Budget of $650-$700 - External Preview

G

gdstaples

New member
I am using Vegas 6.0c and need to setup an external monitor for accurate color correcting and exposure control.

My workflow is HDV with DV as final output. My system does not have PCIe but I will be upgrading to a system in the near future with support for PCIe.

I need to get a hardware/monitor solution that will allow me to preview 16:9 (HD not necessary) so that I can accurately judge what my final output will look like to my clients watching the finished DVD. An 8" or 10" studio monitor will do just fine and I am not opposed to purchasing used.

I have read about Canopus hardware cards in addition to Decklink etc., but don't know the best solution for my budget.

Any tips, links or recommendations would be appreciated.

Regards,
Duncan
 
Vegas 6 doesn't use hardware preview boards. You could use firewire preview and pipe it through your HDV camera (in DV mode), and in a case like that any type of monitor could work; some on the board recommend certain JVC monitors that would fit in this price range.

If you don't want to use your camera in the chain, you could get something like an ADS ADC100(?) DV-to-analog converter, I think they run under $150 or so.
 
Just about any $100-175 DV camcorder off ebay will work as a bridge....
I have a Canon Elura40MC that I use to use before upgrading to the Matrox card.
 
A commonly-used preview "monitor" would be the Toshiba 14" flatscreen CRT TV. Brilliant picture, great color, and it has a 16:9 display mode. It runs about $150.

Now, it's a TV, and it doesn't give you the bells and whistles of a true production monitor. But it's a good low-cost alternative.
 
David suggested the same television to me for a monitor issue I was having a long time ago (last week) and it has worked out perfectly. The blues are slightly off, but I find that I can get everything else pretty much right on target. It offers a ton of options as far as calibration, and while it isn't a true monitor it is $150. I have been really happy with the results and the extra cash in my wallet at this time of year is always nice too.
 
woops, didnt see serius' post- I guess it iz.. :)

I have a question though.. has anyone found any CRT TVs that play well next to computer CRTs? In terms of flicker/noise/sync problems? Last time I tried to put an RCA 15" flat screen TV next to my computer CRT, it wigged out (even after changing the display rates)
 
Edweirdo said:
has anyone found any CRT TVs that play well next to computer CRTs? In terms of flicker/noise/sync problems? Last time I tried to put an RCA 15" flat screen TV next to my computer CRT, it wigged out (even after changing the display rates)
Click to expand...

Just put a bit of space between them. Gotta love LCD's....
41227212.EditSuitetight2.jpg
 
I'm thinking about getting the 14" Toshiba. How do you normally go about hooking it up? Is the S-Video out from my video card going to cut it or do I need a card with HD out and use the component cables?
 
You would run it from the firewire port into your camera or deck, and then into the TV, preferably with S-Video, if you have the option. Vegas only uses firewire for preview.
 
Thank you for all of the replies. In lieu of burning up a DV camera for preview, what would be a reasonably priced card that would support S-Video out (proper color space) for the NTSC display monitor?

Thanks,
Duncan
 
There are such cards, but Vegas can't use them.

And you won't "burn up" anything. It doesn't harm or wear out the camera in the slightest.
 
Is there any way to calibrate the NTSC monitor connected to the output from the DV camera via Waveform? What would be the best way to ensure conformity to NTSC standards when editing to the external preview?

Thanks,
Duncan
 
If you can output bars and have the proper blue filter you can get fairly close. Most budget tv's are not going to have all the controls a true production monitor has though.
 
I just have to ask. This Toshiba TV is pretty good for CC and such? It really is an adequate substitute?

I'm using an RCA TV and it's awful. No matter how I set it up the whites are all blurred and... well, maybe I just suck at calibrating a TV but I know one thing, if this Toshiba device is as suitable as I'm hearing I think I'll buy that instead of ponying up $700 CDN for this JVC TM-H150CGU 15" Production monitor

Just as a cost-cutting measure mind you. I'd really like to get the JVC but if the Toshiba works out then down the road.

sincerely,

ian
 
I was looking at the 9" Sony PVM-2 - will that calibrate well with Vegas? Do I need a blue filter with this monitor? Also, what is the blue filter and how does one go about using it?

FYI - I am a professional photographer by trade and understand color and hardware calibration well, I just don't understand the application as it applies to video and NTSC calibration.

Thanks again,
Duncan
 
I can't find the specs on a Sony PVM-2 but if it has a "blue-only" swith on it, then you don't need the blue filter. Properly calibrating a production monitor is done with SMPTE color bars using the "blue only" switch or blue filter if the monitor doesn't have it. It involves adjusting the color and phase until the bars look a specific way. I'm not on my work computer now so I can't remember the specifics. I'll post a "how-to" link later.
 
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