What are you using for FCP editing/playback monitor

Y

yellowcouch

Member
I'm trying to decide if its ok to go with the Dell 2405FPW LCD or spend the extra money and get the Panasonic BT-LH1700W for my playback and editing monitor from the FCP timeline. What am I gaining by spending the extra money for the Panasonic BT-LH1700W that the Dell won't give me.
Are most of you using the Dell? If so are you happy with it?

Any thoughts will be appreciated
Thanks
Mike
 
The Panny has a built Waveform for one. And has blue only for calibrating. Not to mention its light and portable enough to take to set with you when shooting.

Those are three big reasons to go with the 1700 right there. I just used one on location the other week, and really liked it.

I believe the monitor itself was also programmed/calibrated/whatever to display Varicam footage...which I would guess is pretty damn close to the HVX in terms of knee, slope, whatever.

I wish the waveform was a little less pixelated...but its still VERY usable for reference.

And to answer your question...right now I edit with my G4 Powerbook and use my older 32" Sony XBR as my external monitor.
 
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I am using a Dell 2405 running from Kona 2 via Kona HDP box. The Matrox MXO will be the least expensive option for monitoring to a flat panel once it is released. I am, however, at this point no longer able to comment on the MXO. All things considered and since I already have a Kona card with SDI output, my monitor of choice would be the LH1700. As has been pointed out, it has a waveform monitor, it is portable enough for field use, it has a blue only mode for calibration, for only $300 more you can add embedded audio through SDI, and it is all-in-one unlike the Sony Luma. I think in every regard it beats the pants off a Sony Luma. The consideration is budget, of course, Dell 2405+MXO would run $1700-$1800. LH1700+audio board+least expensive capture card for G5 (Decklink), would run around $4000. I think you get a lot more in the LH1700 than in a Dell 2405. If I had the $$$, I would buy the LH1700 without hesitation.

Ned Soltz
 
hi guys.

if i get an apple 23" cinema display, do i need an external monitor for editing dvcpro50/HD content (or sd for that matter)?

if so, what are some good options? also if so, what are the advantages to popping for the HD resolution apple monitor if i need an external monitor anyway?

thanks guys.

jf
 
Apple's Cinema Displays are all fine for HD. I use the 30" HD and love it. This one is actually rated to monitor HD on, too.
 
I have the Dell with the BMD HDLink. The Dell is a great computer monitor, not such a good video monitor. There are basically no color or contrast controls on the Dell, at least not in video sense. The Dell plus the HDLink is around $1,400.00 to $1,500.00.

I have been using the Dell but I will probably retire it from shooting and just use it in the editing bay. I am buying one the Sony MFM-HT75W consumer LCDs, the DPs on 24 are using them for on set monitoring and they are suprisingly good for a cheap consumer monitor. Not as accurate as the Panasonic BT-LH1700, but about 1/6th the cost.

We have been renting the Panny, it's sweet, but too rich for my budget at present.

Dan
 
I took a look at the Sony MFM-HT75W and it's technical descriiption is it's a 1080i monitor. I'm still learning HD, will it play 720p or 1080p?
 
Hi Vegas Bob:

Look at the specs, it supports all flavors of HD and PAL as well as NTSC. Looks to be very versatile. Evinsky (Evin Grant) who posts here a lot has been using this monitor and his posts kind of turned me on to it, I have it on order and will let you know how it looks/works for HVX shooting as well as with the Z1 that we still occasionally shoot with.

Looks to be the only viable CHEAP HD monitoring solution from what I have seen. The Marshall is good but $1,400.00 for a 7" monitor? Pass.

How about $439.00 for a 17" HD monitor? Seems like a deal, even though it is a consumer grade unit. All I really care about is using it for focus and a rough idea of color/contrast/shadow/noise. I am thinking of it as a large LCD viewfinder, just much bigger and better contrast and resolution than what the HVX LCD has more than a true, high-end monitor.

Best,

Dan
 
I have the Dell and I second that it's a great computer monitor but not the best video monitor. It really shows off the noise and artifacts that you don't find on other monitors... I really like it, but more as a computer monitor and until I get something else..
 
puredrifting said:
the DPs on 24 are using them for on set monitoring
Click to expand...

I remember seeing an article or something on this somewhere, was it in DV mag? Could you point me to the article, or where you found this info?
 
No, I just view it on my Cinema HD 30". When I need strong evaluation, I open the Canvas to 100%. Having tons of screen real estate is handy this way.
 
Id keep in mind that while Apple HD monitors are certainly beautiful...they are Progressive LCD Displays... so if your clients are not watching your work in a Progressive LCD environment, the AppleHD monitor is not a very reliable edit monitor. Im of the mindset that professional edit rooms should have actual production monitors at the back end. Tools like BlueOnly, Chroma, Phase, Aperture and Hue are vital when dealing professionally with video post production. To the best of my knowledge, Apple HD display does not offer these tools.
 
Hi,

I just came across this thread. I'm curious to know everyone's thought on using this : Samsung HL-S5087W to use as their monitor while editing or viewing for clients? It's a lil big, but at 56", it could sit across the room and still be used as a monitor (in my apartment)

Dillon
 
puredrifting said:
Hi darwinandpaine:

www.markertek.com sells a really nice VESA mount on a stand for $89.00, it makes a great companion to the Sony 17" LCD that the 24 guys are using.

http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=DELV-LCD1&off=0&sort=prod

Dan
Click to expand...

Thanks Dan. I'd actually seen that and am considering it. But what I'd really like is a mount that you could put on a c-stand with casters and roll it around as needed.
I can get something like that from VFGadgets, but I didn't want to spend another $260 on what should (to me) be under $100.

http://www.vfgadgets.com/LCDmountPro.htm
 
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