PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 26, 2009 – Sony’s family of LUMA® professional LCD displays is expanding to include the new LMD-940W 9-inch widescreen model (viewable area measured diagonally).

With a WVGA resolution of 800 x 400 and weighing less than 5 pounds, the new monitor is 3G SDI-ready and is ideal for rack-mount (4U bracket height), desktop, OB vans, and portable applications. This 9-inch version includes a detachable screen protection panel, screw holes for a camera pedestal on the bottom, a camera focus support function that increases the monitor’s aperture level for easier focusing, and native scanning for both standard- and high-definition signals.

“The LUMA family is designed for video production flexibility in the field, the studio, post house or a broadcast truck,” said Mark Bonifacio, senior marketing manager of Sony Electronics’ professional video group. “Whether users are reviewing footage on-the-fly, previewing content for clients or editing video, the LUMA series has a size and range of features to fit every need.”

The new monitor features an SDI input/output that switches between HD-SDI and SD-SDI, and is also capable of accepting a 3G HD-SDI signal. It supports composite video input/output, and features HDMI™ inputs.

The LMD-940W model has 10-bit video processing and accepts multiple SD and HD video formats up to 1080/60P and 50P with 4:2:2 YCBCR 10-bit capability.           Capable of AC-, DC- and battery-powered operation, the monitor provides versatility in the field by incorporating an improved wave form monitor.

Also new is an embedded 8-channel audio level meter for SDI embedded audio. .

The monitor features Sony’s ChromaTRU™ color processing. This technology compensates for variations in LCD color levels commonly caused by differences in chromaticity coordinates, color temperature and gamma curves.

ChromaTRU processing is based on color space conversion and white balance adjustment. Color space conversion adjusts chromaticity coordinates, color temperatures and gamma curves. White balance adjustment delivers broadcast-quality gradation while maintaining standardized gamma characteristics. The technology allows each model in this series to closely color-match not only other LUMA monitors but also the SMPTE-C, EBU or ITU-BT709 color standards traditionally used in CRT models.

The LMD-940W is expected to be available in May, with suggested list pricing to be announced.