Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic footage

A

APDieb

Well-known member
Hey...This probably isn't new to most, but for those of you out there that don't have production monitors but would like to view your anamorphic footage in the correct aspect ratio there is a fairly cheap alternative.

I just bought a Toshiba 24" flat screen TV (24AF43) for my studio that has "Vertical Squeeze".  Just hit the 16:9 button on the remote while playing back an anamorphic source (such as squeeze mode DVX100A or via the adapter) and it letterboxes the picture on the fly for viewing.

Not earth shattering but for $300, it's a nice thing to have.   I am using it to preview footage with clients since I don't have a native 16:9 HD set yet.

There's also a 14" and 20" model available for much less.  They also have the squeeze (16:9) feature.  All have component inputs as well.  Just look for the AF models..  The older A models do not have this feature.

Just thought I'd throw it out there for those that may be looking for such a thing and didn't have the cash for a real monitor.

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

A lot of newer TV's have that. From what I understand, it's actually supposed to use all the lines of resolution on the television, so it's not some sort of cropping job, it's actually supposed to give you just as high of resolution for 16:9 as it does for 4:3 (just squeezed into a smaller vertical space is all).
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Yeah...I knew I was seeing that feature on some of the other bigger TVs, but hadn't noticed it on the smaller models before.  That 20" is actually pretty nice for a small studio and has component inputs and really nice picture for around $200.  The anamorphic squeeze really does look good on them (pretty high rez, and you're right - it's not cropping, but squeezing vertically), albeit without the calibration niceities of a real production monitor.  I bought a wall bracket and mounted my 24" up and in the corner of my 13' x 14' studio.  It weighs about 73lbs and works fine.  I just routed a set of my component outs from my deck to it and can view it comfortably from any of my NLEs.  Just thought it was cool for those of us that are shooting anamorphic.  Much nicer to view it there than in my NLE window or small production monitor, epecially for clients.  I had considered a smaller 30"-34" widescreen, but I just couldn't make it work in my rather small space.  Someday down the road though...

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

anyone got a link to check any pf these out?
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

thanks! i need a new little tv, and ive heard so many good things about these ones.
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

uhm can you plug the camara directly to it with svideo or cinch... and unqueeze directly? I mean can it be used as field monitor?
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

I can't see why not... And at $150 for the 14" version, it might be worth it! Only question is how high-resolution is it... some smaller production monitors only resolve around 250 lines, I don't know how many lines a small TV like this may resolve. Maybe I'll shoot a res chart, then go down to Best Buy and plug it in and check it out... I've heard nothing but praise for these Toshiba sets, so it seems very interesting!
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

I've been trying to find one of those Toshiba 14" flat screen tv's for a couple of weeks now. According to Best Buy and Sears, they have been discontinued (although still listed on the Toshiba web site). The model is 14AF43.
Wonder what they'll replace it with.
Ken
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

[quote author=urbanfx link=board=Links;num=1079764617;start=0#6 date=03/20/04 at 20:00:22]uhm can you plug the camara directly to it with svideo or cinch... and unqueeze directly? I mean can it be used as field monitor?[/quote]

Yep. I have considered the same. Not sure about the rez on the 14" but for framing anamorphic it could come in handy. I also has a hard time finding the 20" which was what I originally planned on getting. But I am glad I went with the 24" now. Works out great up on a wall bracket.

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

I have the 14" and love it. I'd be curious as to what results Barry comes up with on his res chart test . . .

Or, if he sends me a copy of the chart, I can try it out myself. :D
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Hey Jubal28, you can download one of these charts (that I got from BealeCorner) and test it out and let us know what you can see. That'd be awesome!

http://66.78.26.9/~fiercely/eia1956.jpg
http://66.78.26.9/~fiercely/EIA1956.pdf

They're 4:3 charts, you could probably stretch 'em in Photoshop and then download 'em to your NLE or your camera. They're meant for you to print out and then shoot, but if you don't have a 16:9 adapter that wouldn't really be a fair test, so I think the best way to test the monitor (and not the camera) would be to stretch one of these to 16:9 in PhotoShop, then run it through your NLE straight out to the monitor.

Let us know what you come up with!
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

I know alot of real editors that use the Toshiba Flat 14" as edit monitors.. gives them a happy medium of what a normal person will see on thier TV but enough accuracy and component inputs to get a good reference.
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

I gotta look at those 16:9 switchables. I've used a Philips 14" flat monitor for a couple of years and it is quite nice --representative is guess is the word. It has the 3 comb filters and s-video input, but not the 16:9 which I've always wished it had.

Maybe a new 24" or so would be the way to go.

-Rodger
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

If I'm reading this correctly, I could still see four distinct lines on the horizontal bars partway between the 500 and 600 -- prob'ly around 550.

But, you guys tell me what I should be seeing so that I can accurately give you the results.
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

What you want to see is where the wedges stop being individual black & white lines, and where they converge into a gray mush. You want to identify the last point where you can clearly see individual black and white bars.

Check for the horizontals, and also for the verticals. Around 550 would be very good indeed.
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

The horizontals are definitly 540-550. The vertical lines are more like 430 or so.
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Is that with the TV in the 16x9 mode?
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Yes. Looking at it again, the vertical might be closer to 410.
 
Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Re: Cheap alternative for viewing anamorphic foota

Well, that's... that's really, really good. A $149 monitor that can show 16:9 with 400 lines of resolution? I might just have to get me one of those...
 
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