Recommendation for Composite monitor hookup

jrazz wrote on 12/10/2005, 8:58 PM

I have a nVidia geforce 5700 video card running 2 LCD monitors via dvi. I would like to use these for editing and hook up a tv monitor somehow for preview. What would be the best way to do this within reason? Use Canopus to connect firewire to composite? My video card has the S-video hookup and I have an adapter but it says that only two monitors can be "up" at the same time. Get a cheap composite nVidia video card? Black Magic Decklink is too expensive for me for this, I would rather spend that kind of money elsewhere. Anways, any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
j razz

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 12/10/2005, 9:35 PM

I'd use either the ADS or Canopus to convert the DV signal to either composite or better, Y/C. (S-Video) Y/C is a much cleaner connection, and both the ADS and the Canopus have S-Vid, if your monitor has it. Y/C helps avoid chroma crawl as well, so well worth the effort and $$ if you're serious about external monitor and color correction.

GlennChan wrote on 12/12/2005, 7:49 PM

jrazz, you likely already have a DV camera or deck that can convert from firewire to analog (composite/RCA or s-video/Y-C). Go into its menus and make sure that DV --> A/V out is on. Refer to the manual if you're unsure. If the camera only converts one way, then that should be the default.

Avoid the video card route.

I would hook up your external monitor with both composite and S-Video. The composite connection can help you check for chroma crawl artifacts.

jrazz wrote on 12/12/2005, 8:03 PM

Thanks, I don't want to put anymore time on my cameras than need be, but I guess that since the heads won't be used and it is just being used as a pass through, it won't put much wear and tear on it?
Thanks for the suggestion.
j razz

GlennChan wrote on 12/12/2005, 8:05 PM

I've never heard of a camera getting damaged when used this way.