Monitoring my Cinematographer
 

Hi guys,
I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row befor I start production on my movie. I wanted to know about a monitor that I could use with my camera. I have a cinematographer/camera operator for my movie, but I want to have a monitor for me so I can see what he is shooting. I was going to buy a 100 ft S video or RCA plug and go directly from the camera to an NTSC monitor. I was wondering if I would actually need a production monitor, or if I could just use a small TV from K mart to monitor the shot.

Thanks,
Jesse

A regular small TV will work fine for showing you his framing.
You could also rent a real monitor for the shoot, but if it is for more than a few days, it will cost you more than buying a 14" WalMart TV.

The TV will only work for framing----and it really wont show you safe areas etc. You really should consider a production monitor, and yes you tap directly into the camera. This way you can get a sense of color, lighting, mood, safe areas etc.

Framing?
 

Thanks for the info,
I just want to clarify a few things. If I am filming with the DVX-100a and I plug into the WAL Mart TV, it will show me the shot, but without the safe areas. Now, I thought that safe areas were to show you where a real TV would cut off. If I was using a TV why would I need the Safe Areas. Also, I will be filming in 16:9 mode, will that change anything. (Will the letterboxing automatically show up on the TV screen if I'm filming in 16:9?)

Thanx,
Jesse

Jesse.

A cheap TV from a "Large Discount Store", will likely NOT have a bnc or s video connection, nor will it show 16:9.

Renting a monitor will give you what you need, at a budget price.

Short of that, you'll have to spring for or borrow a TV with BNC, 16:9 features or s video.

Well, it will show you 16:9 *IF* you shoot in the camera's crop/letterbox mode where the camera automaticaly inserts the black bars.
It's not nearly as good as a real monitor, but it is better than not having one at all. Depends on your budget of course.