I was wondering if there is a way to make the Apple 21" flatscreen Cinema Display work in conjunction with the XL2 as a monitor. If so, it would seem great to monitor when shooting 16:9 ratio. As usual, forgive my ingonrance in this area.

Thanks ahead of time :)

I don't have one, but AFAIK there is no video input on that screen, just ADC. However you could connect the camera via firewire to the computer, then use http://www.bensoftware.com/btvpro.html to display (or even capture) full screen video. Probably not what you're looking for though, since it requires a computer plus the screen.

Also note that the Apple screens (including iMacs and Powerbooks) are not 16:9 aspect ratio, but closer to 16:10. You need to letterbox 16:9 on these screens, which is something that BTV Pro can also do.

If you want a standalone LCD screen there are a number of 16:9 17" and 23" screens available now and the price has come down (some examples here http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&a=524_4374&a=665_5932&Submit.x=12&Submit.y=10&shs=&ci=2500&ac=) I use a Sony 17" (1280x768) LCD that has s-video, RCA and component inputs. Works very well for editing 16:9 shot with my PDX-10.

<<<-- Originally posted by Joseph Andolina : I was wondering if there is a way to make the Apple 21" flatscreen Cinema Display work in conjunction with the XL2 as a monitor. If so, it would seem great to monitor when shooting 16:9 ratio. As usual, forgive my ingonrance in this area.

Thanks ahead of time :) -->>>

The best LCD computer and monitor I have seen is the BenQ FP231w. it's a 23 in flat panel monitor with 1920x1200 resolution, DVI, RGB, Y/C and composite inputs. It has 500:1 contrast, 16 ms response time, and it will also give you picture in picture capabilities. I don't know if the internal scaler will stretch anamorphic VTSC video, but I will run some tests. It's also much less money than the 23 in Apple (street price under $1700).

The 23 plus its companion 20 in 4x3 are the best combo I've ever seen for dual display NLE user. Put your timeline on the 16x10 and your toolboxes, file folders, or effects application in the 4x3 screen. Very nice.

thanks guys for the feedback.

You may want to look at the Planar monitors. I have two for editing and I'm very, very happy with them as they provide excellent images. However, I still use an NTSC monitor for color correction.

Consider this, for example:

The Apple cinema has a brightness of 200cd/m2.
The Planar has a brightness of 300 cd/m2.

The Apple cinema has a contrast ratio of 350:1.
The Planar has a contrast ratio of 700:1.

Which one do you think would provide the better screen images? And the Planar costs a whole lot less.

Jay