Sony or JVC Production monitor ?

Hey!! I really like your short films!!

About the monitors, I have not personally worked with either of the one's you mention. They're both probably very nice, I don't have the firsthand experience to comment either way. (Pro Video stores aren't exactly on every corner in the part of the state where I live.)

I have used the Sony 14" monitor quite a bit while working as an editor (somebody's else's gear) and was really very impressed with it. I did a quickie search and I think it's this model:

Sony PVM-14L2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=271229

It's only reasonable to comment on this one since it's what I've used more than any others in recent times... I'm not sure if Sony's better. I've been more than pleased with what JVC offers in terms of cameras and decks (worked with a DV500 camera and miniDV and DigitalS decks for recording live events) and we've been pretty happy with them, so I would expect them to make a nice monitor as well.

Since comparing a Sony 13" to a JVC 15" isn't apple to apples, of course, and I won't make any comments that could be viewed as pro-negative one or the other.

The Sony 14" I have experience with is about $50 less than the JVC 15" with component input, so I'd say it's a toss up between buying for what you need now or what you expect your needs to be in the future. I don't think I would buy the JVC with plans to upgrade it later on. If I needed SD component at any point, I would probably just get a different Sony that already had component.

Does that make any sense? Hope so. Good luck!!
 
Also, a monitor is one thing I would seriously consider buying used and on eBay. If I may go so far as making an industry-wide remark: SD production equipment is selling really cheap at the moment as companies transition to HD in both production and multi camera environments.

My older brother handles some pretty big events and has recently been bidding on all sorts of things and getting really good values. Things like an Orban Optimod audio compressor (normally 9K, paid 1K) or a Videotek color corrector (normally 7K, paid $650) can be a really solid deal if it meets your needs. I would really consider purchasing a monitor this way seeing the deals my bro has come up with lately. Hope this helps.
 
Well, that Sony lacks underscan and blue-gun only mode, so I'd definitely rather have the JVC. As far as I'm concerned, a monitor without underscan is just a TV with the tuner yanked out. The blue-gun only can be simulated with a blue gel (to calibrate the monitor), but why not just get a proper monitor? I agree with Brian's advice to check used monitors on eBay--that's where I bought mine and despite being beat-up, the image is solid. Just make sure the seller guarantees there's no burn-in.
 
Barry, I have that Sony monitor (pretty sure it's the same one, I'm at work now) and it definitely has blue-gun and underscan as well as being aspect switchable. It works great.

Matt
 
Matt--The PVM14L1 is a $500 "entry-level" monitor that lacks blue-gun and underscan, so you probably have the PVM14L2 which is a step up in features and cost ($1000) and includes both of those features.
 
Yes, mine is the L2. I thought that was the one he was referring to but then I see that that was by wells.

My bad.....
 
thanks ThisIsWells !!! I'm glad you like them ; )

thanks everyone else for the feedback. I think I am going to stick with throwing down the money for the JVC. I'm going into EVS tomorrow to test one out w/ my DVX. We'll see if Rush can sell me on one : ) I wish I could afford Sony ; { Someone over at Promax told me JVCs are trouble but I dunno, my boss uses JVC monitors and has been using them for over 8 years and they seem pretty durable.

thankee

rgd fil m s : rick
 
Hey ... I have the L1 and it actually is a good monitor for the price. If your looking to save some money, I'd get the L1. Although yes, it does lack underscan and blue-gun ... but you can use a rosco #82 blue gel filter in place of the blue-gun. As for underscan, I just check the footage from my NLE on the computer screen.
 
My 2 cents

My 2 cents

There are other PVM's from sony that will do the job. I got mine from Ebay for $125 last year and it was a big rack mount version. PVM-1220. It has underscan and blue. I took it to a local television repair shop to have it cleaned and recalibrated and after $25 no problems here. It even had settings for up to 3 inputs if needed. just search under PVM on ebay and there are a lot of listings to choose from. Just watch out for burn outs, rust, and negative feedback sellers.
 
Sony's are excellent monitors, but in all earnest, two of our rental monitors for the past year have been JVC monitors (TM-910, TMH150), and they have been rented out at least 50+ times each with no issues at all :thumbsup: . We just added 3 PVM-9L3 into rentals, mainly because of the built-in V-mount, and also to add variety for customers.
 
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