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

BerkeleyBob said:
Jeff-
For those of us planning on using DSC charts, do you know whether the WP's vectorscope is software upgradeable to 2x gain at a future date? Or will we have to wait for the next version of the WP?
Click to expand...

I don't know about TV Logic's firmware specifically, the request has been put in. I did the same with Flanders Scientific some months ago and they came through with 2X on their monitors. Judging by the big firmware enhancements I've seen in the past from TV Logic, I would think this to be well within their capabilities. It couldn't hurt to send an email to Preco to lobby for this. They certainly dealt with the HDMI to HD-SDI jitter issue quickly!
 
Mike@AF said:
So the firmware can't be updated by us? It has to go back to the manufacturer for the upgrade?
Click to expand...

In about a week or two, TV Logic will is sending a batch of Firmware Upgrade Tools to Preco. I will receive one and I would think they would send them to other customers, perhaps for a nominal fee if not free? At the very least, I could send you mine, but Burbank isn't too far from you, is it? You could walk in and they'd do it for you. I have sent them my other TV Logic monitor in the past and they did the update for free. The cool thing about this firmware upgrade tool is that it works on ALL TV Logic models.
 
Chris Lawes said:
Any news on getting a HMC150/AF100 battery mount on the VFM-056WP monitor?
Click to expand...

I have not received an update on this. I will be bringing an AF100 battery to the Snader ETEC show this week to show to Preco and make it clear that it doesn't fit in the current Panasonic battery bracket. They asked to see the battery after I had previously given them the model number. Please remember that they make a whole lot of different monitor models, so they have lots of requests for new features and accessories. I made it clear that they should not offer their WFM-056 monitor shade in this country, it sucks. The Hoodman shade for the RED LCD works great for half the price.

The amount of capabilities of this monitor continues to astound me, each menu page is very deep with features and fine control of same. Really amazing to me, especially for $1350, there's not another monitor out there with this feature set at anywhere near the price that I'm aware of. Not even close. It's taken me days to go through all of them!
 
Wondering about the HDMI-to-SDI conversion function for PAL use.
The specs says it is 1280x720 59.94 i/p. So that mean there is no love for PAL?
 
Got words from Aaron from FilmTools that TV Logic is looking into PAL support for HDMI-to-SDI conversion.

PS. As a side note, South Korean uses NTSC, while their brother in the North are on PAL. I hope we don't need to wait until the brother reunite before we get some PAL love from TV Logic :-)
 
If I hook up the monitor to a GH2 and shoot in 1080/24p, can I set the camera to output 720p to use the HDMI-to-SDI conversion?
 
jackcklam said:
Got words from Aaron from FilmTools that TV Logic is looking into PAL support for HDMI-to-SDI conversion.

PS. As a side note, South Korean uses NTSC, while their brother in the North are on PAL. I hope we don't need to wait until the brother reunite before we get some PAL love from TV Logic :-)
Click to expand...

What about SECAM?
 
Here is some info direct from the factory:

PAL (50hz) is standard.

Supports 1080i HDMI input.

LMP-200 update tool and small mini-HDMI to 15pin PGM gender required for
update a firmware. It will not be free for update tool, Customer can loan
update tool from dealer or us. I will place an order for update tools.

I will ask 2x vector scope and waveform to R&D and check the availability of
AF100 battery bracket.

I will find out what the cost of an update tool is. I've just sent my monitor in to Preco in the past for free(except shipping). I have made sure they know that the competition offers a free firmware upgrade tool. I'm going to a trade show today that TV Logic will be at. Right now they are far ahead of competitors as far as features for the money, the others will have to come out with some comprehensive firmware updates to catch up. For DSLR shooters, the HDMI to HD-SDI converted output is huge, for me, the zoom feature, scopes, and markers are very useful. Other nice features are blue only, cross pulse, full calibration controls, false color display, embedded TC and audio display and much more. Other than 2X magnification for scopes, I can't think of a feature I've seen on another monitor that the VFM-056WP doesn't have.
 
Great news Dino. I hope TVLogic understands the marketing power of the 2x gain for the vectorscope. Operators in the film industry will flock to TVlogic monitors if they offer this feature on their monitors that have the scope package. They will blow their competition out of the water with this feature.
 
I put in my request for 2x yesterday at Snader's. They said they've sold several WPs to AF100 owners. By the way, it doesn't actually say WP on the monitor, just a W. Although it does say WP on the box it comes in.
 
Why is it HDMI to 15-pin PGM? Shouldn't there be USB to connect it to a computer to perform the update? Or is it a proprietary module that updates the firmware once connected to the LCD? This would mean purchasing a new module every time there's an update, or having to send it in every time there's an update. That's a hassle when plenty of hardware out there can update from a computer via a USB cable or a memory card connected to the hardware.
 
Yes, that's exactly the conversation I had at the TV Logic booth today at the Snader ETEC show with the US distributor. They have been imploring TV Logic to get away from the mini-HDMI to 15-pin interface as well. It stems from an era when certain firmware upgrade features were an additional cost, so therefore weren't intended to be user upgradeable. Remember, this WFM-056WP is unlike any of their other monitors, which are designed more for broadcast than independent filmmakers. They're learning, and I banged on them for accessories that are overpriced and some of which suck at any price, and of course about AF100 battery bracket(this should be very doable) and 2x mag on vectorscope. So, because of my hassling them as well as some other DVXUser members, they're very clear on what is wanted. The good news is that they listen, just as they did when Zacuto asked for the HDMI to HD-SDI converted output for DSLR shooters. No other monitor has this, that I'm aware of.
 
I won't pay for updates when competitor's products do it for free.

If they implement 2x and put an AF-100 battery plate on there, I will consider buying one.
 
mcgeedigital said:
I won't pay for updates when competitor's products do it for free.

If they implement 2x and put an AF-100 battery plate on there, I will consider buying one.
Click to expand...

Matt, TV Logic doesn't charge for firmware updates on the WFM-056WP, nor do they on the LVM-071W 7" monitor I've had since '08. It's something they used to do on the larger monitors years ago. One need only ask their dealer or Preco to do it at their facility or borrow an upgrade tool. The WP, "P" for "Premium", already incorporates the premium features over the base W model, such as; scopes, HDMI to HD-SDI converted output in the price. They are very aware of what SmallHD offers and I believe that's why they offer the WP version and not just the W version. So, one can either wait for SmallHD to try to catch up with features to match TV Logic or buy the TV Logic which has the features out of the box. Both will do a great job as an on-board display for the AF100.
 
Just went to Filmtools in Burbank. They are out of stock but will have them in sometime next week. Half of next weeks orders are already wait listed and I am now on the list. Thanks for setting this up and for the great info on this monitor and the Small HD.

Brian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top