Matrox Mxo 2 Mini plus which external computer monitor for FCP?

[Bret Williams]

I wouldn’t buy it frome those guys who think 4 dead pixels is NOT enough reason for exchange.

Here is what I think should be enough reason for exchange… “I changed my mind.”. That’s it. Especially if you’re only giving 30 day return policy. If you’re buying a non specialty item like this, Sams, Walmart, Costco, etc are all great places to look.

[David Roth weiss]

I’m not in disagreement with your take on MXO Andy. Below is Matrox’s explanation, but more important to the discussion I think is the difference between computer and video displays. The Matrox “hack” as you put it blurs the distinction a little, but every editor should know the huge difference between the two types of displays and why, generally speaking, a computer display is not an adequate substitute for video monitor.

How does Matrox MXO work?

When Matrox MXO is used with QuickTime-based applications that support the V-out component including Final Cut Pro, Color, Soundtrack Pro, Motion, and Adobe After Effects, it operates in “Mastering Mode”. Matrox MXO patent-pending technology uses the DVI port on your Mac computer in a unique way to provide frame-accurate audio/video output for insert editing and print-to-tape with guaranteed a/v sync. Normally when previewing video from a QuickTime application, the native YCbCr video (sometimes inaccurately called “YUV” video) is converted to the RGB color space for output over the DVI connection. The frame rate of the RGB video does not match the standard for broadcast video. For example, it may be 75 Hz rather than the 59.94 Hz standard for NTSC. The frame sequence, therefore, inevitably includes dropped and/or repeat frames. Matrox MXO, on the other hand, takes the YCbCr video from the QuickTime application and sends it directly out over the DVI connection with time-stamping information that allows the MXO box to reconstruct the frame sequence at the broadcast standard frame rate. It also sends eight digital audio tracks that are then embedded in the SDI signal in perfect sync with the video.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[Bassel – matrox video products group]

Hello, to clarify some of the questions on this thread; please note that the Matrox MXO2 family of products will work with HDMI devices that support YUV as well as RGB color spaces…This means that you’ll be able to use monitors or televisions for accurate monitoring.

To take full advantage of Matrox MXO2, an HDMI monitor/television must support the following:

– An HDMI input resolution of 1920×1080.
– 1:1 pixel mapping (aspect ratio of 1:1) on the HDMI input. On some HDMI monitors, 1:1 pixel mapping is sometimes referred to as “dot-by-dot”, “Full Pixel”, or “Just Scan” mode.

Note: With an HDMI monitor that supports an aspect ratio of 1:1 on the HDMI input, your MXO2 output is displayed at its exact resolution, without any scaling. For example, if your monitor supports a resolution of 1920×1080, and your output’s resolution is 1280×720, your output will appear as a rectangle within the 1920×1080 display, surrounded by black bars on all four sides. If the monitor does not support 1:1 pixel mapping, your output may be resized by your HDMI monitor of choice…

Thanks,
Bassel

[Carl Macneal]

this is the monitor I am going with, FSI LM-2450W, it is $5K but I need to do some critical color work. I really need a $15K monitor but budgets being what they are I am stuck in this price range. I can always rent a monster when I need it I figure.

[Chris Davis]

Bassel – many thanks for the clarification. I will re-post in the Matrox section to ask about computer monitors in the $400-600 range that work well with the MXO 2 Mini.

Andy Mees and David Roth Weiss – I am enjoying your discussion on the “guts” of the MXO’s.

-Chris

[Simon Cawthorne]

“I am going to purchase an MXO 2 Mini to connect my laptop to an external monitor, for color correction with FCP6. I have heard that the MXO 2 Mini works well with a computer monitor, provided that the monitor has a “dot for dot” or similar setting, is 1920×1080 resolution, and has an HDMI input.”

Hi,

Just spoke to Matrox in the UK, and they advised that the MXO2 mini could take a computer LCD, but strictly on the above mentioned terms. Of course it can also output to an HDTV.

I’m far from being an expert, and was trying to work through this range of products too with the same goal as quoted above, so please take this as passing on information only!

Simon

[Trevor Ward]

Paul,

Are you using this TV as an extra display (dual display setup) or are you using this TV as an output video monitor?

I’m wanting to expand my desktop on my 15 MBP and can’t figure out if there is any advantage or disadvantage of using a 23″ HDTV vs. a 23″ computer monitor. I do not own an MXO2 mini, but would consider it when I can afford it.

-trevor ward
Red Eye Film Co.
http://www.redeyefilmco.com
orlando, fl