GH3 Useability of live HDMI preview on external monitor?

R

RandyQ

Well-known member
hi folks,
I plan to mount my GH3 on a small jib, and I need a low-cost external monitor solution.

Has anybody tried a lilliput DSLR-LCD monitor for this purpose? My concern is that I have heard reports that the lilliput has delay/goes black, etc during live preview which doesn't seem right to me (although many shooters live with it, I believe). Would like to hear which models work OK with a GH3, if any.

Alternatively, I have a small 5" analog LCD with AV input - has anyone tried something like this as a monitor? Which means the question now is how to convert the HDMI to SD cheaply.

My last resort will be to use the GH3 wifi on an iPad I already have. Will work for framing and focus (while the GH3 is mounted on the jib), but no live preview during the take (now I wonder how THAT will work?).

rgds/ RandyQ
 
I want also a good monitor for my GH3. Today, I've received a Lanparte Rig Kit with a LCD monitor included.
I connected everything together and the monitor says "no signal". After replacing the cable, same "no signal".
So, I put the HDMI cable into my Panasonic TV and that works. Put the cable back in the LCD monitor but no signal.

Switching into Play mode, I've got a signal and the LCD shows me the video. Switching back to Record mode: "no signal".

So, WTF is wrong with the HDMI output?
I will replace the current LCD monitor with another, higher resolution one and it would be nice if that one works while recording.
 
I'm using the Sony CLM-V55 without major issues. OK, it's only 5" but for me OK. And one time I had a longer recording as the battery of the monitor has gone empty and I replaced it, the recording stopped right at the moment of re-switching the monitor on.
 
i am interested in Sony monitor... especially focus peaking - assist option.
Do you find it useful ?
Is it accurate ?
 
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I think the biggest issue with HDMI output is the copy protection. I am having trouble converting the HDMI output to RCA composite because of this. Why is it that a camera that can only record footage that I own has more copy protection than an Xbox 360 that can play Major Motion Pictures in HD?

There is a Geffen HDMI Detective device that can strip out the copy protection for less than $100.

http://www.amazon.com/Gefen-EXT-HDM...F8&qid=1365178060&sr=8-1&keywords=geffen+HDCP
 
toxotis70 said:
i am interested in Sony monitor... especially focus peaking - assist option.
Do you find it useful ?
Is it accurate ?
Click to expand...
Well, the handling of using focus peaking with the Sony is something you have to get used to a little. To switch it on you need to push the wheel on the right side and select the appropr. option to ON. In this mode you see the scene only monochrome (only color is the focus peaking lines in red). And the accuracy of displaying these lines depends - as so often - on the available light. This means if contrast-AF operations would fail due to missing lightness, you might not be able to get focus lines.
 
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I used the 35-100 and GH3, with a Lilliput 7" monitor and there's a few issues but generally a reasonable client reference monitor - not high quality.
When you go into expanded focus you get a weird squashed pic. The difference between my LCD and the Lilliput is huge, but as I say if you use it as a general reference for clients its OK, but a smallHD DP4 or a Marshall would be much better.
 
malibudutchie said:
I used the 35-100 and GH3, with a Lilliput 7" monitor and there's a few issues but generally a reasonable client reference monitor - not high quality.
When you go into expanded focus you get a weird squashed pic. The difference between my LCD and the Lilliput is huge, but as I say if you use it as a general reference for clients its OK, but a smallHD DP4 or a Marshall would be much better.
Click to expand...

Which Lilliput model is this? I heard that there is a delay or a black out in the monitor when you hit the record button? Also, what do you mean by "expanded focus" - and do you mean that NORMALLY you dont get the squashed image?

Hope to hear more about this - am planning to buy a similar monitor very soon.

rgds/ RandyQ
 
firehawk said:
I'm very interested In that
One. Would you mind
Sharing your experience once you use it?
Click to expand...

I'm in contact with the folks from the Neway factory - apparently they are located in the same town in South East China where I have done many foot ware-factory shoots. Their factory price for the 9 inch HDMI monitor is about US$250, and the same monitor with SDI output is about US$450, sans shipping/customs duty. Looks nice and price is very good, but I have not heard from anyone using it so I chickened out.

Would also like to hear from plegilink if he is happy with his purchase.

rgds RandyQ
 
On a similar line of conversation... Can anyone tell me what the actual framerate is on output? I am trying to use my GH3 in conjuction with a Blackmagic Intensity Pro... Usually I have no issues, GH2 no issues, but tonight I simply can't get a signal from the GH3. Tried every frame rate on the Intensity Pro to no avail. Seems like I have tried every recording setting/resolution and the same with the output setting (1080p/i/auto). Any suggestions?
 
freddyx said:
I want also a good monitor for my GH3. Today, I've received a Lanparte Rig Kit with a LCD monitor included.
I connected everything together and the monitor says "no signal". After replacing the cable, same "no signal".
So, I put the HDMI cable into my Panasonic TV and that works. Put the cable back in the LCD monitor but no signal.

Switching into Play mode, I've got a signal and the LCD shows me the video. Switching back to Record mode: "no signal".

So, WTF is wrong with the HDMI output?
I will replace the current LCD monitor with another, higher resolution one and it would be nice if that one works while recording.
Click to expand...

did you find out what is wrong? I received my Chinese EVF yesterday and have the same problem - no signal in "live view" but in playback - ok.
 
HotConductor said:
On a similar line of conversation... Can anyone tell me what the actual framerate is on output? I am trying to use my GH3 in conjuction with a Blackmagic Intensity Pro... Usually I have no issues, GH2 no issues, but tonight I simply can't get a signal from the GH3. Tried every frame rate on the Intensity Pro to no avail. Seems like I have tried every recording setting/resolution and the same with the output setting (1080p/i/auto). Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I vaguely remember having this issue when I got my GH3 a while back. Not 100% sure how I fixed it but I think i turned Viera Link to OFF (or was it ON?) in the GH3 Output menu. Been fine ever since. Like I say, I think that's what fixed it but I don't have the camera with me so cant test.
 
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I am using a Camax H056 monitor (1280x800 native).
Although not as sharp as the OLED on the camera, it is better than any other I've seen or used.
The unreleased Odyssey7 (OLED touchscreen) may be a lot better.

My question is:
Is what I see on an external monitor what is being recorded by the camera or an external recorder?
My guess is HDMI uncompressed out.
Is what I see on the rear OLED the same as recorded to camera card?
My guess is yes.

What I know for sure is that they are not the same.
 
RRRoger said:
I am using a Camax H056 monitor (1280x800 native).
Although not as sharp as the OLED on the camera, it is better than any other I've seen or used.
The unreleased Odyssey7 (OLED touchscreen) may be a lot better.

My question is:
Is what I see on an external monitor what is being recorded by the camera or an external recorder?
My guess is HDMI uncompressed out.
Is what I see on the rear OLED the same as recorded to camera card?
My guess is yes.

What I know for sure is that they are not the same.
Click to expand...

There is No benefit to recording out of the HDMI port, other than having a larger recording media.

There is a setting in the GH3 Output Menu, "HDMI Info Display (Rec)" On or Off, If On it will record the display info out the HDMI port. if off, Info not recorded.
 
When I run a HDMI out to a monitor my VU meters don't come up at all. So I have to unplug, check audio levels, replug. Consequently I don't use a monitor unless specifically asked for by a client. I use the samurai blade (as a monitor only) which is great as it has all sorts of info displays and a crystal clear image.
 
I have not seen the Samurai monitor, but from what I've heard it is superior to the CaMax 5.6".
The 7" Odyessey is suposed to be better yet.

If I cycle the display on the GH3, I can see most of what I need while recording.
It will need a firmware upgrade to show everything.

As for recording exactly what I see in the camera OLED or the external monitor, the jury is out.
That is because they are both adjustable for brightness, contrast , and color.
So, I imagine that they need to be calabrated just like your computer monitor.
 
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