NEC brings commercial panels in line with key competitors

August 13, 2008 by Dave Haynes

NEC has long produced very nice commercial grade panels that are well-suited to the digital screen space, but usually came with a 20 per cent or more premium over guys like Samsung and LG.

Not anymore, according to an announcement by NEC this week.

The new MultiSync 15 Series displays, with three-year limited parts and labor warranties, are about $1,200 for a 32 incher and $1,700 for the 42. These are the news release prices, so assume the real deals, particularly on volume, are better.

There are still better deals to be had out there from other name brands, but NEC, as mentioned, does make quality gear.

According to the press release:

“The MultiSync 15 Series is a commercial-grade solution designed for organizations that want a more affordable system than higher-end NEC digital signage displays such as the MultiSync 20 Series but still desire NEC’s commercial features and functions,” said Jean McLaughlin, Sr. Product Line Manager at NEC Display Solutions. “We have achieved a competitive price point closer to a consumer-grade product but with all the critical design elements required for a successful digital signage implementation.”

MultiSync 15 Series displays include the following features:

• 1366 x 768 (WXGA) native resolution
• 800:1 contrast ratio
• 500 cd/m² brightness
• Public display-grade panel, which offers additional protection against image retention
• Advanced thermal fan-based technology, which provides added security with overheating protection
• Landscape and portrait orientation
• Scheduler with round-the-clock feature, which allows for 7-day scheduling of content and powering of the display
• Up to 4×4 TileMatrix capability
• NaviSet™, which offers easy adjustment of display settings (Administrator version offers remote advanced control and diagnostics capabilities)
• Comprehensive input panel including DVI with HDCP, 15-pin D-sub, component video, composite video and S-video
• Monitor control through RS-232 serial control
• Protective glass- and touch panel-ready

NEC will be showing them off at its NEC Display Solutions Summit 2008 (www.necdisplay.com/summit) on August 26-27 in Chicago, near its US headquarters.