Astro Systems introduces 56-inch 4K x 2K LCD monitor

If you thought a 4K x 2K resolution was a bit much for an 82-inch display, imagine what 3,840 x 2,160 pixels looks like on a 56-incher. Astro Systems is apparently gearing up to launch the DM-3400 to appease the "needs" (read: extravagant desires) of its digital cinema and broadcast studio clients, and by the looks of it, we doubt it'll have any issues accomplishing that. This bad boy also supports four channels of DVI and HD-SDI for some of that quad-view action, and there's even contrast, gamma and brightness adjustments for each RGB channel. Unfortunately, we've no idea how much coinage this beast will demand, but there's little no doubt that this is one of those "if you have to ask..." type scenarios.

[Via StudioDaily]

[podphreak @ Feb 13th 2008 2:11AM]

And now introducing..... the Astro System's financing program! Comes with coffin!

[derX @ Feb 13th 2008 2:21AM]

Let's be serious, there is one thing that anyone could possibly ever wish to watch on such a large, hi-res display. It's what the internet was made for...



ENGADGET, of course. 'Cuse, it's 2:20AM and I have other business to which I have to attend...

[I know that sounds incredibly suggestive, but I really do only have to write a paper.]

[derX @ Feb 13th 2008 2:24AM]

Ohh, that's what they meant by monitor. Urgh, if I'm this coherent on an electronics blog, imagine my paper...ouch. *pre-fails*

*pours another cup of coffee*

[JLTate @ Feb 13th 2008 2:47AM]

ONLY 4k x 2k? What a piece of crap!

[James @ Feb 13th 2008 3:09AM]

Oh wow, ohhh ok... I see what you did right there.

[James @ Feb 13th 2008 3:08AM]

Please don't plug your blog on Engadget, you're just going to get Lowest Ranked on every post you make.

[spam_from_engadget @ Feb 13th 2008 5:29AM]

Finally, a display that's able to show all of the pixels that my digital camera captures!

[telepheedian @ Feb 13th 2008 8:33AM]

A more appropriate URL would be http://www.pleasesaynothing.com, not like it links anywhere in particular, as far as I know

[GTMoogle @ Feb 13th 2008 8:41AM]

Hmm, 78.7 pixels per inch. Most 19-20" LCDs are around 80-82, so it's not too shabby density-wise.

[vc @ Feb 13th 2008 9:30AM]

i like it!

[imvchk @ Feb 13th 2008 9:40AM]

how much?

[geekmorgan @ Feb 13th 2008 11:17AM]

This isn't a TV, its a professional monitor. Its use would be looking at several video feeds at once, like in a broadcast booth or mobile truck etc. Its not going to come with an HDMI port or an ATSC tuner ;-)

[Allen @ Feb 13th 2008 1:31PM]

See what I mean? This thing uses FOUR DVI cables to achieve that resolution! Its not like we will see 3840x2160 in the next ten years, its not even available for computer monitors yet just professional apps like this.

As far as SDI, it needs 2 of those too I believe.

Only a professional would get any benefit from this right now because he/she can program a color on a per-pixel basis. Considering IMAX film is the only other way to get images that high resolution, I think 3840x2160 will be the next "high definition," sometime in 2020 or 2030.

The real news today is that I finally received a W4000 test sample at Best Buy. We have to ship it back due to a faulty power supply, but based one what little we gleaned from the 15 minutes of time on the 52", I can say the contrast is going to be exceptional, and response time definitely improved. I do not know if its still marketed as 8ms, but it definitely held motion as well as the 5ms LG panels we tested it against (without that 120hz bs on).

[johnny hates waiting @ Feb 13th 2008 5:10PM]

True this would be over kill for the consumer market, but there are some real uses for businesses at hte right price point. Design firms who use large drawing sheets (36x24) and want to go completely digital for most of the process. Couple this with a digitizer pen (set for that screen) and now you have remote review of large format documents on the fly. (Imagine conference room to conference room with this in a horizontal configuration) As the price point drops it could replace plan tables on construction sites.