High-Res Monitoring Solution: Low Cost Semi-DIY project

hahahaha you and that POS Non Liking Editor... Vegas baby, Vegas!!! hahah you know what's hilarious, Siniarch uses Edius... if we get together there will be a brawl, lol
 
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My Xenarc was advertised as using a Panasonic unit. I can't varify that without opening it up, but it could be true, I guess. The image is absolutely excellent, but I cant think of a good way of representing that to y'all. My only disappointment is that there's no flip function, and so I'll have to flip it whenever I take off my lens adapter for whatever reason. Not such a biggie I suppose.

Still need a mount for the hotshoe though - any suggestions?
 
Cable Information:

The connector on the Xenarc is a 20-pin DFP (Digital Flat Panel) connector, which is an old and nearly obscelete version of the DVI connector, with almost identical capabilities. I guess the Liliput is the same. I am yet to find a DFP to 4 pin S-video cable.
 
Hey Lucas--

About the hot-shoe mount. You can try LCD4VIDEO.

As far as the connector, the picture I showed Will of the back of the monitor was actually a Xenarc. I can't remember seeing any certain other digita connection aside from the VGA.

Can you take pictures of your monitor?
 
The connector on the back of most of the Xenarcs is not just for VGA. The connector is also supporting S video, composite video and 1 channel of audio. I have the pinouts if anyone would like them. Now if they would only support YPrPb we would have an inexpensive alternative.

Bob
 
It works! w00t!!!

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And it's GREAT. I'm pretty stoked. I paid 470.00 for this entire setup and it actually works. So to the point where I can do this in just seconds:

M2 + 50mm @ F2 -- HVX had Gain on @ 6DB sorry. ALL FOCUSED from the Lilliput LCD. (Thought these were flipped. OOPs. LOL I'm in a rush)

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Pretty damned good for me.

Viewing from up. All sides but bottom look great:
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Viewing angle from down. You can see it gets dark, not too much of an issue. iKan and Marshall suffer from the same thing and everyone gets along just fine:
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Extra tidbits:

Only works in 1080i with this screen. 720p doesn't work. Not sure if it's the screen or the limitations of the device not being a direct component. No matter, because 1080i works fine.

Have to adjust the screen before you use it. Well, that's a given but just wanted to point that out.

Mayflash is TINY. It'll integrate into the setup VERY nicely. I'm happy that it's so small.

S-Video and Composite from your SD camera works REALLY well. I could totally recommend this LCD for DVX100's and any other SD solution that needs one. I ran around with it in SD and it was great. So, those who don't need a hi-def signal, roll with it!

NEXT UP: Xenarc LCD. I'm going to try to order one today to compare and contrast and whichever works better for me, I'll keep. The Xenarc is more than 100 more than the Lilliput, but has a few extra options that might be good.

I'm very happy that this worked out and will be using it this Sunday on a shoot. w00t!!!
 
Great news Kholi,
I'm glad its working for you. form the pictures it seems very similar to the setup I had.
We'll have to get together so you can appreciate the new screen I just got.
Congrats!!!!
 
If the viewing angles were the same, then you probably dislike the Marshall. Has the same exact specs as the iKan and Marshall for the most part.

I'm about to order a Xenarc screen and do my Comparison runs. Although it will boost the cost to 660.00 w/3 Batteries. Which goes over my original plans.

However, that's the only one that goes above 550.00 so we'll see!

When I get the Xenarc we should definitely meet up and compare.
 
Great stuff guys! Please let us know the final price and website.I have the Canon xha1 and the Brevis35 and could used the great resource that was shared by all of you,Thanks moe52
 
hey Moe... u in Boyton? My sis just got married there... they lived in Boyton but moved to Sarasota... Parents still living in Boca... too bad you have a Canon or I'd say you are a cool dude, :)

Kholi... the Dust Off shot seems a tad soft... please, talk to me... you said you were in a rush... is that why? Were you tinkering in company time again? lol
 
LOL. Yeah I was at work. You know me TOO well. And remember, I'm not using a NAKED HVX. It's an M2 + HVX. Everything is softer with a 35mm adapter. Ask people to post 720p clips of their M2 footage and see how much softer it is compared to the 720x480 stuff they post. I didn't know until I got one for m'self. But unless you have some Zeiss glass or Lomo's or something, you're going to sit in soft land.

If you want me to tear off the M2 and focus with a naked HVX I'd be happy to do so. =D

However, I used the mini LCD and the Lillput and got the same results from both. Which tells me that I sure as hell can focus just the same with the Lilli.

Also just got finished trying out a signal splitter and that works too! So I can have a 50ft running to the Gateway and a shorter one running to the monitor. Life is good.

Moe -- My final price with the Lilliput so far reads like this:

Lilliput 619GL (Black) -- 210.00
Mayflash VGA Converter -- 70.00
3 x Mp3300 Tekkeon Rechargable batteries -- 170.00
Total -- 450.00

I also purchased an extra bit of Velcro and such, but those extras are up to buyer.

Overall, I think the project is a success and totally usable. Now you need an arm to add, and to put it all together.
 
hahaha...

true... not having the M2 I forget all too easily... please do post an X-rated version of the test, but don't be taring the M2 off now.. it is only a few weeks old... lol

DUDE!!!! 50ft. + the on-board?!?!? life IS good!!! (not I just have to spend $450 + arm and get the M2 :D hahah life sucks... lol)

I am going to take a look at the arm solution cause $450 is just waaaaaay too cheap... but I have a strong feeling that sisniarch has that covered... Sini, u around?
 
You're lucky. You only need the Lilliput for your DVX. I wouldn't recommend anything less than Xenarc, Lilliput, or Dynamix at this moment. Those seem to be the best LCDs you can find.

I'll try the naked HVX here soon. Gotta eat something first and do some more pre-production. But I'm pretty confident in using it for this Sunday with no hassles outside of the HVX's disgusting D4 Cable.

Ugh. I hate the connector.
 
I thought it was the best thing till I used it... it is a bit flimsy... and I can't find a long cable still!!!!! only have the tiny short one that comes with... :(
 
Someone needs to come up with a solution for the flimsy connection. It's so weak if you just look at it, the signal goes out. I hate it sooo much.

I guess Gaffing it down should work for now.

About the 50ft Component cable: I got it from monoprice for less than 20.00 shipped. Hell of a deal and they work just fine. Also, I got a Component splitter from monoprice as well and it does work. I fed the Lilliput and 42" HDtv the same signal, not a hitch.

I dunno about an arm solution, yet. It shouldn't be hard for someone to come up with a solid articulating arm, to be honest. It's just poles and a pair of mounts, right?
 
Kholi -
Thanks for the pics - always nice to see this stuff in action.

Quick question for you:

Only works in 1080i with this screen. 720p doesn't work. Not sure if it's the screen or the limitations of the device not being a direct component. No matter, because 1080i works fine.

Now, do you mean the monitor itself will only display 1080i - or that it will only accept a 1080i signal? I noticed on the LCD that you were running 720P out of the camera...so just wanted to make sure i knew what you meant (because 99% of the time, I'm shooting 720P - and I think most of us probably are).

:thumbsup:
Again, nice work...
 
Oh, it will only take the Av/in-out @ 1080i. Marshall and iKan will do 720, 480, and 1080i. I'm not sure how much of a difference monitoring at 1080i is versus 720p. Can anyone tell me?

It looked fine to me!

I'll let you know if the Xenarc will accept the 720p signal.

If you want to use 480, you simpy go S-Video out.
 
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