Poor Man's Playback Monitor?

F

Finster

Well-known member
I have never used a "broadcast quality" video monitor before, mainly because I can't afford to spend $3-$5K on one. But lately I've been creating videos that look great on my Dell 24" computer monitor, but not so great on a HD TV or analog TV.

What are my options? Do I simply need to invest in a good colorimeter for my computer monitor?

Or is it true that I can hook a HDTV up to my Mac Pro and use it as a playback monitor? What would I need to pull this off (besides a HDTV, of course)?
 
You should always use a preview monitor when editing... With that said, yes you can use a HDTV. But... you will need an interface card that will work with your Editing software, whatever you use... You didn't mention what NLE you were using. The interface card will allow you to constantly monitor the projects timeline output. The least expensive cards are "HDMI" and "component" out... Like the "Black Magic Intensity" card. Grass Valley Edius uses their own proprietary cards that only work with Edius software. You need to make sure your HDTV has compatible input connectors for the card, and the card is compatible with your software.
 
I'm currently using FCP v6. I say "currently" because I've been debating whether or not to switch to Premiere Pro since I also use After Effects.

Is there an interface card that covers all the bases ... FCP, Premiere and After Effects?
 
Matrox MX02 = very good. Plays well with Macpro + FCP. Good support. Wide range of products including hardware acceleration of render output.
 
If you can find one in great condition, a Sony GDM-FW900 is hard to beat at any price (I've seen them used for <$500). They are huge, heavy CRT beasts but IMPO's they're still one of the best reference monitors ever made...
 
I'm hoping to keep everything below $600.

The Black Magic Intensity is within my price range.

It was mentioned that the HDTV needs to have "compatible input connectors for the card." Can someone explain this to me? This ViewSonic has ATSC/QAM TV tuner, 3 HDMI ports, VGA and component video - is this what I need?

I know I want 1920x1080p, and I know I want it smaller ... like around 24".

Thanks for helping me with this.
 
The Intensity Pro card works quite well, takes some setting up correctly, I called their support, great service, got things up and running. I have it connected to a Sony broadcast Trinitron via component (and sometimes connect my Marshall monitor via HDMI). All told, I only spent $300 for card and Sony. Sony came from ebay. Also buy the needed BNC to RCA cables for component or an HMDI cable from Monoprice, best prices and so easy. The RCA cable bundle that comes with the card is too short for practical use.

I don't see a need for the monitor to be full HD unless you are burning to Blu-ray, 720p or even SD works fine to monitor your color work.

Just make a sequence with the broadcast bars and calibrate the connected monitor, reason having a broadcast monitor with blue only helps. I went basic and budget but it does the job and has helped me to better judge color and contrast even from my Apple LCD.
 
Finster said:
I'm hoping to keep everything below $600.

The Black Magic Intensity is within my price range.

It was mentioned that the HDTV needs to have "compatible input connectors for the card." Can someone explain this to me? This ViewSonic has ATSC/QAM TV tuner, 3 HDMI ports, VGA and component video - is this what I need?

I know I want 1920x1080p, and I know I want it smaller ... like around 24".

Thanks for helping me with this.
Click to expand...


Yes you are good to go... The Intensity pro has an HDMI output, and your monitor has HDMI inputs. Some HDTV monitors only have component inputs... That is why I said to make sure the card and the TV match.
 
OK, I'm good to go! But regarding the preview monitor, I'm still a little confused. I googled the Sony GDM-FW900 - isn't this a computer monitor? Since I'm already using a Dell 24" computer monitor, shouldn't my preview monitor be a HDTV (since I can't afford one of those $3-$5K "broadcast quality" preview monitors)???
 
Finster said:
OK, I'm good to go! But regarding the preview monitor, I'm still a little confused. I googled the Sony GDM-FW900 - isn't this a computer monitor? Since I'm already using a Dell 24" computer monitor, shouldn't my preview monitor be a HDTV (since I can't afford one of those $3-$5K "broadcast quality" preview monitors)???
Click to expand...

I guess what I'm asking is: why not just pay $200 for a colorimeter and use that to correct my Dell computer monitor? Why buy an interface card + HDTV? What will that give me verses simply using my computer monitor?

Just curious.
 
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