Ikan V17, Matrox MXO2 LE/mini???
 

Hi everybody!!!

I'm shopping for a portable editing and monitoring solution, and I came to this set up... Any experiences or suggestions??

Laptop w/ExpressCard34 - Matrox MXO2 LE or Mini - Ikan V17 (hdmi)

It seems the Ikan is a good bang-for- buck compromise. I like the new Marshall MD series 17", but it seemed pricey even w/o either HDMI or SDI... Would guess the panels would be great, but who knows...

I'm down south in Patagonia and have nowhere to go look around, so you are my eyes in this matter!!! Thanks on advance!!!

What kind of footage are you working with and what is your destination?

I have both of the items you're inquiring about. The V17 monitor isn't totally accurate, but it is an excellent price vs performance value. We use the V17 with the kickstand in the edit suite and also have the optional yoke to use it in the studio or on location. Clients love it as it is true 1920x1080 without scaling and the ability to push the saturation to the extreme gives it a great look. I like to shoot flat in-camera, but punch it up on the client monitor.

If you go with Matrox, consider the LE with MAX if you'll be outputting H.264 files. The Matrox also has additional control for calibrating an HDMI monitor. For critical color correction, you might want to look at an HP Dreamcolor, but I love the fact that I can toss an AB battery on the back of the V17 and move about without running power. I think IKAN hit the market at the right pricepoint for performance on the Ikan V17 and the Matrox has been as solid as my AJA Kona LHe. Also, if you're not using HDSDI or XLR IO, you don't need the LE, just the Matrox MXO2 mini. Here is the comparison chart http://www.matrox.com/video/media/pd..._selection.pdf Keep in mind that we're a sponsor too and offer 5% off if you need any of this.

Thanks Guy!

You are my first DVinfo reply, so thank you very much!!!

As of the material, I'm working with XDCAM EX and AVCHD, yet think I will be servicing other fellas working on HDV, DV, HDSLRs, etc. Althought down here the delivery will stay in the SD realm in the near future (I mean the domestic market in Argentina, as well as in many Southamerican countries), I have to be able to master in HD for abroad. I'm just tryng to step up and have a future-proof setup.

On the Matrox gear, I face a similar issue. With the Mini I can satisfy my own and fellow local filmmakers needs (monitoring, capturing), but will stay very limited to service an upper market that the LE would be great for.

I'm planning to offer an affordable video-assist/digi-tech service for local and incoming productions, and as a pack with a friend's EX1 and 7D setup, and HDMI seems (metaphorical and physicaly) short-ended.

I've never thought of this, but would I be able to hook up HD-SDI to the Ikan HDMI thru-out the MXO2 LE? With or with out the laptop? Has anybody done that?

Cheers!

Hi Federico,

The Matrox MXO2 LE needs to be connected to a desktop or laptop to operate. You can get a Blackmagic or AJA mini converter do accomplish this out in the field.

The MOTU V4 and the AJA IO HD as well as the AJA Ki Pro can all operate as standalone converters.