Onboard HD LCD shootout

[Sunstream]

If there is anyone out there that has access to the IKAN HD LCD, the ToteVision HD LCD, and the Marshall HD LCD and any other HD capable 7"-8" LCD monitors, I think there are great number of people that would love to see a shootout (or monitorout if you will) of the monitor options to see how they compare. I am curious how the 200:1 contrast ratio of the Ikan stands up to the 300:1 ratio of the ToteVision and the 400:1 ratio of the Marshall. Im very interested in the supposedly superior color saturation of the LED backlit ToteVision comapred to the others. Most of all as I assume that the Marshall is better, but is it twice as good? My guess is that it will be 25% better, but It would be great to see some opinions and comparisons.

[Sunstream]

Anybody out there have access to test these against each other?

[smithy]

I have the marshall/NEBTEK model...and vs the varizoom TFT-7 series...it is night and day. You really cannot focus well with the small monitor that comes with the camera. Even with peaking and Mag on it seemed soft compared to focusing using an external monitor. In addition, the Marshall has a blue only function to help you calibrate correctly to color bars. In turn it will give you a more accurate depiction of what is actually being recorded to tape. Which in turn will help you light your scene more accurately. I don't know about the IKAN 8000HD or the other one you mentioned, but you might try going into a shop and see if you can compare it there.

[Spartacus]

I have the Totevision,but both my component cables are broken...
With DV50 and Y/C the picture is good though, but the HVX noise pattern is enhanced.http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=98676
This is my thread about it...

[Sunstream]

Im working on getting a demo of the IKAN and ToteVision to do some side by sides next week. If I can I will report. Anyone else that has input We'd love to hear.

[smithy]

Don't think the Ikan is the answer to it all...Many people saw it at NAB. If you want to use it for focus..get a Nebtek/marshall..You have to pay for it..otherwise you will doing reshoots and wasting your time. Especially if you using a 35mm adapter. Where there is no forgiveness.

[nsoltz]

I just had an Ikan here that I evaluated for my column in August DV magazine. Basically, you get what you pay for. For $750 or so I consider it decent. I would trust it for focus if not absolutely critical. There was minimal ability to calibrate using internal bars from HVX (just adjusting brightness and contrast; no blue). I liked the component out. Nebtek and Marshall are no doubt better and they are more costly. The product has a definite place for those who want external monitoring but who are limited to low budget. So, I would not discount the product entirely and I had those mildly favorable comments. I have not actually tested Marshall; just run it through its paces at NAB. The Nebtek Panny battery modification makes it even more useful (the Ikan only has a Sony L mount, but I powered it with my trusty Tekkeon MP3400). I would imagine that any product that Nebtek would actually produce would be absolutely top notch.

Wish I could afford the Panny...

Ned Soltz

[James H.]

I have the Ikan V8000HD... it's decent, indeed, and just fine if you're not a guru with well trained eyes... and even if you are and you don't care about all the little pesky details that only your superiors will even notice. The battery mount on the Ikan is worthless. I have to use pliers to get Sony brand L batteries in/out, and I'm worried I'm eventually going to break the device from the pressure required to disconnect a battery.

(ADDED)... thus, what I meant to include is that I suggest using an external battery/power source and plugging in instead of using the L series battery mount. =-)

What is this Tekkeon MP3400 you mention, nsoltz... potential solution for powering an HVX, Firestore, Ikan monitor setup?

[nsoltz]

Ah... the Tekkeon MP3400. I have written about this in all kinds of places on the boards... It is a marvelous little battery that will power anything between 7 to 19 volts with interchangeable tips for just about any pin connector. Some have made custom connectors for specific pieces of gear. I use it to power FS-100, lights, and even non-bus powered hard drives editing with a MacBook Pro on airplanes.

Ned

[Bob Gruen]

The Marshall works well with the 35mm adapters, especially if you have some type of focus card. I llike the one that comes with DVRack; it is a circle of long, skinny triangles and you set focus by minimising the out-of-focus center while holding it at the same plane as the talent. It works so well I had an enlargement mounted on foam core for more distant shots.

Bob