What would you like to see in a field monitor?

Kit Hannah

Kit Hannah

Veteran
I know everyone has their opinions about current field monitors. I would like to hear what you would like to see hypothetically if you could have the perfect monitor. Not unrealistic stuff like holograms and only weighs 1/4 pound, but real features that you like and don't like.

Construction?
What type of material?
Resolution?
Inputs?
Powering options?
Image control?
Size?
Price?
Mounting options?

Any comments would be welcome.
 
Power options are the biggest thing that keeps me from using one in the field. (outdoor)
 
BGust said:
Power options are the biggest thing that keeps me from using one in the field. (outdoor)
Click to expand...

That's what I am asking. What is it that you would like to see? What power options specifically would make you want to purchase a monitor?
 
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Construction: Needs to be sturdy, but not heavy, preferably under 3 lbs. Definitely no plastic.
Resolution: At least 720p, 1080p preferable.
Inputs: Composite, S-video, Component, HDMI, VGA, HD-SDI, allows pass-through. For component don't make it so that we need BNC adapters, those are a pain. The inputs should be place in such a way as to not force the cable to bend in a weird way. It would be nice to incorporate some sort of holder to hold the component cables in place if it's too long.
Power Options: Standard battery plates for Sony, Canon or Panasonic Battery. MUST be secure and easy to disengage and put on. The Ikan monitor battery plug has a nasty habit of coming loose.
Image Control: Brightness, Contrast, Phase, RBG, Blue Gun, 1:1 pixel, focus in red, false color, waveform, underscan, aspect ratio guide, peaking. All of these features needs to be mappable to custom buttons and not buried in the menu.
Size: 9 inches or less.
Price: Less than $600 including the battery plate
Mounting Option: Standard size screw will be fine, but should have mount on top and bottom. Also incorporate a sunhood. I like the Manhattan LCD sunhood in that it's made out of stiff plastic, so it won't flop down and cover up the screen. This is of course at the expense of setup time.

And of course it would be great if the monitor represents color and brightness accurately.
 
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Huy Vu said:
Construction: Needs to be sturdy, but not heavy, preferably under 3 lbs. Definitely no plastic.
Resolution: At least 720p, 1080p preferable.
Inputs: Composite, S-video, Component, HDMI, VGA, HD-SDI, allows pass-through. For component don't make it so that we need BNC adapters, those are a pain. The inputs should be place in such a way as to not force the cable to bend in a weird way. It would be nice to incorporate some sort of holder to hold the component cables in place if it's too long.
Power Options: Standard battery plates for Sony, Canon or Panasonic Battery. MUST be secure and easy to disengage and put on. The Ikan monitor battery plug has a nasty habit of coming loose.
Image Control: Brightness, Contrast, Phase, RBG, Blue Gun, 1:1 pixel, focus in red, false color, waveform, underscan, aspect ratio guide, peaking. All of these features needs to be mappable to custom buttons and not buried in the menu.
Size: 9 inches or less.
Price: Less than $600 including the battery plate
Mounting Option: Standard size screw will be fine, but should have mount on top and bottom. Also incorporate a sunhood. I like the Manhattan LCD sunhood in that it's made out of stiff plastic, so it won't flop down and cover up the screen. This is of course at the expense of setup time.

And of course it would be great if the monitor represents color and brightness accurately.
Click to expand...

Hey, this is going to be a good thread.

Huy Vu, with those options, you up over $1000. Just the 8.9 720p LCD and a good LCD controller that can do all of those options cost about $600, and you still need the rest of the monitor. Also, how did you like the construction of our monitor? its plastic, but very solid.

What do you guys think about using a OLED panel in a field monitor? They are very bright, infinite contrast, and so on.

What about XLR connector for power?
 
johnzo1995 said:
Also, how did you like the construction of our monitor? its plastic, but very solid.
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Is it plastic? The first thing I noticed was how rock solid it's built, that is pretty cool. I have an Ikan V8000HD monitor next to me now that I never use because of how cheap the build quality is; feels like it would just fall apart in my hand.

As to the $600 price tag that was pretty much wishful thinking :). It's the "dream monitor" thread right?

johnzo1995 said:
What about XLR connector for power?
Click to expand...

I think that most people will have a ready supply of Canon/Sony/Pansonic battery available so a monitor would be more attractive if they don't have to get a whole new power solution.
 
I pretty much echo what Huy posted; he covered it thoroughly. I'd buy two in a second!!

I just received a monitor from SmallHD this week; not a lot of features but the 1280x768 native resolution is simply amazing for critical focus...
 
Inputs: Composite, component, HDMI, all would pass the signal to and identical output.

At least 800x480 resolution that can handle 1080p, 720p,

Some kind of exposure assist function aka false color/wavefore/ect.

Ability to set the monitor for proper color aka. bluegun

Light but sturdy like the manhattan lcd's (needs to be road worthy)

Ability to mount from at least 2 sides if not all 4. Like a removable mount like the marshals. (this is a big draw back on the IKAN, always trouble mounting it upside down)

Removable battery mount with several options.

Some sort of clamp or holder to keep the cables in place so they don't get pulled out of the monitor (this can be a huge problem when you use HDMI or the RCA to BNC adapters.

Aspect ratio guide specifically including 1.85:1 and 2.39:1 (nice).

Ideally less than $800 but no more than $1000 considering features. (The new marshall is pretty close but its $1100 not including batteries).

Espresso function for hot mocas in the field (big selling point here). Must do chocolate shavings and whip cream with sprinkles.
 
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