Planar Dome C2      

Summary

Model: Planar Dome C2                                                                    

Type: High Res LCD Screen. DICOM calibrated (internal)

Size / Resolution: 19 inch viewable area, 1600 x 1200 resolution (1.92 Megapixels), 3061 distinct shades of grey.

Applications: Diagnostic Radiology, Radiology referral, Radiology QC

Typical Price: £3700 (Richardson Electronics 01522 542 631)

This 19 inch flat panel display is designed for the high demands of diagnostic radiology. 

Setting up is a little tricky for the novice, and most departments will need the help of tech IT department to install this display - this is because the display has such advanced features that you need to install the accompanying graphics card to drive it.  The card slots into any spare PCI slot, and then you are away.  Planar recognise that not everyone is confident in dealing with this, and offer a free service whereby a Planar engineer will guide you through the whole process as you are doing it.

Once installed, you will notice that there are no controls on the monitor surround, giving a clean look, and allowing the monitor to be set up as a vertical (wall mounted) or horizontal stack.  All controls can be accessed on screen.

The image produced is crisp, and exceptionally sharp, with even brightness across the whole screen.  The monitor produces perfect scores on our geometric and grayscale tests.  The monitor produces 3061 distinct shades of grey at a contrast ratio of 700:1, which is more than adequate for diagnostic purposes, and significantly higher than the industry average.  

Viewing medical images on this display is an absolute pleasure.  As well as the usual Planar flexibility, with adjustments available for height, tilt, swivel and rotation, this display is fully DICOM calibrated, with a built in photometer, which automatically adjusts the screen to maintain an evenly lit screen (i.e. if someone turns the light on, the screen automatically corrects for this).  This is one of the reasons there is no need for manual controls on the front of the screen. 

As with all CX Planar medical displays, this unit comes with a 10 years warranty on the backlight (for a minimum of 350 cd/m2) and optional warranty periods up to 7 years including 48 hours Express Replacement Service.

An exceptional display for radiologists, that will make diagnosis and reporting more pleasant and efficient, with images produced as good as (if not better) than film.

Setup / Installation             4/5  Need to install separate video card (supplied), support available to help with this, excellent documentation, DVI + analogue connections.

Image Quality : Still            5/5  Superb image, automatic screen adjustment, DICOM calibrated.                                    

Overall rating: Highly Recommended. Editors Choice 

To read the full specifications, click here [external link]

test model kindly supplied by Planar [Europe]