The PVM-X1800 features an 18.4-inch 4K premium LCD panel (3840 x 2160 pixel resolution) with a wide colour gamut, high luminance, high contrast, fine grey scale, wide viewing angle and excellent uniformity. The Sony-specified panel supports a 1000 cd/m2 luminance and offers the same colour gamut as Sony’s flagship BVM-HX310 Master Monitor. This provides accurate colour matching within the production workflow from acquisition to finishing for applications including live productions, TV programs, documentaries, music videos, movies, dramas and commercials. All personnel working on a project can reliably share the same accurate view of colours and tones, even if they are working at different locations and times.

Sony’s TRIMASTER architecture offers accurate picture reproduction, precise imaging and quality picture consistency. The panel’s control and signal processing system offers significant advantages including fast processing, accurate colour reproduction and accurate linearizing of input signals with Optical Electrical Transfer Function.

With the future V2.0* firmware and the optional PVML-HSX1, HDR-SDR conversion license**, the PVM-X1800 will also support HDR-SDR conversion in a live production environment. The HDR license will support any of the following:
- 4K to HD down-conversion
- Colour space conversion from ITU-R BT.2020 to ITU-R BT.709,
- OETF conversion from HDR OETF S-Log3(HDR), ITU-R BT.2100(HLG), SMPTE ST2084 to SDR EOTF 2.4 and OETF 0.45,
- Progressive to interlace conversion
- Quad-link 3G to single-link 12G conversion
It will also allow the output of converted signals to other 4K or HD monitors via the Enhanced Monitor Output that supports 12G/6G/3G/HD-SDI, even if an original 4K source is Quad link 3G-SDI. This planned feature will enable local or remote monitoring of converted signals. The license activation will be field upgradeable via USB memory, providing conversion capabilities to current PVM-X1800/2400 monitors.

* A V2.0 firmware update will be available at a later date. V1.0 firmware will be upgradable to V2.0 or higher via the monitor’s USB port.
** The PVML-HSX1, HDR-SDR conversion license will be sold separately. The monitor must be updated to V2.0 firmware or later. HDR-SDR conversion is activated via the USB port on the front control panel of the monitor.

Planned as a standard feature for the V2.0* release, will be support for SR Live metadata which will enable the PVM-X1800 monitor settings to be matched to the incoming signal. You can also confirm the SR Live metadata parameters on an incoming SDI signal in the Status menu. This will help to streamline use of the monitor in SR Live workflows.

* A V2.0 firmware update will be available at a later date. V1.0 firmware will be upgradable to V2.0 or higher via the monitor’s USB port.

Dynamic Contrast Drive is a new backlight control system that dynamically changes the panel’s backlight luminance to adapt to changing content enabling you to confirm the total balance of highlights and low lights at a glance. The feature can be used to reproduce black representation in dark content, such as night scenes and provide specular highlights in bright content such as snow field and summer beach scenes. The Dynamic Contrast Drive feature provides a dynamic contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1.

Due to the inherent nature of LCD panels, some backlight leakage is unavoidable. To compensate, Black Detail Mode High/Mid/Low facilitates more accurate monitoring of black detail in dark, low- APL (average picture level) images. The backlight level is reduced but gamma is maintained for correct colour and grey scale. High luminance areas may clip due to the dynamic range of the monitor. Any clipped portions can be highlighted by zebra patterns or simply displayed as clipped.

The PVM-X1800 is equipped with built-in standard input interfaces: (12G/6G/3G/HD-SDI) BNC (x2), (3G/HD-SDI) BNC (x2) and HDMI (HDCP2.3/1.4) (x1). 12G simplifies wiring, from simple to large-scale field systems. Quad-link 3G-SDI is highly convenient for systems configured with ‘traditional’ devices. HDMI simplifies interfacing with devices including rasterizers, multi-viewers, digital cameras, set top boxes, UHD Blu-ray players, PCs etc.

Though the PVM-X1800 monitor supports manual input signal settings, the monitor also supports VPID (Video Payload ID). This support means that the monitor can auto detect and identify incoming video signals and automatically adjust the monitor settings (EOTF, colour space, RGB source information, etc.) to the input signal, reducing the risk of human error in high pressure live production environments.

The OSD (On Screen Display) menu structure is significantly enhanced from existing Sony 4K monitors. It features a shallow layered structure for quick, easy review and adjustment of setting values. The status menu position has changed from the monitor’s top to lower side. 4K/2K settings and input settings/user presets have been streamlined to a single channel. 30 custom channels can be created and renamed as needed. A new channel button on the front control panel facilitates fast setting changes – simply select a channel from the list showing the channel name, colour space, EOTF and input etc. Channels can also be assigned to a Function key. When multiple users share the same monitor, each user can save their own setting data to a channel and retrieve it whenever required, thus reducing consuming and repetitive setting tasks. All monitor data can be saved and locked by a password. Users can freely change stored values, but data cannot be overwritten or saved to memory by a user without the password. For improving Function key configuration setup, users can take a short-cut to the settings menu screen by simply pressing the Function key repeatedly. Function key preset allows the creation, storage and quick recall of different key combinations. Channel, function key preset, colour temperature and marker parameters can be assigned custom names from the monitor’s OSD keyboard.

Both the waveform monitor and vector scope can be simultaneously displayed with scales for either HDR or SDR. Scales are automatically changed according to the selected EOTF setting of the monitor. You can easily check both input signal level and output luminance using the HDR scale of the WFM. The waveform vector scope offers two zoom modes: one in an area of either 0 - 20% or 0 - 30% within the waveform monitor, and a second, in the central black area of the vector scope, for adjusting camera white balance. The waveform has three different displays of either luminance, RGB/YCBCR parade or RGB overlay with gamut error display. The waveform of a specified line can also be displayed. In addition, an audio level meter can display eight channels of embedded audio from the SDI or HDMI input (Ch1-8 or Ch9-16).
Furthermore, with future firmware*, a colour gamut scope will be available that maps colours in the CIE1931 standard chart with the standard colour space area display. The colour space area display is automatically set and displayed according to the selected colour space setting from ITU-R BT.2020, DCI-P3, S-Gamut3, S-Gamut3.Cine to ITU-R BT.709. It can also be displayed with the other scopes at the same time.

* This firmware update will be available at a later date. The schedule of it has not been determined yet and it will separately be informed. V1.0 firmware will be upgradeable to V2.0 or higher via the monitor’s USB port.

User 3D LUT files can be loaded to internal memory via the USB port at the front of the monitor. 33 grid point or 17 grid point .cube files are supported. Different user LUTs can be easily selected and compared in Quad View display.
The future V2.0* firmware and the optional PVML-HSX1, HDR-SDR conversion license, will also support the output of signals with applied User 3D LUTs via the Enhanced Monitor Output to other 4K/HD devices further facilitating efficient workflows in live production, cinema, drama, commercial, music and documentary production environments.

* A V2.0 firmware update will be available at a later date. V1.0 firmware will be upgradeable to V2.0 or higher via the monitor’s USB port.

The PVM-X1800 provides a Quad View display mode with individual settings of EOTF (SDR/HDR), colour space, transfer matrix, colour temperature, contrast, brightness, user LUT, SDI/HDMI and RGB/YCBCR for each display view. Different HD input sources can be compared as a part of an HD wall system.
With the future V2.0* firmware, this function will be enhanced to also support the display of scopes when monitoring in Triple or Dual picture modes. For example, you could monitor two HD videos on the upper quadrants and the corresponding waveform monitors, vector scopes and colour gamut scopes** on the lower quadrants at the same time.

* A V2.0 firmware update will be available at a later date. V1.0 firmware will be upgradeable to V2.0 or higher via the monitor’s USB port.
** This firmware update for the color gamut scope will be available later date. The schedule of it has not been determined yet and it will separately be informed. V2.0 firmware is upgradeable via the monitor’s USB port.

One of the features planned for future firmware* is False Colour whereby the in-coming signal is assigned different colours for different exposure levels, providing a fast and effective tool for verifying exposure.

* This firmware update will be available at a later date. The schedule of it has not been determined yet and it will separately be informed. V1.0 firmware will be upgradable to V2.0 or higher via the monitor’s USB port.

A Focus Assist feature (also planned for future firmware*) displays incoming images with sharpened edges to help determine camera focus. The sharpened edges can be displayed in user-selectable colours (white, red, green, blue, and yellow) for more precise focusing.

* This firmware update will be available at a later date. The schedule of it has not been determined yet and it will separately be informed. V1.0 firmware will be upgradable to V2.0 or higher via the monitor’s USB port.

The PVM-X1800 can be powered by a DC 22 V - 32 V source, providing more flexibility and mobility for users who want a larger size screen for on-set and field applications.

For long term reliability, Sony conducted multiple thermal simulations to find the most efficient cooling system and mechanical structure. Long-term heat load tests were also conducted to meet stringent specifications.
The optional PVMK-PX18 protection panel safeguards the PVM-X1800 screen from inadvertent scratches and impacts during transportation and preparation*. The protection panel can be easily attached or detached without tools. This protection panel can be mounted together with the rack-mount bracket PVMK-RX18, for installation in a 19-inch EIA standard rack.

* Optional protection panel cannot be used with the monitor in operation in order to protect screen from LCD backlight heat.

The PVM-X1800 has screw holes on its side bezels for yoke-mounting. This type of mounting is convenient when installing a monitor on a camera crane or monitor stand in the field. There are also wall-mount 100-mm pitch holes on the monitor’s rear panel.

The rear connector panel allows adequate cord clearance. This design allows protecting connectors, space saving and cabling flexibility with easy identification of the connectors for system integration and maintenance.

The PVM-X1800 can display 4K and 2K input signals. The 4K/2K signal can be displayed in two ways: as a full 4K/2K image scaled into a QFHD (3840 x 2160) screen, or as a 4K/2K native display with side cut.

It’s easy to set two flexible area markers or variable area markers, and an aspect markers on the screen. Line colours and thickness are customizable. This second marker enables checking of centre focus. Flexible area markers can be used as a screen layout guide for shopping programs or as guides for programs requiring different aspect ratios for distribution.

Ideal for rental applications, the power-on setting quickly loads data at start-up including last memory, user preset factory preset settings.

The monitor’s low latency I/P conversion system optimizes signal processing according to input signals. This helps with editing and monitoring fast-moving images, and with synchronizing audio with lip sync.

The PVM-X1800 can magnify the centre of the screen for checking camera focus.

Monitor use on-set or in a machine room requires high sound pressure levels due to environmental noise. 2W+2W front stereo speakers offer powerful sound with a true stereophonic effect. Pressing an assigned Function key can instantly mute audio when required.

The monitor has basic functions such as contrast, brightness, chroma, aperture, audio volume, blue only, mono, scan, marker, timecode display, RGB cut off, on-screen tally, BKM-17R control and parallel remote (Fixed pin assignment).