Panasonic unveils MegaCon mastering monitor and transparent OLED at IFA 2019

Panasonic has unveiled two prototype TVs at IFA 2019 which it says push the boundaries of TV. One, codenamed MegaCon for Mega Contrast, uses dual LCD layers to deliver a black level performance that rivals OLED TV while being capable of sustained HDR high brightness.

The second model  is a transparent OLED, the result of a conceptual research project by Panasonic and interiors specialist Vitra.

The MegaCon Dual Panel LCD monitor prototype has been developed in-house using a Panasonic manufactured module. It uses a high performance 4K outer panel with a monochrome inner panel to modulate the direct LED backlight, thus delivering pixel-level dimming and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 which is unheard of for LCD panels. In terms of brightness it can hold a full field peak brightness of 1000 nits indefinitely, whilst also covering 99 per cent of the DCI P3 colour standard.

The display has been tested by Hollywood studios and post production houses, for master monitoring.

Unlike other similar dual panel LCD displays, it also features a very wide viewing angle without any loss of colour fidelity and uses Panasonic technology to eliminate any parallax effect between the dual panels.

The transparent OLED concept display, which was first shown at this year’s Salone del Mobile, the world’s largest and most prestigious furniture and lifestyle exhibition, resembles a glass cabinet, is crafted from a wooden finish frame holding what appears to be a pane of glass. As such it blends naturally into any contemporary living space. However, the moment the device is switched on, it transforms into an OLED display.

The transparent OLED is the result of a conceptual research project by Panasonic and Vitra. Through a series of workshops Vitra provided expertise in furniture and space design which was combined with Panasonic’s focus on using advanced technologies to improve lives. As a result a number of ideas about how new technologies can be used to seamlessly integrate audiovisual devices into our living space were developed. The transparent OLED display is the first of these.

Designed by Scandinavian based designer Daniel Rybakken and Panasonic Design Kyoto, the OLED display consists of materials such as wood, metal and glass. The technological components are cleverly concealed within the wooden finish frame, which doubles as a stand for the device. A lightning element, which enhances the viewing and ambient experience, is also directly and unobtrusively housed within the frame.