Best solution for viewing on my external monitor?
 

I've finally upgraded my G5 with a new Mac Pro Octo-Core, using FCP7.
I'm doing much more HD now, whereas before I was doing mostly DV.
I have always used a Standard-Def SONY PVM-14L5 CRT for monitoring accurate colors.

I want to continue using this monitor for the foreseeable future.

The monitor can take a component HD signal in, so I'm trying to determine what my cheapest, easiest route would be to get that done.

Also,
In the future, I plan on adding a consumer HD display with HDMI for monitoring as well.

So, is the Matrox MXO2 Mini my best option?
Intensity Pro?
Something else?

Opinions and suggestions appreciated...


-Bill

Certainly the MXO2 Mini is a great option Bill, and it should fit your present and intended future needs very well, but please do bear in mind that Matrox have not quite yet released drivers for FCP7 (FCS3) ... I understand they are imminent, but the fat lady didn't sing yet. Also bear in mind that the drivers are not Snow Leopard ready either (FCS 3 support is coming first, SL support will come later ... no timeframe for when yet). Not sure of the status with Blackmagic Intensity drivers on this front, but if you're an early adopter then you'll probably want to take it into consideration.

Matrox put up a "Top 10 reasons why..." page on their website outlining why they think their MXO2 Mini is the superior product choice when compared to the BMD Intensity Pro, you can find it here:
Top 10 Reasons to Buy Matrox MXO2 Mini – Not Intensity Pro – Comparison


Hope it helps
Andy

I've got an Intensity Pro card in an octo Mac Pro and it works with both component and HDMI under FCP6 / OS X 10.5.x. It's a little flaky when you change from hd to sd or codecs but it will switch over if you refresh av devices and restart FCP.

With the Intensity Pro, can you do HD Component Out, AND HDMI out simultaneously?