HD Monitoring ideas
September 24, 2007 in broadcast, cinematography, editing, film by Josh
You’re shooting with your new HDV or HD camcorder, and the footage looks amazing! But are you really seeing the full picture?
Not unless you’re looking at a high definition monitor. But professional HD monitors are still expensive.
So, here’s an idea:
You can buy a LCD TV/computer monitor (the lines are being blurred more every day) that can be used for three different purposes:
1. While shooting, you can run component (like from the Canon XL H1 or XH A1) out of your camera into component input on the LCD to monitor what you’re shooting in full, pixel-for-pixel 1920 X 1080 glory. If your camera has HDMI, like the HV20, you can use the HDMI input.
2. While editing, you can use the Blackmagic Intensity or Intensity Pro card to output component or HDMI to the LCD for a pixel-for-pixel accurate view of 1080i HD while color correcting or creating effects.
3. And, when editing or doing other things, you can use the DVI input for a nice 1920 X 1080 or 1920 X 1200 computer display for extra screen real estate.
We just bought the BenQ FP241W 24″ LCD Monitor with these inputs:
Composite Video
Component Video
VGA
DVI-D
HDMI
Here is a very informative review of this monitor (by an actual user, not a writer!):
This Samsung monitor seems to have all the inputs of the BenQ except HDMI.
The Dell 2407WFP 24″ LCD Display also has the inputs of the BenQ except HDMI.
Click here to discuss HD monitors.
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Hey, what about color space issues when CC HDV footage on the monitors? Does the difference change anything? I have an SD monitor at home and if I set the color profile in OSX to match HD color space would it be safe to do simple CC work? What about one of these big monitors? What happens with the colorspace…or do I have the wrong idea completely?
Good question Kyle, see if this article helps:
http://www.dvcreators.net/hd-monitoring-in-final-cut-pro/
BUT…those monitors can have incredibly variable quality. I have a Dell 2405 24″ 1920×1200 monitor. The DVI looks great, if overly bright. But the component analog inputs? They look HORRIBLE. Terrible image quality, bad colorimetry, etc.
And you can’t calibrate it with the normal kinds of phase/chroma controls.
So a professional monitor is still the best choices. Sony’s NEWEST Luma series are good, about $4K with the HD-SDI inputs from B&H.
Just wanted to know if the idea of running HDV footage into the Motu V3HD is a good way to preview and edit the footage capture in the DVCPro HD format. I want to check this out and if it works I would purchase the unit right away. I have other formats dthat I work with Beta SP DVCam and all can be capture and up-converted to DVCPro HD.
<p>Hi Mel,</p>
<p>We tested the MOTU V3HD and it is solid. We fed 1080i HDV over analog component in and captured to a MacBook Pro. http://www.dvcreators.net/?s=motu<br />
One other option for a “pricey” HD monitor besides the new Sony is the Panasonic 17″ BT-LH1700WE with HD-SDI and we carry the Marshall Electronics 17″ – 23″ models which are a great value – specifically the V-R201P-AFHD http://lcdracks.com/</p>
Hi Guy,
Are you still using this BenQ LCD? After taking a hard look around at whats available for the money this LCD still seems to offer the best.
We have the BenQ down here in Hollywood and yes, we are still using it.
After using it for a while do you still like using it?
I like it, but I wish it had a bit more calibration, but there’s no other option for less than $1000 more, and it is 98% as accurate as pro models, so I’m happy.
Hey Josh, What can you recommend for a current alternative to the BenQ monitor? I’ve looked everywhere on the web and stores and it appears this unit is no longer available for sale.