Mike,

HVX202 transmit a SD signal via the composite port. Only on the component output - you get a HD signal. The BTLH80W monitor has SDI, Component and composite input. It does NOT have S-video input. Because of that, I am unable to tell whether the S-video port on the camera is sending HD or SD.

I tested the setup using my system just now. HVX202 is set to HD (720p). If I connect the component output to BTLH80W - I get HD signal appearing on the monitor. If I connect only the composite output of the camera, the monitor still shows the picture, but it is the SD version of the signal.

A consolation to this - to my eyes, the resulting video screen on the monitor (whether in HD or SD) looks just as sharp as each other. I think there is some scaling h/w in the monitor that dynamically expands the video ... you can set in the monitor setup menu whether you want 4:3 or 16:9 for SD signals. Also, the focus in red, pixel to pixel, waveform - works whether the signal is HD or SD.

All this while, the camera is always capturing the video in HD (720p).

TS

Thanks TingSern. That confirms what I expected.

I've had a dialogue with Greggor from AbelCine today, along the lines of working around this. He'll be getting my order for a BT-LH80WP..;-)

A good, cheap solution seems to be to use one of these (or similar) straight from the HVX component, then feeding the monitor from that, with extra components out for further monitors chained together:

http://sewelldirect.com/gefen-compon...litter-1x3.asp

I take it you're still happy with your monitor?
Next step will be the DVXUser market place to sell a Marshall and Nogas.


mike

Mike,

I think there are limits (practical and electrical) to how many monitors you can daisy chain this way before the image starts to show "wear and tear". It is a function of the cable length, and the quality of your splitters you use. Nearly all the cheap video splitters are just passive components - no electronics - just banks of copper / silver ... so, the more chains you pass them through, the weaker the signal will be.

If you are just putting one - no problems. I have seen some shops overdo it :-).

BTLH80W monitor is great ... especially so for doing manual work - that is - manual focusing and zooming. The viewfinder on the HVX202 is not good enough for doing manual focusing at all. I use it with the 4 pin XLR power cable - connect it to a 2m long wire - to AB's Gold Mount on the other side. Then I don't need to mount the battery on the monitor. Much lighter this way on the HVX202's handle.

Even then - I use one Zacuto's HVX202 Heavy Load Support on the handle itself as well - to prevent long term damage on the handle.

TS