Good field monitor for the HVX200

[Chris Clephane]

Let me stress that–regardless of end product chosen—the best route is to use an HD monitor. HD shooting with the HVX (and ALL HD cameras) requires a level of detail for focusing that standard field production tubes and small SD field LCDs just can’t provide.

Compared to the HDCAM’s and Varicams, the viewfinders & built in LCDs on most lower end HD cameras(HVX/Sony XDCAM, etc.) are useless for all but framing.
When shooting HD, checking focus always REQUIRES a (zoom -in/focus) and a good HD field monitor. You just can’t trust it.

(FYI–Even with good viewfinder resolution and detail assist on the high-end cameras….we still use our compact Panasonic HDfield monitor or even a high end HD 20″ Panasonic “portable” when logistics allow…….even with the Varicam and HDCam cameras.)

——————
All that stated…

Portability/price/size/power are all factors you need to consider. Price usually seems to be the deciding factor in most cases.

Most people shooting the HVX as their primary camera seem to be using a Marshall V-R70P-HDA 7″ LCD Monitor

The Marshall has Component/S-Video/Composite inputs with loopthrough and can be outfitted with and Anton Bauer or V battery mounts. 800×480 resolution is good enough to check critical focus on HD stuff. Its still reasonably lightweight (most use an “Israeli Arm” to hang it from the camera.) Its metal case IS rugged and feels very “industrial solid”.

The Marshall retails (BHPhotovideo and others) for about $1350. This seems to be a reasonable price point for people who can pay $7k-10k for an HD camera system.

——
Panasonic makes two portable monitors as well.

The BT-LH900A is designed for the Varicam and is beyond stellar!….and so is the price at $4k. It does everything but wash your car. But the price puts it out of reach for most people.

The BT-LH80W is new and we have not used it, so I can offer no opinion on it..other than if it had been available when I bought the Marshall…I would have bought it instead. Panasonic makes some fantastic displays and I trust that this is probably an excellent product that fits right between the Marshall and Panasonic LH900A in all aspects: price point/features/brightness/color rendition/build quality.

The Marshall we use is no comparison to the 900A, but we would never expect it to be. It is dim and washed out by comparison (the 900A POPS! Its so bright!). But again, this is like comparing the wow factor of a new Ferarri to a new Honda coupe. They just don’t compare….at all.

If you buy the Marshall, the sunshade is a MUST for shooting outdoors.

SUMM IT UP:
Again, if the HVX is your primary camera…based on price and features…I would suggest the Marshall. For shooting with higher-end cameras definitely look to the Panasonic units.

Good Luck
-C

PS. On the lower end of the price range IKAN introduced an HD monitor with specs similar to the Marshall. This unit (which we viewed at NAB) was priced around $700, but we deemed it to be (way, way, way!) too fragile for regular field use. It might be a good low cost option if you never leave the studio.

I edit video. I post sometimes.
I fix things. I eat marshmallows.
I play drums. I drink scotch.
I like TV.

Done typing now.

[Chris Clephane]

Second part of your question:

The HVX allows you to monitor the output of the camera via itscomponent cable in 480i, 720p and 1080i. (I believe the composite and S-Video out are limited to 480i)

You CAN monitor the camera signal while recording OR view recorded clips while in playback mode. (no strange limitations.)

Plug the component cable into the camera…hook it to the monitor…select a “monitor output resolution” and you are good to go.

-C

I edit video. I post sometimes.
I fix things. I eat marshmallows.
I play drums. I drink scotch.
I like TV.

Done typing now.

[D. scott Dobbie]

When you said you were looking for other monitor suggestions after viewing the previous posts, what specifically were you seeking? That may help others give more focused answers.

Not sure what E to E refers to other than (End to End?). In any case, yes, you can monitor the signal. It will show up both in your field monitor AND the camera’s flip-out monitor, so you can use the latter for reference while clients view the HD from a little distance.

The signal can also be output as SD if all you have access to is that type of monitor, though it seems like in your case you’re zeroing in on what you want. Not familiar with TV Logic. I was probably one of the earlier posters you referenced and REALLY enjoy my Panasonic BT-LH1700. There was a $250 rebate at the time – not sure what deals are on it now. I also got the matching Porta Brace field case, which is where I keep it. Carries perfectly and looks/performs great whether in the field or on a stage.

For cabling, I take the short, Panasonic-supplied component cable and just attach RCA-to-BNC adapters, which I then plug into a 16′ video component cable (three cables fused as one), which in turn plugs into the monitor. No loss of signal and lets me even make short dolly moves while the monitor remains stationary.

-Scott

[Chris Clephane]

Just checked out the TV Logic models–they look really nice–and seem to have great features. Very curious to see them in person.

Are they relatively new to the market? (1-2 years?)

-C

I edit video. I post sometimes.
I fix things. I eat marshmallows.
I play drums. I drink scotch.
I like TV.

Done typing now.

[Dave Neyman]

Amen to the Marshall monitor. It is small and gives you a really good idea what you really are seeing. You can also modify the battery connection to match the batteries for your HVX-200. I haven’t seen the others so I can’t comment on them but for the price the Marshall is a good value.

[Jason Jenkins]

[D. Scott Dobbie] “REALLY enjoy my Panasonic BT-LH1700. There was a $250 rebate at the time – not sure what deals are on it now. I also got the matching Porta Brace field case, which is where I keep it. Carries perfectly and looks/performs great whether in the field or on a stage.

For cabling, I take the short, Panasonic-supplied component cable and just attach RCA-to-BNC adapters, which I then plug into a 16′ video component cable (three cables fused as one), which in turn plugs into the monitor. No loss of signal and lets me even make short dolly moves while the monitor remains stationary.”

I’ll second that vote for the BT-LH1700. I’ve got the same field case as well. I had a 25′ custom component cable made. Female RCA on one end and male BNC on the other. Pretty necessary when the camera goes on the jib.

[Kim Rowley]

Thanks for all the info. When I said E to E I meant it as “electronic to electronic”, meaning, can I monitor the HD signal straight through the camera. The reason I asked is because I don’t see an “HD” output on the camera. Am I correct in assuming that the component output is the HD output? Sorry if that’s a dumb question…
I opened up a new thread since the other one below seemed to be focused more towards a low cost solution. While I’m by no means on a big budget I wanted to other options even if that means paying a little more.
I am working in a digi beta SD facility and am finding the HD jump a bit daunting.There’s alot to wrap your mind around! That’s why we started with the HVX200, to get our toes wet while seeing where the technology goes as well as figuring out a valid workflow and archive solution.

Dual 2.7 GHz G5, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9650, Xserve RAID, AJA IO, 2 20″ Cinema Display, FCP Studio 2 (6.02), OS X10.4.11

[Chris Clephane]

The analog component output on the HVX200 can be configured to output:

1080i HD
720p HD
480i SD

(So, YES the component output is the HD-out.)

-C

I edit video. I post sometimes.
I fix things. I eat marshmallows.
I play drums. I drink scotch.
I like TV.

Done typing now.

[D. scott Dobbie]

[Jason Jenkins] ” I had a 25′ custom component cable made. Female RCA on one end and male BNC on the other.”

Great idea! Never thought about a custom cable to get a longer length. Thanks!

-Scott

[Rennie Klymyk]

Don’t forget there is a new, just out version of the BT-LH1700. It is the BT-LH1760 and there are a few improvements. Mostly is the pixel to pixel resolution which would allow you to zoom in on a 1280×768 (monitor resolution) area of your active format to aid in critical focusing. This new monitor has a host of new features like 120Hz scanning, WF + VS monitors (new improved) and I think HDSDI is now built in and no longer an option. The HDSDI won’t help with the HVX200 but it’s nice to have. Worth a look and it would double as an editing monitor as it is 120V/12V.

“everything is broken” ……Bob Dylan