Low-Cost HD Monitoring Solution-Berry/Jarred/anyone advise? please help!

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DP StrangeLove

Well-known member
Please excuse reposting this, but it became burried in the posts, and I would greatly appreciate any advise!

I wanted to get opinions on a low-cost HD monitoring solution, as I will be jumping into a commercial production as soon as my HVX arrives. I am currently on the waiting list at AVS, and wanted to get everything set-up so I am ready to go when it arrives. My client is willing to wait till my Camera arrives. I told them no later then the end of February, or else I will be filming with my...gasp Canon XL1.
Anyway, back to the point at hand. I have the 7" panasonic external monitor model# TC-7WMS1 for my on camera monitor. I know it is a bit low-res, but will do the job serving as a tool for composition and to use on my camera jib.
So hence, I am looking for a high-quality HD monitor to check lighting, and for the client and director to look at.
I read the earlier recommendation on the Dell 2405 monitor, I am a bit hesitant about using a computer LCD monitor as an HD monitor. Also, for that price, around $900, I have seen consumer HD TVS, like the Sharp Aquios 23", that seem comparable. The Sharp would do a native 720p input from the camera, and I found a demo unit at COMP USA for about $600.00.
Would the Sharp be a viable option, or any other HDTV? I would like to find something no more then $900.00 I know that may be too low, but just wondering if anyting else is out there besides the Dell or Apple Monitors.
Any input is greatly appeciated!
Thanks!
 
HI DP::

I have been using a consumer Sony LCD , shooting with the Z1 that works OKAY, not great. Forget about color accuracy with a consumer LCD but honestly, almost all that matters with HD is being in focus. I have the Dell 2405 coming in this week and based upon what I have heard, it is fine for focus. I need to evaluate it as far as lighting and contrast ratio accuracy.

Best,

Dan

With the latitude you have in a good, well lit HD signal and with all of the great editing options we have, being able to see exact color reproduction as you shoot is not quite as important as it used to be. I use the warm cards to achieve a consistent white balance when shooting talent so I am looking at that monitor for only two things, focus and lighting ratios. If you know what you are doing, either the consumer HD or the Dell will be fine. The big advantage of the Dell is having enough pixels to actually see your entire picture with no scaling, something that no under 10" monitor and very few of the consumer LCD/plasmas can achieve.

I will report back as as soon as the Dell arrives hopefully this weekl.

Best,

Dan
 
Hey Puredrifting, A great reply! Thanks! I think I may go for the Dell. What is it going for now, around $900. I also have a professional JVC 14" monitor, I was thinking about getting the HD LiNK for it to view HD. Would that give me equal or lesser results then the Dell?
 
DP,

I too am getting the Dell, but I recently got another credit card and I think I"m about to buy the Marshall camera top/C-stand monitor. It's on sale for 1250 here:

http://raq4.buydonlin.com/p-V-R70P-HDA.html


I like it because it's only 2 pounds or so.. comes with wall AC/ 4 pin DC/ and the Sony mount. I also know that I can get an extra 75 bucks a day or more for this.. and I also really have to showcase the video. IN my experience, monitors that are either HEAVY.. or require wall power and or converters is always left at the studio. I want something of quality and portability. Rush also speaks very highly and he has a great price as well.

I think both would be good and one will pay for itself in a couple of gigs.

j
 
I am #15, what about you? I was also on the waiting list at my local dealer in Portland, OR, and my camera just arrived there yesterday. It was hard to do, but I passed it up to keep my order with AVS, Barbara has the best deal going, just might have to wait a little longer. Also, my portland dealer didn't have any p2 cards yet, so I justified waiting for AVS
 
Hi DP:

Costco has it for $879.00, that's where I ordered it from. Dell occasionally has it for less but I grew very tired of their dumb coupon games and waiting for it to go back on sale. Costco's everyday price is $879.00.

The JVC will never resolve more than about 500-800 lines, if you are lucky. The big deal about the Dell is that you are seeing all of the picture information, even at 1920x1080 resolution so for focus, I feel the Dell is the best monitor on the market, better even than the Marshall, although probably not as practical. The Dell will be a pain to haul around on remote location shoots, I will have to get a case for it.

Then again, the Dell hasn't arrived yet, who knows, it may suck as a field monitor but indications are that it is decent. My concern is focus, I have been shooting HDV for 6 months with nothing but an SD field monitor and when I see the footage on HD screens, it is usually soft. Gotta do something and being able to judge focus is critical to doing good work.

Best,

Dan
 
puredrifting said:
The Dell will be a pain to haul around on remote location shoots, I will have to get a case for it.

Then again, the Dell hasn't arrived yet, who knows, it may suck as a field monitor but indications are that it is decent.
Click to expand...

I have one 24" Dell ... just ordered 2 more for my FCP system last night. Satisfied so far. However, I am not too sure about lugging one of these around for remote shoots, unless you want to set up the whole "video vlilage" thing.
 
About 65% of my shoots are sit down interviews so I think it will work great for this although it will be big and I will always need a place to set it up. But you do what ya gotta do, right? Anything beats being out of focus.

Best,

Dan
 
I'm gotta let my dell gather dust in the office. Its on sale now for 825 at Costco.com. Now that's a good deal. I'm wondering if they have it in stock in their store or just online.

Are you planning on building a mount for like a C-stand or something with the Dell?


J
 
puredrifting said:
About 65% of my shoots are sit down interviews so I think it will work great for this although it will be big and I will always need a place to set it up. But you do what ya gotta do, right? Anything beats being out of focus.
Click to expand...

Interesting, Dan. I do doc work and was wondering about lugging the Dell around for interviews. Of course there's also the future option of DVRack and the Mac equivalent that'll be put out by Redrock. You've got me re-thinking the Dell.
 
I can say from personal production experience that the VR70P is excellent as a compact monitor and shows a very sharp accurate, true image. Also, having just used the Dell 2405 on a shoot with Jarred, I am very impressed. It looks as good as LCD's costing 3x more, takes every kind of input, represents motion faithfully (12ms), colors are accurate, and allows split-screen for matching. It is also BIG. :shocked: Biggest production monitor I ever used. I was checking lighting from 12 feet away :cheesy: It's on my list! Hmmm, and I have a Costco close by....
 
Yep that'd be the one, Mr.B. It's a beauty. :)

PS: Earlier, I meant BIG as in 'screen size' not weight. It is very portable.
 
Rush said:
PS: Earlier, I meant BIG as in 'screen size' not weight. It is very portable.
Click to expand...

Wow Rush. Thanks for your comments on the Dell. I'll definitely be checking it out...and also giving you a call on the HVX once the HVX supply stream gets its current massive kink staightened out. (I expect that'll take a few months, eh?)
 
In the Cinematography.com forum, the JVC JVC DT-V100CGU 10-Inch Multi-Format Color Video Production Monitor with NTSC/PAL, Compatible with All HDTV Formats, Optional Component and SDI Cards was recommended, list price of $1,000.00
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=394536&is=REG
And as far as matte boxes, wouldn't any work as long as they have a 82mm ring attachment? Cavision is pretty decent, and much more economical then Chrosziel or Vocas systems
 
I have been using Chrosziel's 450HDVKit1 (designed for the Z1U) with the HVX flawlessly, same 15mm support and mattebox, with rotating 4x4 and sliding 4x5/4 holders. I just adjusted the base up in height.

I have also used the 41150 with the baseplate from the 450HDVkit1 as well, with rotating 4x4 and sliding 4x4 holders.

If you are not using an add-on wide adapter, then the 44003-DVXK works as well. It comes with a 72mm adapter which you can use with a DVX or Z1U, but if you remove it, the mattebox will bolt perfectly onto an HVX200's clear 82mm filter, and lock on tight. Perfect little mattebox for $800. You can even add a baseplate with rods and center support later. Not bad for a Chrosziel with rotating 4x4 and sliding 4x4 holders. :)

I just have experience with Chrosziel since that is all I have in rentals. But I am sure Petroff and Century/Vocas matteboxes work just as well. I checked 16x9's site and there is still no HVX mattebox available yet, but I think we just got a bulleting about it. I will check MOnday.
 
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