View Full Version : Portable DVD Player as Monitor?


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Ben Winter
February 1st, 2006, 05:09 PM
*mumbles* yea that's the same LCD screen I have, that I'm currently using with my GL2 + Letus.

I have to warn you though, the more I've used it the less satisfied I've been with the sharpness of the image. It may have that high resolution for a computer VGA signal but it certainly doesn't look very sharp when the image is fed in through S-video.

Leo Mandy
February 1st, 2006, 06:06 PM
Any how-to on how you did the RCA input?

Ben Winter
February 1st, 2006, 06:22 PM
Not sure what you mean...just plugged it in.

Layi Babalola
February 1st, 2006, 07:04 PM
I'm considering going with the 7inch model instead. The 629GL. It's resolution seems perfect for DV (800x480).

Lilliput 7" VGA Touchscreen 629GL-70NP:
http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=42{7}17{1}81{25}42

My only issues are the fact that its aspect ratio is 16:9, but my DVX100 outputs a 4:3 ratio. Any idea what that will mean for my image? Will it just show a 4:3 image in the middle (wasting screen real estate) or will it stretch it out?

A second option is the XENARC 800YV
It's 8 inches with a 4:3 ratio and X/Y flip. The resolution is 640x480, so it's not as good as DV
http://www.xenarcdirect.com/store/product.php?productid=16144&cat=250&page=1

This may be the highest resolution manufactured at this aspect ratio. Could I be wrong?

Thanks for your input.

Leo Mandy
February 1st, 2006, 07:32 PM
Sorry Ben, I meant Andrew Todd when he said :

**ive rigged an xbox portable monitor for rca input**

Jelle Poupaert
February 2nd, 2006, 03:45 PM
Ben,

the more I've used it the less satisfied I've been with the sharpness of the image.

Do you think that's because of bad quality of the screen, or because the resolution is not high enough (so all of the 800x480 screens would give the same result, so I should go for a higher res screen)?

Layi Babalola
February 2nd, 2006, 05:14 PM
I think the monitor Ben is using is a low res monitor. I'd be surprised it it actually had a 480pixel vertical resolution. Perhaps, that is the reason for the blurriness. Also, was the touch screen removed? If not, that too can make it blurry.

Ben Winter
February 2nd, 2006, 08:14 PM
Bad quality. It's got the resolution (VGA input from a computer looks crisp as anything) but I don't think the s-video electronics take advantage of it. Yes, the touchscreen is removed, which helps a little.

Jelle Poupaert
February 3rd, 2006, 06:41 PM
mmm I guess you get what you pay for, it's quite cheap. And there's no real other choice, other 7" screens do not have an s-video input at all. And I dont want to spend more than $1000 for a pro screen.
BTW I saw some other posts where people complain about the 7" lilliput being a bit washed out as well.

Layi, be careful, none of the 7" lilliput screens have an s-video input although that's in the description of mp3car.com. Have a look at www.lilliput.cn . Only some of the 8" screens have an s-video input.

Layi Babalola
February 3rd, 2006, 06:49 PM
Would RCA inputs be sufficient? What's the difference in the video quality? Thanks.

Jelle Poupaert
February 3rd, 2006, 07:01 PM
here's a short explanation of the difference:

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/15434

I dont think there are LCD screens in the $100-$300 price range with a component input, so I would go for s-video.

Leo Mandy
February 4th, 2006, 09:30 AM
For those in Canada, CanadianTire has a 7 inch monitor for sale for $100.00. I bought one today and going to test it out, it has 16:9 and 4:3, brightness adjust. I am going to keep it anyways for my steadicam, but it might double. I don't think it has 180 degree, but I can just turn it upside down I believe.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669468&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1139066927001&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443278243&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true

Leo Mandy
February 4th, 2006, 12:31 PM
Is there a S-video to 1/8 inch stereo converter cable? I am trying out this monitor, but it doesn't like the AV out to the video in, so I need to try another route.
Actually I found a 1/8 to 1/8 that seems to work :
Here is a grab/. Bad lighting, I know. Just did it quick :

http://dvstuff.250free.com/bag.htm

I shot the little monitor and hence the mirror to infinity effect. I think the monitor looks pretty good, althought there are no instructions to tell me the specs ie; probably 640X480. But I did a focus test with the monitor and it was sharp enough to use for focusing, so I think this one is a cheap keeper for me.

Andrew Todd
February 4th, 2006, 12:57 PM
For those in Canada, CanadianTire has a 7 inch monitor for sale for $100.00. I bought one today and going to test it out, it has 16:9 and 4:3, brightness adjust. I am going to keep it anyways for my steadicam, but it might double. I don't think it has 180 degree, but I can just turn it upside down I believe.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396669468&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1139066927001&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443278243&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true


im going down to crappy tire after work!! good find .. thats a great deal.. probably not the best qualtiy but good enough to frame with..

what part of canada do you live in leo?

Leo Mandy
February 4th, 2006, 01:10 PM
Ontario. I little far from N.B!
The monitor is a 90 day warranty, so you really can't go wrong. Test it out and see.
Most importantly, it is light as a feather, can be turned upside down and has no pieces for mounting that cannot be easily removed.

Clint Grant
July 2nd, 2006, 04:24 PM
Hey there everybody,

I currently only use the viewfinder on my XL1s, however, it would be much simpler if I could get a seperate monitor. Of course, I could get a camera-mounted LCD monitor, but it woudl be much cheaper if I use a portable DVD player instead. Can this be done? (Obviously need either Composite plug-ins, or S-video cable.). If this can be done, are there any portable DVD players you would reccomend? Sorry if this question is a little bit vague, (or simply a silly question.....), but I figured it's worth a try! Thanks,

~Clint Grant~

Terry Arnold
July 5th, 2006, 04:43 PM
Would it be possible to use a portable DVD player as a monitor while recording or using as playback using the RCA or s-video port? The price of these things are quite cheap now compared to a "real monitor". I'm sure it could be afixed to a tripod via velcro or some straping assembly.

Brent Adams
July 5th, 2006, 07:42 PM
In theory yes. The problem you're going to run into is power in the field. Most of these devices run off wall worts or DC adapters for use in a vehicle. Those that use batteries typically have a short lifespan (2-3 hours generally).

Also the picture quality can really be iffy, I don't think it would be good for anything but composition or just having another monitor so you and the cameraman aren't fighting for the EVF. Using it as a reference monitor for color or luminance is probably not going to work out too well.

Tom Elliott
July 7th, 2006, 06:27 PM
I would just try it with a portable battery, like they have for your on camera light. If it works then practice so that you can quickly set it up in the field without being a clutz. If you practice with it in the studio have your correctly balance studio monitor as a reference and then GLUE the settings down so they don't move. At the worst it could only be used as a second compositional monitor for your client/director at best it would show the correct color balnce and so forth. Have fun.
Tom

Zack Birlew
July 9th, 2006, 10:56 PM
I currently use a Toshiba portable DVD player with my GL1, works fine as a composition monitor, but focusing isn't too hot. I don't know if newer DVD players will do a better job than mine, which I got back in 2002, but I wouldn't have high hopes. Ikan makes some decent production LCD's for about the same price as a portable DVD player, but don't expect too much from them either, the review I read was that they were good entry-level monitors, but they weren't great.

Terry Arnold
July 11th, 2006, 05:35 PM
What wiring connection do you use to attach the DVD to the GL? RCA or S-video or what? I was talking to a sales associate at a Circuit City about this and he showed me that the RCA plugs seemed a bit loose to get a proper connection??? It still seems to be an economical approach and you can still use it for a DVD viewer

Tom Elliott
July 11th, 2006, 07:26 PM
Dear Terry Arnold,
I really do not know what kind of hook up to make it work properly as a low cost monitor.
If you lived next door to me, I would invite you over for lunch, a swim in the pool and then have you take your time going through my "goodie box" of a gizzilion sizes and kinds of wires to make it work
However I bit the bullet and when I got my GL2 I also sent away for a Marshall location monitor with suedo leather case, sun shield, recharable battery, recharger and an extension arm to have it attached to my tripod so I can be a gentleman, remain seated and compose the shots through the monitor. It was not cheap and thank goodness, video taped depositions pay well.
Yours,
Tom

Zack Birlew
July 11th, 2006, 11:20 PM
Terry, my particular DVD player has both AV-In, AV-Out, Compenent Out, and S-Video Out. For the GL1, I use a Sony AV Connection cable which you should be able to find at a videogame store somewhere (ie. EBGames, Electronics Boutique, Best Buy, ect.), it's even listed on the Sonystyle.com store website under the Playstation 2 accessories list. It's very easy, I just plug one end of the AV cable into the GL1 and the other goes into the AV-In on the DVD player and voila, it works like a charm, but my DVD player, as I've said before, isn't exceptionally good for focusing, still very useful though.

Harold Schreiber
July 12th, 2006, 04:09 PM
Hi Terry,

I don't have the NICE Cams you folks have, a Sony TRV-950 is the best of my 4 Cams.

But, I have been using a seperate Monitor for the last 8 yrs or so. In fact I almost always use one. You've been able to use those Portable DVD players since they came out with "inputs".

Like the others have said, the issue is "in the Field" and the Pic Quality. I've got 5" & 8" LCD TV units from Radio Shack ( both AC/DC ) ( $150 ?), a 15" LCD Samsung AC unit, and 9" and 13" CRT TV AC unit's. The two smaller monitors can be attached to my TriPod, to a second TriPod, to my extendable ( 2' to 4' ) control handle, to whatever. I can send you Pics of these if interested.

If no electricity is available, then I go on battery power. For the Horse Shows I do, I use a Cam, a Monitor, and 2 VCRs. I can power all these for up to 13 hrs. "in the Field" if I need too.

For the day light, I have made Sun Shields for each Monitor and even one for each Cams' little side monitor.

I recently went to Best Buy looking for a DVD Player unit, and only found one that would give a decent Pic. The 10" Insignia unit was the best one (currently $189). The 2 Sonys had good Pics, but were dimer and their screens were way to reflective to be usefull.

If you really need acuracy, then you'll have to put out the $$$ for the best units.

Harold

Terry Arnold
July 12th, 2006, 06:36 PM
Thanks all! Seems the concensus is it's doable, Guess I'll go find me a unit and see what comes out. Very nice work on your web site Tom. Many many years ago I lived down in Miami, last on Coral Way. Anyway this all is just a serious hobby for me, and really I'm more in to photography, just getting into Video. Supporting two hobbies like this is getting to be EXPENSIVE and difficult lugging all of the equipment around. Again THANKS ALL.

Nathaniel McInnes
July 20th, 2006, 09:58 AM
Dont laugh at this but i use this all the time. i use a black and white battery powered Portable tv that cam free with my mums new credit card. (one of those free gifts)

Brian Luce
July 20th, 2006, 06:24 PM
i'm looking for a monitor solution too. but aren't those dvd players small? 6" screens or something? I've found 9" sony monitors barely big enough to compose a shot and check for make up smudges etc.

Michael Pennington
October 25th, 2006, 03:03 AM
I have read many threads about using a cheap portable DVD player as a monitor for the GL2. Can someone recommend a cheap out-of-the-box solution? If you can tell me specific models that would be great.

Also, if someone knows of a cheap remote dvd monitoring solution that would be even better. I guess i could run long cables but that would suck! LOL

Don Palomaki
October 25th, 2006, 04:22 AM
Sony offered a cordless IR video links (transmitter & receiver) at one time. WouLd be line of sight. Model numbers began with something line IFT and IFR.I do nto know if they are still on the market,

Use of a DVD player as a monitor adds weight and bulk, but can work if more portability is not needed. Some people use small screen (e.g., 3"-5") dedicate LED monitors. A search may pull up some threads on the subject.

As to sources, in the USA, I see COSTCO an amny of the big consumer electronics stores often have portable DVD players in stock.

Michael Pennington
October 25th, 2006, 04:50 AM
Can you recommend a model at costco? I assume i'll be using Svideo right?

Graham Bernard
October 25th, 2006, 11:20 AM
I use one of these:-

http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/sound-and-vision/vision/tv/586182/prices

Velcro-ed to one of these:-

http://www.avsupplystore.com/delv-bpca.html

Which is powered by the biggest one of these:-
http://www.hahnel.ie/index.cfm?action=displaybatterygroup&mbid=17

Supported by a system I designed from parts utilizing this system:-
http://www.ram-mount-uk.com/ram-b-149z-c1.htm

Connected by the right-angled multi and chopping of the unnecessary:-
http://www.flatbatt.co.uk/Leads-cables/Video-35/video-35.html

. . and soldering the YELLOW to this right-angle 3.5mm mono mini jack:-
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1147&criteria=PLUGS%20RIGHT%20ANGLED%20mini&doy=25m10


Result?

A bigger screen that provides me with a more "natural" view of the World than my piddly 2.4" LCD; in a 16:9 version which aint elongated; for a price that I could afford; with parts that are completely interchangeable and when I get bored with the shoot I can turn on the TV! Is it a MARSHALL or a NEBTEC or a TELETEST? Nope - it sure aint! However, for the prince and time I spent it was ALMOST worth it. Least ways if any of these "cheap" items go pphut, then I can easily and cheaply replace.

John B. Stambaugh
November 3rd, 2006, 02:23 PM
Graham

Could we see a picture or two of the final result?


John

Graham Bernard
November 3rd, 2006, 03:55 PM
Graham

Could we see a picture or two of the final result?


John

Sure. I''m just in the throes of cannabilizing the parts to fit my newly acquired SpiderBrace. As Soon as I'm done I'll reassemble it for the above. I got wires, Velcro, in-line plugs, water pipe retaining clamps ( just DON'T ask!) and this evening's meal strewn over our large dining table!

Tomorrow it's "Out with the soldering iron and meter" and by ooooh 4:00pm on with the Matt Black paint.

G

Harold Schreiber
November 4th, 2006, 04:57 PM
Hi Michael,

Where do you want to mount it ??

I've made a couple of setups to mount small monitors to the TriPod, or to a second TriPod. Or even next to the Cam.

Harold

Dale Guthormsen
November 9th, 2006, 10:39 AM
I was looking on e bay last night at xl2 accessories and there are 7 in lcd kits for 159 dollars.

Bradley D Barber
November 20th, 2006, 04:21 PM
Graham,

Please send a photo when you can. I would love to see your rig set up like this! What is your total added wieght? Great engineering!

Until the pics!

Bradley

Graham Bernard
November 20th, 2006, 05:34 PM
Graham,

Please send a photo when you can. I would love to see your rig set up like this! What is your total added wieght? Great engineering!

Until the pics!

Bradley

Aw, shucks, sorry Guys!!

I did some real dodgy photography of it, with my other XM2, saw how good others do theirs, felt ashamed . . however . . I'll have it up in the next 24 hours . .promise! ( Now where DID I leave Jacks Bowers cell-number?)

Graham Bernard
November 21st, 2006, 07:41 AM
NOT my most serious piece of work to date - oh no! . ..

But BE happy for me!!

Grazie

Dale Guthormsen
November 22nd, 2006, 10:06 PM
Grazie,

I loved your little clip!! I had a couple good chuckles. How do you like the spider brace?? I have a shoulder brace from varizoom and its ok but it is a little long to toe around loose in the truck.

Graham Bernard
November 23rd, 2006, 01:09 AM
Grazie,

I loved your little clip!! I had a couple good chuckles. How do you like the spider brace?? I have a shoulder brace from varizoom and its ok but it is a little long to toe around loose in the truck.

Thanks Dale! - It was meant as a chuckle too. The photography stinks and it is ALL over the place in terms of sequencing, but I hope it does demonstrate the use of the screens and the ease when used in conjunction with a shoulder support - here the SpiderBrace.

Now the SpiderBrace! What can I say.

I LOVE it!

I have one of my cameras semi-permanently screwed to it it now. I have now done videoing capturing the antics of our MAD ducks - and they are fairly bonkers. I have used it for up to 2 hour sessions at a time, and with short periods of rest, have found it a pleasure. The secret is the LARGE 7" monitor that I use for solely framing and push focusing.

And yes, the length is a bit restrictive, but here again you CAN unscrew this later model's rear extension. That DOES add to its convenience - but I don't bother. The thing to recognise it that made from some kind of high impact, plastic piping it is VERY light to start with.

Thanks for watching!

G

Min Lee
December 4th, 2006, 08:23 PM
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/%3E%3Cwbr%3EINTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=BFQ70wljQ3c6wkwX0qMx2EZt8uREyS_t8t8=?ProductSKU=DVE7000S&Dept=audio&CategoryName=pa_DVDportables

Anyone tried using this as a monitor for 35mm adapters? It'd be used mainly for framing. It's slim and has a built-in battery for 3 hours. At first I was looking into the Nebtek because you can use your camera battery but this seems even better with the built-in battery. Anyone know how long the Nebtek monitor can run on the standard battery that came with the Sony A1?

Thanks!

Eugene Kim
January 31st, 2007, 02:07 PM
Hi, some of the higher end portable DVD players can display 540 lines, 1024x600 pixel resolution, which would seem to trump the Swit/HDA monitors, plus built-in flip and zoom, and a handy little, portable DVD for the occasional Starbucks meeting and flights/layovers. However, those monitors have component inputs, of course.

Is there any commercially available converter box that could get these mini DVD players to accept component in? I ask, because such DVD players as this can be had dirt cheap used these days with decently spec-ed travel laptops now being so accessibly priced.

If such an adapter/box exists, I'd be willing to pay around $500, would these high-end DVD monitors be enough to resolve focus in HD? The consensus seems to be that the Swit/HDAs are the bare minimum for that if you're looking for something portable and battery powered for field use, but even those are far from ideal at this point.

How might such a hypothetical setup compare to the Swit/HDAs? Any foreseeable problems? I'm really not up to spec on the technics of this all.

Finally, if there is no practical work around solution to get the portable DVD players to accept component in, would the Canon ZR-2000 lanc for the A1 be a workable alternative? The ZR-2000 has of course the onboard peaking/magnifying/instant auto focus controls, but at $400 I'm a bit leary given I already have a zoom controller I like quite a bit and that has served me well, the now discontinued Studio One LCD pro zoom controller that has the indepedent dials for telephoto and wide zoom speeds and LCD readout of your settings.

I'm wondering basically if the ZR-2000 would allow me to focus while using the portable DVD player as a jib monitor, for example, given that I would be buy a higher res portable DVD player. Still, composite is composite I suppose.

Thanks for any info or insights in advance.

Eugene Kim
February 2nd, 2007, 11:40 PM
Anyway, found out can't work in any case there was anyone else like me looking for an affordable short term solution. Need image scaling in the player.

Ben Winter
February 19th, 2007, 11:50 PM
See, now $500 is more than enough to buy a nice VGA input LCD screen, a component to VGA adapter, and batteries to power both. Work smart, not hard :)

Graham Bernard
March 10th, 2007, 10:50 PM
For quick swap with other supports I have now added this to the SB:

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/Manfrotto_357_Universal_Sliding_Plate.asp?productID=1797&tabID=

I now have this plate on my trips too.

Plus a Hoodman H700 for the 7" monitor.

G

Dale Guthormsen
March 11th, 2007, 05:06 PM
Grazie,

I have been looking for something just like that. I have two projects, one is an aluminum rail for the xl2 and a large telephoto lens, and the other is a bracket to go into my truck window for drive by shootings. that will solve the mounting problems.

thanks for sharing.

Carlos E. Martinez
March 15th, 2007, 12:30 PM
Today I have finally tried connecting my DV and HDV camera to the Philips PET-1000 DVD player.

This is a very strange beast, quite temperamental I should say.

Some time ago I got quite furious trying to connect the player to my TV, using its video/audio output and my camera cable. No image. Only one cable, which probably came with the player, did the trick.

Today it was the same for the video in. No image. Same thing with the cable: only one worked.

But as I had to connect 3-way 1/8" to 3-way 1/8", things got complicated.

To make the story short: it turns out that the 3-way 1/8" DVD input is different from the 3-way 1/8" camera output. The ground ring is different.

That was a surprise. I expected the ground ring to be the one further on the back. And it's not so on the camera. Does anyone know if that is the standard for these 3-way connectors or if there is any standard?

Short of re-doing the DVD player input, I don't see any other way to do it.

Has anyoned had this problem too?


Carlos

Carlos E. Martinez
March 19th, 2007, 03:44 PM
Just to update on the connection between the Sony camera and the Philips DVD player.

I found 3-way 1/8" plugs here, so I built a 1/8" to 1/8" cable, soldering the right rings on each side.

This time everything worked fine. Now I can and will use the player as a monitor.

So be warned, if you are going to use cables with such connectors, that there might be incompatibilities.


Carlos

Robert Garvey
March 21st, 2007, 12:42 AM
..............
This time everything worked fine. Now I can and will use the player as a monitor.
..........................
Carlos


How does the image look Carlos?

Cheers,
Robert

Carlos E. Martinez
March 21st, 2007, 04:30 AM
How does the image look Carlos?


Looks reasonably good for what I will be using it for, which is checking the framing as I interview people.

Severe limitations for focus detail and probably lighting contrast, probably due to the fact that the connection is composite instead of S-Video/component.

But I will be able to check that during the job.

The image still looks better than a separate TVOne LCD 7" monitor I have, which came as a surprise to me. Size is larger too, being more than 10".

I think it will need some sort of shade to keep stray lighting away from the screen, which might improve contrast a bit.

Of course you can't put this screen on the camera or flip it for using a 35mm adapter. But you can't have everything.