New medical flat-panel LCD has 1554 visible gray shades and 700:1 contrast ratio

NOVEMBER 16--The Precision 1M, a completely digital 20.1-in.-diagonal, 1-Mpixel gray-scale flat-panel LCD, is reportedly the world's only flat-panel LCD with more than 1554 visible gray shades. This feature provides greater gray-scale depth for precise diagnostic imaging. The advanced high-gray-shade technology was developed by SpectraTech Inc. of Japan and licensed to Data-Ray Corp. (a division of Nippon-Chemi Con, an electronics-component manufacturer; Westminster, CO; www.data-ray.com).

The Precision 1M delivers luminance of 175 FL (600 cd/m2) and a high contrast ratio of 700:1 for use in a variety of environments. The automatic brightness-stabilizing circuitry minimizes fluctuations in brightness caused by internal and environmental temperatures. The display has a wide viewing angle, 170°, which allows comfortable viewing from virtually any angle or by large groups. The Precision 1M also has a unique scaling function that allows it to work with a variety of systems from 30 to 80 kHz.

Digital and analog interfaces make the Precision 1M capable of replacing CRT monitors and offers plug-and-play capability with the new digital graphic controller. Included with the Precision 1M is DR. KAL, Data-Ray's calibration software, which guarantees DICOM compliance and assures consistency over time and among several displays in a single system.

The Precision 1M can be used for fluoroscopic, CT, MR, cardiac, and other diagnostic images with up to 1280 x 1024 resolution. It also can be used as a review station display for higher-resolution images.