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Wohler PANORAMAdtv RM-2443W-HD Video/Audio Monitor

by Michael Parks

The PANORAMAdtv RM-2443W-HD quad-screen audio/video monitor is designed for confidence monitoring of high- and standard-definition SDI and composite video sources. Four 4.3-inch LCD displays span the rack-mounted unit to provide a sharp image from a wide variety of digital and analog video sources. This particular unit runs around $3,600, while the analog version runs $1,700. If your video ministry is not expecting to use SDI, then the analog version will suit your needs. Wohler offers an extensive line of monitors to meet the needs of various production environments.

Wohler Technologies has been designing in-rack audio and video monitoring solutions for 20 years. The San Francisco-based company was founded in 1983 by Will Wohler to provide the broadcast industry with audio monitoring systems for facilities of all sizes and complexities. They were the first company to design a stereo speaker system in one rack unit, focusing on both quality and compact equipment. In 1997 the company introduced its video division, PANORAMAdtv, and began offering monitoring technology for video production. Wohler was also the first to introduce video monitors for SDI and Dolby signals. Their line of broadcast and post-production audio and video rack-mounted monitoring systems is intended to meet a wide range of needs and budgets.

The RM series of HD monitor packs is designed to be a compact and affordable option for location shoots, control rooms, and duplication and post-production facilities. They have many uses for a church video department as well. Wohler has avoided the typical tradeoffs of cost-effective video products by keeping the full range of features needed for monitoring video recording and playback.

The entire line of HD monitors accepts formats of up to 1080i60/30p, and can display audio level meters, safe areas, frame marks, cropping, switchable aspect ratios and color bars. The RM HD units also provide an active loop-through output for each SDI input.

A Closer Look
Video cables are simply plugged into the back and the signals are automatically detected and accommodated. I hooked up a video switcher, a DVD player, a computer and an HD camera within minutes and with no “why don’t I get a picture” complications. Each of the high-resolution wide-format LCD screens displays at either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio by pressing one of the front buttons. An onscreen label can be created to identify each monitor’s source.

The image is sharp and vibrant, making it possible to make sure that the original quality of the video source is coming through and that the small print of some devices’ menus is readable. The monitor’s on-screen menus are easy enough to read and have a user-friendly layout. Here, the visual parameters, such as brightness and contrast, are selected and adjusted. This includes Safe Area and Safe Title markers, Center Mark, Time Code and Display Name. One front button can be programmed as a hotkey for quick access to one of the display settings.

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Michael Parks heads up the video ministry at Hilltop Community Church in Richmond, Calif. He has been involved in film and video production for 25 years and is the author of the blog “Close-Up on One” at www.churchproduction.com/michaelparks.