Panasonic BT300 Series Serve Production, Post-Production Markets

Panasonic, a provider of professional display and video production solutions, announced the availability of the TH-42BT300U and TH-50BT300U professional plasma reference monitors. These plasma displays are ideal for production and post-production as well as content creation for gaming, graphics design, etc. where color accuracy and 3D rendering are essential.

For the broadcast and production markets, uses for the BT300U Series might include a confidence check of input signals such as a waveform monitor to assure proper signal ranges or with real-time 3D to check proper signal and disparity settings from 3D camera acquisitions. For those working in post-production, this could include precision color correction of content for mastering L/R 3D images in side-by-side format for 2D color correction. In the past, colorists have had to color correct left/right 3D images sequentially which was less than the ideal method. With the BT300U Series, both the left and right images can be on the screen at the same time, streamlining the correction process.

Steve Morgan, chief engineer with Deluxe Digital Studios, a provider of services to the entertainment industry in film, video and digital media, is currently using the TH-50BT300U plasma display for post-production compression QC.

“We’re impressed with the resolution in the black areas of the screen when in Cinema Mode. Noise in these areas is now at about half of what it was with our previous plasma display, which worked really well,” Morgan said. “Additionally, the new granular controls in the color system management have enabled our engineers to obtain much more accurate color calibration. We’re also impressed with the reduction in visible bit-depth banding in the BT300 Series.”

Professional audio and video solution providers are also seeing the potential benefits these plasma displays will offer their customers.

“The needs of production and post production require large, wide angle displays that can be professionally color managed. Panasonic has been listening to the industry and are delivering the products these professionals require,” said Chris Bone, CTO of reseller VTP.  “Common sense should lead production and post-production companies to try this new plasma display built specifically for them. With proper setup, the Panasonic 42” and 50” BT300 Series Professional Plasmas may quickly become recognized as the best overall value for colorists who desire affordable wide-viewing angle large screen professional-featured displays.”

The TH-42BT300U and TH-50BT300U are available now from authorized Panasonic resellers at an estimated price of $3,720 and $5,215 respectively.

“With the BT300 Series of reference monitors now in the hands of customers, we are seeing just how effective the devices have been in a variety of applications within production and post production markets such as color correction in both 2D and 3D content,” said Rick Albert, Vice President of Flat Panel Displays. “These professional plasma displays offer customers an invaluable content production and post-production reference tool made specifically for them, a first for this industry.”

Additional Specifications of the BT300-Series:

• Full HD 3D ready
• Available in two sizes: 42-inches and 50-inches
• Slot card options for discrete 3D left & right inputs (HD-SDI or DVI)

• Deep black levels while preserving low-level details
• Advanced drive technology for smoother gradations
• Split Screen Display to compare L/R 3D inputs in 2D for color correction
• Multiple color gamut presets (Rec. 709, Digital Cinema Color, Native)
• Overscanning and Underscanning Modes
• Color Management System to customize placement of RGB primaries
• Blue Only Mode for calibration
• Independent RGB ON/OFF for checking secondary colors or monochrome images
• Waveform Monitor
• H and V delay to check H /V syncs and other signals in the blanking intervals
• Marker function to check active area of other aspect ratios (i.e. 4:3, 17:9)