Question re FCP video monitoring on Mac Pro - 1080p/29.97

[masterdigital]

Newbie question:

I need to set up for 1080p/29.97 video monitoring on a Mac Pro using Final Cut Pro with the EX3.

I have looked everywhere and all I can find are setups that will do 1080i monitoring, but not 1080p.

Since it's EX3 workflow, I don't need a capture card, it's strictly a video monitoring issue.

I've looked at

1. the JVC D24-LiDU, and
2. the Sony LMD2450WHD combo

But nothing explicitly fills the bill for 1080p/29.97 monitoring.

I'll be using an Apple Cinema Display for computer monitoring.

Naturally, I'm hoping for an out-of-box experience

[Armstrongfilms]

skip all that madness and add one of these to your macpro

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/558728-REG/Blackmagic_Design_BDLKHDEXTR2_Decklink_HD_Extreme_ Video.html#specifications

then you can also do some SDI capture at 10bit, and actually work with the footage via realtime with the onboard chips on the card. not to mention the 100's of cheap lcd monitors with hdmi now. youll want a e-sata card to go with it and some 3gb/sec e-sata externals. thats about the cheapest way to work with uncompressed footage before a fibrechannel or better raid setup.

[masterdigital]

Thanks, but I'm really only looking for a quasi-high end video monitoring solution... no capture or storage issues at all (I don't need audio i/o either).

No computer monitors, just a broadcast video monitor, just short of full-on broadcast CRTs.

[nsoltz]

You want a Matrox MXO-- just monitoring solution. Uses your second DVI port to convert your Apple Cinema Display to near-broadcast. Also has SDI and component/composite outputs.

Ned Soltz

[masterdigital]

But the way I read the specs on the MXO, it seems to support output of 1080p at 29.97 PsF, not true 1080p.

I may be reading this wrong, but if I go to the expense and trouble of working in 1080p, I'd like to be able to monitor exactly as it will be in final edited form, right?

[nsoltz]

Then you would need a capture card like one of the Decklink or Kona cards to output true 1080p.

You would also need a SDI to DVI converter unless you decide to go with a true SDI monitor (Sony, Panasonic or JVC).

[masterdigital]

Thanks. I'll check out the Kona LHe. It looks like it will work, even though it has some features I won't be using.

[mcgeedigital]

I have the JVC DT-V24L1DU. Love it, it is my main edit monitor.

[MitchLewis]

I have the JVC DT-V24L1DU. Love it, it is my main edit monitor.

How does it look with SD video?

[kyrre]

But the way I read the specs on the MXO, it seems to support output of 1080p at 29.97 PsF, not true 1080p.
It says "EDITING: 1080p at 23.98 fps - OUTPUT: 1080PsF at 23.98 fps". Isn't that basicly the same for monitoring as 1080/24p? How does it deviate?

[MitchLewis]

I've been using our new AJA Io HD and JVC DT-V24L3DU for a couple of weeks now and they work pretty well. Most of the problems I've had is just getting used to how they work and the new HD workflow. I have had a problem with the monitor....at least I think it's the monitor.

The colors look washed out and the black level looks way to high. But I've set it up to color bars using the "blue gun only" simulation and it still looks the same. I think there's a problem, either:

1) Final Cut Pro or the AJA Io HD is sending it a screwed up single (maybe the incorrect gamma?)
2) Or there's something wrong with the monitor

The monitor is connected to the AJA Io HD using an HD-SDI cable. Anyone have this issue?

BTW, I've had no trouble editing and monitoring XDCAM EX footage. 1080 30P, 1080 60i, 720 30P, etc... It works well. The "key" is to have the footage frame rate (29.97 fps) match in FCP Video Output setting. If you set it to 30 fps, it will only give you still frames....no real time play back. The default setting on our EX3 was to record drop frame (29.97), I didn't realize that.

[carl@brazos]

We have a Kona 3 card precisely because we wanted to monitor our EX1 30fps 1080p footage in native progressive from the 1080p timeline. After spending $2k on the card, we were told by AJA that FCP cannot display any 1080p from the timeline, only 1080i. We have a 1080p monitor and are editing a 1080p sequence, but there is no way to watch the footage in progressive. We have tried every combination under the sun. Has anyone else run across this issue? Is there a work around?

[masterdigital]

It says "EDITING: 1080p at 23.98 fps - OUTPUT: 1080PsF at 23.98 fps". Isn't that basicly the same for monitoring as 1080/24p? How does it deviate?

Progressive segmented frame.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_segmented_Frame

[masterdigital]

We have a Kona 3 card precisely because we wanted to monitor our EX1 30fps 1080p footage in native progressive from the 1080p timeline. After spending $2k on the card, we were told by AJA that FCP cannot display any 1080p from the timeline, only 1080i. We have a 1080p monitor and are editing a 1080p sequence, but there is no way to watch the footage in progressive. We have tried every combination under the sun. Has anyone else run across this issue? Is there a work around?

Apple says FCP does support 1080p/30:

http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/specs/

[carl@brazos]

Yes, FCP supports 1080p for input, editing and output, but it supposedly does not support it for monitoring - at least that has been our experience...

[MitchLewis]

I've been editing quite a bit in 1080 30P (XDCAM EX footage) and it works fine. My JVC monitor shows that it's receiving a 1080 30P signal. If I switch to 1080 60i the monitor will also show that as well.

Probably a stupid question, but are you sure you have selected AJA ProRes 422 HQ 1080P 29.97fps for your Video Playback setting? You can do this under the View menu. When we first hooked everything up, I selected AJA ProRes 422 HQ 1080P 30fps and it would only play still frames. Switching the Video Playback setting to 29.97fps solved the problem for us. (The EX1/EX3 default to recording dropframe which is 29.97 fps)

[carl@brazos]

Well, we are editing in native XDCAM EX 1080P. I have tried switching everything between 30fps and 29.97fps without luck. I kind of wish I had not spent the extra money on a progressive monitor, as the Kona card cannot output to it...

[MitchLewis]

I find it hard to believe that the KONA card (PCIe based) won't do 1080p and the Io HD (firewire based) will. I would give tech support a call and talk to them about it. AJA has some of the best tech support in the business. (530) 274-2048 Ask for tech support for the KONA card.