Focusing

Yeah, I bought a palm just for that purpose...but don't really like using it.
It's much quicker and more rewarding to spin the wheel...you also get to see the whole range of DOF for your lens with out constantly tapping on a screen.

BTW, I just came across this:
http://www.fuerstentum.net/Widget/index.html

I guess if we're starting to lug our laptops to the set anyway...
 
Barry, how does this unit look to you? It has pretty good resolution, do you think it is enough to really help with focus? I'm waiting to hear from them to see if they have any goodies that would work to make this one more useful for our purposes.

David

This 7" looks good at $349.

XENARC 700Y™ / 700YV™
7" TFT LCD Monitor with VGA and Optional AV inputs about 1.28 Lbs.

NTSC / PAL Multi-System (700YV)
16x9 Aspect Ratio
High Resolution Display - up to 1600 x 1200
http://www.xenarc.com/product/700y.html
Now Available in Silver or Black!
Xenarc Technologies Corp. is one of the first LCD manufacturers to introduce a 7" LCD screen with VGA input. In-Car computing is the next step in computing technology, and we are committed to serving this up and coming technology sector.
Don't mistake this monitor for an ordinary video monitor that displays composite video. This 7" monitor has 800 x 480 pixels (2400 x 480 sub-pixels) that help display crystal clear texts and ultra-sharp images through your computer's VGA signal.
These monitors come included with an instruction manual, a monitor stand, an AC adaptor, a connection cable, and a cigarette lighter car adaptor.

Here is the rest of the specs on it.

For In-Car Computing, PC, Server, GPS, and various VGA Use
VGA Input (15 pin D-SUB) x 1 (700Y) or VGA Input x 1 & Video Input x 2 (700YV)
Audio Input / Built-in Speaker (700YV)
NTSC / PAL Multi-System (700YV)
16x9 Aspect Ratio
High Resolution Display - up to 1600 x 1200
Auto detects 800x480 resolution
Upgraded High-Brightness CCFL Backlight
Adjustable backlight level for night-time use
Pixelworks High Performance Image and Video Signal Processor
AISS - Advanced Image-Scaling and Shaping
16:9 / 4:3 Scaler settings *New*
Last Input memory (700YV) *New*
Last Power setting memory *New*
IR Remote Control (700YV) *New*
Auto power-on upon signal detection
Automatic display adjustment
On Screen Display Control
Metallic Silver or Black Casing
Copper Stand: 360° / Height Adjustment
20-Pin heavy-duty connector
Supports 11V DC ~ 24V DC
"E" Mark Certified for Automotive use
Compare Features
Model #: 700Y / 700YV
Screen Size: Diagonal 7" (16:9)
Physical Resolution: 800 (H) x 480 (V) WVGA
Supported Resolution: 640 x 480 ~ 1600 x 1200
Dot Resolution: 2400 x 480 = 1,152,000 (dots)
LCD Panel Brightness*: 400 cd/m²
Display Brightness: 350 cd/m²
Operating Voltage Range: DC 11V ~ 24V, 1A
Power Supply: DC 12V
Power Consumption: <8W
Operating Temperature: 23°F ~ 158°F
Dimension (in): 7.75W x 4.75H x 1.38D
Weight (lb): 1.28
FCC, CE, E13 Certification
18 Month Warranty
Available in Silver or Black
30 days No dead Pixel Guarantee
 
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Well, that's the same resolution as the Marshall (don't be misled by the 1600x1200, that's the input signal it can support but the LCD itself is 800x480). The Marshall is surprisingly effective at getting focus; not as good as a native-res panel obviously, but not bad at all, certainly much better than just the viewfinder or flip-out LCD.

You'd have to figure out some way to get the analog component signal converted into VGA if you wanted to try to use that though.
 
Barry_Green said:
Well, that's the same resolution as the Marshall (don't be misled by the 1600x1200, that's the input signal it can support but the LCD itself is 800x480). The Marshall is surprisingly effective at getting focus; not as good as a native-res panel obviously, but not bad at all, certainly much better than just the viewfinder or flip-out LCD.

You'd have to figure out some way to get the analog component signal converted into VGA if you wanted to try to use that though.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback Barry. I added some more info from Xenarc to my post on the monitor, you might want to check it out. When I get in contact with them I'll ask if they have any thoughts on how to convert an analog signal to VGA signal.

David
 
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gilzoo said:
Yeah, I bought a palm just for that purpose...but don't really like using it.
It's much quicker and more rewarding to spin the wheel...you also get to see the whole range of DOF for your lens with out constantly tapping on a screen...
Click to expand...
Where did you get the DOF Palm software? I have been searching for a DOF guide for my palm.
 
Barry I did a little more searching on the site and found this model. Should work OK, right? And its $249.00

David

XENARC 700V™
7" TFT LCD Monitor w/ 2 AV Inputs
This high resolution monitor is perfect for
viewing DVD's with its 7" wide screen 16x9 aspect ratio. Easy access front control and
the included remote control allows for the manipulation of all of the monitor's functions.

This monitor offers 800 x 480 display resolution (2400 x 480 dots) in comparison to the 480 x 234 (1440 x 234 dots) that most other 7-Inch TFT LCD monitors offer. That is 242% more dots! See it yourself for the difference in picture quality.

This monitor comes included with an instruction manual, a monitor stand, a Audio/Video cable, an AC adapter, and a cigarette lighter adaptor.
 
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Well, $249 is about 1/6th the price of the Marshall, and the Marshall is considered pretty darn inexpensive for what it is. So -- I'd say that I'd be skeptical until seeing it proved.

When it says "AV inputs" -- what does that mean? If it means composite video, then it'd be functionally useless for focus. You've got to have HD analog component inputs, or you're not going to be getting a high-enough-res signal out of the cam to accomplish anything any good. S-video or composite will be limited to around 330 lines.
 
Barry- Regarding monitors (not the small camera mounted variety) . . . I read a lot (here) about the Dell 24" and the Panasonic 17 HD monitor. I anticipate that 90% of my work will be shot at 720/24p. Do you, or does anyone, have a recommendation for a reasonably priced monitor with the right inputs but does not necessarily have to handle 1080p?
 
Barry_Green said:
Well, $249 is about 1/6th the price of the Marshall, and the Marshall is considered pretty darn inexpensive for what it is. So -- I'd say that I'd be skeptical until seeing it proved.

When it says "AV inputs" -- what does that mean? If it means composite video, then it'd be functionally useless for focus. You've got to have HD analog component inputs, or you're not going to be getting a high-enough-res signal out of the cam to accomplish anything any good. S-video or composite will be limited to around 330 lines.
Click to expand...

I talked to the sales dept there and it is composite video inputs. Damn.

Edit to add:

I talked to the tech rep there and described what we need in the video camera world, HD analog component inputs, a base that can be hooked up to the camera hot shoe, a portable power source and he is going to pass that along to his Mgmt. for future development.

David
 
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dregenthal said:
Barry- Regarding monitors (not the small camera mounted variety) . . . I read a lot (here) about the Dell 24" and the Panasonic 17 HD monitor.
Click to expand...
Just used the Panasonic again last night, and I would say it's at least three times better for HVX monitoring than the Dell is. (of course, it's three times the price, so that works out I guess). If you want accurate monitoring, forget the Dell. Dell's good for resolution (provided you turn off the sharpening!) but for accurate monitoring it isn't in the same league as the Panasonic. I still have to do some side-by-side stuff to be sure, but man does HVX stuff look gooooood on that Panasonic.

I anticipate that 90% of my work will be shot at 720/24p. Do you, or does anyone, have a recommendation for a reasonably priced monitor with the right inputs but does not necessarily have to handle 1080p?
Click to expand...
Well, the Panasonic is actually a 1280x720 panel. I'm tempted to buy one but I want to see if they come out with a 1080-native version at NAB or anything like that. NAB's just a month away and that's when a lot of new stuff should be announced.
 
Evinsky recommended the Sony in an earlier thread - I'm curious as to how it performs...

My understanding is that accurate monitoring requires a true production monitor...Blue gun, Chroma, Phase controls are a must. With all of the consumer models are recommending these days, including the Dell 2405, is this level of control possible? I know you probably have a brightness and contrast level, but what else can you use?
 
Actually the Dell doesn't give you brightness or contrast control. Only sharpness and saturation.

Makes a fine computer monitor, but a less-than-satisfactory HD monitor. But then again, it's only $800, so you get what you pay for. If you want the full bill of goods, about the cheapest way to go is the $2700 Panasonic 1700.
 
I have been using this monitor as my primary on set HD monitor for about three weeks now. I had the oportunity to use it side by side with the Pany 17" and I have to say you can get the Sony at least %95 accuratre to the Panasonic. That being said the Pany is a little sharper, has a little better contrast ratio, but also shows more noise. The Sony does need to be adjusted quite a bit to get the most accurate rendering out of it. You have a good amount of image control that amount to Brightness, Phase & Chroma. Ussing a deep blue filter from a Lee tester pack I was able to calibrate using HVX color bars.

I think I will eventually buy the Pany 17", mostly for the waveform and convienence, then use the Sony for playback and client moniitoring.
 
Barry - you talk about using a tape measure - but the panny manual for the hvx says the distances shown are approximate - doesnt this nullify any benefit of using a tape measure - wont it be the same at that point as doing it by eye?
 
evinsky said:
I have been using this monitor as my primary on set HD monitor for about three weeks now. I had the oportunity to use it side by side with the Pany 17" and I have to say you can get the Sony at least %95 accuratre to the Panasonic. That being said the Pany is a little sharper, has a little better contrast ratio, but also shows more noise. The Sony does need to be adjusted quite a bit to get the most accurate rendering out of it. You have a good amount of image control that amount to Brightness, Phase & Chroma. Ussing a deep blue filter from a Lee tester pack I was able to calibrate using HVX color bars.

I think I will eventually buy the Pany 17", mostly for the waveform and convienence, then use the Sony for playback and client moniitoring.
Click to expand...

Ahh - I had forgotten about the old blue filter trick - I assume you're talking about Deep Blue Lee 120...

I'm definitely leaning towards this Sony. At the price, it does seem like a great intermediate buy before going up to the Pany. Now how about a LCD to Matthews Stud adapter? Is there such a thing as a "Magic Fingers" for LCDs?
 
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