View Full Version : External viewfnder on HVX
dolph2000
04-07-2007, 06:35 AM
for focus it would be ideal to have a pro viewfinder used on all pro camera's. Isn't there not any possiblity to have HVX video out to an external viewfinder. There must be an adapter to go from yellow cabel to external viewfinder.
Barry_Green
04-07-2007, 09:16 AM
The yellow cable is composite; it'd be useless for focus because NTSC composite is a 330-line-resolution format. You'd want something that used the HD component outputs. Don't know of anything like that yet.
Barry, what is your recommended field monitor for shooting? Marshall 7"? What about things like VeeScope Live or DV Monitor or other software like that on your laptop, instead?
Barry_Green
04-07-2007, 10:34 AM
I use DV Rack for field monitoring, but that wouldn't work for one-man-band style work, that's only really appropriate for video-village type work.
The Marshall is the lowest-priced decent monitor I've seen so far. The Panasonic 9" LH900 is better, but at 4x the price it's hard to justify. Either one is too heavy/bulky to really use on-camera.
The new LH80W sounds great, in that it has pixel-for-pixel display for 720 or 1080, a built-in waveform, all that stuff... no idea what street price is; retail is about double what the Marshall is.
dolph2000
04-07-2007, 12:01 PM
Is there a technician here who could fabricate the HD compnent out of the HVX to an external viewfinder
HDkilledFILM.
04-07-2007, 12:58 PM
http://www.redrockmicro.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2896
check this out.
ozduc
04-07-2007, 01:12 PM
Is there a technician here who could fabricate the HD compnent out of the HVX to an external viewfinder
Just be aware that to accomplish this you would probably need a viewfinder capable of accepting 1080i and 720p signals and getting power to it might be a problem. For a good quality 2" hd viewfinfer you would probably pay almost as much as the camera.
HDkilledFILM.
04-07-2007, 01:15 PM
Just be aware that to accomplish this you would probably need a viewfinder capable of accepting 1080i and 720p signals and getting power to it might be a problem. For a good quality 2" hd viewfinfer you would probably pay almost as much as the camera.
I've found used HD viewfinders for around 1500.00, not too bad, but then again it's a choice, do you want the 7" marshall or the viewfinder? In most cases the marshall would be cheaper and less bother.
dolph2000
04-07-2007, 02:55 PM
I do a lot run and gun, so the Marshall (I do have it) is in most cases not an option.
You don't need always to have HD monitors to view a HD signal. I have a Coby dvd player ($100) and I can put my HVX on it and I can focus better than my LCD and vieuwfinder together. Sure the Marshall is the way to go but If you don;t ave that budget a good lcd will help you out.
ozduc
04-07-2007, 03:04 PM
I find using the HVX viewfinder in B&W with the EVF detail turned on and the focus assist, to be a pretty easy way of getting focus in run and gun situations.
dolph2000
04-07-2007, 03:15 PM
youre right those are the best conditions and finally the cheapest way and not realy that bad.
It would be great though if panasonic could offer a crt viewfinder wich is simply to be replaced by this one.
You know what it is. Now in these days you can buy camera's wich give you a really fine shot. It gives you shots that if you operate right you can match the very expesive camera's. The only thing is that it is twice as hard and takes more time to achieve it. It is a $5,500 so what am I thinking, but its dualistic in a way. Making great images but it takes a lot more to get the same as expesive ones.
Just a thought not a discussion!
HDkilledFILM.
04-07-2007, 03:31 PM
A huge factor for people wanting external after market monitors/viewfinders is due to the use of 35mm adapters. I find that in most non-adapter situations if you have used the HVX for awhile the on camera monitor is fine for run and gun. It's when you attach the adapter that focus becomes a real problem. I'd love for a cheaper solution to come along, but hey three maybe four years ago I would of told you that to get 35mm dof, 1080 HD, and 24p would cost you 250,000.00. So I guess that we're all getting spoiled paying alittle over 10g's, I for one am getting broke, but at the same time I love it.
Crazy_Ideas
04-07-2007, 05:05 PM
Have a look at this, it has been promoted on the Kessler Crane web site as invaluable, what are some opinions here...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230107911861&rd=1&rd=1
rl
HDkilledFILM.
04-07-2007, 06:15 PM
I'd give those a try!
Ernest_Acosta
04-07-2007, 09:44 PM
Hey it doesn't hurt to try those glasses out. Barry, I'm sure you are using the focus assist on the HVX, but are you getting good results through HDRack on your laptop? If yes, can you describe your setup?
dolph2000
04-08-2007, 06:38 AM
I could'nt find that it is invaluable but I can't imagine that it has the sharpest images, but to view your shots back, maybe steadicam operations or rig-systems. It would actually be nice if there was an owner who could test a bit.
esperman
04-08-2007, 08:11 AM
I find using the HVX viewfinder in B&W with the EVF detail turned on and the focus assist, to be a pretty easy way of getting focus in run and gun situations.
I agree this is the best option for run & gun with the HVX.