Field Broadcast Monitor ?

MUTTLEY wrote on 4/27/2004, 12:56 AM

So on my last shoot brought along a Sony 15 inch monitor, hooked up the two XL1's via rca jacks and loved it. Location permitting I'll be doing this from now on. What I'm wondering is if there are any possible better options to lugging this thing around. I'll do it if I gotta but would like to know what else there might be.

Being able to switch between cameras and make sure they were balanced and color matched was cool, but would prefer two monitors. I stumbled on this but its rack mount:

MARSHAL Dual 7.9" Rack Mounted

Not sure if that would be ideal on location and in truth would probably prefer CRT, though I welcome your thoughts. I only know that my Sony GV-D900 has an lcd and the color does not seem to be a reliable refrence to what it would look like on a TV.

Keep in mind I'm pretty green with some of the hook up options, though I know the XL1 has RCA/FIREWIRE/S-VIDEO. I mention this because for some of these things I was curelessly looking at, some appeared to need converters.

Anyway, would love some thoughts.

- Ray

www.undergroundplanet.com

Comments

FuTz wrote on 4/27/2004, 4:28 AM

"...my Sony GV-D900 has an lcd and the color does not seem to be a reliable refrence to what it would look like on a TV."

I've worked with one of Marshall's monitors last year and beleive me, if color fidelty is a concern, don't even bother looking at their products... and you can't adjust them properly and they are HELLingly expensive for what they provide in my opinion. Both DOP, director and myself agreed it's a rip off.

I've seen a Transvision monitor (around 5-6" lcd) last week and it's probably less expensive and the colors weren't limited to "green/olive tones" like the Marshall's... don't know about the price though.

Jay Gladwell wrote on 4/27/2004, 4:32 AM

Hey, Mutt! Depends on what you want to use the monitor for. If you're like me (can't afford much), you've discovered that portable broadcast field monitors are very expensive (some over $2,000).

Right now, I'm using a Philips 5" portable, using both AC & DC power. This is only being used to show how the image is "cropped," not for NTSC color! The good thing is it only cost about $175.

Hope this helps a little.

J--

stormstereo wrote on 4/27/2004, 5:08 AM

I know, it's not fun to carry that one around. But I'd do it anyway. In my opinion it's the best choice. Maybe it's time to get some on location help and not be a loner/controlfreak (as you once put it yourself)? :) If I would go for anything else I'd rent every time and include it in the final invoice.
Best/Tommy

[EDIT] I just remebered a commercial shoot I attended in a park here in Bangkok. It was for Pantene Schampoo. They recorded five different versions (for different countries here in the region) in five days. Every day there were around 55 people on the set including catering, staff from Hong Kong, staff from Thailand and the models (all models were to die for, hehe). My point is this; instead of doing everything yourself in maaany days and completely wear yourself out in the process, bring in some people and be finished in much less time. It can cost the same and sometimes it's even cheaper. It also allows you to perform your best as the director or DOP or whatever you want to be in that particular production, since there are other people taking care of all other things. Well, just a thought.

MUTTLEY wrote on 4/27/2004, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the advice all. And stormstereo, I'm impressed with your memory !

Found a list of " field monitors " at B&H. Not really getting all their jargon. fUtZ, ya think the Sony LCDs are prolly about the same as the Marshall's ? I do think the little Sony CRT's might be what I'm looking for but I couldn't tell which had an A/B switch, or if they accept RCA jacks. Hate ta wear my naiveté on my sleeve but would appreciate some insight. Eventually I think two of the 8 or 9 inch would be the method, so wouldn't need A/B but as I could only get one for now would like the option:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=7021

- Ray

www.undergroundplanet.com

FuTz wrote on 5/10/2004, 4:30 PM

.... bump! ...

Hey Muttley, maybe this one?
I asked comments on antoher thread and am waiting for feedback...

http://www.panasonic.ca/English/Broadcast/broadcast/monitors/pdf/TC7WMS1.pdf