Sony BVM-E250A 24.5-inch TRIMASTER EL™ OLED critical reference monitor

• 2K (2048 x 1080, RGB/XYZ) Input
• Four slots for optional video input decoders
• 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs, an HDMI (with HDCP)

This TRIMASTER EL monitor uses Sony’s Super Top Emission technology with the 10-bit RGB panels and OLED processing. It also comes with a professional display engine that uses a non-linear cubic conversion color management system, along with cutting-edge I/P conversion technologies with low process delay and a 12-bit output accuracy signal processing.

Along with HDMI, DisplayPort, and two 3G/HD/SD-SDI input ports; it comes with 4 option slots for input expansion that allows for increases in system versatility, enabling you to add decoders for signal formats not supported by the supplied inputs.

Additionally, it supports 2K Cinema formats with multiple display modes along with offering high frame rates and a wide color gamut. Auto white adjustment can be done with the included PC application software when combined with a PC and a commercially available calibration tool. It also supports 3D signal analysis (as a 2D monitor) with the BKM-250TG 3G-SDI Input Adapter (sold separately). Closed caption display can also be achieved with the BKM-244CC HD/SD-SDI Closed Caption Adapter (sold separately).

TRIMASTER EL Self-Emitting Display Device

TRIMASTER EL creates light by recombining an electron and a hole within certain organic materials. The process of emitting light is highly efficient. Its organic materials react to the control of the electrical current immediately and do not emit light in the absence of electrical current. In this way, the OLED display panel features superb black performance and quick response to fast-motion pictures. In addition, Sony's OLED display panel delivers a wider color gamut.

Display Engine

The high-precision signal processing engine has been developed to fulfill the master monitor criteria and is optimized to maximize OLED panel performance. This engine incorporates 12-bit output accuracy at each process and provides both a high quality I/P conversion algorithm and a highly accurate color management system.

Nonlinear Cubic Conversion Color Management

The nonlinear cubic conversion color management system of the master monitor uses 3D LUT (look-up table) to accurately reproduce the color gamuts of each broadcast standard such as ITU-R BT.709, EBU, and SMPTE-C phosphor standards. In addition, the OLED's wide color gamut enables D-Cine emulation for digital intermediate work. D-Cine is a color gamut emulating the color gamut described in SMPTE RP 431-2-2007. The chromaticity of the green-red region is not covered in full; however, the color shift is subtle in this region.

Cutting-Edge I/P Conversion with Low Process Delay

The I/P conversion technology used in the BVM-E Series Monitor minimizes processing artifacts found in typical up-conversion processes. This has been improved in this monitor so that an interlaced image is displayed accurately and faithfully.

2K (2048 x 1080, RGB/XYZ) Input

The BVM-E250A Master Monitor is capable of 2K (2048 x 1080 resolution, RGB/XYZ) 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.

2048 Image-Slide

The 2048 Image-Slide function allows 2K resolution (2048 x 1080 pixels) images to be mapped pixel-to-pixel on the full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) panel without picture degradation. When you need to view the left or right edge of the picture frame, you can scroll the image in a horizontal direction.

S-LOG Gamma

S-LOG gamma is a technique used in Sony's digital cinematography cameras that allows the full latitude of the camera CCD to be maintained throughout the production chain. Unlike conventional systems in which highlight contrast is compressed, S-LOG Gamma logarithmically converts the video signal using characteristics similar to film negatives. This keeps the camera CCD dynamic range intact, even in extreme highlight areas. Two display modes are offered.

S-LOG Full: This mode displays the full dynamic range of the video signal captured from Sony's digital cinematography cameras.

S-LOG Standard: This mode displays image exposure levels at the lower part of the S-LOG gamma signal dynamic range, allowing image areas of regular brightness to be viewed clearly. Higher exposure levels are clipped in this mode.

Gamut Error Display

This function detects irregular signal input. When an irregular signal is detected, this master monitor indicates this with a zebra pattern over the relevant area of the picture. Gamut Error Display is a convenient feature that instantly alerts viewers to such signals without requiring the use of a waveform monitor.

ASC CDL and User LUT Functions

This BVM-E Series Monitor supports ASC CDL (American Society of Cinematographers Color Decision List) and User LUT (Look-up Table) to emulate color grading. Live images from camera onset can be altered after importing an ASC CDL format and/or previewed using a film print emulation applied to the monitor using Look Creation Workflow. Furthermore, once ASC CDL and User LUT data are created, all information (up to 1,000 data items) can be saved to a Memory Stick media and loaded onto the monitor from the BKM-16R 4 controller. Up to 5 items of ASC CDL and User LUT data can be imported to this BVM-E Series Monitor, so you can easily compare different color grading. These features help with creative decision making and improve workflow between onset and post-production.

Note:

Requires third-party software supporting the BVM-E ASC CDL and User LUT functions.

Requires the latest version of the BKM-16R Monitor Control Unit with a product code suffix /7 or later

Multi-Format Signal Support

The BVM-E Series Monitor supports various input signals ranging from 720 x 576/50i to 1920 x 1080/50p, 60p, digital cinema (D-Cine) 2048 x 1080/24p, and numerous computer signals up to 1920 x 1080.

Standard 3G-SDI Inputs Plus Versatile Optional Ports

This monitor comes equipped with 2 standard 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs and an HDMI (HDCP correspondence) input. In addition, 4 option ports are available. This increases system versatility and allows users to add decoders for signal formats not supported by the supplied inputs, including extra 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, or SD-SDI, and Dual-link HD-SDI, RGB, Y/Cb/Cr, Y/C, and composite signal inputs.

DisplayPort

This monitor is also equipped with a standard DisplayPort.

Picture & Picture

The Picture & Picture function of this BVM-E Series Monitor allows simultaneous display of 2 input signals on the monitor's screen. This function is convenient for making instant adjustments to 2 input sources, because there is no need to individually adjust the different characteristics of 2 monitors. This function comes in handy for adjustments between 2 cameras, special effects creation, time-lapse shooting, and CG (Computer Graphics) work. The monitor offers 4 Picture & Picture modes.

WIPE

The area of the 2 pictures to be displayed is selected using a vertical WIPE pattern, which is controlled from the BKM-16R Monitor Control Unit (sold separately). This function is useful when picture detail of the 2 images must be examined on a pixel basis. This is normally used to review still images.

Note:

Requires the latest version of the BKM-16R Monitor Control Unit with a product code suffix /7 or later.

Butterfly

The two inputs are displayed as line-symmetric images on the left and right halves of the screen. By adjusting the H-position controller, the 2 images can be moved inward to the middle of the screen. An instant comparison of the moving images can then be made easily and accurately, without the user having to move his/her eyes.

Blending

The 2 picture images are overlapped for display, and the mix ratio is adjustable. This function is useful to verify whether a foreground signal is accurately keyed into the background signal, or when combining shoots with live action and computer-generated effects.

Pixel Zoom

Pixel Zoom is a function for magnifying images. A selected area of the displayed picture can be enlarged on a pixel basis, up to 8 times in size both vertically and horizontally. Because this function does not use scaling, the desired picture content is magnified and displayed faithfully to the raw input signal. This function is useful when evaluating precise picture edges, such as for chroma keying.

Note:

This function is effective when the input signal is displayed in the Native Scan mode.

Analyzing Functions

By installing the BKM-250TG 3G/HD-SDI input adapter (sold separately), the BVM-E Series Monitor can support a variety of 3D signal analyses. The 3D signals are displayed in 2D mode.

Note:

Difference display function requires the BKM-250TG Input Adapter serial No. 7300001 or higher, and other functions require the BKM-250TG Input Adapter serial No. 7100001 or higher.

Difference Display

This function displays the difference between the luminance signal of the left (L) and right (R) images of the 3D signal. When the luminance levels of the two signals are the same, the signals are displayed in gray. When they are different, a monochrome image is displayed according to the variation in luminance. This function is useful for checking the amount of parallax.

Checker Board

Left and right input signals are displayed in a grid pattern on screen. By comparing adjacent images, users can recognize a difference in brightness and the color setting of the left and right images, and thus easily adjust the camera's white balance and iris settings.

L/R Switch

Left and right signals can be swapped in a moment without inserting black frames, simply by manually pushing a function key. This instant-swap capability enables users to compare the entire images and check for any sense of incongruity or for unnatural images.

Horopter Check

This function helps users to perceive the subtle difference of depth between different objects placed on the 3D screen surface.

Horizontal Flip

When a half-mirror type of rig is used, either the left or right signal may be reversed horizontally. The Horizontal flip function turns the reversed image to the normal view.

Note:

A delay in signal processing occurs, and both the left and right signals synchronize to the delayed signal

Interlace Display

The BVM-E Series Monitor offers an Interlace Display feature for 1080i and SD inputs. This lets the monitor display these inputs as a true interlace display. As with the Native Scan function, Interlace Display mode offers faithful reproduction of the input signal, and the displayed interlace fields are free from the picture degradation that can occur as a result of typical I/P conversion processes.

Scan Switch

The Scan Switch function allows switching between under scan (-3%), normal scan (0%), and over scan (mask of the 5% over scan portion in the normal scan).

Native Scan (Pixel-to-Pixel Display)

Conventional flat-panel monitors reproduce images using scaling and I/P conversion due to their fixed pixel counts and progressive scanning processes. The Native Scan function is a display mode that reproduces images without changing the input signal's pixel count. For example, when an SD signal is input, the BVM-E Series Monitor will reproduce the image at a picture size of 720 x 487 pixels. For SD inputs, the Native Scan function also allows the displayed image size to be doubled to 1440 x 974 by duplicating and doubling each pixel both horizontally and vertically.

Note:

The 525/59.94i signal specified by Rec. ITU-R BT.601.

HD Frame Capture

The HD Frame Capture function of the BVM-E Series unit allows a picture frame from the 3G-SDI and HD-SDI inputs to be captured and saved as a picture file on Memory Stick media. This picture file can be used as a reference for various purposes such as for picture-tone adjustments between past images and for camera-framing adjustments.

Note:

Memory Stick PRO (High-Speed) / Memory Stick PRO Duo (High-Speed) can be used.

Aspect Correction Mode

PAL and NTSC video systems are all based on rectangular pixels. Display of these formats on a square pixel panel typically distorts the image. The BVM-E Series unit uses a unique process called Aspect Correction, which continues to display image geometry correctly while still offering native pixel performance. This scaling technique used in BVM-E Series Monitor corrects horizontal distortion while keeping the vertical pixel count correctly displayed.

Aspect Switch

The aspect ratio can be switched between 4:3, 16:9, 2.39:1, and 1.896:1 depending on the input signal.

Marker Settings

This BVM-E Series Monitor can display various markers, including an aspect marker, safe area marker, and center marker. In addition to this flexible selection of marker types, detailed display settings of each marker are offered. For example, the color, brightness, horizontal/vertical position, and width of aspect markers can all be controlled, while the height and width of safe area markers can be adjusted.

Wide Variety of Functions

The user has a wide variety of over 40 functions to choose from. Each of these can be assigned to any of the 16 function buttons (F1 to F16) on the BKM-16R Controller. Press ENTER to display the F1 to F8 (or F9 to F16) button assignment on screen.

Status Display

Simply assign STATUS to one of the function buttons (F1 to F16) on the BKM-16R Controller. The user can instantly grasp the whole monitor status and configurations without having to search through menus.

Control Unit

The BVM-E Series Monitor and its control panel are provided as separate units, allowing greater flexibility for system integration. The monitor incorporates a monitor control unit (the BKM-16R Controller) as an option. The BKM-16R Monitor Control Unit can be attached beneath the monitor using the controller attachment stand (sold separately), or connected remotely via an Ethernet cable (sold separately).

Note:

Requires the latest version of the BKM-16R Monitor Control Unit with a product code suffix /7 or later, or the latest version of the BKM-39H attachment Stand, with a product code suffix /1 or later.

Copy Function for Monitor Setup & Adjustment Data

The BKM-16R Control Unit (sold separately) includes a Memory Stick slot to save and load monitor configuration and adjustment settings. This is useful for multiple monitor systems, allowing the transfer of one monitor's setup and adjustment data to another. This data can also be transferred via the BVM's Ethernet connection.

Note:

Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Memory Stick Micro (a separately sold adapter is required) can be used.

Data can be moved between BVM-E and BVM-F Series Monitors.

+12 dB Chroma UP Function

A Chroma UP button located on the front panel of the BKM-16R allows the chroma level to be boosted by +12 dB. This is a convenient feature for adjusting camera white balance with a higher degree of accuracy.

Ethernet-Based Remote Control

The BVM-E Series Monitor and the BKM-16R Monitor Control Unit are equipped with an Ethernet port, allowing remote control of display parameters across a standard Ethernet connection. One BKM-16R Monitor Control Unit can control up to 32 BVM compatible monitors. The BVM-A CRT Monitors, BVM-L, PVM-L, and BVM-E/-F Series Monitors are supported.

Auto White Adjustment

The BVM-E Series 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.

Character Off Button

To facilitate parameter adjustments, the On-Screen Menu indication can be taken off the screen while in Menu mode. The On-Screen Menu indication can be toggled on or off with a simple press of a button on the BKM-16R Monitor Control Unit's front panel.

Auto Chroma / Phase Adjustment

An Auto Chroma / Phase / Matrix setup function is provided with the BVM-E Series Monitor, which automatically adjusts the monitor's chroma, phase, and matrix using external color bars.

Note:

Supports analog signal inputs only.

Other Features

The monitor offers the following additional features: EIA 19" standard rack mountable; Blue only; Mono; H delay / V delay; NTSC setup level (0%, 7.5%); Component level (SMPTE / EBU-N10 or Betacam); aperture; serial remote (Ethernet); parallel remote (D-sub 9-pin); Tally lamp (Amber); EXT sync (for RGB / YUV); remote maintenance.