Diy Field Monitor

staygettin

Well-known member
i want to make my own field monitor. anyone have any ideas on where i should start ( lcd, portable dvdplayer etc.) i want to get a good visual quality.


thanks ahead of time.
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There are a load TFT monitors on ebay, but it more important to get the right resolution for the buck. I have a DVD monitor that cost under $100 a year ago, the resolution isn't good enough for HD, but it will work with a steadycam or if you just want to size up shots without having the LCD open (which drains the battery). Also you are going to need a power source for the monitor. Think about 180 degree flip, inputs, 16:9 and 4:3...
 
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I don't know much about displays, so this could be way off base, but laptops usually have much higher resolution, even old ones that are now worn out and sitting unused. I don't know how hard of a hack it would be to get a signal into them without having to have the whole computer on, but it might be an avenue to investigate.
 
I've looked into this. It seems practically impossible to find a good source of HD type small displays at the moment. I expect this to change and haven't given up for sure. They are out there somewhere, it's just a question of patience.
 
yup. I was looking into doing this myself. I had found an 8.4" lcd which I purchase (and now I have to return) which has 1024x768, had component input on the controller board, zoom pixel for pixel (and even more if you wanted) anti-reflective coating, wide angle view, etc... everything you would ever want.
Unfortunately the company faild to mention that the controller card does handle images up to 1900x1200, but not through the component input. so I waisted all my time with them.
I'll also keep looking Richard.
Luis
 
I was just on another thread about a possible dolly cart at big lots and while I was looking through the ad I found this;

b213411_0.jpg


I hope it helps, Im thinking of picking one up!
</IMG>
 
Understood, but if you are wanting something that will just help you see what you are doing then I can't see the problem with getting one. You definitely don't want to have it as your main monitor, im think more for steadicam or crane monitors.
 
siniarch said:
yup. I was looking into doing this myself. I had found an 8.4" lcd which I purchase (and now I have to return) which has 1024x768, had component input on the controller board, zoom pixel for pixel (and even more if you wanted) anti-reflective coating, wide angle view, etc... everything you would ever want.
Unfortunately the company faild to mention that the controller card does handle images up to 1900x1200, but not through the component input. so I waisted all my time with them.
I'll also keep looking Richard.
Luis

Yes, that's just it. Always seems like there's at least one thing that blows it out as a possibility. They don't understand that there are people that would like to use them professionally. They're just thinking about the relatively unsophisticated market for soccer mom's keeping their kids occupied in the back seat watching tv ;-) That market has no idea about component, svideo, etc. inputs and don't care either.
 
siniarch said:
the controller card does handle images up to 1900x1200, but not through the component input.
Hmm. I wonder what would have to be done to the signal before it could be dumped into the normal path to the monitor? Is it that simple, or would you lose all the zoom functionality, etc. just because there is too much data?

Perhaps company you were dealing with could be convinced that there is enough money to make it worth their while to add that one missing component to their system?
 
Richard,
I don't think they are so narrow minded. The monitor can also be used for computers. it really did have a lot of inputs. VGA, Composite, S-Video, DVI, and Component. But the problem lies in taking analogue footage and converting it to digital. their controller board doesn't handle that when in HD resolution. When I outputted from the camera's s-video it worked great.
That's why its such a shame to not have our beloved camera (hvx) output in hdmi or dvi or something digital.

Which brings me to the next question.

JMC, What has to be done to the signal is process through a board that converts component to VGA, or DVI or HDMI, etc... There are solutions out there, but they are expensive $300-400. plus they add another component that needs to be powered. Now it won't look professional, will need a second battery to power, etc... No one is going to spend $1500 to get a cheap looking solution.

Therefore, until I find another manufacturer that handles all our needs, I'll just have to put the project on hold. And as one friend told me "concentrate on making films, not equipment".
 
Bvll!tt said:
I was just on another thread about a possible dolly cart at big lots and while I was looking through the ad I found this;

b213411_0.jpg


I hope it helps, Im thinking of picking one up!
</IMG>

I have this monitor. It has really bad resolution, but if your only looking to use it as a reference monitor I would recommend you turn the color control to black and white. It will give you a sharper image reference for focusing.
 
ifownlee41nite@mac.com said:
I have this monitor. It has really bad resolution, but if your only looking to use it as a reference monitor I would recommend you turn the color control to black and white. It will give you a sharper image reference for focusing.

Cool, thanks for the heads up!
 
siniarch said:
Richard,
I don't think they are so narrow minded. The monitor can also be used for computers. it really did have a lot of inputs. VGA, Composite, S-Video, DVI, and Component. But the problem lies in taking analogue footage and converting it to digital. their controller board doesn't handle that when in HD resolution. When I outputted from the camera's s-video it worked great.
That's why its such a shame to not have our beloved camera (hvx) output in hdmi or dvi or something digital.

Which brings me to the next question.

JMC, What has to be done to the signal is process through a board that converts component to VGA, or DVI or HDMI, etc... There are solutions out there, but they are expensive $300-400. plus they add another component that needs to be powered. Now it won't look professional, will need a second battery to power, etc... No one is going to spend $1500 to get a cheap looking solution.

Therefore, until I find another manufacturer that handles all our needs, I'll just have to put the project on hold. And as one friend told me "concentrate on making films, not equipment".



so are you saying that this would work good with the dvx100b. if so i need one, although i have been introduced to dv monitor pro i still want to use a field monitor that i can mount ( run & gun )
 
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