choosing a field monitor

[longshanks]

Hey all,

Just finished my DIY 35mm adapter(no flip) a few weeks ago and now I am seeing the necessity of having an external monitor. I've seen a lot of cheap lcd field monitors that boast pseudo-high resolutions of 1440x 240 (ish?) but from what I've gathered, that is not enough for critical focus. I only need this external monitor for framing composition and pulling focus, not color.

Basically, I want to know 2 things:

1. Do I need an LCD monitor with at least 480 lines of vertical resolution(aka HD monitor)?

2. Does the DVX's S-video output only 480i and do I need a progressive output if I had an HD lcd monitor?

[Tomas Riuka]

1. yes
2. you would have to connect through component or sdi to get quality image.

[Kenny_G]

Hey all,

Just
Basically, I want to know 2 things:

1. Do I need an LCD monitor with at least 480 lines of vertical resolution(aka HD monitor)?

2. Does the DVX's S-video output only 480i and do I need a progressive output if I had an HD lcd monitor?

If you are indoors or even outdoors you can try the Viewsonic N1630w TV.
You can get from B&H for less than 200us$.
It is a 16" HD-TV with HDMI/Component and VGA.
The max reso is 1080i/720p and it is NTSC and PAL.
Check-it out!

I am using it mainly indoors on a tripod with a selfmade shading box around it.
You will need to adjust it to your camera VF, but after that it is a very handy tool. Cannot live without it. If you have the money to spend, go for something better, but if you are on a tight budget, this is the guy for you.

[longshanks]

sorry, should have specified this better, i need a field monitor, where power isn't readily available and is suited well for high ambient lighting (aka bright SUN! :p)

also, how would i connect HDMI/component/VGA (basically any HD signal) via the DVX when the only input/output is RCA composite and S video?

[Tomas Riuka]

problematic if you don't have an hd output, composite is really bad. as for monitors, working
in brigh daylight, you would have to use hood, and if you want really bright monitors, at pro
level they cost ALOT!!!

[longshanks]

so what is the highest resolution the DVX can output to given the right cables?

[Italian Job]

I have the same problem, more or less.
JVC GY-HD200E exit in composite or RCA, the quality is not very good.
I use a 7" LCD monitor pretty cheap from LCD4VIDEO but it is almost impossible to use it for focus....too bad resolution.
It's pretty nice, but not very useful.....It's connected and powered with a s-video.

Ciao

[arbslikewhoa]

New to the Forum (first post) and have been very curious about this as well.

Since I'm using a DVX , would a tft monitor like this be able to pick up a focus?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/605585-REG/Coby_TFTV1524_15_TFT_LCD_TV_MONITOR.html

From the Spec sheet.. the screen looks like it hits all the correct bases. I just dont want to be missing something critical.

And theres never been an issue with not having power on an outdoor shoot, so that doesnt worry me as much.

[arbslikewhoa]

sorry... I forgot the spec sheet. >>>

http://shopping.msn.com/specs/coby-15-tft-lcd-tv-monitor-tftv1524/itemid1175068829/?itemtext=itemname:coby-15-tft-lcd-tv-monitor-tftv1524

[hoarp001]

Dont get the swit ones, ive borrowed one from a freind and its pretty tacky...

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2676/127/96/506442569/n506442569_1520090_1092534.jpg

Looks cool though.

[arbslikewhoa]

What do you mean by 'tacky' exactly?

I have seen a few rigs with the swit monitors and was doing some research on them. Right now, Im looking to purchase/find something within the $250 range (and thats definitely not within a SWIT price range).

[hoarp001]

The enclosure case is quite plasticy, the sun hood is really cheap and the image isnt brilliant.

It works but I wouldnt buy one...