Field Monitor Decision

TimothyJinx

TimothyJinx

Well-known member
I'm trying to decide between these two monitors:

JVC 910SU
Marshall VR70DP

The JCV is cheaper, a couple of inches bigger (9"). But how to power it in the field? I don't have any idea about the battery options, battery life, etc.

The Marshall is smaller (7"), easier to carry around. It is also widescreen so the net size may actually be comparable to the JVC when in 16:9 mode. More expensive though. Again, powering the monitor is confusing for this newbie. I heard that there is an adapter available that will allow me to use my panny batteries. This would be extremely cool since I have several batteries. Can't confirm this though.

One other issue: I am having trouble getting someone to sell me this thing. I have dealt with EVS in the past but I can't get anyone there to return my calls. I left a message Friday and I left a message Monday. I tried B&H a couple of times yesterday and all I got was "all agents are busy..." Any other recommended vendors out there?

I really need to order today so I can get this for a Thursday shoot.
 
It's past thursday by now, sorry, but this may nevertheless still interest you. Though my experience with the stated problem is with the Sony PVM 9L2 field monitor, the general traits seem to be alike. This post may nevertheless contain errors so it should only be taken as a gentle push towards solving the problem.

There are basically two ways of powering your monitor in the field: (a) you use a battery pack either directly or with an adapter mount; (b) you use a 12V power supply (connected by a 4-pin XLR) which can either be a car battery or a seperate battery pack (be it a battery belt or not).

Please allow me, despite the repetition, to cite from the product description at B&H's so as to more clearly specify the candidates for your monitor. We'll get into the XLR option first. "The TM-910SU can be powered by AC or DC power. Ideal for mobile applications, the TM-910SU can be connected to a 12V power supply, such as a car battery or battery belt, via the 4-pin XLR input."

This points towards a solution, then, in which you might use something like, say, a Pagbelt (check requirements for there are various versions - http://www.paguk.com/). Such a powerbelt will seem te be costly very costly, i.e. about 700 dollars for probably the likeliest candidate (remember, I am not familiar with the JVC monitor, I am merely sketching a general idea here), but they are, apparently, very handy, safe, sturdy and powerful, and they certainly do not require a separate charger! Now I mentioned Pag, but no doubt there will be a comparable product from the Great Father of battery packs Anton Bauer.

Off course, the quickest way to power the monitor would be to simply use a battery pack plus associated charger (either from JVC or "replacements") if, that is, a standard battery mount would in fact be a feature of this particular monitor. I don't know that. Check to see whether this is true or not. Maybe not, since the product description at B&H's mentions the Anton Bauer adaptor (as a sole option or an alternative to a standard battery mount?): "The Anton Bauer QR-DXCM3A gold mount battery adaptor can be connected directly to the rear of the monitor via the supplied mounting holes."(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=127285&is=REG). The said Gold Mount would cost you about 120 dollars (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=product.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=Anton+Bauer+QR-DXCM3A&image.x=0&image.y=0), but it will bring you into the realm of Anton Bauer Battery Packs, which means you will probably need some kind of Anton Bauer Dionic battery and, don't forget, a charger. This route implies quite a sizeable investment.

Now of course you want to know whether your Panasonic or "replacement" battery packs can somehow be made to fit the monitor. I do not expect they will fit the monitor directly. Nor will they fit the Anton Bauer Gold Mount - by all means, check this.

So what are you to do? I don't know, haha! But it may help to know what I have decided to do with my comparable dilemma. Remember I told you I have a Sony PVM 9L2 Monitor to power?I think I have the following options comparable to yours: I can either buy a Sony BP L90 battery pack and a charger (I do not have other Sony gear), which is costly; or I can buy a Pagbelt with the intention to plug into the monitor with a 4-pins XLR, which is also costly but which will allow me to power other stuff as well (such as a lamp or, with a connector available from the pagstore for about 200 dollars, the DVX100BE itself!); or I can try and find a way to use my existing CGA D54S and DVXUser batteries (the latter is on its way I think) as a power source for the 4Pin-XLR inlet if that is at all possible. Unless there would yet appear to be another alternative, I will go for the Pagbelt option.


So, I have not given you the best answer, perhaps, but I at least wanted to help you on your way. I can only say this: identify the mounts, cables and and power characteristics of your two ends - the monitor at one end and the preferred battery pack on the other- and ask someone who really knows best.

Good luck.

(Endnote. I ask other readers to not feel irritated by this perhaps disappointingly hesitant conclusion and to appreciate, instead, that some light had be shed since Mr. Timothy Jinx stated, with humble exaggeration no doubt, to not have "any idea about the battery options". )
 
Additional warning. When you hook up the monitor to a car battery using a 4Pin XLR connector cable, you need to insert a "safety box" in there, to ensure that peaks do not burn the monitor. If this is vague, it is due to my general lack of knowledge of things electrical and of my English vocabulary. But i'm sure you catch my drift.
 
PanPal HJLirb said:
Additional warning. When you hook up the monitor to a car battery using a 4Pin XLR connector cable, you need to insert a "safety box" in there, to ensure that peaks do not burn the monitor. If this is vague, it is due to my general lack of knowledge of things electrical and of my English vocabulary. But i'm sure you catch my drift.
Click to expand...

Just call it a fuse :)
Quality cables often include a fuse in the connector that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, making a safety box redundant. Check out "VIDEOproPOWER VideoEQpro" on eBay. I bought high quality cigarette-to-XLR power cords at a bargain price from him. Helpul and nice.

Lutnik
 
I don't know where you are...

These people are the best... they deal with people all over the world.
Give them a call... they can and will answer any questions you may have,
easy going... no high (or any type) pressure.

http://www.mediasupplystore.com/index.html

Tell them I sent you... Thanks and Good Luck...!!!
 
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