Seeking field monitor

C

Craig_Tarry

Active member
Hello, I'm planning to try and make a 15min. short film this summer and I'd like to get my hands on a inexpensive field monitor. I have a Panasonic DVX100AP to shoot with.

I read that a monitor size should be at least 13". If my main concern is watching play back (easier on a monitor than the 2.5" LCD camera screen, can you just use a small TV?)
I would appreciate any advice and or directions to a source for this. Thanks Craig
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

it depends on your budget and if you are going to be using it a lot or just this one time.

most field monitors are 8" and i think what makes them a "field" monitor is that they generally run on batteries at least as an option.

i have a 14" sony that isn't quite a field monitor because it doesn't run on batteries but i saw that the 8" field one was the same price as the 14" non field one and the 14: had more features and i planned on using it at home on my editing setup a LOT more than i use it in the field.

when i truly use it in a field i bring along an APC ups to run it.

if your not that serious you can buy a cheap small tv and if you want to take it out in the field you can buy a small ups from staples or best buy.

matthew
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

Buy a good laptop & DV Rack.

Kill reflection with a little tent when needed (like the wizard of OZ).

This does a few things, you get a proper calibrated monitor image , you can view it full screen. Also, you can record directly to the HD on the laptop via firewire.

The laptop now has become the 2nd most needed DV film makers tool after camera & mic, or is that 3rd.

You can.......Write your script, plan your script, buisness papers, capture your video with it, edit, sound, special FX, burn DVDs, etc... it's a mistake not to go in this direction. You can also get online like this, play video games and waste time!
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

It's called a"FIELD" monitor, cause you have to lug the thing around all day, "in the field".
but it does allow you to see what kind of color,focus,etc. your getting. which is key
when time is money.
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

i use my 12 inch powerbook as a 'field monitor' although im going to get a small cheap tv to use instead.

if only there was DV rack for mac, cause im not buying a pc for it
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

in my experience the underscan feature is what made my monitor worth it over a cheap tv.

the only flaw i have with dv rack is that it is a hell of a lot easier to run an s-video or rca cable to the camera than it is to manage a firewire cable.

i love dv rack and i bought it, but i don't find myself using it as much as i would like due to the cabling limitations.

i really wish the firewire port had been designed a little bit better. things like sata connetors, firewire connectors and even usb connectors are much better suited for very stable static installations.

matthew
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

Hey Carlos, have you tried BTV?

http://www.bensoftware.com/

But it's sort of like DV Rack, (I assume, don't own a pc) but I've heard you can't do as much with it.  If all you're looking for is to check color, lighting, etc... maybe record to the hard drive, then this works.  The site has a nice little demo to play with, and it's only like 40 bucks to buy.
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

[quote author=matthewd5 link=board=news;num=1105986865;start=0#5 date=01/18/05 at 13:54:23]in my experience the underscan feature is what made my monitor worth it over a cheap tv.

the only flaw i have with dv rack is that it is a hell of a lot easier to run an s-video or rca cable to the camera than it is to manage a firewire cable.

i love dv rack and i bought it, but i don't find myself using it as much as i would like due to the cabling limitations.

i really wish the firewire port had been designed a little bit better. things like sata connetors, firewire connectors and even usb connectors are much better suited for very stable static installations.

matthew[/quote]
I have DV rack and I hooked up 1 firewire cable from camera to Laptop and it's better for me than multiple cables hanging out of the camera. Just make sure to get one long enough like the 14ft. Belkin firewire which is thick and not flimpsy like standard rca cables. Not to mention it is digital not analog. So I can record straight to the HD for later editing...I'm looking into getting a external harddrive. Any suggestions? I've heard you can get a generic case and pop in a standard ATA drive with firewire capabilities but would like to know how it records. Anyone have this as a successful scenerio?
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

Fire wire cables up to 75 feet have been successfully used with DV Rack. Tuck the cable in through the hand pad for a tension relief system. A bad tug will cause problems.
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

any suggestions for a good quality firewire cable that is 15 feet or longer?

the one i have now is 2 meters or less BUT It does have the thingie to isolate the firewire port so you don't fry it

matthew
 
Re: Seeking field monitor -Thanks Guys

Re: Seeking field monitor -Thanks Guys

Hey! Thanks for all the input on the feild monitor question. I'll probably find myself a used one somewhere. A laptop that will handle something like that is out of my price range at the moment, but I could definetely see it in the future. Thanks again - Craig
 
Re: Seeking field monitor

Is using the firewire port alot a problem on the DVX? One of the only problems I've heard of consistently w/ the DVX is that the firewire port breaks easy on some cameras. If you use it all the time w/ dvrack, and it breaks, aren't you kinda screwed?
 
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