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best simple monitoring solution for FCP setup
We’re going to outfit ourselves with a few FCP workstations. We shoot HDV and P2 DVCPRO HD so we don’t need any analogue or SDI in. We deliver as digital HD files so we don’t need SDI or component out. So we don’t need a big deal capture card.
Considering that I’d still like to be able to monitor while cutting on an HD monitor (consumer level). What’s the best, simplest, way of doing that with FCP. I’d like to have one main widescreen for the desktop, and one HDTV for monitoring. What’s the accepted way that people are doing this?
We’ll be getting macpro’s with the ati 1900xl cards in them.
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12 Replies
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The Matrox MXO. It connects via DVI and can turn an Apple 23″ or Dell 245 monitor into a broadcast quality monitor. I mean, REALLY close to what you get on an HD CRT.
https://lfhd.blogspot.com/2007/03/matrox-mxo-part-2.html
With the new drivers, you get a PROC AMP which allows you to set up the monitors to bars. This might aid in getting your consumer set lookng good, but an Apple 23 or Dell would be better.
$995…DVI out, Component, Composite and HD SDI. No HDMI.
OR…if you have a PCIe G5 or Intel Tower, look at the INTENSITY. Can’t set the monitor up to bars (which is crutial to color correction), but it gets HDMI to the monitor.
Shane
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
I like the Blackmagic Intensity and Intensity pro cards. HDMI right into the monitor, plus if your HDV camera has HDMI, you can digitize over that.
They’re not too expensive either.
-Russ
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OR…if you have a PCIe G5 or Intel Tower, look at the INTENSITY. Can’t set the monitor up to bars (which is crutial to color correction), but it gets HDMI to the monitor.
===============I’m not exactly sure, but I think the Intensity Pro has component out in addition to HDMI. This might overcome this limitation, maybe? I’m not exactly sure how or if it works, but that’s the impression I’ve gotten about it.
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Does that proc amp work on only the DVI output or other outputs as well?
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Jeremy, the Proc Amp is for ALL outputs. It is the signal that the box sends out.
And the Intensity Pro has Component, composite and HDMI I/O, but no proc amp for setting up bars. The MXO has the great BLUE ONLY option that makes setting up bars a breeze.
Shane
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
Depends on what you mean by “consumer”…ideally, if this is going to broadcast. you want a broadcast monitor, or else whatever you’re monitoring is just a guess and not the true color/contrast/motion. FYI, a “big deal” capture card is hardly much of an expense. If you’re spending $4K on the macpro, you might as well stick an AJA or decklink card in there for less than a grand…
“Roto is not a skill, it’s a job.”
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[mikegn] “If you’re spending $4K on the macpro, you might as well stick an AJA or decklink card in there for less than a grand…”
Decklink for less than a grand. AJA is more expensive.
Do that option then your only broadcast HD monitor options are $4000 and up. I have seen the SAME image on an Apple 23″ with the MXO as on a Panasonic 1700W. Same image quality. So Decklink and HD LCD, $5000. MXO and ACD or Dell 2407…$1600-$1800.
What’s your budget?
Shane
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
Thanks for the advice. I’m looking at ~1000 CDN for the monitor and less than a thousand for whatever box goes between the two.
I’m thinking that if we are tapeless end to end, that a capture card really doesn’t do anything for us and there is no need to get one.
We deliver to HD plasmas, LCD’s and projection screens, so absolutely bang on colour and contrast is a bit of a mixed bag anyway. It would be more to have a full size picture to look at to check focus and well, have a nice big pretty picture to look at while editing.
Ideally I’d like to be in my source monitor in FCP and have that display on the HD screen and then click on timeline and have that display. Basically have anything I’m viewing on the desktop, show up as full screen on my monitor.
The mxo looks interesting. And the price is fairly reasonable. It sounds like people are using it with pretty good success.
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I don’t see Blackmagic’s HDLink mentioned here, you did say cost was a concern I believe, this is available at B&H for less than 400 bucks.
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The HD link requires a capture card, as it converts HD SDI to DVI. So you have to get the capture card, THEN the HD link. And while the image is darn good on the ACD or Dell, you won’t be able to set them up to bars. You can with the MXO.
THAT is why I am so impressed with the MXO.
Shane
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net
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