Using a laptop as an external monitor

S

scenedirector

Well-known member
This is probably a dumb question, but not as dumb as not asking it at all. I have Vegas 5 on my desktop computer. I have a widescreen laptop that I would like to do my previewing on. I connected my laptop to my desktop via firewire. Can someone tell me what I do next to make my laptop monitor preview my work on the whole screen. Thanks.
 
Re: Using a laptop as an external monitor

You can't.

You wouldn't want to, anyway. The purpose of an external preview is to see how your work would look on an NTSC monitor. A computer monitor is not suitable for that purpose, because it has a different resolution, color space, etc.. You want to run the firewire out through your camera or a deck and hook it up to an NTSC monitor -- or a TV.

But if you're really, really determined to do it, you might be able to do with the DVRack software, but someone else would have to tell you how to do that.
 
Re: Using a laptop as an external monitor

Hmmm. Interesting idea. I don't know that you can do that, without a program like DV Rack. DV Rack would let you do what you're asking; it will let you view the footage at full screen and full frame rate, but not at full resolution (DV Rack's monitor only displays about 300 lines of resolution).

You could run Vegas on your laptop in "capture preview" mode, but I don't know how to get a fullscreen with that.

David? Spot? Gary? Anyone else?
 
Re: Using a laptop as an external monitor

Thanks guys for the info. I know the laptop image is like comparing apples to oranges. I am aware of the different colorspace and the fact that it is a progressive image and not interlaced. I was just trying to get a bigger preview window that my 18" LCD doesn't provide. I can only get the window roughly a couple inches big. I can see my work, but it would be nice to see it on a bigger "playing field."
I just dropped about 15k on a fully loaded DVX100a w/ana. lens & ana. matteblox, a magiqcam, a sennheiser wireless kit, and some other accessories so I BE BROKE right now.
Getting a $90 13"-15" TV from Wal-Mart and this DV Rack be the cheapest way to go right now?

PS This is my first posting, but I have visited this sight for about six months. I just want to thank ALL OF YOU for this establishment. It has broadened my knowledge GREATLY and has helped and saved me in hundreds, if not thousands in my purchase decisions. YOU ALL ARE IN MY DEBT!!
 
Re: Using a laptop as an external monitor

"YOU ALL ARE IN MY DEBT!! "


Wouldn't you be in "our" debt? ;D   I can't afford any more debt... :P

Welcome! You're right, this place is amazing, informative and a wealth of FREE information and inspiration.
 
Re: Using a laptop as an external monitor

[quote author=Barry_Green link=board=Vegas;num=1101520204;start=0#2 date=11/26/04 at 18:11:54]
You could run Vegas on your laptop in "capture preview" mode, but I don't know how to get a fullscreen with that.

David?  Spot?  Gary?  Anyone else?[/quote]

I don't think so. You can do "stretch preview to window," but that won't get you full screen.

Remember, though, that DV is 720x480. Chances are, your monitor is set to much higher than that for resolution. A 720x480 chunk of the screen won't be very close to full screen unless you have the resolution at 640x480 or 800x600 -- which would leave no room for any of the controls.

If you were to try to display a 720x480 clip full screen on a monitor set at a resolution higher than that, you'll lose quality.
 
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