I'm wanting to buy a small external monitor so that a PA can note timecode. Monitors that have BNC connections are rare (and expensive) so what connections should a monitor have?

I have one with a small a/v socket (like the yellow a/v socket on the XH-AH1) but it doesn't display the picture - only sound.

You could just use a small computer monitor (with component inputs) plugged in to the component out form the A1. I recently did a shoot using my 24" Dell in this way and found it incredibly useful. I know these LCD's are not perfect for checking broadcast colour etc, but all my video is destined for Web delivery and I know how it should look on my Dell so for me, it's perfect :)

You can choose to have all of the LCD display info (inc timecode) sent to the component out monitor in the A1's menu.

Paul.

Paul,

I was just wondering about this because I'm just about to buy the Dell 24" monitor (2407WFP-HC) for editing. Since I'll use it for that, I was thinking to give it double-duty as an external monitor for the camera.

Do you find it to be a great help for focusing especially?

You bet, focusing is a peice of cake with the 24" plugged in, in fact that's the reason I used it as I needed a good focus for an interview which was being shot very close in the the guys face, and I struggle with the tiny little LCD on the A1.

The Dell 24" is especially good as it's displaying in full non scaled resolution. It also really impressed the client who couldn't believe the detail coming from the camera :)

Not that practical though, If I found I had to use it a lot I'd probably invest in some kind of hard case for it, I just used the box it came in that time but I'm sure they wouldn't survive any kind of drop or other knock.

Paul

Would you recommend these for Video Editing and also how colour accurate do you find them. I plan to shoot a short film the A1 and at this point am a bit confused on which external lcd to purchase. I know that ikan does a nice range but i just love the idea of 24" & full non scaled resolution. Any suggestions.
Many Thanks

Marko

I'm wanting to buy a small external monitor so that a PA can note timecode. Monitors that have BNC connections are rare (and expensive) so what connections should a monitor have?

I have one with a small a/v socket (like the yellow a/v socket on the XH-AH1) but it doesn't display the picture - only sound.


yellow is actually a video in/ out color. is your cabel and/ or plug ok?

Check out the Element FLX-1910 19" LCD TV.

It doesn't have a BNC connection, but it does have an HDMI and a HD-RGB connection as well as a Coax, VGA and standard RCA inputs.

If anything, you can get a BNC to Coax coupler.

You can also mount it to an LCD monitor stand that can be had for about $80.

The 1910 is available at most electronics stores.

I'm assuming the Auckland in your ID is in NZ?

The Dell 24" is a great computer monitor, no doubt. Can't be faulted on that score.

As a "Colour check" device, it's absolutely useless, when connected to a standard PC via DVI.

The colour adjustments just aren't there to get it anywhere close to "real life" for video, not suprising as it is designed as a computer monitor, not a broadcast reference monitor.

A "bog standard" HDTV telly will do a better job, as at least it will tell you what "Joe Blow" will see on his HDTV. Yep, it will be miles out from what a broadcast reference monitor will show, but guess what?

Yer average "Joe Blow" watches telly on a bog standard telly, not a broadcast reference monitor! (Funny that.)

Even the Beeb (the BBC for those not in the know) runs all their O/P through about a dozen "bog standard" tellies to ensure that their airy fairy broadcast monitors actually allow them to produce something watchable to "Joe Blow" on his el - cheapo standard telly (with all the faults and foibles they are built with).

If you want to check what your video is going to look like "real life", get a standard display for the format and watch it on that, there is really no better way to do it.


CS

I use the Dell with the A1 connected through the component connection and it's amazing for focus and see what's happening during composition of the picture. But WATCH OUT! The Dell does NOT show you the entire picture. Whatever resolution you will use you do NOT have the margin correctly. Which means the boom or something else might not appear on the Dell but will be in the final picture. Trust me on this one. To really see what's included in your composition you either need to use a different monitor or the LCD on the cam. But for focus and checking details far from the frames the Dell is amazing. Now, the colors are completely off on the Dell, I mean, way off. As far as I can tell it looks too red.

The Dell does NOT show you the entire picture. Whatever resolution you will use you do NOT have the margin correctly.

Have you set the component input to 1:1 (no-scaling)? I haven't noticed this happening at all, but then I didn't look for it either.

Now, the colors are completely off on the Dell, I mean, way off. As far as I can tell it looks too red.

Agreed, the colour is not like a TV, it's a computer monitor. If your producing TV content then it won't do at all for colour checking, but then none of my content is destined for TV's, it's mostly web based so I like that I'm seeing the video on the same screen I use to edit on and view the Internet on too.

Hey Chris,

Cheers!!! Yes you got it I am from Auckland,
I guess that answers a lot of questions I had regarding the Dell monitor.
I am still also looking for a good LCD that I could do accurate color grading with.
There are devices available that cost between $300-$800 that calibrate any monitor. I know somebody that owns one so will try and do a test.

Larry,
Thanks for the info, you bet the dell would be awesome for manual focusing as opposed to the A1's tiny lcd,

Marko

I have one with a small a/v socket (like the yellow a/v socket on the XH-AH1) but it doesn't display the picture - only sound.
There is a little switch between the composite BNC and composite RCA jack
(yellow) switch it to the direction of the RCA jack and you should be good to go.
Also... make sure and open the menu of the H1 and turn on "TV Screen"
under display and select the proper aspect ratio.

That should allow you to use your monitor.

What does "TV Screen" have to do with aspect ratio? TV Screen simply superimposes whatever info is displayed over video... basically duplicates what is on the A1's lcd & viewfinder.

Larry,

You're right about the Dell monitor not showing the complete picture. However, the LCD on the camera does not show the complete picture either!

I've been burnt by this (the lcd on the camera) on my first shoot, where once transferred to the PC I could see the mic sticking into the frame. Now this matters to those of us whose footage is intended for Web/Computer viewing.

That's what the guides are for in the display menu... safe area markers.

Bill

Bill,

Safe area markers work for TV but not for online videos since you see everything. So unless you put a mask over the borders comming in up to the safe area markers (which doesn't look so hot) you have to account for the 90% view of the LCD on the camera. Unless I'm missing something :)

Shiv, I know that, but using the markers more aggressively for framing for online only viewing, one could avoid having to add any masks. Then again, at least for me anyway... adding a mask ain't so bad :)

Bill

This topic did raise a question for me as i'm still considering this nice Camera as a upgrade from the Panasonic DVX.
I use my Steadicam a lot in projects and always needed a video distribution amplifer to get from 1 video-output to 2 or more.

This Camera has 2 AV's out's in composite. 1 via RCA and 1 via BNC ?
Does this both outputs working at the same time ?

Thanks,
Erik

If I'm not mistaken, it's only one or the other.

Bill

Bill,

Are you saying that you use the 80% safe area as your "border" when you frame while shooting and use a mask when/if you publish videos online? Another question, Is most of your stuff for TV viewing or online?

Thanks and regards,

Shiv.