portable dvd player as external monitor – any suggestions?

girlwithamoviecamera

girlwithamoviecamera

Active member
hi there!

i'm writing because i'm just about to start the shoot of a corporate video and i need a lightweight portable monitor.

the DP who worked on my previous fiction film always used a portable dvd player, connected to the DVX by cable. i'd like to do the same thing and am looking for a device with good battery life (we're shooting in two different cities, on the move) and the best picture quality available.

any suggestions?
 
It might not have as good of resolution as a true monitor would. All depends on the make and model I guess.

They are generally less expensive than a nice monitor, though, I believe.
 
perfect resolution is not really the issue at stake here - the main purpose for using that is to make sure the framing of the shot is good. and i definitely do not want to use a cumbersome proper monitor; i want something lightweight and portable for shooting on the go.

any ideas on good brands of external dvd players that serve that purpose?
 
Even framing may be a problem - video cameras and CRT TVs are notorious for chopping bits off the edges. I'd like to think portable LCD DVD players wouldn't do the same, but wouldn't be surprised if some did, especially cheap ones. I'd recommend creating a little test DVD in your editing software, with footage with labelled edges, then view it on the portable players to prove that they aren't cropping anything.
 
i agree with everyone on here...

i tried to use a dvd monitor for setting up shots for my latest film, focusing was terrible due to the res. and you could barely see anything

going against what ive always said... get something worthy
 
I think it's fine if you are only hoping to use it for framing, but nothing else. It's terrible for everything else, and the only use i've found for it having used one before is having someone other than the camera man be able to look at the shot while it's taking place. I think the brands are pretty generic, and the main issue is to get one with video input
 
Can anyone answer her question!!

Can anyone answer her question!!

Hi, I am searching for an answer to the same question as girlwithamoviecamera and all of the answers to her question so far don't even come close to answering it :undecided. I think what she and I both want to know simply this: What is a good external monitor that can be hooked up to the DVX so that people who aren't holding the camera can get a good idea of what is being captured on film. The resolution is not the point. If it cuts a bit off of each side is not the point. The point is simply to have a visual idea of what the camera operator is doing. Here is an example: Would an external monitor help someone other than the camera operator know whether the image being captured is zoomed in or wide angle? Of, course! So, back to the original question. What is a good choice for an external monitor? If anyone out there uses one that you are happy with, can you tell us what kind you use? Hope this helps you (us) get the answer you're looking for girlwithamoviecamera :laugh:
 
I use an Audiovox 7" portable. No idea which model, and mine is in my household goods shipment so I can't check.

I picked it up for about $125.

Anyway, works great for framing. Works ok for focusing, too, if there's something specular in the frame.
 
thanks dvxnewbie!!!! exactly the point i was trying to make :)

again, the DP i worked with - who has done lots of commercials for big brands - and is most definitely not a cheapskate or an amateur, had shown me how to use a portable dvd player as external monitor and i loved the practicality of it. my three big criteria here are that the device is (1) lightweight (2) portable (3) battery operated. and the dvd player we used served its purpose. now, why not go with his brand of dvd player? well, the battery was a big issue, it would need recharging at least every hour.

here in france the choice of devices is really wide. at fnac (much like bestbuy, same stuff, minus the big discounts) there are rows and rows of external dvd players, some almost resembling tablet pcs - big screen and all. with lots of adjustable commands. too many choices for my taste...

thus, i would really appreciate more of your feedback on brands you have used / you're happy with (like GenJerDan).

thank you!
 
Last edited:
not being rude, but this is exactly what the "cinematography turning into hardware" thread was talking about... :)
 
probably need a general hardware forum these days, rather than a camera specific hardware forum, yes? What do you guys think.

Later,
Jason
 
Yep.

After all, for our cameras, there aren't a whole lot of specific hardware options. :)

And a separate forum should in here, not hidden under the camera forums., or we'll just end up with what we have now.
 
totally agree. axe the dvx and hvx hardware, and just make one... if there is camera specific gear, it won't be that big of a deal if its all in one section.

ps. sorry i sorta hijacked the thread
 
hey guys,

i understand what you're all saying - you find such a topic more appropriate for a "hardware" forum that does not yet exist. agree.

but now put yourselves in my shoes. last week i post an item in "cinematography" - because such a question would be totally off topic in dvx100 / directing / lighting forums to name a few - and, days later, i'm counting 12 responses. with only 1 addressing my question. (and 1 - by dvxnewbie - sharing the same frustration that the question has yet to be answered)

i'm officially giving up and searching for help elsewhere (shoulder shrug / big sigh)
 
t should have been suggested earlier, ut...

A search for "portable player monitor" n the Hardware forum under DVX100 will bring up a slew of posts on the subject, talking about a bunch of different brands and models.
 
girlwithamoviecamera... don't take it personally. You're thread just got caught up in an ongoing discussion about ways to make the forum more organized and navigable/useful to the members at large.

Sorry about the threadjack :)

later,
Jason
 
girlwithamoviecamera said:
hey guys,

i understand what you're all saying - you find such a topic more appropriate for a "hardware" forum that does not yet exist. agree.

but now put yourselves in my shoes. last week i post an item in "cinematography" - because such a question would be totally off topic in dvx100 / directing / lighting forums to name a few - and, days later, i'm counting 12 responses. with only 1 addressing my question. (and 1 - by dvxnewbie - sharing the same frustration that the question has yet to be answered)

i'm officially giving up and searching for help elsewhere (shoulder shrug / big sigh)
Click to expand...

This has happened to me a lot of times. I ask a question, and then it leads off to something else, TOTALLY different. You're actually lucky to get that "one" response lol. DVXuser is my life, and a great source, just sometimes it can get out of hand. Maybe it's the questions you/me ask? I don't know.

Note: Not hating/ratting dvxuser out here, just saying that this has happened to me before. God, this is my favourite site.
 
test

test

for the 2 of you out there (besides me), who are interested in finding a lightweight portable screen (like a mini DVD player) - just wanted to let you know that this afternoon i'm going to FNAC with my DVX100 to test a few and make my pick... i'll let you guys know how it goes.

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