Connecting external monitor for color correction to my computer

[Shane Ross]

Color correcting what format of video? If DV, then you loop it thru your camera or deck:

#8 External Monitor Viewing.

Shane’s Stock Answer #8:

A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv

Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.

Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video

Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV

If for some reason you can’t view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:

1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.

2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.

3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.

4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.

5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices

6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed

If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section

If what you are editing is NOT DV or other format captured via firewire, then you’ll need a capture card to connect it to.

Shane

Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net

[Samahcinema]

Thank you Shane. What I’m using is actually the Panasonic compressed HD format of DVCPRO HD 720p.

I brought it in via firewire- does this mean that what you advised should work?

Best,
Samah

[Shane Ross]

Well, yeah, it will, if you have a DVCPRO HD deck like the HD1200 or HD1400 at your disposal. Barring that, you need an HD capture card like the Kona line by AJA, and Decklink HD line by Black-Magic…or an output only box like the Matrox MXO.

BUT, you’ll need an HD monitor, and the one you listed isn’t it. 800 lines minimum…like the PVM-14L5 or 10L5. But finding an HD CRT…good luck. HD monitors are expensive. There are LCD HD monitors, but they aren’t cheap either.

I recommend the JVC DTV 24L1D. Or the Sony LMD 2450W HD. Both are very decent. Both hover around $5000 too.

But, if you look at the Matrox MXO, you can get an Apple 23″ monitor or Dell 2407 and that combination will get you an inexpensive HD monitoring solution…the combo costing under $2000. And you’ll get broadcast colors with that setup as well. I got the Apple 23″ to very closely match what I got with my HD CRT. Not spot on, but close. I’m sure one of the other HD monitors would be better, but if you can deal with being “close” and are on a budget, the MXO/Apple Cinema Display is a good way to go.

Shane

Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net

[Samahcinema]

Thanks Shane… Is there something magic about the 23″ for the apple monitor? I ask because there’s a 20″ one I can get a good price on… What say ye?

Best,
Samah

[Shane Ross]

The resolution…it is 1920×1200…1080i resolution. And it is called the CINEMA DISPLAY because it shows 16×9 with proper dimensions. The 20″ does not. If you want, the Dell 2407 is nicely priced.

Plus the LCD is a different type than the 20″, and the MXO is balanced for that LCD type.

And because the MXO has software to adjust the monitor properly, including a blue only gun…it should work fine.

Shane

Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net

[Samahcinema]

Many thanks Shane.

[Russell Lasson]

[samahcinema] “This is a little embarrassing- I’m a professional editor”

Yes, we all find it a little embarrassing sometimes:)

-Russ

[Stephensf]

What is the best way to connect an external monitor if you do not have a camera? I have a dvi out from my imac. I understand I can connect this to a tv via the right cables. Is it possible to set up an external monitor this way?

[Shane Ross]

[StephenSF] “What is the best way to connect an external monitor if you do not have a camera?”

Then you need a deck or Digital to Analog converter like the ADVC-110. IF you are working with DV. If you are working with HDV, DVCPRO HD, uncompressed SD…pretty much any OTHER format, you need a capture card.

[StephenSF] “I have a dvi out from my imac. I understand I can connect this to a tv via the right cables. Is it possible to set up an external monitor this way?”

AH…iMac…no capture card then. Well, with an iMac your only option is the Matrox MXO…for TRUE broadcast quality from the DVI port. Any other converter will get you a substandard signal.

Shane

Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net

[Russell Lasson]

Yes, it is possible. It won’t give you reliable colors though. And your TV should have an DVI or HDMI input.

If you want reliable color from an iMac, I’d suggest using a AJA IO for SD or the upcoming AJA IOHD for HD.

There might be some other monitors that will work that have DVI inputs, but I haven’t been keeping up with them.

-Russ