Re: In search of the Ultimate Outdoor Monitor

E

ectobuilder

Veteran
Re: In search of the Ultimate Outdoor Monitor

I'm in search for the Ultimate Outdoor Monitor. Of course I don't want to go by just what the manufacturer is advertising. So I have begun a barrage of non-scientific tests on various monitors. I'll post my results here.

Why am I doing this? I am primarily a run n' gun storyteller. I've used various monitoring and focus aides within the last couple of years. My main focus aide I have currently is the Zacuto 3x VF that I stick on the back of DSLR's. Although I am very appreciative of Zacuto developing such a sturdy, high performing VF, I do find sticking my eye into it very restricting when it comes to camera movement and for leveling the shot.

Now with the trend in cheaper, lighter IPS monitors, I thought it would be a good time to consider changing to an actual monitor (I've owned a few in the past but the viewing angle and sharpness just wasn't there).

My requirements are:
- 720p or 1080p native resolution
- 170 degree viewing angle (i.e. IPS panel)
- Outdoor "viewable", eliminating the use of a sun hood
- Battery life indicator
- Good ergonomics / button layout
- Contrast sharpening for peaking (with optional color edge enhancement would be a bonus)

I live in the Vancouver, BC area up here in Canada, so my options are limited as to what monitors I can try out before I buy (we don't have a pro camera superstore here like BH Photo!), so I'll have to make do with what I have in my area leading up to the actual purchase.
 
First Test: V-LCD70XP-HDMI vs the Sun!

First Test: V-LCD70XP-HDMI vs the Sun!

Here is my first non-scientific test. Here in Vancouver, we have a rental house that carry a few older monitors. The Marshall V-LCD70XP-HDMI is one of them. Although this is not rated as an outdoor monitor (one of my requirements), I rented this monitor to get a relative idea of outdoor performance as well as ergonomics and button layout.

Here I've posted a test shot of the monitor performing in direct sunlight. The purpose here is to measure the difference between light output between the monitor and the ambient light. Rated at only 450 NITS (I used max 100% backlight), I can see how a 700 NIT (V-LCD71MD) or even 1500 NIT (DP-7 Pro HB) would be much more appropriate for outdoor use.

In this scenario, the Sun was literally just over the horizon (just before happy hour) with no overcast. So we were getting mucho sunlight!

The shot towards the sun is probably closer to a 5-stop difference, as the monitor appears under exposed a bit. Shooting towards the sun is always difficult, and this shot shows it!

JPG - Against Sun.jpg
JPG - Away from Sun.jpg

For comparison, here is a screen grab I took from Youtube of the SmallHD DP-7 Pro High Bright (rated at an average of 1500 NITS)...
Sequence 03.Still002.jpg

I read somewhere that going from 400 NITS to 700/800 NITS creates the biggest perceivable difference than going from 700/800 NITS and above. So I am curious to see how the Marshall V-LCD71MD performs against the SmallHD DP-7 PRO HIGH BRIGHT! One being double the price of the other, it would be interesting to see how they perform against each other.

"FLYONIX" on Youtube did an unboxing of the HIGH BRIGHT and is promising to do a full review, so I am waiting on that to help round out my decision!
 
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Try 7" TVLogic SRM-074W Sunlight Readable High Resolution Multi-Format LCD Monitor. It does not do 720p (only 600), but it is one of the best models around. We have its sibling LVM-074W and it has the MAX BRIGHT button, but the SRM version is even brighter. Everybody loves this monitor, with all the loops (HDMI to SDI, SDI to SDI, HDMI to HDMI) and a great panel. Peaking, waveform, vectorscope etc. included. Also speakers!
 
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