-
Monitor for SD to HD transition
From posts below I see the consensus is that there’s no solution for viewing SD on an LCD monitor. I currently use a Sony PVM-20M2U which is excellent, and am considering buying another for a new system. However, I’m going to be transitioning the new system towards HD with a Kona 2 card within the year.
On a side note, what are the definitive advantages of having an IO and Kona2 on the same machine, as far as both in/out and monitoring options? Does the Kona 2 connect to the IO then accept all IO in/outs?
Back to the monitor question…are there any options out there for making this transition without having to buy the Sony PVM first before switching to a LCD when I go HD?
How about those of you who are going back and forth with SD and HD on the same system – what are your monitoring solutions?
Thanks very much.
-
6 Replies
-
In my opinion, there are only two solutions, if you don’t want to monitor on a horrible “consumer” LCD screen. Option 1 is to buy a (still available) Sony PVM-14L5/1 which can do SDI and HD SDI and look great with both. Option 2 is to buy any 23″ LCD monitor, use the AJA HDP to convert the HDSDI signal to DVI (using a Dell, Apple Cinema, HP, Sony LCD, etc.) for HD ONLY and use another PVM20L2 for SD video. Of course, you can try to find a used
PVM20L5/1, or find a dealer who has one in stock, since they are not made anymore (if you find that dealer, let me know).I have just seen a new Sony 32″ consumer LCD that does both, and it’s pretty silly. There will be those on this list that will call it “elitist” or some other snotty term (because consumer TV are not good enough) – but if you know what I am talking about- and I know you do – there is no single monitor that does both. The exception here may be from JVC, and I do not know there product line. I have used so many LCD’s at this point – none of which can display an accurate SD signal.
Bob Zelin
-
The advantage of having both the I/O AND Kona 2 is that you have all analog I/O (which is not available on the Kona 2), and the ability to UPCONVERT any analog source to HD (take the SDI out of the IO and stick it into the Kona 2, and it upconverts to HD). If you have a large archive library you use to do HD jobs, this is invaluable. IO and Kona 2 together is a very powerful combination.
bob Zelin
-
Thanks Bob, I really appreciate your insights.
Going with option 2 and a Kona2 / IO combo, would I be able to have both monitors hooked up at the same time without having to switch cables to monitor when going back and forth (SD to HD)?
Also, as far as HD goes wih upconverting all my SD material via IO to Kona 2, I’d primarily be using HDV, while still having to potentially master to BetaSP and make VHS dubs (still!). Does it make sense to upconvert all for HDV or should I downcovert the HDV signal in FCP? I know this is a bunch of issues wrapped into one post so any advice you have is much appreciated.
Thanks again.
-
[Bob Zelin] “IO and Kona 2 together is a very powerful combination. “
Agreed. This is the solution I’ve been using since the Kona 2’s came out. The two together (Io + Kona 2) is a very practical solution that gives you almost everything you could possibly need for a very cost effective price. The up-convert of the Kona 2 from the Io feed (that Bob mentions) was really the selling point for me. Plus the ability to have all my decks, monitors, etc hooked up at the same time without cable switching. Besides my own FCP systems, I’ve setup and/or used several other systems with this combo and it works well.
Tony!
-
Going with option 2 and a Kona2 / IO combo, would I be able to have both monitors hooked up at the same time without having to switch cables to monitor when going back and forth (SD to HD)?
REPLY
YES – your HD monitor will be fed by the Kona 2 and the IO will feed your Sony PVM monitor. AND you can have the Kona 2 K Box analog out feed the component inputs of your PVM monitor, so you can see the HD out on your DVI monitor and simultaneously see the downconverted SD signal right out of the Kona 2. Perfect !Also, as far as HD goes wih upconverting all my SD material via IO to Kona 2, I’d primarily be using HDV, while still having to potentially master to BetaSP and make VHS dubs (still!). Does it make sense to upconvert all for HDV or should I downcovert the HDV signal in FCP? I know this is a bunch of issues wrapped into one post so any advice you have is much appreciated.
REPLY – what a shame. The Kona LH will take the analog HD signal from the HDV VTR right into FCP. But the Kona LH WILL NOT UPCONVERT ! So if upconversion from Beta, VHS, etc. to HD is important, you have no choice other than to get the Kona 2 right now. My HDV client currently downconverts with the Sony HDV VTR to analog component, and uses the IO for his show – nothing gets mastered to HD – they just shoot in HDV, and downconvert. This does not mean that this is the right thing to do – it’s just what one person is doing, and this show is on the air.
Bob Zelin
-
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up