I want to use my laptop and final cut pro as waveform monitor.... so what exactly does the non-controllable device selection do? I don't want to capture, do I need to select this option?

btw... know any places that sell wires that are more than 6-10ft? Don't know if it even exsists.

btw... know any places that sell wires that are more than 6-10ft? Don't know if it even exsists.What wires, firewire? You can get them longer than this, but like with any cable, a longer wire means more chance of loss of signal.

Jarrod's right.

You can also buy repeaters that will boost the signal along the way without any adverse effects.

Yes, I know the topic of monitors has been covered in many other areas of DVInfo, but I have read most of them so please don't rip my head off for this because I do not believe my question has been answered in the other threads.

That being said, with the XL2 is it really necessary to use a monitor that supports 800x480 lines of resolution. I realize that it is a must for HD, but can you still pull critical focus in SD with a monitor that has 480x240 lines of res.

What it comes down to is that I am trying to decide between the following setups:

http://www.varizoom.com/products/monitors/vztft7u.html

or

http://www.ikancorp.com/pages/monitors/v8000w/included.htm#included
plus battery, charger, and battery mount.

The varizoom will be a little cheaper when all is said and done, but would it be worth it to spend the little bit of extra dough to get the higher resolution (not to mention the extra inch) even though I am only shooting SD? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

OK folks,
What are your thoughts on the field monitors and LCD's for the XL2.
I would like to have some protection of what I am shooting. Rather
than get a suprise at home I would like to know while I am live.

At least this gives me a chance to make changes while on site.

I have no idea where to start..

I use a 7" 16:9 Varizoom all the time, and I couldn't go back to not using it. I wish i could afford a good field monitor also, but for framing and focus, the 7" works just fine. Here are a couple of pix.

That is exactly what I am looking for. How does that do with getting your setting's how you like? and adjusting color?

What brand is that and where is a good place to get one?

Also, what is the value and when do you use that lens hood?
Thanks!

Hey Guy,

I am using the 8" Ikan monitor and absolutely love it! I believe it is the cheapest one around and has excellent picture quality. It is actually a true high res monitor also, 800x480 lines (the varizoom is only 480x240 lines). The only down side to it is that you cannot switch it to 4x3 mode, which has not been that big of a problem. A feature that has really come in handy is the multiple inputs. When doing a 2/3 camera shoot, I can easily match all the cameras by switching the input back and forth on the monitor by hitting a single button.

Here is the site: www.ikancorp.com/pages/monitors/v8000w/index.htm

They have it at B&H for $449. You will also need a battery pack. They have a pack that runs off of AAs, or you can use the Sony battery adapter that allows you to use Sony L type batteries. I opted for the Sony L type batteries and found some of the batteries for cheap off of E-Bay. I also have a quick charger that will charge just about any type of battery. I can charge my Canon bats and sony bats on the same charger via the use of adapter plates.

I will post some pictures of my setup when I get home.

Ryan

That is exactly what I am looking for. How does that do with getting your setting's how you like? and adjusting color?

What brand is that and where is a good place to get one?

Also, what is the value and when do you use that lens hood?
Thanks!
Well, I don't know that any LCD/TFT monitor is great for color, but it shows me everything that is going on in a relative manner - if I drop in a filter, it shows me the effect, and the color is sharp and clear, but it may not be exactly what is seen in the final product. Anyway, it's a Varizoom picked up at B&H as a nice kit with battery, charger, case (nice) hood and shoe mount:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/400388-REG/Varizoom_VZ_TFT_7U_VZ_TFT7U_7_LCD_Monitor.html

The matte box is a nice big Formatt made from light aircraft aluminum. It's a good, but not great matte box, with two filter stages. I also use Formatt filters, which are the very best, in my opinion, but I can tell you that you can spend a king's ransom on filters. Also B&H.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/509019-REG/Formatt_BFFM600MATT_FM_600_4x4_Matte_Box.html

I do not know about you guys but I am thinking about this solution http://www.myvu.com/HomePage.html#

Especially the Shades 301. This model will not be available before June but the functionality and the price looks great.

Since I am always filming for very long hours and most often two to three days in a row. I have to sit. I then use a small TV monitor (13 inches) which have been giving me excellent result. Lately I have been looking at ways to have a setup which would be less heavy.

I then bought a DVD reader (Insigna 10.2 inches) and I have been very satisfied with it. I do have a small 7" broadcast monitor that I can attach to the camera but prefer the DVD reader. The color are great and it meet my needs.

Daniel

The monitor also has an auto-off feature that will turn off the monitor if it does not detect an input signal. So when the cam goes into standby, the monitor will shut off also, to turn the monitor back on simply power back up the camera.

Here are some pictures of the Ikan on my XL2:

Thanks for the replies guy's. I beleive these look like nice units.
I have just been burned one to many times with getting footage of something that looked bad.

Last night I taped a basketball game and this was the 2nd time at the location. The first footage I got had a little too much red and I did not hit on the right shutter speed until late. So this time, I decided to set up exactly how I liked and get the entire first half before I tweaked it. Keep in mind...It is a brand new gym with great lighting. Anyway, I used a wall to set my white balance just as I did the first game.

After the footage was bad I went back and reviewed what I did. Come to find out the wall had been painted. The first game it had a white primer, last night It was a very light/whitish grey....To my eyes it looked white and I was not too concerned because of the last game. Now it looks like I taped though tinted windows of a 78 Trans-Am.

I feel your pain, I have done something similar a couple of times, now I would not be caught dead without a white balance card. Saves a ton of time in color correcting.

The monitor actually does display some pretty accurate colors, as far as cheaper monitors go. I set up the monitor by comparing it to a well calibrated monitor. You can also use the viewfinder and get the colors pretty close.

Ryan

Hi Guy,

Having the luxury of owning a XL-2, you can always turn on the internal color bars and compare them with a "Gretag Macbeth" color checker card:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/465287-REG/Xrite_M50111_Mini_ColorChecker_Card.html

Of course, with affordable portable gear like the Varizoom, you're somewhat limited trying to use your SMPTE color bars to do PLUGE calibration (Picture Lie-Up Generation Equipment), although the Varizoom does have adjustments for Color, Brightness, Contrast, and Tint:

http://spareroommedia.com/video/monitor_setup.html

Good luck, Michael

I have never turned on my internal color bars nor seen the directions. I will look it up, that may be what I need.

I think my biggest issue is just experience.

Is that color board just 2 inches? seems small.

I have never turned on my internal color bars nor seen the directions. I will look it up, that may be what I need.

I think my biggest issue is just experience.

Is that color board just 2 inches? seems small.

Guy,

Yes, but you can certainly get a big one for about the same price if that's what you need:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/465286-REG/Xrite_MSCCC_Original_ColorChecker_Card.html

Michael

Ryan - thanks for posting the info and pics of your Ikan. I've been considering that model, but I've been wondering if there's something I'm missing because the price is so good. I'm glad to see that it's working for you. I hope to get my hands on one sometime soon!

- Josh

I am on the verge of making a purchase. However, I want to make sure I get the best possible unit for my liking...

My factors: (I think)

1.) Resolutiuon
2.) 16:9 & 4:3
3.) Versatility (Sometime on the shoe mount and sometimes not.
4.) Size from 7~9"
5.) Kit included. ( i just want to make 1 purchase if possible)

Of all the Ikan's I noticed this is the only one that does not have 4:3 ratio but If I am not mistaken It has the best resolution.

http://www.ikancorp.com/pages/monitors/monitor_comparison.htm

What do you think? any recomendations?

...the V9200 weighs 2.0 pounds!!

This seems to be alot and too big for a shoe mount?

What do you guy's think? The big one with 4:3
http://www.ikancorp.com/pages/monitors/V9200/index.htm

or the smaller one with out 4:3
http://www.ikancorp.com/pages/monitors/v8000w/index.htm

I actually do shoot in 4:3. I hate to not have because I think it still has some use. Just Friday night I shot in 4:3..

What happens when a 4:3 signal hits the V8000W? Does it just stretch it out horizontally?

Hey Guy,

When you shoot 4x3 it does stretch the image to 16x9. In my experience, it doesn't really effect my shooting when I am doing a project 4x3. It does take some getting used to for framing, but the main reason I use the monitor is for focus.

I'd say: if you shoot 4x3 frequently, go for a monitor that switches to 4x3. I shoot it very infrequently and like the size, weight, and portability of the 8 in. It fits perfectly in my Kata CCC10A. I also think that the weight is perfect and that the extra pound of the 9 in. would prove to be cumbersome.

It all comes down to what will work best with your specific needs.

Hope this helps,
Ryan

Ryan,
Today I spoke with a B&H salesman and he said the 8000 was more monitor than the XL2 could support because the camera output resolution was less than the monitor?

Is that the case? from you information I thought he was wrong?

Guy,

I don't know exactly what the sales rep meant by "more resolution than the XL2 can support", but from my experience the cam/monitor combo has exceeded my expectations and I have received multiple compliments on the clarity of the image. Not to mention that when the cam is in 16x9 mode, the image being displayed on the monitor is actually 853x480?

Maybe the sales rep knows something that I don't know, but the monitor has been working flawlessly for me. Just make sure that you order another camera hot shoe mount. The one that comes with it is not the greatest and mine actually just broke on me this weekend. I ordered an all metal one from B&H so hopefully I'll have better luck with this one.

Other than the mount, it is really a sweet addition to the XL2.

Ryan

Ryan,
Today I spoke with a B&H salesman and he said the 8000 was more monitor than the XL2 could support because the camera output resolution was less than the monitor?

Is that the case? from you information I thought he was wrong?

Hi Guy,

The B&H "more monitor" statement is a bit befuddling from the context of the monitor's line resolution. Had B&H implied "more monitor" than the XL-2 camera operator should handle from the perspective of a 9 inch, 2 pound monitor, then I'd be in general agreement for most non-studio applications (I feel I pushed it getting a 7 inch monitor when many of our colleagues use a 5 incher). But even if the monitor had more resolution than I currently needed, I might still up-buy for my next camera (although monitor technology does seem to get better price-performance specs over time).

Good luck, Michael

I called back and the next sales guy and I concluded that he was confusing the V8000HD with the V8000W.

I went ahead and went with the V8000W. I the the size and resolution in more important than the 4:3.

Ryan,
do you got a link for better shoe mount?

What do you do to assure your exposure is correct?
I have been starting mild zebra stripes and adjusting the non priority setting until the stripes are gone.

I really ignored the meter on the LCD. But recently I have used the meter much more. Is it best just to keep the meter in the middle? Like in the TV and Av modes?

Guy,

Here is a link to the mount that I picked up:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/383489-REG/Tote_Vision_HS_1_HS_1_Hot_Shoe_Mount.html

I usually depend on my eye for proper exposure, but before I grew pretty certain that I was seeing it correctly I would keep the viewfinder on the cam and adjust to the zebras. I'd open the iris till I saw zebras on the talents face, then I would just bump it down till the zebras disappeared off of the talent's skin. I still do this sometimes when I begin to question if my eye is seeing the image correctly.

I do sometimes look at the meter as well, though I have noticed that different preset setups will effect it in interesting ways. Usually I try to shoot for somewhere around the middle, but if what I see with my eye disagrees with the meter, my eye takes precedence.

Congrats on the monitor, I hope you like yours as much as I like mine. Just make sure you calibrate it as well as possible.

Ryan

Based on your responce I pressume you are using your eyes via your monitor?

I guess the calibration directions are provided?

Guy,

Yes I do use the monitor to obtain proper exposure, sometimes I double check in the viewfinder.

No, there are no calibration instructions that come with the monitor. A good way to calibrate is to hook the camera up to a tv that will be close to what you/your client will be viewing it on while you have the monitor attached and tinker with the settings on the monitor till the two match.

The correct way to calibrate/adjust the monitor is with a calibration tool such as a spyder (or the like). You can also adjust it properly manually, there are sites that tell you how to do it, don't know what the sites are for sure but I know they exist.

Calibrating to a monitor similar to the final viewing monitor has worked pretty well for me so far.

Ryan

You will also need a battery pack. They have a pack that runs off of AAs, or you can use the Sony battery adapter that allows you to use Sony L type batteries. I opted for the Sony L type batteries and found some of the batteries for cheap off of E-Bay. I also have a quick charger that will charge just about any type of battery. I can charge my Canon bats and sony bats on the same charger via the use of adapter plates.


Ryan,
Thanks for all your help on this purchase. My unit, just arrived and I must say I am like a 7 year on Christmas morning. This is going to save me alot of my headaches...

The sony battery pack you speak of. Are those batteries interchangeable with the XL2 ones? I will need somthing like this very soon...
What exactly is the AA unit? I realize now that I should have made the bat pack purchase with the monitor.

No, the Sony batteries are not interchangeable with the canon batteries, though I wish they were. Hasn't been too much of a hassle though. The AA battery pack is just what it sounds like, a pack that holds somewhere around 10 AA batteries that are replaced when needed. With as much as I use the monitor, I'm glad I opted for a rechargeable alternative.

The "sony adapter plate" for the Ikan holds any L or M type Sony battery. It does not come with the batteries, but the batteries are cheap and readily available on ebay. Just be careful who you get the batteries from though. I have 4 batteries total and two of them only last about a half an hour. The other two are, supposedly, rated as the same amp hours yet they last for 2-3 hours each.

I said heck with it...and called Ikan and bought all new ones...
Strange thing is B&H said that they did not have anything for this application.

Since I'm about to buy a LCD kit for my XL2, I would certainly appreciate some advice. I realize there'll be a conflict with the XL2's flash-shoe if I'm getting such a unit since I've already a Bescor on-camera light. Hence, my questions are -- is this a recommended LCD; http://tinyurl.com/3f5ldr and is there a solution to mount both this LCD and the Bescor lights?

Any help appreciated -- I'm in particular interested in hearing any experience(s), good or bad, with this LCD.

-- peer

Hello Peer,

I don't have experience in this monitor, but from what I've heard, it's not a good monitor. If you look closely at the resolution, it'S 480x234 pixels, meaning it won't be much use for focusing, and at that price, it sure ain't for balancing colors either! It would only be used for framing, but the thing is, I've heard the viewing angles on this monitor are atrocious.

I personnally got a used Ikan V8000HD deluxe kit (with the battery, case and all), and while colors aren't that good, the viewing angles are decent with a good lcd hood and the resolution (800x480) really helps getting critical focus on my XL2 with a 35mm adapter. I haven't had any of the troubles people on the forum talk about (don't know if I've been lucky), but fact is this monitor works well for what I need. It's not at the same price point (about 900$ instead of 250$), but according to those who tried the one you want to buy, it's just a plain waste of money, period.

If you really, really need a monitor lcd, you can try to buy one used from a trusted seller here on DVInfo or on DVXuser.com marketplaces. That's where I got mine, and I think there's currently another V8000HD for sale. Just be sure to research the seller a bit before committing to a deal!

Hope this helps!

Hey Peer,

Personally I use the V8000W from Ikan, also 800x480. The only reason you might want to go for the HD version is if you use a 35 adapter and need the flip feature, or if you want to be able to switch to 4x3. Otherwise the monitor is very similar and the V8000W is only around $400. I am extremely pleased with the performance of the monitor.

As for mounting a light as well as the monitor, there are many "T" style hotshoe mounts that will allow for attaching both to the hotshoe. Sorry, don't remember the links for those, but I know I saw them @ B&H.

Ryan

Hi Peer,

We have this bracket:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/114982-REG/NRG_59111_59111_Accessory_Tri_Mount.html


Best,

I'm still looking to buy a monitor -- the Ikan 8inch HD seems to be a nice unit but since I don't need any HD, I wonder what would be a more affordable system that works well with the XL2..?

Any help appreciated,

-- peer

Ryan stated that you can get the SD version (V8000W) for about half the price...

Jonathan

I am looking for a small on camera LCD monitor for my XL-2 I video deer hunts and have the camera on a camera arm so looking at the small view finder is very hard. I see the deer but have a hard time finding it with the camera. I was thinking 4-5 inch screen would work great. I don't want to spend to much because I don't know how well it would work. Any ideas? Thanks!

Hi Matt,

Here are just a couple of threads for your reading pleasure<

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xl2-watchdog/123791-lcd-monitor.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sdtv-hdtv-video-monitors/112555-xl2-field-monitor-camera-mount-lcd.html

Personally I use the Ikan V8000W and love it. It runs around $500 and is worth every penny. Ikan also makes a 7" version as well. I personally think that if you go for anything smaller than 7" you will realize that it doesn't really do you much good. Especially if you buy a cheap one. Whatever you do just make sure that it has a descent resolution. There are a ton of monitors out there that only have like 400x240 lines that will not really do much for you at all.

Hope this helps.

Has anyone tried or perhaps know about this monitor: Manhattan LCD (http://tinyurl.com/63eac2)

-- peer

From the looks of the specs, it looks like it is actually a pretty good monitor. The only thing that would keep me from going with something like that is the lack of information and pictures. For one, you can't tell if it has an option to mount it to a camera. Doesn't look like it has a threaded area in the base, but you can't tell from that pic. Not to mention the picture looks like it was taken on somebody's workbench, kinda like they just got done with some experimental project that they decided that they might be able to market.

I'd be interested to see if anyone has tested these yet? Cause that's a pretty irresistible price-tag. Almost too good to be true.

Addition: I almost forgot about power supply. Can it be rigged to run off bricks?

Not to mention the picture looks like it was taken on somebody's workbench, kinda like they just got done with some experimental project that they decided that they might be able to market.

Yep, that's also the impression I got. Apparently those monitors are built by some genius laddie in his home shop as a side job -- although bad at communicating, everyone raves about him being nice & trustworthy. This is what I found from another DVi tread:

I found more positive words here:
Http://www.manhattanlcd.com/ - Lumenlab (http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23647)
I just received a reply from Manhattan LCD stating that they are in Orlando, FL.

By the way, this entire thread is about different and inexpensive LCD hacks: Finally! External LCD Monitor Solution < $200 - The Digital Video Information Network (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=121801)

-- peer

Posted in wrong thread, sorry.

Alright, I need to know if this monitor will work on my XL2 -- especially at 16:9, (assuming I go s-video). Any advice or words of deterrence, please just let it rip as soon as possible, i.e., before I commit to buy: Manhattan LCD (http://tinyurl.com/72g5nb)

-- peer

Hi Matt
I have not been on line for some time and have just seen your post about small monitors.
I had a similar problem when filming wildlife and found a very simple method of finding
and following a moving animal was to fit a "Red Dot " gun sight to the accessory shoe.
Once calibrated to the distance all you have to do is keep the dot on the subject and it
will be in shot.
The rig I have cost me about $30.

ebay: look for "NcSTAR Red Dot Sight"

Dang Henry. That's a great idea.