cheap monitor for FCP edit system

[Bouncing Account needs new email address]

That’s one of the most popular methods of monitoring FCP in a small DV edit bay.
Monitoring FCP on an external video monitor is as easy as:
Mac > Camcorder > Monitor.

Here’s how to connect it, step-by-step:

1. “Quit” the Final Cut Pro program.

2. Connect your camcorder to the Mac via FireWire.

3. Hook any standard monitor or TV (with a video input) to the outputs on your DV camcorder.
You can use the standard (usually colored yellow) video cable or the “S-video” output from the camcorder if the monitor has one of those kind of inputs.

You should ALSO hook up the AUDIO outputs from the camcorder to the same monitor, or any “amplified speakers” so you can monitor the FCP audio along with the video.

4. Turn ON the camcorder. Switch it to the VCR (player) mode, but don’t put a tape in it (unless you intend to record from FCP to a DV tape.)

5. Turn ON the Video Monitor and set to view the “Video Input”.

6. Open Final Cut Pro on the Mac.

7. In FCP, make sure under the pulldown menu: View > External > ALL FRAMES is set.

You should now see the output of FCP on the camcorder’s viewfinder screen AND the external monitor.

You will also hear FCP’s audio from the speakers that you connected to the camcorder.

As far as an inexpensive “deck”, I can say I use home video DV camcorders with great success.

In my car, I always carry a DV tape that was recorded on one of my “good” camcorders.

If I happen to pass a pawn shop and can stop, I look for used gear.
If there’s a “bargain price” on a DV camcorder, I’ll bring in my DV tape and play it just to see if the heads are aligned to my “known-good” master.

I’ve paid as little as $90 for a little Sharp DV camcorder with the LCD on the back. A “spare deck” for only $90 is not a bad deal. Plus, I could even use it as an “extra” shooting cam under “dangerous conditions” and not worry about damaging my better gear.

The most versatile camcorders and decks are from SONY and PANASONIC.
With these brands (but NOT most other brands), the home video units will PLAYBACK tapes recorded on “pro” camcorders at DVCAM speed.
They will, of course, not RECORD in DVCAM speed, but they are designed to play this format perfectly so you can use them to dub to other units or Capture from DVCAM tapes.

[Shane Ross]

Matte, that would work if he had a DV camera, but he doesn’t. He has an HDV camera, and that is a new beast entirely.

HDV will not pass the signal thru the camera or even deck like DV does. The format is too complex. There is only one way to monitor HDV footage on an external monitor and that is with the use of a capture card and HD monitor. And the cheapest way to do that is with the Matrox MXO (www.matrox.com) and an Apple 23″ Cinema Display. That combination will allow you to view the footage color accurate in HD, and color correct it as well.

And each costs $999 for a solution under $2000. Which is cheaper than the least expensive professional HD monitor on the market.

Shane

Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net

[Steven Gladney]

What Shane says is true, assuming you are editing HDV. In your post you said “I don’t have a DV deck yet…”. This leads me to assume you know the difference between the two formats. I know some guys with the Z1 who will either just shoot DV or shoot HDV and downconvert their footage in the camera to DV and edit there. If you are editing DV, what Matte said will work fine. If you are editing HDV, then what Shane said.

Steven Gladney

Sometimes the obvious is hidden in plain view.

[Bouncing Account needs new email address]

[Shane Ross] “Matte, that would work if he had a DV camera, but he doesn’t. He has an HDV camera, and that is a new beast entirely.

HDV will not pass the signal thru the camera or even deck like DV does. The format is too complex.”

I answered based on the specific part of the question.
No mention of HDV other than that was the kind of camcorder owned.

From the question:
[Jemgurl] “I don’t have a DV deck yet, so i will be using my sony hvr-z1u HDV camera to feed the FCP timeline out by FW and into the monitor via RCA. Will also be using the cam to feed out VCR/DVD signal VIA RCA into the camera and then into the computer via FW.
While we’re on the topic, anywhere to purchase affordable DV/mini DV decks? I am not too keen in buying the new pricy HDV deck.”

I had to assume the down-convert in the camera to DV before capture to FCP.
HDV output has a very limited use these days.

I know many who shoot with HDTV or HDV but edit SD.

I answered the question as posted.
But we all know that sometimes the question is not ALWAYS posted correctly.

You picked up for the HDV answer, and now we’ve got it “covered.”

😉

[Shane Ross]

Ah, I misread. Thanks for covering that Matte.

Shane

Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net