Rack Mount Hinge Solar^™
Formerly Sunlight Readable Rack Mount Hinge™

Rugged, Daylight and Sunlight Readable, Low Profile, Rack Mount, Flip-up / Flip-down, Flat Panel LCD Monitor

· Daylight Readable LCD Displays from 400 Nits
· Sunlight Readable LCD Displays from 1080 Nits
· Ultra Low Profile 1U (1.75") Flip-up / Flip-down Display Enclosure
· Optimizes Display / Keyboard Ergonomics
· Rugged All-Metal Construction
  - Ideal for Industrial and COTS Applications
  - Extended Product Life Cycle (Manufacturability)
· Custom Hinged Slides Pivot Display 90°
· Total Design Control Facilitates Customization
· Promotes Configuration Control and Extended Product Life Cycle
· LCD Displays from 15.0" to 19.0" (ask about other sizes)
· Protective Glass Overlay with Sealed Gasket on Select Models
· High Performance LCD Controller
· Supports Resolutions Up to 1920 x 1200 Pixels (Scaled)
· Supports Separate, Composite, Sync-on-Green and STANAG 3350 A, B, C SoG Analog Video
· Optional Support for NTSC, PAL, RS-170, SECAM, and S-Video Composite Live Video
· Optional Support for DVI-A (Analog), DVI-D (Digital) and DVI-I (Integrated) Video
· Optional Support for HD-SDI (High Definition) and SD-SDI (Standard Definition) Serial Digital Interface Video
· Optional Support for HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) Video
· Optional Night Vision (NVIS) Goggle Compatibility per MIL-STD-3009
· Optional LED Backlight for:
  - Low Power Consumption
  - Mercury-free Applications
  - Daylight/Sunlight Readable Levels of Brightness
· Separate Keyboard/Pointing Devices Available (Commercial, Industrial, Military)
· Many More Options and Accessories Available
· Private Labeling Available

High Brightness Displays for Improved Outdoor Viewability
Today, LCD panels typically produce a maximum brightness (white light) of 200–350 nits, which is insufficient luminance (brightness) in environments where they are exposed to high ambient lighting or direct sunlight—without requiring “value-added” improvements. It is General Digital’s™ experience that a luminance of greater than 100 fL (343 nits) is required for daylight applications, and a luminance of greater than 200 fL (686 nits) is required for sunlight readable applications. It should be noted that the contrast ratio of the panel and the reflectance (surface and specular) of the viewing surface also play significant roles in determining a display’s luminance requirement in high ambient lighting conditions. General Digital™ possesses the capability of augmenting the luminosity of most LCD panels by implementing one or more of the following product improvements:

- Replace standard backlight and inverter with “high brightness” backlight and inverter

- Add and/or replace LCD optical films

- Add contrast enhancement filters to surface of LCD display

- Optically bond contrast filters to LCD display to improve optical path and reduce surface and/or specular reflectance

Although General Digital™ has introduced our value-added “high brightness” capability to a number of our standard products, we have elected to integrate this capability primarily on a “semi-custom” basis. This decision is largely influenced by the impracticality of supporting all of the permutations of standard product that we now offer. We have found that a “tailored” solution of our standard product, rather than “off-the-shelf,” will best meet customer’s needs. And, in fact, many of our standard models are designed to accommodate sunlight and daylight readability. In some cases, General Digital™ will require a minimum purchase quantity or small non-recurring engineering charge to implement a “high brightness” upgrade. Please speak with a Sales Engineer for additional details.

Ergonomic, Versatile Design Occupies Minimal Space
The unique design of the Rack Mount Hinge Solar™ LCD Monitor results in an enclosure that occupies an ultra low profile one vertical rack unit (1U or 1.75") when stowed. When deployed, the monitor pivots 90° on a robust hinge for operation and extends only a short distance from the rack chassis (4.375" to 6.375"). This feature increases operator workspace, especially important in space-constrained environments. Additionally, this allows the display to be easily located at eye level within your 19" RETMA rack to optimize ergonomics. The rack slides can be factory configured for the proper setting. Note that the customer should specify maximum distance at time of order.

All of the interfaces (video, serial, power) utilize locking connectors that are located on the bottom of the enclosure. A strain relief ensures that cables do not bind when the monitor is stowed and deployed.

General Digital™ also supports a diverse product offering of commercial-, industrial-, and military-grade rack mount keyboard / pointing devices (KPD) that compliment the Rack Mount Hinge Solar™. These KPDs can also be located within the rack to optimize ergonomics. Additionally, the KPD can be stowed out of the operators way while the monitor is still deployed.

AMTFT LCD Screens
General Digital™ integrates the latest advances in LCD display technology in virtually any size you require. Our stock offering sizes range from 15.0" to 19.0" (diagonal viewing area). These panels provide the equivalent viewing area of much larger CRTs. All of our active matrix TFT LCD panels offer up to 16.7 million colors, wide viewing angles, and fast response times (suitable for live video). We qualify multiple sources of supply to ensure product availability and long life. If our stock offering does not suit your needs in terms of size, fit or function, please contact a Sales Engineer and we will work with you to configure a system to your specifications.

Video Support
All standard Rack Mount Hinge Solar™ displays support interlaced and non-interlaced analog video (Separate, Composite, Sync-on-Green). Support for STANAG 3350 A, B and C Analog SoG video is also included as a standard feature. In addition, they can be optionally configured to support analog, digital and integrated video (DVI-A, DVI-D, DVI-I), as well as serial digital interface (HD-SDI, SD-SDI) video.

Live Video Support
Most Rack Mount Hinge Solar™ models can be optionally configured to support NTSC, PAL, RS-170, and SECAM video in composite video or S-video format. The response time of the active matrix TFT makes it the ideal platform for live video input.

High Performance LCD Controller
Internal to our LCD monitor is an LCD controller that converts analog video signals into the proper digital signals required to drive the display. It is the LCD controller that enables the LCD monitor to function as a direct replacement for the traditional CRT. The controller provides intuitive operation of its controls and calibration through the use of a membrane pad and a series of on-screen menus. All models support the following display image controls: auto and manual setup, brightness, contrast, horizontal position, vertical position, tuning, size, individual RGB adjust, image expansion on/off, system information, run-time counter, and signal level. Advanced features are supported on a selective basis (image rotate and invert, audio controls, advanced scaling).

Protective Glass & Sealed Gasket
General Digital™ protects your display by adhering a piece of glass to the surface of the LCD panel to guard the liquid crystal material from making direct contact with foreign objects. In addition, a sealed gasket is installed between the display and bezel to protect the monitor’s electronics from dust, liquids (e.g., spilled coffee) or other debris.

Metal Construction
General Digital’s™ rugged, low profile, aluminum enclosures are designed to withstand the rigors of commercial, industrial, and military (COTS) environments alike. Our enclosures are completely irridited to provide protection from corrosion and improve shielding properties where parts make contact with one another. All external surfaces are finished with a durable black powder coat. Unlike plastic enclosures (commodity products), whose mold is usually designed for a specific display and control electronics, our modular enclosures offer superior configuration flexibility. This modular and flexible design also permits us to introduce contemporary technologies without requiring extensive redesign. Our products are intentionally designed to support LCD displays (and other electronics) from numerous manufacturers. This capability enables us to minimize the impact of a single suppliers decision to obsolete, allocate or redesign their display, upon our ability to maintain configuration control or extend the manufacture life of our products.

Hinged Slides
Custom designed slides allow the Rack Mount Hinge Solar™ to conveniently slide in and out of a 19" RETMA rack while occupying only 1U of rack space (2U for the 20" model). The slides also allow the display head to pivot up (standard) or down 90 degrees for optimal operation. The Rack Mount Hinge Solar™ requires no assembly or disassembly to operate – simply pull it out of the rack and pivot 90° to use.

Total Design Control
General Digital™ gladly offers its engineering services to customers who require special customization of our devices to meet their commercial, industrial or military requirements. Please speak with a Sales Engineer for additional details.

Configuration Control & Product Longevity
We at General Digital™ are completely responsible for the design and manufacturing of our products, allowing us to maintain nearly total control of their future. Our experience supporting Department of Defense programs has taught us the value of designing products with foresight so that they can be manufactured, serviced and upgraded for many years. Though the market introduces new innovations and product upgrades at an alarming rate, our product management team knows the importance of proactive customer notification and can offer product adaptation with similar or equivalent performance before designs become obsolete, thereby extending the product life cycle.

Private Labeling
General Digital™ encourages relationships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and other organizations, and is willing to maintain your company identity (private label) on our products. Please speak with a Sales Engineer for additional information.

Options & Accessories
A plethora of options and accessories are offered in support of all General Digital™ products: vandal shields, EMI / RFI shields, antireflective coatings / antiglare etches, touch screens, power supplies, keyboards / pointing devices, rack slides, video / serial / power cables and more. Please speak with a Sales Engineer or visit our Options and Accessories page for further details.