news archive
Optrex Introduces Family of Indoor/Outdoor LCD Modules for Hand-held Applications
Plymouth, Michigan, December 19 - The F-51373 series from Optrex America is a family of small, slim, and lightweight ¼-VGA passive-matrix STN LCD modules with a 3.8-inch diagonal. The family is intended to provide a clearly legible display of color graphics in all kinds of lighting conditions for a variety of hand-held applications.
With 3 panel variations - highly reflective transflective, highly transmissive transflective, and transmissive - available, the F-51373 Series is designed to offer the right LCD for any set of lighting conditions, from indoor plant and office environments to outdoor sunlit or nighttime environments. These LCDs have this capabilities because they incorporate special color-filter materials that are transmissive and have a high color purity, and also incorporate a metallized reflection-enhancement layer.
All panel types are available with optional transparent touch screen (TTS). All three panel versions in the F-51373 Series are available with either white-LED or CCFL backlighting. The CCFL backlight has an average lifetime of 50,000 hours. Applications include hand-held test, measurement, diagnostic, and monitoring devices; wireless device;, and remote controllers.
The F-51373 Series provides a resolution of 240xRGBx320 pixels and features a slim outline. Dimensions are 73.0 mm W x 96.8 mm H x 7.5 mm D (not including cable for CCFL backlit versions). These LCDs provide high contrast ratio, vivid colors, fast response time, and low power consumption. Pricing varies according to panel type and backlighting. A CCFL- backlit transmissive LCD is priced at $64.00 in production quantities. Delivery is from stock.
Information: John Cramer, Optrex America. Tel: (734)
416-8500, Fax: (734) 416-8520, lcdinfo@optrexusa.com,
www.optrex.com.
Hitachi Introduces Value-Priced 17" LCD Monitor
Westwood, Massachusetts, December 11 - Hitachi America, Ltd. has added a high-performance 17-inch LCD monitor to its value line. The new CML171 targets corporate, home, general business, and SOHO users
The CML171 features a luminance of 230 cd/m² and a 300:1 typical contrast ratio, with a native resolution of 1280x1024. The unit incorporates numerous on-screen controls, an auto-adjust function, and speakers and a microphone integrated into the front bezel. The panel has a full 17-inch viewing area (338 x 270 mm), weighs 15.7 lbs and has a 7.9-inch depth including the base. The panel meets the VESA Flat Panel Monitor Physical Mounting Interface (FPMPMI) standard, which enables wall mounting with third-party mounting arms.
The CML171 is compatible with both PCs and Macs, and features on-screen controls for color temperature, clock, phase, brightness, and contrast. It is TCO '99 approved. The model will begin shipping to Hitachi's authorized monitor distributors on December 18. The MSRP is $699.00.
Information: Hitachi America Display Customer Relations.
Tel: (800) 441-4832, display.info@hal.hitachi.com,
www.hitachidisplays.com.
ALTINEX Announces Innovative Matrix Switcher
Brea, California, November 29 - ALTINEX, Inc. announces the release of the V-Matrix™ (for "versatile" matrix switcher), which is capable of configurations from 8x8 to 128x128, and of handling signals ranging from audio to composite video and high-bandwidth RGBHV. While almost all matrix switchers claim to offer some level of modularity, the V-Matrix is based on a new design concept that provides complete modularity through the use of independent elements for its housing enclosure, matrix router, input cards, and output cards.
The core of the V-Matrix is a removable/replaceable patent-pending component called the Matrix Engine™, which handles all of the electrical routing internally. Each enclosure can accommodate multiple signal types, and multiple enclosures can be ganged to handle more complex signal switching. The V-Matrix system enables its user to design a huge number of configurations, with sizes ranging from 8x8 to 128x128 (in increments of 8), and signal formats that include any combination of RGBHV, RGBS, RGsB, component video, S-video, composite video, stereo audio, and mono audio.
Cards installed into the V-matrix enclosure handle connectivity of inputs and outputs. The 8-input video cards provide built-in ground-loop isolation, and both the input and output video cards provide a bandwidth of 350 MHz@-3dB, allowing them to pass extremely high-resolution computer video signals without signal degradation.
All input and output cards are hot-swappable, with finger adjustable lock-down screws and secure, positive-engagement card-edge connections.
Control of the system is accomplished primarily via RS-232, though the back panel also provides a 10 Base-T connection for future network-control capabilities. The protocol for input/output selection is both powerful and simple, involving basic, easy-to-understand ASCII commands.
Information: www.altinex.com.
