitors. The new models consist of the  LMD-A240 (24-inch, 1920x1200), the LMD-A220 (22-inch, 1920x1080), and the LMD-A170 (17-inch, 1920x1080). These LMD-A series monitors were  developed as part of a broader redesigning of Sony’s professional monitor line-up  to become lighter and slimmer in build, and follow the November 2013 release of  the company’s PVM-A series TRIMASTER EL™ professional OLED monitors.
The LMD-A series monitors incorporate  Full HD ready LCD panels. For HD productions, this means that users can perform  video monitoring at the original resolution without downscaling. Although the  new models have bigger screen sizes than most conventional models, they have  achieved lighter weights and approximately 30 percent reductions in depth  compared to previous models from Sony. In addition, power consumption has been  reduced by approximately 20 to 30 percent(1) depending on the model.  The results are high quality, cost-effective LCD monitors that can be used  across a wide range of applications including studio use, field monitoring or  installation on a monitor wall.

“We’ve designed the LMD-A series LCD  monitors to be lightweight, slim and robust, without compromising picture  quality and colour reproduction that Sony’s monitors have come to be known  for,” said Daniel Dubreuil, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Sony Europe.  “This new line-up really broadens our offering to customers, providing an  unrivalled selection of professional monitors to meet their varying needs.  Their innovative chassis design makes the monitors perfect for use in  situations with portability demands or space constraints, such as in OB vans.”
On top of the basic features necessary  to support the video production process, the new LMD-A monitors also feature a  number of operational improvements such as an optimised I/P conversion system  with low latency (less than 0.5 field except LCD pixel response time) and an In-Monitor Display (TSL UMD protocol ) function.
With the comprehensive range of Sony’s  professional monitor line-up catering to different applications, users have the  ability to implement powerful and efficient monitoring systems according to  their needs and budgets. Sony’s BVM series are used for the  most critical evaluation, for example in colour decision and signal quality check, the PVM-A series can be used for comparably critical  applications such as camera monitoring and camera control, while the new LMD-A  series used for video and source monitoring.           

To make operations more streamlined,  Sony’s PVM-A series and LMD-A series feature a unified design and user  interface(2). If both product lines are used within the same system,  setting operation can be very smooth. The ability to be  powered by DC power supply(3) makes the LMD-A monitors ready for  outside use. They can also be set-up on a rack mount or yoke mount easily. There is an optional protection kit available for LMD-A170 to reduce damage during transport or use.
From studio use to field monitoring,  Sony’s LMD-A240, LMD-A220 and LMD-A170 monitors are high in picture quality, capable of standard  colour emulation of ITU-R BT.709, EBU and SMPTE-C, and the most cost-effective professional LCD monitors suited for a variety  of content creation and live production applications.
Key Features of the LMD-A Series LCD Monitors:

• I/P conversion system with low latency (less than 0.5 field except LCD pixel response)

The I/P conversion  system delivers automatically optimised signal processing according to the  input signals format, with low latency of less than 0.5 field. This frees  operators from having to adjust the settings each time, and enables the  efficient monitoring of video in real-time during live productions.       

           

• In-Monitor Display (IMD) function for source monitoring

The monitors  support the TSL UMD Protocol provided by Television System Ltd. The IMD shows  the two tally lamps on screen along with dynamic text information received via  Ethernet. The text can be positioned at the top or bottom of the screen  depending on the IMD position setting, and a new feature  includes support for European language symbols such as accent signs, umlaut sign and more. For the video preview application in the LMD-A240, the position of the  IMD can be shifted either to the top or bottom of the screen to avoid  interfering with the video images.
IMD text position  (LMD-A240)

• High speed source switching for seamless monitoring

By speeding up the  source switching, seamless monitoring of several video sources can be carried  out. This function  facilitates comparison of video sources plus the colour checking and  repositioning of cameras. It is also available  in Sony’s PVM-A series of professional OLED monitors.

• Well equipped for various content creation needs

Optional mounting  brackets are available for the LMD-A220 and LMD-A170 monitors. The monitors  also have screw holes on their side bezels for yoke mounting commonly used in  program production (3rd party yoke-mount is required). An optional  protection kit is also available for the LMD-A170, with corner bumpers to safeguard the  monitor from scratches and impact.  

           

Other essential features to support  content creation:

• On-screen Tally
• Closed Caption EIA/CEA-608 and 708
• Payload ID display  in the Status menu
• SDI BNC 2-in/2-out
• Waveform Monitor
• Audio Level Meter
• Vector Scope
• Camera Focus

The LMD-A220 will be available from February, 2014.  LMD-A240, LMD-A170 monitors  will be  available from March 2014.  All monitors will be presented officially at BVE at the Sony stand F32, between 25-27 February, 2014, at the Excel,  London. 
  (1) Power Consumption
  *: LMD-A240: 51W  (-27%), LMD-A220: 47W (-28%), LMD-A170: 49W (-36%)
  *Compared with previous Sony models
  (2) Menu, Control Panel, Setting, Position of Input/Output, and Power Supply
  (3) The LMD-A240/A220/A170 models are DC 12V-17V ready