Summary

PC Magazine May 17, 1994 wrote:

Looking for a multipurpose presentation monitor for your boardroom or conference room? How about a sturdy monitor to show training tapes or to demonstrate software programs? NEC Technologies' new 27-inch NEC MultiSync 4PG Multimedia Monitor will handle all of your video and RGB presentation needs. Its $3,695 estimated selling price (with actual street prices closer to $3,300) keeps the 4PG out of the reach of typical PC users, but it is no typical monitor.

MULTIPLE INPUTS

With two RGB inputs and two inputs for video signals, the 4PG can be hooked simultaneously to a television input, a VCR or video camera, and two computers (PC and Macintosh video signals are both supported). Both video inputs and one of the RGB inputs include stereo audio inputs for quality sound that can be played through internal stereo speakers or output to an external amplifier or speakers. Every video and audio input has a corresponding set of output plugs so you can rig up to 50 monitors in a series for spectacular large-room presentations.

The 4PG comes with a wireless remote control (which can also operate with an included 12-foot wire) to select the display device; adjust image size, position, pincushioning, contrast, brightness, color, and tint; and control sharpness. The remote control also has a monitor degauss button and volume and mute controls.

With its flat-square shadow mask tube, the 110-pound 4PG is a multisynchronous monitor with a horizontal scanning range of 15.5 to 50 kHz and vertical range of 40 to 120 Hz. Maximum rated resolution is 1,024-by-768 at 60 Hz. Video support includes VGA, XGA2, NTSC, M-NTSC, PAL (European), and S-Video signals.

FOR MANY SITUATIONS

Because it won't handle the highest resolutions, you won't use this monitor in engineering workstations, and because it doesn't have surround sound, you won't find it suitable for workplace theater applications. But neither of those uses really fits its target market. The 4PG is particularly suited for applications that call for an all-purpose presentation monitor. Whether your presentations are straight from software such as Lotus Freelance Graphics or Microsoft Powerpoint (saving the expense and time of printing hard copies in color), live computer demonstrations, broadcast television, camera, or videotape the 4PG displays a big, bright image and lets you easily switch between input sources. It's a real eye-catcher.

Estimated price: NEC MultiSync 4PG Multimedia Monitor, $3,695; NEC Technologies Inc., 1255 Michael Dr., Wood Dale, IL 60191; 800-388-8888, 708-860-9500; fax 800-366-0476.

Literature

Notes

Make sure you get the remote with this monitor, there are important many settings which can't be accessed without it. If you can't get the remote to work, check the related DIP switches on the back of the monitor to ensure it's enabled.

The LIRC (Linux Infrared Remote Control) project has a configuration file for the Nec RD-335E remote. The transmitter circuit is easy to make, just a diode, resistor and IR LED. There is also a windows version of the LIRC.