C300: Need Monitor Larger Than 7", but not a Small HD!

nedcam

nedcam

Well-known member
I was waiting for the NAB announcement to find out what Small HD wants for their new 17". I've been a loyal customer of theirs. I use their AC7 OLED on camera when not going handheld, and when I am mobile I use the DP4.

However, sometimes I do a job where there are several clients needing to really see what I'm doing and I could use something larger, not necessarily 17" though. Also, I sometimes want the clients/producer/etc. to be a few feet away from me, not breathing down my neck. Some may have eaten garlic the previous night.

Something less bulky than the ubiquitous Panasonic BTLH17 family. Here's the prices for new Small HD line:

17"HDR - 3999
24" Lite - 3499
24" HDR - 5499
32 HDR - 7999

I have the money for the 17" but if really goes against my grain to spend that kind of money for a piece of gear that will never pay for itself, just "nice" to have. So...what are you folks using for monitoring in the range between 7"-17"? I don't need battery power for it since the types of gigs I'd use it for would tend to be near power.

Thanks
 
Ned, on the low cost front have a look at the OSEE LCM 156. I picked up the kit with the discount code and have been very pleased so far. It's a 10-bit panel with a good set of built-in tools for the money.

Dave
 
Last edited:
I have had the the TV Logic brand of monitors for years now, from the LVM 084 , LVM 240 , VFM 056 , all these have been fantastic in the field and studio, the larger monitors are a bit on the bulky side but have a great support cradle that comes with the units. These are the older LCD screens, I think the color from the LVM 084 - LVM 240 is amazing, also the off angle viewing. Any group of important clients are going to luv the 24" series.

Broatch Berry
Screaming Dime

Venice CA
 
Also the TV Logic LVM series monitors are almost Identical in color rendition from my 084 - 240 The smaller VFM 056 is not as a vibrant color as the the LVM series.

Broatch Berry
Screaming Dime

Venice CA
 
My reply to your thread in the Sony forum:
nedcam said:
I have the money for the 17" but if really goes against my grain to spend that kind of money for a piece of gear that will never pay for itself, just "nice" to have. So...what are you folks using for monitoring in the range between 7"-17"? I don't need battery power for it since the types of gigs I'd use it for would tend to be near power.

Thanks
Click to expand...


I have Panasonic and Sony(OLED) 17" monitors, two small Panasonic's(BT-LH 900A & BT-LH 910), two smallHD DP6' and DP7 PRO OLED. The DP7 PRO and Sony, both OLED, see the most action.

I like smallHD, BUT those prices for non-OLED monitors?! Nope… And I wanted something larger, like the 24".

I do have to disagree that a monitor doesn't pay for itself. If you don't have a quality monitor, preferably calibrated, how do you really know what you're seeing/recording? I rarely shoot log, most of what I hand over needs to look good and can air as-is straight from camera.

BTW: I have rented my 17"'s out, so they have earned extra money to help pay for themselves ; )
 
Strictly speaking the smallHDR monitors are not really HDR, their static contrast ratio is only 600:1, it can get super bright yes, but the black level will be super high.
 
Sorry but no way I would trust an 8 bit desktop panel for anything critical. It would be ok for clients as a reference, but even then doesn't seem all that professional.

I like Flanders Scientific monitors but they aren't amazing in the field because the brightness is a bit lacking. They are also heavier duty like the panasonics. But the color is absolutely rock solid, and tons of meters and features with regular firmware updates and long life support. If you like the smallHD I say go for it, they look pretty nice, but they are a bit pricey... my CM171 cost $2500, but the OLED ones are probably in the same price bracket.

I find a good monitor with batteries and rolling stand can rent for $150-300/day in the Midwest depending on the job. So it can definitely pay off, and there's something to be said for having a critical color monitor for post or viewing dailies. If the client isn't willing to pay at least $150 it's more of a hassle than it's worth really, setting it up and dealing with it all day is kind of a pain if you are run & gun.
 
David W. Jones said:
Ned, on the low cost front have a look at the OSEE LCM 156. I picked up the kit with the discount code and have been very pleased so far. It's a 10-bit panel with a good set of built-in tools for the money.

Dave
Click to expand...

Thos OSEE panels look interesting. Have you had any issues? Is it good enough for a client monitor?
 
I don't get how you feel that an on set production monitor won't pay for itself. Field monitors and memory cards are the highest profit items in any rental house inventory. A $2500 monitor can rent daily for about 8% its purchase price. That's an amazing return. Most items are closer to a 1% daily rate. When anyone ever asks me what gear they should invest in first I always say (after an Odyssey7Q+ or Apollo, of course) a field monitor and a jib arm. These things pay out so fast it's like a license to print money. I wish I could have a rental house that provided nothing but monitors, memory cards and jibs.

If your clients won't pay extra for a field monitor, then they should just get a consumer HDMI computer monitor with a cheap Amazon converter box taped to the back. You get what you pay for. That's not a dig at Andy Young's suggested solution. You do what is appropriate for your client base. I know a guy who just uses an iPad as a client monitor.
 
I think people are well versed with ipads. So getting an ipad, albeit with a bigger screen like an ipad pro should be fine with many clients.
 
cpreston said:
Thos OSEE panels look interesting. Have you had any issues? Is it good enough for a client monitor?
Click to expand...

So far so good. But I have no delusions that this will compete with a high end color grading monitor. It is what it is. A low cost 10-bit display. For client previews it's not anywhere near as large as the 24" Panasonic I was using, but that is a good thing when it comes time to pack things up. Color was spot on right out of the box when compared to a freshly calibrated Flanders. Downside is scopes do not show using HDMI. Problem solved using an inexpensive Atomos HDMI to SDI converter. I got this mainly as a ride-along I could quick mount to my cart. It will do side by side display which is nice for A-B camera matching, and with an A/B or IDX battery plate it's a low cost portable solution for when you need something larger than 7" but smaller than 17".
 
David W. Jones said:
Ned, on the low cost front have a look at the OSEE LCM 156. I picked up the kit with the discount code and have been very pleased so far. It's a 10-bit panel with a good set of built-in tools for the money.Dave
Click to expand...

interesting product, BUT i dont see them saying if its 10 bit panel? or 8bit panel with 10 bit processing.... as i understand its exactly 10 processing...

there is another product that i find interesting with true 10bit panel for 1.5k usd:
http://www.viewzusa.com/broadcast/vz240pmpl.html

i wonder if anyone had experience with it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top