PVM-X3200

The PVM-X3200 features a 32-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 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.

*Panel specification. This luminance value is a typical value at D65(x, y = 0.3127, 0.329) that is not guaranteed.

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 linearising of input signals with Optical Electrical Transfer Function.

With V3.0 firmware, once you set one unit of the PVM-X3200, the set-up of it will be able to be copied to multiple units of PVM-X3200, X2400 and X1800 via a USB memory stick. This function will minimize a configuration time to set up many of the units. In addition, the PVM-X3200 will employ a software-based colour 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.

* The Konica Minolta CA-410/CA-310, Photo Research PR 655/670, X-Rite i1 Pro/i1 Pro2, Klein K-10, Colorimetry Research CR-250 and JETI specbos 1211/spectraval 1501/ 1511.

The optional PVML-HSX1, HDR-SDR conversion license*, the PVM-X3200 also supports HDR-SDR conversion in a live production environment. The HDR license supports 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 also allows 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 feature allows for local or remote monitoring of converted signals. The license activation is field upgradeable via USB memory, providing conversion capabilities to PVM-X1800/X2400/X3200 monitors.
A trial license is newly supported from V3. This can be used to verify the function of applying Sony's unique HDR-SDR conversion and 3D LUT to a signal, converting it from 4K progressive to HD interlaced signal, etc., and outputting it from the Enhanced Monitor Output**. It is valid until about 240 hours*** have passed after a new purchase or update. You need the optional PVML-HSX1 license for continuous use until the expiration date.

* The PVML-HSX1, HDR-SDR conversion license, is sold separately. HDR-SDR conversion is activated via the USB port on the front control panel of the monitor.
**With Ver.4.0 firmware, time code data and embedded audio data can be output from the Enhanced Monitor Output.
***The trial timing is linked to the monitor’s internal clock and will start counting down when the monitor is powered up after the V.3.0 installation is completed. The time will count down whether you are using the license or not. You can see the Operation Time in the Unit Status of the Status menu of the monitor.

With V4.0 firmware, two downsized optional licenses are added. The optional PVML-TDX1*, 3D LUT baked output license, only allows that the PVM-X3200 outputs a 3D LUT converted picture from the enhanced monitor output. And the optional PVML-SCX1*, signal conversion output license, allows that the PVM-X3200 outputs a picture converted from 4K/UHD to 2K/HD and from Progressive to Interlace on top of 3D LUT conversion. In addition, time code data and embedded audio data can be output from the Enhanced Monitor Output. You can use a signal from this output for an off-line editing purpose.
* Either Quad link or Dual link signals are automatically converted to a single link signal.

It's support for SR Live metadata which enables the PVM-X3200 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 helps to streamline use of the monitor in SR Live workflows.

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. With the V3.0 firmware, these clipped portions can also be visible by a roll-off curve.

The PVM-X3200 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-X3200 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 the V3.0 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.

User 3D LUT files can be loaded to internal memory via the USB port at the front of monitor. 33 grid points or 17 grid point .cube files are supported. Different user LUTs can be easily selected and compared in Quad View display.
The optional PVML-HSX1, HDR-SDR conversion license, also supports 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.

The PVM-X3200 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.
This function supports 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 (with V3.0 firmware) on the lower quadrants at the same time.

One of the features for the V3.0 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.

A Focus Assist feature (also planned for the V3.0 firmware) displays incoming images with sharpened edges to help determine camera focus. The sharpened edges can be displayed in user-selectable colours (B&W, Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow) for more precise focusing.

With V4.0 firmware, Grid display shows horizontal and vertical induction lines for checking a layout of subjects. You can choose and use one of 12 grid types from 3x3 to 128x120.

With version 4.0 firmware, Chroma up function is used for camera calibration.

With V4.0 firmware, In monitor display (IMD) is supported to show a source name and tally indications for a studio and OB truck use. It can read a TSL protocol, and it is used not only a single screen but Quad View display or Side by side.
Static manual input character mode is also supported for a small event video production.

With version 4.0 firmware, Parallel remote is also used for a simple and quick control of monitor’s functions. You can freely assign 7 functions of the PVM-X3200 to 7 pins of the Parallel remote connector. You can easily select them without control device and software.

With version 4.0 firmware, Closed Captioning is supported over HD-SDI for editing and QC applications. EIA/CEA-708 and EIA/CEA-608 over EIA/CEA-708 are supported.

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 PVM-X3200 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-X3200 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 marker on the screen. Line colours and thickness are customisable. 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-X3200 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 and BKM-17R control.