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Cheapest way to HD reference monitoring
We presently edit BetaSP on FCP with a Kona LS card, and standard definition Sony 16:9/4:3 switchable CRT monitors. In the future, we are going to add XDCAM HD equipment, which will require a major upgrade to our system. But right now, we just want to break into the HD world, with a decent HDV camera. We can input the HDV material into FCP via a Firewire cable. But what is the cheapest way to set up HD reference monitoring?
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25 Replies
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Well, for one you are going to have to get an HD card. The Kona LH is a good one, especially for HDV (because you can capture it as different formats).
Monitoring is tricky. Not many “cheap” HD monitoring solutions. SOny used to make the PVM-14L5 for $1500, and that did SD and HD, and with an HDSDI card, it did GREAT HD. But that model has been discontinued, as has the 20L5. Panasonic has an HD LCD, the BT-LH1700W, which is great for field monitoring, but questionable for final color grading. But, it is an option.
Shane
FCP Preferences set to UNCONTROLLED ADVICE
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
[Tim Allison] “But what is the cheapest way to set up HD reference monitoring?”
Right now it’s the Panasonic 1700W and 2600W monitors.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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We are thinking of getting a Sony HVR-M25U HDV deck, which has an HDMI out connection. Will FCP pass along an HD signal back to this deck via Firewire, and then out to a consumer HD monitor via the HDMI connection?
When we go XDCAM, we are going to be buying a lot of post-production “stuff”, including a Kona 3 card for up/down/cross converting. The Kona LH won’t do this. We are also considering an AJA Io to provide Betacam analog connectivity to the Kona 3, and to continue to give us SD capabilities with the Betacam. And we are looking at the Panasonic BT-LH2600W monitor, mostly because it has both analog component inputs and HD-SDI inputs.
As you can see, these items carry some hefty price tags. Right now, I’m trying to get into one of the lower levels of HDV production on FCP in order to play around a little bit, and learn some things. I’m a little bit cautious of spending money on items like a Kona 3 card, only to discover later that we really need something else. For example, two years ago, we chose to go with Kona LS cards instead of AJA Io boxes. I wish I could turn back the clock and change that decision now, because the Kona LS is about to become obsolete, while the Io boxes would still be useful to us.
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[Tim Allison] “Will FCP pass along an HD signal back to this deck via Firewire, and then out to a consumer HD monitor via the HDMI connection?”
No. The HDV signal is too complex to be sent out via firewire for monitoring. HDV requires a capture card of some sort. AJA, Decklink, MAtrox MXO, and now the Intensity that will allow you to connect to an HDMI monitor.
[Tim Allison] “We are also considering an AJA Io to provide Betacam analog connectivity to the Kona 3,”
Just get this: https://www.aja.com/html/products_converters_HD10AVA.html It converts analog signals to HD SDI that in turn will connect to the Kona 3. No reason to have two capture cards. The Kona 3 captures SD and HD.
Shane
FCP Preferences set to UNCONTROLLED ADVICE
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
[Shane Ross] “[Tim Allison] “We are also considering an AJA Io to provide Betacam analog connectivity to the Kona 3,”
Just get this: https://www.aja.com/html/products_converters_HD10AVA.html It converts analog signals to HD SDI that in turn will connect to the Kona 3. No reason to have two capture cards. The Kona 3 captures SD and HD.”
Io is not a capture card, it’s an external box.
Actually I recommend folks add an Io LA for analog connectivity as it offers Component, Composite and S-Video I/O and it works hand in hand with the Kona. What I really like is the Component output along with Balanced XLR audio which I keep hardwired to my BetaSP deck while the Component output of my Kona feeds my HD monitors. No need to switch cables around.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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[Tim Allison] “Will FCP pass along an HD signal back to this deck via Firewire, and then out to a consumer HD monitor via the HDMI connection?”
As Shane notes, no you cannot do this. The AJA Kona 3 can play an HDV timeline out to a monitor in realtime. I’m pretty sure the LHe can do this as well, but you’d need to read the specs.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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I don’t understand how the Io LA will work with the Kona 3 card to up-convert my Betacam video. I understand the full-blown Io. Take component into the Io, take SDI out of the Io, then take this SDI into the Kona 3 and up-convert it. Makes sense. Meanwhile, an Io LA will take my component video, and send it straight to the computer via the Firewire cable.
In order for the Kona 3 to up-convert my Betacam footage, doesn’t that footage have to pass through the Kona 3 at some point in time?
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Two points to consider. Blackmagic have just released a cheap HDMI card. Secondly Sharp Aquos LCD moniotrs are fantastic. The 45″ is a true 1080 HD monitor and I use it for grading.
My monitor is over a year old and doesn’t have HDMI, so check that Sharp will have HDMI inputs on later models. A lot of domestic moniotrs that call themselves HD are not able to go beyond 720 so make sure you get a true 1080 monitor.
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I don’t think Walter is talking about connecting the I/O to the Kona. Rather having the I/O as a SEPARATE capture device. If you need to convert analog SD to HD SDI you need the AJA box Walter and I both linked to.
Shane
FCP Preferences set to UNCONTROLLED ADVICE
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
[Shane Ross] “Just get this: https://www.aja.com/html/products_converters_HD10AVA.html It converts analog signals to HD SDI that in turn will connect to the Kona 3. No reason to have two capture cards. The Kona 3 captures SD and HD.”
This particular converter gets me into FCP with either HD or SD material. That’s great. But what about if we need to go back to Betacam tape? The Kona 3 has component out for the video, but no analog audio out. Do I buy another converter to get the audio back out?
I’ve been pulling my hair out on this for a couple of weeks now, and the ONLY complete solution I’ve found is a full-blown Io hooked through the Kona 3. The problem is….that’s a pretty expensive combo. If I’ve missed something, please point it out.
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