Anyone have any info on the VariZoom VZ-TFT7 7" on camera monitor?

D

David_M_Payne

Well-known member
Anyone have any info on the VariZoom VZ-TFT7 7" on camera monitor? I know the Marshall R70P HDA monitor is the best, but at $1500 it is out of my price range. I have to cut some corners equipment wise or I'll never have enough money left for cast and crew for "Holy War".

I just sent this question below to VariZoom and I'm waiting for an answer, but they might be a little too pro on their own product so I thought I'd check in here and see if anyone here has any experience with this monitor. Here is a link to it.
http://varizoom.com/products/monitors/vztft7u.html

I'm looking at a couple of your VZ-TFT7 7" on camera monitors for my 2 Panasonic HVX200's. I'm in the process of filming an indie flick and plan to shoot in 720-24p-pn. The resolution is 1440X240 / 480X240 lines according to their spec sheet. I'm not all that knowledgeable when it comes to some of the specs so I was wondering if the resolution is good enough to use for focus in 720 HD. This looks like a great unit for me, but it would have to have enough resolution to be useful for focusing my cameras. Thanks.

Also if there are any other 7-9" monitors out there in the $5-600 price range let me know so that I can look at them too. I see some in the EVS catalog, but I have no real info on them besides what the catalog says.

David M Payne
 
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Have a look at this discussion:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=49274

Although the VZ-TFT7 7" looks like a good pick all in all, it's reported as not so good when it comes to resolution. That's not surprising at all since it is not built on the latest generation of LCD panels. With 1440X240 dots (i.e. 345.600 pixels), its resolution is roughly the same of the discontinued Panasonic TC-7WMS1 which was just enough for SD. At the same price target there's plenty of 7" LCD monitors rated at 2400x480 dots (800x480, 1.152.000 pixels). Have a look at the automotive lines from Xenarc, Lilliput, etc. Most of those products are reported to work just fine as video monitors as well and offer extra features such as dual video inputs, a VGA (WVGA) input and touch screen. Those are the best you can find in terms of resolution unless you go with professional HD LCDs at almost ten times the price. Just remember they don't have native native 720p, so the actual quality depends on how good the monitor is at scaling an that's something you can only find out by performing a field test. Personally, I've been using a Xenarc 700TSV with an SD Edirol mixer and I was more than happy.

Lutnik
 
lutnik said:
Have a look at this discussion:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=49274

Although the VZ-TFT7 7" looks like a good pick all in all, it's reported as not so good when it comes to resolution. That's not surprising at all since it is not built on the latest generation of LCD panels. With 1440X240 dots (i.e. 345.600 pixels), its resolution is roughly the same of the discontinued Panasonic TC-7WMS1 which was just enough for SD. At the same price target there's plenty of 7" LCD monitors rated at 2400x480 dots (800x480, 1.152.000 pixels). Have a look at the automotive lines from Xenarc, Lilliput, etc. Most of those products are reported to work just fine as video monitors as well and offer extra features such as dual video inputs, a VGA (WVGA) input and touch screen. Those are the best you can find in terms of resolution unless you go with professional HD LCDs at almost ten times the price. Just remember they don't have native native 720p, so the actual quality depends on how good the monitor is at scaling an that's something you can only find out by performing a field test. Personally, I've been using a Xenarc 700TSV with an SD Edirol mixer and I was more than happy.

Lutnik
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. Here is a bit of info and the links to these two 7" and 8" models.

This 7" looks good at $349.

XENARC 700Y™ / 700YV™
7" TFT LCD Monitor with VGA and Optional AV inputs about 1.28 Lbs.

NTSC / PAL Multi-System (700YV)
16x9 Aspect Ratio
High Resolution Display - up to 1600 x 1200
http://www.xenarc.com/product/700y.html
Now Available in Silver or Black!
Xenarc Technologies Corp. is one of the first LCD manufacturers to introduce a 7" LCD screen with VGA input. In-Car computing is the next step in computing technology, and we are committed to serving this up and coming technology sector.
Don't mistake this monitor for an ordinary video monitor that displays composite video. This 7" monitor has 800 x 480 pixels (2400 x 480 sub-pixels) that help display crystal clear texts and ultra-sharp images through your computer's VGA signal.
These monitors come included with an instruction manual, a monitor stand, an AC adaptor, a connection cable, and a cigarette lighter car adaptor.

But this one might be even better, except for the weight.
XENARC 800YV™
8" TFT LCD Monitor with VGA and AV inputs at $449.00 about 3Lbs.

http://www.xenarcdirect.com/store/product.php?productid=16144&cat=250&bestseller
Xenarc Technologies Corp. is one of the first LCD manufacturers to introduce a 8" LCD screen with VGA input. In-Car computing is the next step in computing technology, and we are committed to serving this up and coming technology sector.
Don't mistake this monitor for an ordinary video monitor that displays composite video. This 8" monitor has 640 x 480 pixels (1920 x 480 sub-pixels) that help display crystal clear texts and ultra-sharp images through your computer's VGA signal.
The brushed, anodized aluminum face plate gives the monitor a futuristic yet elegant look. The entire enclosure is constructed with aluminum, making the unit both strong and light weight.
This monitor comes included with an instruction manual, a copper monitor stand, a U-Shape Mount, an AC adaptor, a connection cable, and a cigarette lighter car adaptor.

Thoughts on these two?

David
 
David_M_Payne said:
Thanks for the tip. Here is a bit of info and the links to these two 7" and 8" models.

This 7" looks good at $349.

XENARC 700Y™ / 700YV™
7" TFT LCD Monitor with VGA and Optional AV inputs about 1.28 Lbs.

NTSC / PAL Multi-System (700YV)
16x9 Aspect Ratio
High Resolution Display - up to 1600 x 1200
http://www.xenarc.com/product/700y.html
Now Available in Silver or Black!
Xenarc Technologies Corp. is one of the first LCD manufacturers to introduce a 7" LCD screen with VGA input. In-Car computing is the next step in computing technology, and we are committed to serving this up and coming technology sector.
Don't mistake this monitor for an ordinary video monitor that displays composite video. This 7" monitor has 800 x 480 pixels (2400 x 480 sub-pixels) that help display crystal clear texts and ultra-sharp images through your computer's VGA signal.
These monitors come included with an instruction manual, a monitor stand, an AC adaptor, a connection cable, and a cigarette lighter car adaptor.

But this one might be even better, except for the weight.
XENARC 800YV™
8" TFT LCD Monitor with VGA and AV inputs at $449.00 about 3Lbs.

http://www.xenarcdirect.com/store/product.php?productid=16144&cat=250&bestseller
Xenarc Technologies Corp. is one of the first LCD manufacturers to introduce a 8" LCD screen with VGA input. In-Car computing is the next step in computing technology, and we are committed to serving this up and coming technology sector.
Don't mistake this monitor for an ordinary video monitor that displays composite video. This 8" monitor has 640 x 480 pixels (1920 x 480 sub-pixels) that help display crystal clear texts and ultra-sharp images through your computer's VGA signal.
The brushed, anodized aluminum face plate gives the monitor a futuristic yet elegant look. The entire enclosure is constructed with aluminum, making the unit both strong and light weight.
This monitor comes included with an instruction manual, a copper monitor stand, a U-Shape Mount, an AC adaptor, a connection cable, and a cigarette lighter car adaptor.

Thoughts on these two?

David
Click to expand...

XENARC 700Y™ / 700YV™ would be my favourite due to:
1) Native 16:9 aspect ratio + 16:9 / 4:3 Scaler settings
2) Slightly better resolution
3) Light weight

XENARC 800YV™ is a good pick as well with two caveats:
1) It has a 4:3 aspect ratio. Besides its AISS (Advanced Image-Scaling and Shaping) technology I've no idea how good it would be at managing a native 16:9 video signal from the HVX. It may gently switch to letterbox or just display garbage. In your pants, I would call Xenarc and find out whether there's a chance to test the unit before buying.
2) As you pointed out, it's pretty heavy, due to its metal case, not the sort of monitor you would mount on the HVX hot shoe. If weight is paramount check out model 800M™ (http://www.xenarc.com/product/800m.html). Similar features in a plastic case at a weight of 1.6 lb. No VGA input, though, and no AISS either.

If you go on and buy either one, pls share your feelings in the forum.

Ciao (Italian for bye)

Lutnik
 
David_M_Payne said:
Anyone have any info on the VariZoom VZ-TFT7 7" on camera monitor? I know the Marshall R70P HDA monitor is the best, but at $1500 it is out of my price range. I have to cut some corners equipment wise or I'll never have enough money left for cast and crew for "Holy War".

I just sent this question below to VariZoom and I'm waiting for an answer, but they might be a little too pro on their own product so I thought I'd check in here and see if anyone here has any experience with this monitor. Here is a link to it.
http://varizoom.com/products/monitors/vztft7u.html

I'm looking at a couple of your VZ-TFT7 7" on camera monitors for my 2 Panasonic HVX200's. I'm in the process of filming an indie flick and plan to shoot in 720-24p-pn. The resolution is 1440X240 / 480X240 lines according to their spec sheet. I'm not all that knowledgeable when it comes to some of the specs so I was wondering if the resolution is good enough to use for focus in 720 HD. This looks like a great unit for me, but it would have to have enough resolution to be useful for focusing my cameras. Thanks.

Also if there are any other 7-9" monitors out there in the $5-600 price range let me know so that I can look at them too. I see some in the EVS catalog, but I have no real info on them besides what the catalog says.

David M Payne
Click to expand...


I bought the Varizoom VZ-TFT7 7" because I'm using the M2 adapter and I needed something to see the image inverted, which the Varizoom does. Also because it was wide screen, has a rechargeable battery and it was a cheap solution (I thought). For SD, the resolution works but just barely. And even with that said, it takes some practice (and a little faith) focusing with it. For HD, forget about it. The resolution just isn't there.
 
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