Using Laptop as preview monitor

K

Kikosneako

Well-known member
How realistic is it to buy a 12 inch laptop and use that along with the editing software to preview and capture the video at the same time. Capturing will work but how well does the resolution hold up on a laptop through firewire as far as HD goes for focusing? Theoretically it should hold up well to an HD monitor no?

Thanks.
 
It's an interesting question. Dell now has a laptop with a 1980x1200 LCD option so using a product like Adobe's OnLocation (with 720p monitoring) to both monitor and perform firewire capture is something I'd like to try with the adapter rig. On a laptop with 1280x800 resolution I found myself looking to focus assist output to the 7" HD Marshall (less resolution, but smaller screen) and camera LCD rather than the laptop display.
 
Well this'll work well for SD right? Speaking of which, does anyone know any good monitoring programmes for mac?
 
FCP should be able to do it. If not Adobe has a product called OnLocation (formally DVrack). Might have to use Bootcamp in windows for it to run. Unless you get the Latest CS package..then you can use a mac.
 
I was definitely thinking of OnLocation, as far as the laptop solution I was thinking the small 12 inch touchscreen HP laptop, it has a great resolution it basically becomes a monitor as well as a harddrive, and a very well built one goes for about 1200$, that's like buying an HD monitor and a FireStore drive at the same time and having the ability to even edit on that machine as well. It would be a dream setup I'm thinking of giving it a go as soon as I get some funds freed up, and see if that's a possibilty just need to build a simple housing solution that'll attach to my 15mm rod support system and cradle the touchscreen laptop. If I can do that then I'm set :)
 
On a laptop with 1280x800 resolution I found myself looking to focus assist output to the 7" HD Marshall (less resolution, but smaller screen) and camera LCD rather than the laptop display.[/QUOTE]

Woops didn't notice this :) scratch the last comment, how about getting a 15 inch touchscreen from gateway? is that a possibility?
 
Asus has the G2S-Extreme Laptop with a 17" 1920x1200 screen, Core 2 Duo, 200GB HD, HDMI out etc. That looks like a nice pricepoint with amazon listing it at $1900. Having experimented a great deal with monitors of various types and varieties, I'd strongly suggest one that can do 1:1 on HD content. Even if you can't preview at 1080p, you can instantly play back the m2t files captured by OnLocation to evaluate them. We've got a few of the Dell 1920x1200 24" panels here and although the scaler is poor, they do show any sins much better than any other displays in the shop.
 
Last edited:
I`ve used OnLocation several times for focus and capturing, but the main problem for me is the delay - so if there is movement and small DOF you always have to wait some frames until you can adjust focus.
 
Redrock provides a free copy of Scopebox Lite for M2 owners which includes laptop-based monitoring for Macs.

Personally I've found the monitoring to be really good (that, and OnLocation, which I already own). It's great for a second field monitor in video village as well as providing recording backups

I haven't found the delay to be much of an issue, provided you don't ask it to produce huge resolution and keep all the extra processor intensive scopes etc. off

Brian
 
Looks like we'll be sourcing the Asus 1920x1200 screen laptop to do some testing on how the screen compares to the current laptop we use. I'll update the post here with the results from Adobe OnLocation :-)
 
Asus is a winner laptop - we use one all the time.

OnLocation, DV Monitor Pro, Scopebox are all good applications for soft monitors

Get the free demos and try them out!


Brian
 
Dennis Wood said:
Asus has the G2S-Extreme Laptop with a 17" 1920x1200 screen, Core 2 Duo, 200GB HD, HDMI out etc. That looks like a nice pricepoint with amazon listing it at $1900.
Click to expand...


Dennis,

Where are you finding the G2S-Extreme's for $1900? I'm only finding the A1 or B1 models in that price range. The G2S Extreme's I'm finding are listing for almost double that price at around $3500 or so.
 
bvalente said:
Redrock provides a free copy of Scopebox Lite for M2 owners which includes laptop-based monitoring for Macs.


I haven't found the delay to be much of an issue, provided you don't ask it to produce huge resolution and keep all the extra processor intensive scopes etc. off
Click to expand...
first off mad props to redrock.
brian hit the note,its great for a video village setup but forget about it for run and gun,outdoor or as the main monitor,its a pain in the ass.
I tried the scopebox lite/macbookpro setup on my last shoot and unfortunately this just doesn't work as the lag gets really annoying.
nothing beats a good HD monitor.
there are many options (marshall/nebtek/panny) and siniarch is working on a great monitor http://www.lsdsgn.com/
my theory is ur monitor is priceless as it is the only confirmation for the perfection of each shot.
 
Last edited:
Indeed - nothing like a great HD monitor

Lag on the image is definitely affected by number of scopes, etc. and especially any overlays or other things that impact the monitor window itself.


Brian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top