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On-location HD monitoring — Cheap
I have to do some location editing, of high-def material, and am trying to decide whether to buy a Matrox MXO,and if so, which one. (The Mini, I’m hoping.) I currently do not have a way to monitor HD out of my MacBook Pro.
The guru here have strongly advised location editors to use a video monitor (?or perhaps a computer screen fed by an MXO2?) to make sure that what they’re seeing on the laptop screen will actually work for broadcast.
I’m wondering what, exactly, I would gain by this. An MXO2 Mini isn’t that expensive, but spending nothing is always better than spending unnecessarily. The MacBook’s screen is of course very sharp and revealing of the video image. I could run a firewire cable from the MacBook to an HDV/DVCAM camera, and output a standard def image via firewire to the LCD screen of that camera. It is a very shrunken image, but I imagine I could detect field problems with it.
Please correct me if I’m wrong: Another reason to buy an MXO2 Mini is to use it back in the studio, to look at my HD edits on a nice big (high-end consumer) HDMI monitor or even a 24″ Dell monitor.
I know this has been discussed ad infinitum, but I’m curious about the “why, exactly” question. btw – the HD monitor I would use is my Marshall 6.5″ field monitor. Would I be better off bringing along a larger computer monitor?
Thanks.
Bob C
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6 Replies
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The MXO2 line does not work with computer monitors. Period. Only the original MXO does that. And it is getting long in the tooth.
You need a video IO device because the video signal is a different color scheme than the computer signal. And the Canvas…even Digital Cinema Display…aren’t designed to show you full quality color accuracy. Just an image to look at, and judge your edit…the cut…the story. If you want color accuracy, you need a dedicated IO device.
If your MacBook Pro has the Express34 slot, then you are in luck and can use the MXO2 Mini. Know that it doesn’t have SDI out…Component is as good as it gets. Does the Marshall have Component inputs? If so…that’s a great setup to have on location. One that I would run with given the option of a second computer monitor, or the Marshall and MXO2.
SD out to a camera LCD…BAD BAD BAD idea. The LCD too is only there to show you the image. Make sure things are framed and exposed properly. They aren’t color accurate by any stretch of the imagination. Not meant to be. This is why many camera ops bring HD LCDs like Marshall and Panasonic monitors with them. So they can see what they are really getting.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Thanks Shane. I should have realized about the MXO2 not addressing a computer monitor from reading earlier posts. Wishful thinking on my part.
[Shane Ross] “Does the Marshall have Component inputs? If so…that’s a great setup to have on location. One that I would run with given the option of a second computer monitor, or the Marshall and MXO2.”
Yes, my MacBook has the ExpressCard slot, and the Marshall has component (and HDMI) inputs.
I’m not quite clear as to what you meant above, about “given the option of a second computer monitor.” Do you mean that you prefer the MXO2 Mini/Marshall (component) combo to the “long-in-the-tooth” MXO/computer monitor combo?
I’m still trying to justify the purchase of the MXO2 Mini, beyond its usefulness on location. My MacPro has the AJA Kona LHe, with various outputs but not HDMI. I suppose it would be a good thing to have an HDMI out to a plasma.
Thanks again Mr. Ross. You are most patient and kind.
Bob C
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We use the Panasonic monitor in the field as well as in the old rack, and we really like it, though it can be a tad heavy. I like that it can run off the same Anton Baurs we use on the cameras, or the spare AC power supply/battery charger for the Antons. We got an articulated arm to mount it to the camera but that makes the camera very unweildy, (especially hand-held!) now we usually leave it in it’s Portabrace case when using it in the field. Love the built-in scopes and histogram overlay displays, and we think the picture is very good.
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[Bob Cole] “Do you mean that you prefer the MXO2 Mini/Marshall (component) combo to the “long-in-the-tooth” MXO/computer monitor combo?”
Most definitely. Marshalls are good monitors. And small. The MXO/ACD combo is big. But I’d use it when in a bind. If I had my MXO anymore.
As for the LHe…you can always go COMPONENT to a plasma display. And use the Mini for your laptop. I use the MXO2 on my laptop mainly now…I just got a Decklink Extreme 3D for the tower.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
[Mark Suszko] “We use the Panasonic monitor”
Which one are you talking about, Mark?
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BT-LH900AP
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