OT: IKAN monitor.

RRA wrote on 12/25/2009, 3:02 AM
Hi,

I'm looking for affordable solution to monitor in HD while I'm shooting in the field (I usually use Panasonic AG HMC151 where integrated camera display is not very fantastic and I have to import files from SD card to my comp to make choice of preset (it's impossible to asses differences in SCENES or "is there a noise whether not" if I use GAIN or ND FILTERS)).

I have found IKAN monitor on VideoGuys :

http://www.videoguys.com/Item/Ikan+V8000HDMI+8+High+Def+16x9+LCD+Monitor+Includes+Canon+DV+Battery+Plate/34D294D444840303038365.aspx

Does somebody know IKAN ? Please, send your opinion about strong and weak points of this solution.

Merry Christmas.

Comments

farss wrote on 12/25/2009, 1:39 PM
Never used Ikan.
Screen resolution is 800x480. Not what I would call high definition.
At its size more pixels might not mean much however the monitor lacks pixel to pixel mode which is what you really need to see what the camera is doing. Thing is unless another monitor is giving you more pixels your not really adding anything apart from extra 'stuff' to your rig.
I couldn't find the specs for the HMC151's LCD however unless it's less than the Ikan's you could most probably save money and get the same outcome by adding a Loupe to the monitor. There's a couple to choose from that should work, try Hoodman and there's the Sock Loupe from our very own Mike Stevens.

Small monitors that I have used and can recommend are the TV Logic units. They are expensive but you do get something more than what the camera itself comes with. The cheap SD monitors with HD inputs add nothing in my opinion. They're fine if you just need an extra "monitor for the director" kind of thing but useless for critical tasks for the camera operator.

Bob.
Coursedesign wrote on 12/25/2009, 2:28 PM
I've been using an IKAN monitor on top of my broadcast camera, in lieu of the classical small CRTs for this.

The company is OK, they offer spare parts if you need them (I did after a minor accident), and their LCDs are OK for framing.

For critical focus, it's hard to replace a pro b&w CRT viewfinder with peaking controls.

Only alternative is Bob's suggestion to go with a full resolution LCD monitor, that's the ultimate really. TV Logic is "the good stuff," at a price.
RRA wrote on 12/26/2009, 2:50 AM
IKAN is very close to offer 1:1 monitor (see link below) :

http://www.productionhub.com/video/view.aspx?item=2146

Thank You for comments, it's nice to hear that company is FairPlay.

I understand that generally You have been using IKAN for different aim that I'm going to use - I have in HMC151 focus assist function and it is enough to forget about focus problems. But my main issue is working with low light or using internal ND filter (or external gradient ND filter). Due to rather standard sensitivity of HMC151 manipulating with low light couses a noise on some surfaces. I don't like it. It's possible to eliminate this by control of parameters and scene. But it's quite impossible to see results of regulation on camera display.

I hope IKAN will finish 8900 and price will be (as it's suggested) about 1200$ - it will resolve all my problem.

I'm googling for loupes, but suppose it's subject connected with focus...

HMC151 has :
- monitor LCD 3.5", 210k pixels
- ocular LCD 0.44", 235k pixels.