Best place to buy a monitor online?

J

Jon Neely

Well-known member
Hi, Im looking to buy a new field monitor, I have been looking at the Ikan, and Transvideo monitors. I am looking for suggestions and I am currently using a DVX but most likely going to HD with in the year. I am going to buy a brevis by the time they come out with the flip Mod. But i would like any suggestions In monitors. Looking not to spend any more than $1100. Thanks for any help.


Jon
 
Jon,

I just plunked down for an ikan 8000 HD - I know reviews are mixed here on the board but prefer this monitor to the Marshall 7" - maybe it's my lousy eyesight, but I think the ikan actually performs better than the Marshall I usually rent. As far as sub $1100 LCDs, Ikan, Lilluput, Transvideo are 3 that I know of - I haven't heard much about Lilliput and Transvideo though and Brian Valente over at Redrock Micro rated the Ikan as a good competitor to the Marshall especially for the price.

Another couple of things to watch are Siniarch's "Carrion" HD monitor that you can find at http://www.lsdsgn.com/ - this appears to be a pretty cool device in the works - he's asking about $1200 for the baseline model. If it performs well, that's a hellavu price point - there is also a couple of guys over at hv20.com that are building their own 15" lcds, one of which has designed a really nice housing - could very well turn into something -

I bought my Ikan from www.nlesystems.com - lowest price I could find ($699) and they shipped that same day - was really happy with the service.

cheno
 
Sounds like your options are only the Ikan, Totevision 703hd, or the Varizoom SWIT. Anything else will break your budget. You can find used Marshall VR70PHDA's within your budget but powering solutions will put you over.

I couldnt decide between Totevision and Ikan til I finally made a choice, and purchased the new Nebtek :) . But you'd probably have to go on the Nebtek Diet like I am. It basically involves not eating, or at least not spending on eating. However, you will gain a high quality video assist monitor while maintaining your girlish figure. Cant go wrong!

If you don't mind waiting, check out Sinarch's (spelling) Carrion. Falls just in your price range for full HD.

***edit*** Cheno said it all, and said it better. Damn u, Chenopup.
 
Last edited:
Thanks to you both, Very informitive, sounds like the ikan is a good run, i dont mind waiting for too long, I have a new short i want to do but it looks like I might have to put that off to fall, so I might be going brevis, monitor, and a new cam(hopefully something along the lines of the XD but with 4:2:2) at the end of this winter. But if i can, I want to get a monitor just for the ease of framing shots. Thanks again.

Jon
 
Why are these monitors so expensive?
How are they different from any CRT monitor?
almost 1k for under a 10 in screen seems kind of ridiculous.
 
tb9 said:
Why are these monitors so expensive?
How are they different from any CRT monitor?
almost 1k for under a 10 in screen seems kind of ridiculous.
Click to expand...


I would suggest doing some research on CRT vs. LCD. In this case, as is the case in broadcast CRTs, you tend to pay a bit more for smaller monitors which allow portability when out in the field. Would I rather have a large HD CRT? Of course, however even a 10" CRT would be a pain in the arse to have to mount to a camera rig in the field - so you gain some benefits over the smaller size & weight of the LCDs but it comes at a price most times.

cheno
 
Whatever monitor you do buy make sure to test the output settings. Whether it's 720 or 1080, my Marshall looks much sharper if I set my outpu t from camera to 1080. The difference is astounding. I though my Marshall was overpriced crap until Timur suggested I output always to 1080. Big difference.

Another monitor I had was the SWIT from Varizoom. I returned within 48 hours as I realized its plastic housing would last about a week on the kind of shoot I do. You may want to considr the durability of the Ikan as it looks like a Swit knock off. The Ikan's inputs are also lodged into the board which can make connection damage a huge issue.

I like my Marshall. My only gripe is it's color / contrast accurracy is questionable.

If price were no consideration, I'd buy the new Panasonic in a heartbeat.
 
Hey Jon,
just notice this post. If you are going to DV expo tomorrow 12/5 or 12/6 check out my monitor at the Redrock Micro Booth. They purchased one. I am taking the Prototype to them tonight, and if I get my cables in the morning, I should be delivering the first production unit to them tomorrow.
Thanks,
Luis
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top