This is somewhat of a repost of a thread I replied to in the Monitors section but I'm trying to hit this particular crowd. (Hope I'm not in the wrong by posting it here.)

That said, I'm eagerly awaiting my HVX200 and I've been looking at the 17" Panasonic (BTW-LH1700) to double as a field monitor and in post.

However, I do enough run and gun stuff in which a 17" monitor just won't work ... in addition, I'm quite leary of the HVX's bulit in display ... too much leeway for mistakes in focus. (From what I've read and heard.)

So, setting aside the Post issue, has anybody else seen a Marshall V-R70P-HDA (or the like) in action with this camera? Is it needed? Meaning, is the bulit in display on the HVX that unreliable for focus?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice!

- Hans

The LCD is unreliable for focus if used on it's own, but if you are using the focus assist feature (while focusing AND while shooting to check) then apparently you should be fine. Barry says the focus assist feature works great. If the focus assist is a pixel for pixel zoom then it actually should work BETTER than an onboard monitor because those monitors are not pixel for pixel.

I'm wondering if there is any way to use the focus assist feature on an onboard monitor. That would be a nice feature.

The Marshall works surprisingly well; I recommend you contact Rush Hamden at DVInfo.net sponsor Express Video Supply (evsonline.com) to talk about it; Rush has been using them for a while and sings their praises rather highly.

Focus assist doesn't work to an external monitor. The focus assist works very well, but you'd still want to use it in combination with the zoom-in, focus, zoom-out technique. Focus is critical in HD...

That said, we shot the demo footage for DV Expo and never even had an HD monitor. We did it all with just the LCD and it all turned out tack sharp.

So, setting aside the Post issue, has anybody else seen a Marshall V-R70P-HDA (or the like) in action with this camera? Is it needed? Meaning, is the bulit in display on the HVX that unreliable for focus?

I have a Marshall V-R70P-HDA coming in this week, that will be used with the HVX200. Although I don't have the HVX200 yet, I'll have a decent sense of the quality of the monitor. I'll also be comparing the component HD in vs S-video in, which I haven't read anyone report on. This is an important point, since the model just below the HDA with SD composite/S-video only, is $450 cheaper.

Steev,

Look forward to your report! I love to get your sense of the monitor. And if it is worth it spring the extra $450 for the HD inputs. Now if we can only get the HVXs to ship!

Barry, Brian, Steve,

Thanks for the replies! I'll be interested to hear more on the Marshall so please post your experiences.

I appreciate it.

Now ... if only my HVX would show up ....

Here it is! I just got the monitor in today, and in short, it is a must have. The S-video and BNC SD looks pretty shabby compared to the HD component in.

You can read more about my report here:

http://web.mac.com/holyzoo1/iWeb/Site/Media_Journal/223571B3-5BAD-4B31-B87F-2A43E802A339.html

Thanks again to Nate Weaver for the tip.

-steev

Thanks for the review. Good to know the HD inputs are worth the money.

You can read more about my report here:

http://web.mac.com/holyzoo1/iWeb/Site/Media_Journal/223571B3-5BAD-4B31-B87F-2A43E802A339.html


Steev ... thanks so much for the post, the pix and your thoughts. Good stuff. I'll be interested to see what it feels, looks like when shooting.

- H

Steev,

How did that other battery for your Marshall workout?

If it did, how much, and what was the source?

Thanks, Steve

Steev, How did that other battery for your Marshall workout? If it did, how much, and what was the source?

Ah, yeah the 12V NRG battery I purchased did *not* work. So I rented the Anton Bauer running 14.4V and it lasted for many hours, and in fact I returned it on rental without exhausting its charge. So I have a Bescor 14.4V NiHM on the way, and the other battery is going back to BH.

I'll give an update on how it works out when it gets here next week. If it works, that's $220 for a battery with charger that will last many hours. Compare this to an Endura or Anton Bauer battery solution starting at $800. :O

-steev

Thanks Steev,

Let us know how the Bescor works out.

I'm about to through down on the Marshall and goods.

thxs, Steve

Yes!!!! The Bescor is a winner! As I'm typing now, the Marshall has been running non stop for 3 hours, 15 minutes. I'm not sure the total potential on the battery, but I'm satisfied and tired as hell, so sleep time for me. The battery has outlasted me.

Here's the battery - Bescor NMH-65A 14.4V NiMH

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=411558&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Comes with a nice auto charger to prevent overcharging.

It's surprisingly compact as well - about the height and width of a 1st/2nd gen iPod, but about 2 inches think. Would clip easily to waist/belt or a clamp and a loop.

Again, I'm using it to power a Marshall 7" HD capable LCD monitor - Marshall V-R70P-HDA

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=391161&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

in order to connect this LCD moitor (V-R70P-HDA) to HVX200, what kind of cables do I need?
(BTW, thank you very much for the report... since I've been looking for the lcd monitor for HVX, it's big help...)

in order to connect this LCD moitor (V-R70P-HDA) to HVX200, what kind of cables do I need?
(BTW, thank you very much for the report... since I've been looking for the lcd monitor for HVX, it's big help...)

You can use the component video cable that comes with the HVX200.

For the battery, you should get a 4-pin XLR cable (standard male to female) in the length needed for how you're going to mount the monitor and battery. I bought a 6 foot cable.

You can use the component video cable that comes with the HVX200.
FYI, the component cable for the HVX is also compatible with the component cable for the XLH1 and for the original JVC HD1 & HD10.

FYI, the component cable for the HVX is also compatible with the component cable for the XLH1 and for the original JVC HD1 & HD10.

Aha! Good to know! I was hoping this was a standard thing. I've personally never dealt with D terminal connections/connectors.

Barry, here's a question. I'm assuming you can choose the HD component output format, independent of the recording format. For instance recording in 720p24N, and monitoring 1080i out the D terminal. Yes? I hope.

Yes you can do that.

Overall you can do some cross-conversion but not all. Both 1080i and 720p modes can be output as 1080i or downconverted to 480i. 720p can also be converted to 1080i, but 1080i can't be cross-converted to 720p on the analog outputs.

480i doesn't get up-rezzed on output; 480i is output as 480i.

Yes you can do that. 720p can also be converted to 1080i.

Very cool. Good news there.

So I ran the Marshall a bit more today and the sum total from last night and today on a single charge on the Bescor battery was a little over 5 hours. :)

Steev,
I just bought the Marshall V-R70P-HDA.
Please point me to a link to buy the Bescor battery and charger you purchased.

Thanks, Steve

Steev,
I just bought the Marshall V-R70P-HDA.
Please point me to a link to buy the Bescor battery and charger you purchased. Thanks, Steve

No problem.

It's the Bescor NMH-65A 14.4V NiMH:

http://www.bescor.com/Page03.htm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=411558&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

No problem.

It's the Bescor NMH-65A 14.4V NiMH:

http://www.bescor.com/Page03.htm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=411558&is=REG&addedTroughType=search


I just received V-R70P-HDA from B&H... Thanks again for the information.
And, I'm going to buy the battery (Bescor) today...
But, In case of using V-mount Battery,
What would you recommend?
How about Varizoom?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=415598&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=415608&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
Are they OK?
Any other recommendations?
Thanks,

And, I'm going to buy the battery (Bescor) today...But, In case of using V-mount Battery, What would you recommend? How about Varizoom?

I've never used V-mount batteries. It's never been in the budget. Has anyone else used V-mount batteries, specifically the Varizoom branded ones?

Mmmm... No info...
Well, 'Bescor NMH-65A' worked very well, like you said... smaller than I thought too...

Anyway, I tried
'Marshall V-LCDMT01 Accessory Mounting Bracket for Camera Shoe' to test the monitor with my DVX & Mini35...

I think the monitor is bit too heavy for the mounting bracket...
It seems OK, if the monitor stay up straight all the time...
But, it's very unstable when tilted...

Guess I need to find good solid off-set arm mount for later, when using with HVX200...

Again, Thank you very very much for the information.

oh, one more question... The instruction for the 'Bescor' charger seems very confusing... (or I'm dumb.. Mmmm) Anything I specially need to know for charging?

Anything I specially need to know for charging?

I've found that when I charge, it'll be in solid green mode which means it's charging. Then often the charger goes into flashing red light mode, and I have to unplug, then plug back in, and continue charging. Then it'll charge until the green light blinks, and that means the battery is charged.

Too bad it doesn't just charge in one instance of plugging in and letting it charge overnight. I guess that's why it's $200. :/

Thanks to Steev and everyone else on this thread. I'm ordering the Marshall V-R70P-HDA today from Guy at DVestore.com for just under $1,300 and probably the Bescor battery set up as well. I appreciate all of your great notes and testing Steev.

I plan on mounting the Marshall with my HVX200 the same way I mounted my TransVideo CineMonitor IIIA when I had my XL2.
Photo here - http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic3.html

It's on an arm that I got from VFgadgets.com. Jong, this arm may work well for you if you have not found a solution you like yet.

The TransVideo had mounting holes on the top and bottom. Since the Marshall does not look like it will flip the image and I'll need to mount this upside down , do I just need to get the "Mounting Plate?"
screen grab here (cut from Marshall .pdf) - http://www.thisis24p.com/MarshallMountingPlate.html

Then just attach that to the top (says it mounts on any of the sides) so I can screw it into the VF Gadget arm?

I plan on mounting the Marshall with my HVX200 the same way I mounted my TransVideo CineMonitor IIIA when I had my XL2.
Photo here - http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic3.html

It's on an arm that I got from VFgadgets.com. Jong, this arm may work well for you if you have not found a solution you like yet.

Ah.. cool! I have to look into that. Great find Derek.

Since the Marshall does not look like it will flip the image and I'll need to mount this upside down , do I just need to get the "Mounting Plate?"
screen grab here (cut from Marshall .pdf) - http://www.thisis24p.com/MarshallMountingPlate.html

You have the right idea. The Marshall comes with that plate already installed on the bottom. Just unscrew it and mount it on the top so you can mount the monitor upside down.

I'd actually like another plate so I have it on both bottom and top for quick flip mount ability. Did you see this plate as an orderable item?

Thanks Steev.

The folks at VFgadgets.com are some really nice people to work with as well.

On the Marshall Plate -
I found it in a .pdf at the very bottom left hand corner of this page. It says "Owners Manual (PDF)" ~
http://www.lcdracks.com/monitors/vr70p-sd.html

Or here's a direct link to the .pdf itself. The plate's on page 3, but there's no item # next to it ~
http://www.lcdracks.com/monitors/pdf_pages/instruction_sheets/V-R70P-SDUsers%20Guide.pdf

Next time I talk to Guy, I'll find out more about it and post the info here, as this is a GREAT thread on everything about this Marshall V-R70P-HDA. Thanks for letting me know about being able to remove the plate the V-R70P-HDA comes with and the ability to just place it on the top. That should work well enough to get me going!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Steev picked a real winner with this monitor. It was also nice being able to get a quick visual of where the three wires went on the back.

In addition to buying the Marshall Monitor and Bescor Battery I purchased a 26 Foot cable to allow a nice range of portability to the monitor if/when needed. The items I bought were { B&H code in () } -

1 Monster-Cable Video-2 Component 3/RCA-3/RCA (MOMV2CV8M)
3 Comprehensive-Cables Adapters - RCA/F to RCA (COARFRF)

I took a couple of photo's for your reference:
http://www.thisis24p.com/Marshall26FT-1.html (main photo of cable attached to HVX200)
http://www.thisis24p.com/Marshall26FT-2.html (close up of the adaptors)

I was impressed that the person at B&H told me that I was going to need the adaptors to do this. There's nothing I hate more than buying stuff, getting it, then finding out I'm missing something that prevents everything from working. The B&H rep also advised that I purchase Comprehensive's cable because he liked the spec's on it a little better, and it was around $30 less as well. The only problem was that it would not be availble for another 10 to 14 days, and I did not want to wait. But the Comprehensive might be a better option for some of you.

PS - I would not attempt reading the Bescor Battery charging instructions after drinking. And if you haven't been drinking, these instructions may drive you to it. I was glad to see Steev's summary up above.

Thanks Derek.. Little out of topic about the shooter scooter. But its awesome stuff. I was looking for something like this for a long time. vfgadgets.com is a cool site.

Thanks Derek.. Little out of topic about the shooter scooter. But its awesome stuff. I was looking for something like this for a long time. vfgadgets.com is a cool site.Harikrishnan, the Shooter Scooter is pretty cool, but actually I was referring to the mounting arm for monitors. Here's the direct link: http://www.vfgadgets.com/FHS-Hdl-Mt.htm

Derek,

I was referring myself for being out of topic about the shooter scooter :). I saw the camera mount arm. That's pretty cool too.

Hari

Hey All - it's been a while!

For our HVX setup I've purchased the EZFX jib; the Marshall 7" LCD and am using the strap-on-the-chest LCD mount from EZFX to put the Marshall monitor on. I specifically wanted the LCD vest rather than the traditional tripod mounted version on an articulated arm because the vest gives greater freedom of movement and no worries about having the monitor not in the right place for when we move from side to side on the jib.

The LCD vest from EZFX was designed to work the the much lighter Varizoom 7" monitor so we had to modify the vest a bit to work with the Marshall - which weighs about 3 times as much with the V-Mount battery.

Our monitoring rig consists of the:

- Marshall V-R70P-HDA
- IDX Li-ion V-Mount battery (for the price these things cost, we just have one for now!)
- Varizoom 2-bay charger
- Bogen Magic Arm w/camera mount plate
- EXFX LCD vest (modified to handle the Magic Arm)
- Petrol PMH-6 LCD Hood (which comes in 2 sections so that you can vary how long the hood is)

Marshall does make their own LCD hood to fit their monitor but at the time we ordered the monitor they didn't have one on their website and their own description of it was sketchy. I like the Petrol especially since it's in 2 stages, but I'm still considering getting the Marshall since mounting the Marshall version doesn't require using sticky velcro tape, just stretch straps. We'll see...

The Magic Arm is the perfect solution for us; it allows the monitor to be placed at virtually any viewing height from above eye level to almost down to the waist and at whatever distance we want from the camera operators face. It's much more logical than the tripod mount since you're not looking away from the talent/shooting direction, you can simply look up at your subject without losing your framing or orientation. I really dig it a lot.

The Marshall provides plenty of resolution for manual focusing, and for those who say the built-in HVX LCD or EVF doesn't is hogwash. When you use the Focus Assist button we've found it to be as perfect as using a directors lens - without the hassle of having one hanging around your neck.

We're still in the process of getting used to the rig and haven't used it in any of our productions yet (it took a while to figure out how to modify the LCD vest setup), but i'll report back as we get our "sea legs" with it.

Hope all you dudes are doing well in your ventures!