TV Logic VFM-056 5.6" HD LCD Monitor Group Buy

Dino

Dino

Veteran
Sorry for the delay in info about the possible group buy of this monitor. Ours shipped yesterday, looking forward to seeing it in my environment vs. trade show.

To review, the TV Logic VFM-056 is a 5.6" monitor with the same panel as the Small HD, the best resolution I've seen for the size and price. TV Logic has a whole range of broadcast monitors, is known for lots of features for the money, great color and scaling, peaking circuits.

There are actually two models:

VFM-056W w/:

Composite in
S-Video in
Component analog in
HDMI in
looping SDI/HD SDI in
DSLR Scale
Focus Assist
Markers
Time Code Display
Audio Level Meter

VFM-056WP adds:

Waveform/Vector
Range Error
Y Level Check
3G Input
HDMI direct loop out via HD-SDI out(720p only)

All this in a .617lb. magnesium-alloy housing, only 6"x4"x1" size.

The number one issue I had using the Small HD version was lack of scopes, markers and a user interface that I didn't find intuitive. TV Logic has a different user interface, and judging by their many other monitor models, should be more to my liking.

There are various battery brackets including Panasonic, but not HMC150/AF100, trying to get this addressed for the future.

The master distributor is trying to get a reseller to provide the group buy discount and dealer support. I should have some word by end of business today, hopefully. Dealer is well known, has a good e commerce portal.

The good news is that the monitors have arrived in the US this week. Group pricing should be announced very soon.

More to come.
 

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Okay, it's all finalized. Dealer is Film Tools in California. Special DVXUser price is only for the higher end model, TV Logic WFM-056WP, which is $1350.00. List price is $1595.00.

The newest feature is the HDMI direct loop out via HD-SDI, which means that you can monitor from a DSLR via HDMI and loop it to other monitors via HD-SDI.

If interested, email the special address only for DVXUser group members, dvxuser@filmtools.com or call 888.807.1900 and ask for Aaron x134 or Jim x107.

For the record, I get nothing out of this and your price is lower than what I paid for my monitor. Special thank you to Film Tools and Preco for making this happen.

*UPDATE* The DVXUser special pricing is also available from the following reseller:

Vidkey – 914-239-3232 ask for Dave or email radin@vidkey.com
 
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Nice -- so what's the battery situation? Can it work with AF100/HMC150 batteries, or even DVX100 batteries?

And, is the one you got the WP model? And can you tell us, does it have a 2x gain mode for DSC chart use, on its VS?

Thanks!
 
Barry_Green said:
Nice -- so what's the battery situation? Can it work with AF100/HMC150 batteries, or even DVX100 batteries?

And, is the one you got the WP model? And can you tell us, does it have a 2x gain mode for DSC chart use, on its VS?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Barry,

Panasonic batteries accepted are D28S and D54S.

No 2x gain for vectorscope. I got Flanders Scientific to do it, so I'll try to do the same with TV Logic.

I have made it clear to the factory via the US distributor that AF100/HMC150 battery bracket and vectorscope expansion are needed, in that order.

Yes, I am getting the WP model, and this is what the group buy offer is for. Even though the AF100 has scopes, it's good to have them in a monitor for other cameras and because things like translucent backs, and vectorscope expansion show up as firmware updates, which is more likely to happen than in a camera. TV Logic was lobbied to do the HDMI to HS SDI loop(720P only) by DSLR users, instead of having to use $500 transcode boxes to do the job. Every shoot I'm on normally has a 17" monitor, in addition to a small on-board and HD SDI loop is imperative. That's the biggest disadvantage of the Panasonic LH80, IMO.
 
Agreed, and I have one of those LH80's so I know. But it's disappointing to hear they don't have the 2x gain mode.

So, have you used it much? How does the image compare to your 17"?
 
My favorite 17" is the Flanders Scientific due to the huge array of scopes and other measurement features, LED back light. TV Logic has very nice 17's as well, but more $$. The TV Logic 7" is great except for a shiny screen, but fantastic peaking, color, good resolution, great UI, love lots of markers, marker colors, embedded TC and audio w/meters.

I haven't used the 5.6" yet, but know the Small HD panel really impressed me and this is the same LG sourced panel, except with TV Logic processing. I'm used to paying $2K + for 7" and 8" monitors, so a 5.6" for $1350 with all these features, great resolution is a bargain and perfect for the AF100. I've seen a lot of the low cost monitors and the leave me unimpressed, even at their low price points. I'll be in a much better position to talk about the monitor once it's in my hands after the weekend.

Anyway, TV Logic has done at least two comprehensive firmware updates on my 7" that really added functionality since I bought in early 2008. Things like red focus, selectable quadrants for pixel to pixel, translucent back on scopes, RGB parade. There's not much margin in these lower cost monitors, but I think the distributor and reseller really wanted a chance to show the TV Logic line to DVXUsers who hadn't been exposed to it previously. Their OLED 15" is simply stunning!
 
Is there any possibility for buying the cheaper TV Logic 5.6" monitor? If they want to direct people towards the TV Logic instead of the SmallHD I think it makes sense to make a group discount for the cheaper monitor which is closer to SmallHD price.
 
Chris Lawes said:
Is there any possibility for buying the cheaper TV Logic 5.6" monitor? If they want to direct people towards the TV Logic instead of the SmallHD I think it makes sense to make a group discount for the cheaper monitor which is closer to SmallHD price.
Click to expand...

The Small HD DP6 with HD-SDI sells for $1299.00. The TV Logic VFM-056WP, with scopes and other features not found in the DP6, has a DVXUser member price of $1350.00. So, if HD-SDI, scopes, and several other enhancements are useful, $51.00 doesn't seem like a big premium to pay.
 
I just got back from FilmTools and picked up the last one they had in stock, or at least that's what I was told. I assume they can order more and sell them at the discounted price, although I didn't ask them since they were very busy today. One other person showed up right after me looking for it and 2 other customers took a big interest in the display after I opened it up at the counter to check it out.
 
Just ordered two of the TV logic LVM-172W 's from a dealer here in Toronto- they get them shipped from Korea on an order by order basis. 8 days to order and get delivery. Asked about the cost of the VFM-056wp and was given a quote very close (in CDN$) to the group buy, so I'll just get it from the guy down the road.

G.
 
Mike@AF said:
I just got back from FilmTools and picked up the last one they had in stock, or at least that's what I was told. I assume they can order more and sell them at the discounted price, although I didn't ask them since they were very busy today. One other person showed up right after me looking for it and 2 other customers took a big interest in the display after I opened it up at the counter to check it out.
Click to expand...

Mike, thanks for the heads up on FilmTools being out of stock. The US TV Logic distributor just emailed me that they will be getting 20 more monitors on Monday morning and FilmTools is only five minutes away from Preco. Congratulations on your new monitor!
 
Between smallHD and TVLogic, seems like LG is having a hell of a time keeping up with the demand! :) Hope they ramp up production of their panels!
 
Mike@AF said:
I just got back from FilmTools and picked up the last one they had in stock, or at least that's what I was told. I assume they can order more and sell them at the discounted price, although I didn't ask them since they were very busy today. One other person showed up right after me looking for it and 2 other customers took a big interest in the display after I opened it up at the counter to check it out.
Click to expand...

How is it set up for power? What type of connector is there for external 12v power?
 
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