Television productions often rely on authentic equipment to create a believable environment, and NBC’s New Amsterdam was no exception. During production of the medical drama, the show required timing and display equipment for its operating room set to enhance realism and accurately portray the fast-paced hospital atmosphere. To accomplish this, the production team selected DC-Digital’s SW-Code-Blue switches, the DC-40N-T-DN-UP network display, and Timex 3980GT wall clocks.

The custom order required immediate attention, and the DC-Digital manufacturing team responded by assembling and shipping the equipment the very same day the order was placed. The expedited turnaround ensured the production crew had the equipment available in time for filming, which began on August 1, 2018.

The DC-40N-T-DN-UP is a versatile 4-inch, four-digit red LED display designed for professional environments where flexibility and network control are essential. Powered entirely through a single RJ45 Ethernet connection using Power over Ethernet (PoE), the unit receives both power and communication through one cable, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and simplifying installation. This approach provided an ideal solution for a television set, where visible wiring and external controls needed to be minimized.

One of the features that made the display particularly useful for the production crew was its ability to be configured and controlled through its built-in web interface. Using a standard web browser and simple command strings, the display can be remotely programmed without requiring any external switches or controls visible on camera. The display can be reset quickly and adjusted as needed between scenes, allowing directors and set designers to maintain continuity while preserving the realistic appearance of the operating room.

Beyond displaying static numbers, the DC-40N-T-DN-UP offers multiple operating modes. It can function as a time-of-day clock with either 12-hour or 24-hour formats, operate as a count up timer for tracking elapsed time, or serve as a countdown timer with an integrated piezo alarm that activates when the timer reaches zero. The audible alarm can also be enabled or disabled through a convenient side-mounted switch. These capabilities provide flexibility for conference rooms, schools, healthcare facilities, and countless other professional applications.

The static display function, which was especially valuable for the television production, allows fixed numbers to be shown with optional colons and decimal points. This enables the display to represent elapsed surgical times or other numerical information needed to enhance the realism of medical procedures portrayed on screen.

Built from durable 14-gauge aluminum and finished with a black powder-coated surface, the DC-40N-T-DN-UP is engineered for long-term reliability. The four-inch LED digits are visible from distances up to 200 feet, providing excellent readability in large rooms and production environments. Using shift digit technology, the timer is capable of counting up or down to 99 hours and 59 minutes while providing resolution down to one-hundredth of a second.

Key features of the DC-40N-T-DN-UP include:

• Power over Ethernet operation using a single RJ45 connection.
• Web browser-based configuration without additional software.
• Time-of-day display in either 12-hour or 24-hour format.
• Count up timer with start, pause, and resume capability.
• Count down timer with integrated piezo alarm.
• Static number display with optional colons and decimal points.
• Four-inch LED digits visible up to 200 feet away.
• Durable 14-gauge aluminum enclosure with black powder-coated finish.
• Shift digit technology providing timing resolution to 1/100th of a second.
• Flexible mounting tabs for easy installation.

Originally designed for demanding environments such as hospitals and professional facilities, the DC-40N-T-DN-UP proved equally valuable on a Hollywood television set. By providing realistic elapsed time displays and network-controlled operation without visible controls, the unit helped New Amsterdam deliver an authentic operating room experience while demonstrating the flexibility and reliability that DC-Digital products provide across a wide variety of industries.

Product: DC-40N-T-DN-UP-Static

Website: DC-Digital

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