if you had $450 ...

musman wrote on 12/18/2003, 7:49 AM

... ...and you needed a solution for a monitor for production and post, which choice would you take:

1- Buy a "professional" 13" JVC monitor for around $420 that has all the features you could want except blue only. I'd use a blue only filter to balance and an ac/dc converter for when I use it in the field.
2- Buy a consumer 13" tv (~$120 flat screen) for post work and buy either a 7" lcd or 5" portable tv for production.
I've never lugged a 13" monitor on set and I have a feeling I might get tired of it and try to make due w/o it. I also don't even know if those small lcds or 5" tvs are worth a flip for production use.
The problem is I live in the middle of nowheresville and have to way to test out equipment before buying and have always relied upon recommendations (which to date have always been on the spot).
Of course I could spend more and get the best of both worlds, but I'd rather have a vacation or invest that money else where. Also, there's the thought that none of this stuff will do me any good if HDV turns out to be a format worth using for indie films.
Sorry for the long post, and know i've sort of asked about this before, but if anyone has any suggestions they are greatly appreciated!

Comments

beerandchips wrote on 12/18/2003, 8:36 AM

I have a JVC TM-H1375SU on my desk at work. I use it for External monitor for editing. Nice line resolution. Good Price. I love it and I'm not generally a fan of JVC. I recommend getting one of these for external monitor use during editing and a 9" monitor for field work. I would never do a shoot without a monitor.

Spot|DSE wrote on 12/18/2003, 8:37 AM

Boy is this getting asked about a lot right now....
In the field, a good monitor is indispensable, unless you are run and gun and plan to correct a lot in the post.
The little LCD monitors are decent, but for color accuracy, they leave a lot to be desired. they are very helpful for composition and lighting though. at 200.00, they are good, IF you know your camera ahd color from it. If you run them in B/W, they help with focusing a lot too.

musman wrote on 12/18/2003, 4:57 PM

Thanks for the help, both of you. The problem is I can't find a 9" crt production monitor for under $600. Am I missing something here, because I don't understand why they're so expensive.
Spot- The cheapest I've seen 7" lcd monitors go for is $290 and that's from a brand I've never heard of before.

JumboTech wrote on 12/18/2003, 6:06 PM

JVC do a not bad little 9" monitor for about $400. We have one at work and just bought several of the more expensive version which are branded as Ikegami but are the same as the JVCs with blue only button etc, still 9' for about $700. I opened one up and it has a Panasonic tube. Very good if you can't afford a Sony or whatever. Also the JVC / Ikegamis have external access adjustments for RGB levels which is nice too.

Regards...

Al

Spot|DSE wrote on 12/18/2003, 7:58 PM

I don't know what brand ours are either. I bought one of them at a tradeshow a couple years ago for 350.00, and the same one, or rather an exceptionally similar one at WEVA this year, for 225.00. It can be shoe mounted, but that's kinda silly, since the shoe could bend/break the handle of most any cam.

craftech wrote on 12/18/2003, 8:41 PM

I use this one. Bought it used for $100. Was easy to service. A great little 9" Trinitron.

http://www.supremevideo.com/television/sony/9inch/kv9pt60.htm

Not sure if you can get them new anymore. I don't think so.

John

filmy wrote on 12/19/2003, 6:58 AM

Just a thought - old Amiga monitors. If you scope out used computers outlets you might find some than can be had very cheap. On the other hand hardly anyone uses Amigas anymore and, this is sad, many places have just tossed out perfectly good working monitors because of that fact.