RCourtney,
Thanks for those suggestions, I think the Blackmagic was the missing link in my thinking (or at least the missing link between my computer and monitor).

A few more questions!

1. Does the Decklink HD Extreme help you Vegas editing at all? What I mean is, are there other advantages to an already working workflow other than being able to monitor on the CTR?

2. The Extreme also has XLR in and outs. Does that mean I can hook up my XLR mic to the computer and record with it right onto the Vegas timeline?

Thanks!
kairosmatt

Add the JVC TM-H150CGU with the IF-C21SD1G
accessory card, you might find the IF-C01COMG component card.
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What's up with the price of those add-on cards or am I just being cheap?

John

1. Dual monitor is about your best advantage (Windows still can use it for main
monitor). Make sure you have at least a dual core processor. We also looked
at it for live insertion of graphics using their software.

2. You will need a mic pre-amp/phantom power device to line level out.

John, no it floored me too. (cards twice the CRT)

We are looking at a camera with SDI out and JVC monitors
are known to be great quality. They know they have you by the BNC
cables.

No need to break the bank with the card for the JVC. I feed mine via a Canopus ADVC-300. It takes FireWire out of the PC and puts out composite into the monitor. And when I'm not using it for that, it's the perfect tool for digitizing and capturing those old analog videotapes.

You could also use a DV device to feed S-Video and/or composite into your broadcast monitor (I'd hook up both; the composite can be useful to check cross color artifacts).

The ADVC-300 would be slightly higher quality though for ingesting tapes, and also can put black level at 7.5 IRE. (From what I've heard anyways.)

These options would be limited to SD resolution though. If you only need to monitor SD, then just get a SD CRT (they are better for SD than any LCD).

2- Do you need to monitor for HD output? What are your needs?

Thanks everyone,


Glenn, I don't really need to monitor HD outputs, everything so far is to the web or NTSC TV. I just want to make sure my colors are good (or at least getting better) and I don't have any interlacing surprises. I don't need anything else to capture.

I have a Sony HVR-A1, so I could use this to feed composite or S-video to the monitor. If this would work, that would save me $ on the xtra board!

But then I would still need the IF-C21SD1G ($1,600) to go in the back of it. And if I wanted to hook up and monitor the HVX image, I would need the IF-C01COMG.

So I'm looking at about 2,500-3,000 to get started. Does that sound right?

Can you use a TV via firewire through the HVR-A1 to check for interlacing problems?

I realize a cheap TV is not a good choice for color grading, but it should work for interlacing right?

kairosmatt

I cheap CRT TV would let you check for interlacing problems. But I thought you were going to get a broadcast CRT monitor anyways??

TV via firewire through the HVR-A1 to check for interlacing problems?
Yes.

2- The monitor probably has S-video/Y-C and composite inputs if it's a CRT (some LCDs don't have analog inputs). You wouldn't need the component card to monitor SD. I'm not sure if it will let you monitor HD.

But then I would still need the IF-C21SD1G ($1,600) to go in the back of it.
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It's around $600 not $1600. $600 is bad enough.

John

John, Thanks for pointing that out, I think I was looking at the IFC151HDG, which I think would let me monitor HD but break the bank.

JVC's website doesn't really help. They just through up a bunch of monitors, and if you don't already know, you won't know afterward. Its difficult to see some need xtra boards and some don't. Does any body know where to find a comparison table of these monitors?

Glen, I was just wondering about the TV for temporary use, or if the setup really was going to cost 4 grand!

But it seems like the only thing I really need is the TM-H150CGU, my HVR-A1, and an RCA to BNC adapter. Am I missing something else?

And the Canopus ADVC-300 could be used instead of the A1?

thanks so much you guys, like I said, I've been having real headaches sorting through all of this stuff!

kairosmatt

But it seems like the only thing I really need is the TM-H150CGU, my HVR-A1, and an RCA to BNC adapter. Am I missing something else?
Yes. (I forget about the RCA-BNC adapter, but it's cheap.)

That won't do HD. (But honestly I'd wait if you don't need HD monitoring right now, because obsolescence is high.)

And the Canopus ADVC-300 could be used instead of the A1?
Yes... though I'd hang onto your money for a future HD monitoring purchase.

Thanks! Decisions made, thousands saved!

kairosmatt

The ADVC-300 is a bidirectional analog-digital converter with some extra whistles and bells. I used it when i got my JVC bottle because I already had one and I leave it connected to my pc all the time; there's a convenient pushbutton selector to choose in or out on the firewire.