External LCD monitor

DigitalBard

DigitalBard

Well-known member
Is there an advantage to getting a something made for video cameras that costs $300+ versus a widescreen portable LCD television for $90?

I need an external monitor for my camera, but everything I've seen is way out of my budget.
 
Depends how accurately you want to monitor your image in terms of colours, contrast, that sort of thing. If its just for framing then sure, get a cheap one, but i wouldn't rely on it for exposure!
 
a good monitor can:
1. Show an HD image or go 1:1 for focusing
2. Show frame lines
3. give option to assist in focus
4. give options to assist in exposure
5. Be viewable in full open daylight
6. be adjustable for different environments
7. have a wide color gamut
8. have lots of signal inputs
9. have lots of signal outputs
10. have special mounting options
11. have special battery power/mounting options
12. have options for specially made hoods
13. Be able to be used as a studio monitor
14. Have customer support
15. Image flip

The list is probably longer then I can think of, but you CAN use lower end screens, but you yourself need to be so far entrenched in the scene that usually finding another option isn't viable.....this is someplace where it pays to buy pro...you can DIY with screens and controllers off E-bay, but it ain't for the un-initiated.
 
if you go with a cheapo consumer tv for monitoring you WILL run into problems with white balance, exposure etc. and if its not at least sold as "hd" you will likely run into focus problems as well.

about the cheapest you'll find is a used ikan.
 
Thanks. Right now in my home studio, I run the composite out from my camera to a 14" television. The primary purpose is for framing my shots. For setting white balance, focus, etc.. I use the built-in LCD. The built-in LCD doesn't cover the entire frame, unfortunately. I've had a few instances of not seeing something in the LCD that ended up in the shot.

I'm gonna get the $90 portable TV for now. If nothing else, it'll be great for the kids when we travel, or when I'm forced to go fishing with my step-father and I get bored out of my mind.

I just can't afford to spend $300 on what you guys would consider a decent monitor. But I'll keep it on my wish list.
 
Holy moly! One of my LCD monitors died last night (thankfully the newer one) and after an hour talking with support this morning they are sending me out a new one. They don't have mine in stock any longer, so I'm upgrading from a 19" to a 21" and it has HDMI. So if I move my computer near where I shoot video I can plug the camera into my monitor. How lucky is that? :)
 
DigitalBard said:
I'm gonna get the $90 portable TV for now. If nothing else, it'll be great for the kids when we travel, or when I'm forced to go fishing with my step-father and I get bored out of my mind..
Click to expand...

I got a rather nice one from Radio Shack (!) a few months ago. Built-in rechargeable battery and plugs right into the output of my Sony XDCAM camcorder (PMW-EX1)

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3324197 currently selling for $200, so not nearly as good a deal as $120. :happy:

I drew the SD (4:3) safe action area rectangle right on the screen with a china-marker pencil so the director could frame for reduction to SD.
 
FYI, I bought a 7-inch portable LCD TV on eBay for $91 shipped and it works fine with my HF11. I wouldn't say it's a great picture and I don't use it for focus, white balance, etc.. but it's great for framing my shot.

And my new LCD monitor is awesome for focus, WB, color, etc... using the HDMI out from my camera. I got a 12-foot HDMI cable to run from my camera to the monitor.
 
not that it does anyone any good, but I just bought a similar model (an Axion 7") for $47 at my local QVC outlet store in the philly area. They have a whole pile of them there
 
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