The Sony LMD-A180 is an 18.4-inch lightweight, Full HD high-grade LCD monitor that was designed for both studio and field use.
The LMD-A180 offers the same user-interface design, feature set, functions, and operability as all the monitors in the LMD-A series.
The monitor features the latest camera-linkage functions, such as camera and lens metadata display and a Picture and Picture function. Lens metadata is supported by F65, PMW-F55, PMW-F5, PXW-FS7M2 and PXW-FS7 as well as equipment capable of SMPTE RDD18. It can support the metadata display of up to 24 items, including F-stop value, T-stop value, focal length, frame rate, shutter speed, etc., and it is possible to display up to 12 items and 1 to 3 lines at once.
The color gamut is the same as the color gamut of BVM-HX3110, BVM-HX310, PVM-X3200, PVM-X2400, PVM-X1800 and LMD-A240. Their colors are matched to each other on the screens.
The LMD-A180 was designed as a cost-effective yet highly capable entry solution for HD HDR and 4K HDR production. The monitor supports EOTF of S-Log3(Live HDR), which allows for integration into Sony HDR Live production workflow.
The monitor supports ITU-R BT.2020, DCI-P3, S-GAMUT/S-GAMUT3/S-GAMUT3.cine, sRGB and Adobe RGB. The LMD-A180 also supports EOTFs of ITU-R BT.2100(HLG), SMPTE ST2084, S-Log 3, S-Log3(Live HDR), S-Log2 and 2.4(HDR). When selecting one of the HDR EOTFs, the monitor automatically sets the backlight of its panel to the maximum luminance.
The I/P conversion system delivers automatically optimized signal processing according to input signals with low-latency (less than 0.5 field). This system helps users to edit and monitor for a live production.
The LMD-A180 monitor is equipped with built-in standard input interfaces: 3G/HD/SD-SDI (x2), HDMI (HDCP) input (x1) and composite (x1). Multiple computer signals can be received via an HDMI/DVI interface; the resolution range is from 640 x 480 to 1680 x 1050 pixels.
With an external remote function via Ethernet, image source names and tally information can be displayed on screen. LMD-A Series monitors support the TSL system protocol. The IMD system can display European language text including umlaut and accent marks.
An input signal’s waveform and vector scope with an SDI embedded 2-channel audio level meter can be displayed on screen. Both the waveform monitor and vector scope have various modes, including a zoom function (in an area of 0 to 20 IRE) with the waveform monitor, and a zoom function (in the central black area) with the vector scope, for adjusting white balance. The waveform of a specified line can also be displayed. In conjunction with the Picture & Picture function, the waveform monitor and vector scope display can monitor two camera signals. In addition, an audio level meter can display the embedded audio signal from the SDI or HDMI input. It can display on screen the ch1 to ch8 or ch9 to ch16.
The monitor can display false color according to the signal level from a camera. As the whole picture is changed, it is easy to see levels for over-exposure, under-exposure, or appropriate exposure. You can adjust these levels and turn the scale of false color on and off, as required.
Sony makes an Optional protection kit (BKM-PL18). This accessory provides an AR-coated protection panel for the 17-inch monitor, along with corner bumpers to safeguard the monitor from scratches and impact. The benefit of this is significant when renting out these monitors – for example, panel damage is reduced and there is a far lower incidence of panel replacement and downtime during rental cycles.
The monitor includes screw holes on its side bezels for yoke mounting. This type of mounting is convenient when installing a monitor to a camera crane or monitor stand. There are also wall-mount 100 mm pitch holes on each monitor’s rear panel.
The monitor has a number of additional features, including: Time Code display (LTC/VITC-supported); safety area markers, closed caption display (EIA/CEA-608 and EIA/CEA-708, SDI only), 8-channel audio level meter display, computer signal input capability via HDMI input and external remote control function.
The LMD-A180 offers a line doubler mode, which is helpful when checking for field order and line flicker. In addition, the LTC and VITC time code can be displayed at the top or bottom of the picture.
The monitor is equipped with a three colors red, green and yellow On-screen Tally function.
The LMD-A180 has the network control function that allows you to upgrade the monitor software by Ethernet very easily. The network capability will also be utilized for a central control of multiple units in a system environment.
The LMD-A180 monitor employs a software-based color temperature (white balance) calibration function, which is called Monitor_AutoWhiteAdjustment. Combined with a PC and commercially available calibration tools, this function enables simple adjustment of the monitor’s white balance.
The unique Picture & Picture function of the LMD-A180 allows the simultaneous display of two input signals on the monitor’s screen. This function helps with color adjustment and setting of camera frames. Various modes are available: side-by-side, wipe, blending, difference, and auto input switching. This function works when synchronous SDI signals are input.
Sync-free side-by-side with low latency allows you to monitor two signals without synchronization. You can configure each picture as HD or SD with different frame rates, taking them from both SDI and HDMI. This function works with the false color function, camera focus function and metadata on the main picture of the two pictures.
The LMD-A180 monitor can display 2K (2048 x 1080 resolution) input. The 2K signal is displayed in two ways – as a full 2K image scaled into a full-HD (1920 x 1080) screen, or as a 2K native display with an image-slide function.
The monitor’s anamorphic image conversion function correctly displays horizontally squeezed 3G/HD-SDI signals from an onset camera system. The signals include two major systems: 16:9 1920 x 1080 (1280 x 720) signals and 17:9 2048 x 1080 signals. These signals can be appropriately displayed on the monitor’s screen. The Active Format Description (AFD) function also reads the ancillary data flag on an SDI, and can upconvert the SD image to display automatically on the full HD resolution screen. This is achieved by adjusting the resolution and aspect ratio.
You can set two flexible area markers freely on the screen. As their line colors and thickness can be changed, these two markers are easily identified. Grid Display function displays arbitrary multiple vertical and horizontal lines to help when users check the composition of a picture. In addition to a standard Center Marker 1, Center Marker 2 is also available. This second marker enables easier checking of the center portion’s focus. The Flip function turns the reversed image to a normal view, horizontally or vertically.
When multiple users share the same monitor, each user can record their settings data and retrieve this data whenever required. This frees the user from time-consuming and repetitive settings tasks. When multiple users share the same monitor, each user can register their own password for color temperature and user preset data. This ensures the user correctly recalls previous user preset data, and keeps preset information safe from unauthorized use. For improving the speed of the function key configuration, the user can take a short-cut to the settings menu screen by simply pressing the function key repeatedly.
The monitor is equipped with a detachable handle for portable applications. It can be removed to reduce weight when installed in a monitor wall or when it is rack mounted with MB-L18.
Price & Availability
The LMD-A180 is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2023. There is no current indication about pricing. As a reference, the Sony LMD-A170 17″ LCD Production Monitor retailers for $2,695 USD.
