Priced at $200 in 1,000-unit quantities, the new SP-1600 controller is the first device in the manufacturer’s Professional Class Series. This fully buffered, multi-sync interface controller provides direct analog and digital connection via PC, DVI, and video interface to a range of TFT LCD panels up to UXGA resolution (1,600 x 1,200 pixels). A panel development kit allows engineers to customize the output timing of the controller board to match a particular LCD. A serial port utility function enables users to control monitor functions via the controller serial port. These include remote adjustments of contrast, brightness, and gamma control as well as switching of video inputs. This function also provides commands to control internal parameters not available through the OSD menu. These include scaler functions, an internal run-time-counter, and an inverter brightness control. A user-defined display data channel (DDC) kit allows the controller’s DDC data to be configured to identify the monitor’s characteristics to the display adapter. The DDC passes extended display identification data (EDID), which is stored in the controller. Engineers can use the device’s embedded branding kit to brand a product. A bitmap logo is loaded into the controller, then displayed on the initialization screen and throughout the on-screen menu displays. Providing full connectivity to TFT LCDs, the SP-1600 offers resolutions from VGA through UXGA of 4:3, 16:9, and 16:10 aspect ratio panels. Features include up to 8-bit-per-color (16.7 million colors); OSD menu; function controls; image scaling; image control; and auto picture setup, color gain, and power. The board measures 179 x 120.4 mm (7 x 4.74 in.) with DV standard form factor and mounting holes. The device is said to offer an MTBF in excess of 100,000 hours.