Field Monitor Under $500? Ikan VH8?

C

Chad Nikolaus

Active member
Hey all,

First, i must say that i'm not working in a pro environment. However, i recently bought a Sony FS700 and i feel like i need an external monitor. I may not really need waveform and all that, the camera's version is fine. Peaking might be a plus. Mostly, i'm just interested in having a larger screen to look at for focus and composition. We do a lot of "self shooting", so we're both in front of and behind the camera. In short, that's the reason we're not looking at $1000+ field monitors.

So... there don't seem to be many options. I've looked at Lilliput, might be alright. Ikan seems like an alright option too.

Anyone hear anything about this new Ikan VH8? http://ikancorp.com/productdetail.php?id=533
Resolution is nice, you don't see many around this price with that kind of resolution, and it's a nice size too.

One other question: you often hear HD-SDI over HDMI. Is it simply due to picture quality? I'm not overly concerned about it, i just don't want any significant lag.

Any input would be great, guys. Tough decision, trying to pick a good monitor for less than $500.
 
Hi Chad,
I've read posts from "old pros" saying that the difference between HDMI and HD-SDI is not the image quality, it's a BNC connection that's not going to come undone at the wrong time. However, looking at the specs for the FS700, I see 3G/HD-SDI, which, as I understand it, is capable of higher resolution. I'm not sure how that would affect you.

Are you looking for a 7" or 8" monitor, or would a 5" be enough? I ask because I recently got a 5" Marshall HDMI monitor, and I'm very happy with it. Besides having focus-in-red, it also has a pixel-to-pixel feature, which magnifies a section of the image for critical focusing. It also has Marshall's false color feature for exposure judgement.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._LCD51_LPE6_BK_5_MONITOR_w_PRE_INSTALLED.html

-- Ken
 
I have this Marshall 7" which is $918 new at B&H, with Sony L batteries:


Marshall Monitor V-LCD70XP-HDMIPT

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...DMIPT_SL_7_High_resolution_Field_Monitor.html



It is HDMI, not HD-SDI, so I ma not sure if it is a good fit. I paid $512 with shipping for it used here about 2 months ago.

I tested it on my Redrock Shoulder Rig, but I am not going to be able to use it. I have 4 bad disks in my neck, and a tear in my right shoulder. It is just too much weight for me.

Anyway, that is FWIW. I am going to sell mine, but if it is not right for you, you might be able to pick up a higher quality monitor used at around that price if you watch. It shouldn't take more than 1-2 weeks once you decide, either here or on eBay.

Best,
Michael

 
Ken Hull said:
Hi Chad,
I've read posts from "old pros" saying that the difference between HDMI and HD-SDI is not the image quality, it's a BNC connection that's not going to come undone at the wrong time. However, looking at the specs for the FS700, I see 3G/HD-SDI, which, as I understand it, is capable of higher resolution. I'm not sure how that would affect you.

Are you looking for a 7" or 8" monitor, or would a 5" be enough? I ask because I recently got a 5" Marshall HDMI monitor, and I'm very happy with it. Besides having focus-in-red, it also has a pixel-to-pixel feature, which magnifies a section of the image for critical focusing. It also has Marshall's false color feature for exposure judgement.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._LCD51_LPE6_BK_5_MONITOR_w_PRE_INSTALLED.html

-- Ken
Click to expand...
Can someone help me understand the difference between what Ken posted and this one? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...tronics_V_LCD50_HDMI_5_On_Camera_Monitor.html

The one Ken posted is cheaper. Which is welcome!

Thanks.
 
prexdealer,

I suspect the monitor you mentioned might be an older model. Reading the description and specs, I don't see any mention of a pixel-to-pixel magnification feature for focusing.

Also, it doesn't say if it can handle a 24sfP signal, like the monitor I mentioned can. (24sfP = 24 frames per second, segmented frame progressive.) 24sfP is a 24 frames per second signal, from which the 2:3 pull-down frames have be removed. With some video sources, that's not an issue, they include the 2:3 pull-down frames. But my nanoFlash plays back 24sfP, which is without those 2:3 pull-down frames.

-- Ken

P.S. - The reason 2:3 pulldown exists is because NTSC television is 30fps, while Hollywood movies are 24fps. So, to show movies on television, they had to do some tricks, adding some fields to get the 24 movie frames to fit in 30 frames of video. Over in the PAL world, they have it easy, with 25fps in both video and film.
 
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Hi Chad, like you I was looking for a 'non-pro' field LCD monitor. The VH8's one stand out feature is its resolution, where monitors in its class are 1024x768 and under (usually 800x480). But I can also see myself using the pixel to pixel option, the peaking with red outline, and even the false colour...so I have a VH8 on its way to me. Will arrive in early May and will be posting my impressions once I've got a chance to use it a bit.

Two other big features for me was that 1) it offered the ability to use the same battery that I use with my AG-AC90...so I'm not having to start stocking a different battery type...and 2) it supports all the output resolutions upto 1920x1080p 60Hz.

Anyway, realize that this post has been out for awhile...what did you end up getting..??
 
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I'm also in a search for a good field monitor in this price range, but here in Europe the Marshall LCD50 costs almost twice as much as in the US. SmallHD prices are twice as much also...

So the only "budget" option is the Lilliput range... I'd like to use it with the D7000. How good is a Lilliput 5d for judging focus and exposure?
 
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