So far I am getting 480P with the image really small in the center with info all around in when in Live record mode.

I am getting 1080 when playing back clips in play mode. Is this normal. Prior to purchase I could have sworn that it was 1080 out during live mode, but with information overlays on top.

Is this correct or can I get a better live output?

So far I am getting 480P with the image really small in the center with info all around in when in Live record mode.

I am getting 1080 when playing back clips in play mode. Is this normal. Prior to purchase I could have sworn that it was 1080 out during live mode, but with information overlays on top.

Is this correct or can I get a better live output?

That is normal operation on the 5D and 7D.

Bummer. I thought the 7D was supposed to change in this respect. Oh well. It's still better than nothing!

If you search in this forum on this issue you'll find MANY instances where the correct info is given. The 7D does NOT get restricted to 480p when recording. If you are seeing a small view with info all around, hit the "info" button to toggle through until you get a larger display with no information surrounding it. I personally have the camera and just tested it to be sure before typing.

If you search in this forum on this issue you'll find MANY instances where the correct info is given. The 7D does NOT get restricted to 480p when recording. If you are seeing a small view with info all around, hit the "info" button to toggle through until you get a larger display with no information surrounding it. I personally have the camera and just tested it to be sure before typing.

Whoa... what? (not doubting this, just never heard this before)

I just tried it and it works. This will help focusing tremendously. What a great forum! As you can tell tell by all of my recent posts I just got the 7D and I am figuring out some of its quirks.

Crap!

Thanks for the info Craig. That adds significantly to my interest in the 7D. I mistakenly thought it had the same issue as the 5D in this regard and it was being worked on with the Magic Lantern software.

The stock 5D (not sure about the firmware thing) outputs a standard def image to a monitor via HDMI when recording. The 7D outputs everything in HD (1080i I believe) via HDMI even when recording.

I just shot with a 5D Saturday and a 7D (mine) Sunday and used a Small HD DP1 monitor on both shoots. In my case when shooting with the 5D, when you hit the record button everything turns into a stretched 480p image on my 16x9 DP1 monitor. It kinda sucks, follow focus would be really hard visually. BEFORE recording everything is HD, you can cycle through different display options for data, etc with the info button and one of them fills the frame (it is cropped a bit) on your external monitor - it's just when you hit the record button that everything goes black for a second and then pops up as stretched 480p.

On the 7D, everything just stays the same when you hit the record button. If you selected "full screen view" via the info button - it just stays that way, the focus box thing goes away and a little red dot shows up in the upper right corner. Visual follow focus is very easy with an external monitor.

This is one of the reasons I got the 7D and not the 5D. Hope this info helps.

And what about the 1D Mark IV?
-C

Yeah, the 7D is 1080i through HDMI. I believe (someone correct if I'm wrong) Hudson hacked the 5Dll to do the same. I'm not sure however.

Yeah, the 7D is 1080i through HDMI. I believe (someone correct if I'm wrong) Hudson hacked the 5Dll to do the same. I'm not sure however.

Anyone know what resolution the 7D gets through USB?

And what about the 1D Mark IV?
-C

The 1DMKIV performs the same as the 7D in the aspects described above.

Just for what it's worth I learned the hard way that if your hdmi cable comes unplugged while you're recording it stops the recording, even if it's just for like a millisecond. It can be a bit of a bummer.

Nick,

Its also the same with the USB composite out cable. I plug it in to turn off the LCD to save power and minimize heat during long exposures/record times but if you unplug it to check your video it will stop recording.

Yes, the stop recording thing, I should have mentioned that! Also if your monitor shuts off because the battery died - the 7D stops recording. It seems like it stops recording if it senses the HDMI is not terminated. I even had this happen when I was switching back and forth between inputs on an LG HD monitor. Every time I switched away from the HDMI input the 7D would stop recording.

Would love to get a solution to this little issue.

Crap!

Thanks for the info Craig. That adds significantly to my interest in the 7D. I mistakenly thought it had the same issue as the 5D in this regard and it was being worked on with the Magic Lantern software.

No problem. When in doubt, it's always good to grab your camera and test it for yourself.

This is a bit of a nuisance as I find the hdmi port is in a poor location and often comes unplugged while reviewing footage accidentally. Is there a component out anywhere? I know it didn't come with cables for it but I wonder if there is a port for it. I have a mini connector from my HV20 to component that I have never used. If that was more solid I could use it.