Hi,

I just got my XL H1 and I'm looking for external monitor. Do you use any external monitor and how did you manage to hook it to your H1? To flash shoe? External powerpack is not problem, but it makes more weight.

I did try Swit "HD-SDI" monitor but picture quality was not as high as price, about 2500 euros (USD3000). That's too much.

Harri

Some choice depeding on budget:

1. Standard def, Nebtek 50 and 58LI. Has power adapter for camera battery.
2. High def, Marshall V-R70P-HDA

Marshall is the best. But steep.

I have the Nebtek. It's good for framing. But useless for color, exposure and critical focus. It uses very old LCD technology. Very narrow field of view.

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

Best,
Christopher

Hi Robert,

I can't afford the Marshall but I was thinking of either buying the FU-1000 or the Nebtek. I'm disappointed to hear the Nentek's so limited. Is it really only useful for framing? I'd also been looking at these SWIT models mentioned below... twice the price of the Nebtek but I'm not sure it's twice as good!

"Swit 8” TFT - the model is the S-1080BS. This accepts a V-Lock battery and has Composite/YC and Component inputs. They also have the Swit S-1080F which is the same monitor but has SDI and has a Sony NPF DV Style battery mount."

Has anybody used them or know if they are any good? Any other suggestions would be appreciated before I part with my meagre funds.

Cheers.

Hello to all,
I haven't tried this product or know anyone who has, but the Ikan v7000 is a very affordable on-camera LCD. It is lacking in vertical resolution (250 lines, with 1440 horizontal) and only has standard AV cable inputs. At list price of $349 it seems like it could be a viable affordable solution.
Interested to hear if anyone has any experience with these folks....
http://www.ikancorp.com/v7000.htm

Jason Price
TapeWorks Texas inc.

Hi Robert,

I can't afford the Marshall but I was thinking of either buying the FU-1000 or the Nebtek. I'm disappointed to hear the Nentek's so limited. Is it really only useful for framing? I'd also been looking at these SWIT models mentioned below... twice the price of the Nebtek but I'm not sure it's twice as good!

"Swit 8” TFT - the model is the S-1080BS. This accepts a V-Lock battery and has Composite/YC and Component inputs. They also have the Swit S-1080F which is the same monitor but has SDI and has a Sony NPF DV Style battery mount."

Has anybody used them or know if they are any good? Any other suggestions would be appreciated before I part with my meagre funds.

Cheers.

The Nebtek was the included in my overall camera package and it's the only accessory I've purchased for the H1 that I was thoroughly disappointed in. Basically, it's just a substitute for the lack of a flipout LCD.

You could try the Panasonic BT-LH1700E 17" LCD monitor which runs off 12V, comes with whatever battery mount you want, and has a built in waveform monitor. It's about £2800. There is also the BT-LH900A which is 8.4" and about the right size to mount on the camera itself, whereas with the 17" you're going to want to put it on a seperate stand. Both take an HD-SDI signal from the H1 and have a fantastic picture quality, more than good enough to set exposure, colour and focus in my opinion. The smaller monitor is more expensive though, at about £3200.

On our last two shoots we used the HD-SDI output to a Blackmagic HDLink converter to a 23" Cinema Display. Worked fabulously.

The Panasonic has the advantage of having HD-SDI inputs AND waveform monitors. Nice. I just wish they offered a larger screen.

There is also the BT-LH2600,a 26 incher.

Hi Guys,

Rob from NEBTEK here... I thought I'd better clarify a few things for everyone out there.

If your shooting in HD then you need an HD monitor to use with your camera. This is one of those areas where you can not afford to go cheap. An HD signal output into a composite only monitor will always look like hell... that's the sad truth of it. If you were to send a composite signal to an HD monitor you would see every single flaw in the image (and there would be many)... it is the same principal only in reverse.

Composite only monitors have been the standard for years and there are some extremely good ones out there. The Panasonic TC7-WMS1 still offered the sharpest and brightest composite only signal I have ever seen on a unit under $3000, but I still would not use it with my Sony Z1U. Our original line of monitors were not meant to be used with HD cameras (they still aren't). If anyone called and asked if they could pull focus or color from one of our units, I would tell them absolutely not. Our monitors were designed for framing and composition only.

Fortunately I did find a unit that I have come to rely on for focus... About 18 months ago we bought a Marshall V-R-70P-HDA as a substitiute for the viewfinder on our Sony Z1U camera. I was immediately impressed by the sharpness, color and extremely low price for an HD LCD. When we checked into the specifications of the unit, we discovered that it only drew 600Ma at 12V. I immediately had one of our technicians remove the IDX battery plate (because I didn't want the extra expense of buying all new batteries and a charger), and wire it with one of our Lithium-ion battery adapters. My Sony NPF-970 batteries are now powering the unit for 4-5 hours depending on the conditions.

Once our modification was seen on set, orders started pouring in form everywhere. We are capable of modifying the Marshall V-R-70P-HDA with either Canon, Sony, JVC or Panasonic lithium-ion battery adapters. The modification allows the end user to swap back and forth between the IDX plates and the NEBTEK Li-battery plate of their choice.

This modification has made my life much easier on set and I didn't have to shell out the $3500 - $4500 for the Astro, Bolland or Panasonic HD onboard camera monitors. You can check out the modification at the following link...
http://www.nebtek.com./proddetail.ph...lVR-70P-HDA-LI

I hope this helps all the techs looking for a low cost HD solution for their cameras.

All the Best,
Rob DuBree

NEBTEK

I use a Marshall V-R70P-HDSDI 7 Inch LCD Monitor for HD/SD Field Production and it's really fabulous. It's also pricey, I paid about $1750 for it but it has helped me tremendously in the field. I agree that using a non-hd monitor is all but useless in judging critical focus and other issues.

Some people think that upgrading to HD is only about getting a new camera but unfortunately that's just not the case if you want to get the best footage possible.

Bad link, Rob. KW

Sorry Guys,
Don't know what happened there... here's the link again.
http://www.nebtek.com./proddetail.php?prod=101MarshallVR70PHDA
also for the SD version
http://www.nebtek.com./proddetail.php?prod=101MarshallVR-70P-HDA-LI

Sorry Guys,
Don't know what happened there... here's the link again.
http://www.nebtek.com./proddetail.php?prod=101MarshallVR70PHDA
also for the SD version
http://www.nebtek.com./proddetail.php?prod=101MarshallVR-70P-HDA-LI

For some reason it's cutting the URL, but if you got to our website (under LCD Monitor Sales) you'll find the Marshall section.
http://www.nebtek.com./products.php?cat=27

Hope this works,
-Rob

NEBTEK

I use a Marshall V-R70P-HDSDI 7 Inch LCD Monitor for HD/SD Field Production and it's really fabulous. It's also pricey, I paid about $1750 for it but it has helped me tremendously in the field. I agree that using a non-hd monitor is all but useless in judging critical focus and other issues.

Some people think that upgrading to HD is only about getting a new camera but unfortunately that's just not the case if you want to get the best footage possible.

Ain't that the truth... Maybe HD really means High Debt.

BTW, I would think that the monitor would be near impossible (or just plain impossible) to use when shoulder mounted. Is it just limited to tripod/dollies or is there a way to extend a mount so it's not right in your face.

Ken

Rob, what type of battery life would you get with a normal Canon BP945?

Kevin

Rob I have a marshall HD-SDI monitor that I would love to purchase the canon mount for do you guys sell the mount only?

Another question for Rob: Which Sony batteries can be used with the Nebtek modification? Do the Sony M series work as well?

Hello Everyone,

In answer to all of your questions....

"what type of battery life would you get with a normal Canon BP945?"

Battery life on a BP-945 is about 2.5 to 3.5 hours continually running.

"do you guys sell the mount only?"

We can not sell the mount alone since we wire the unit internally in order to make it swappable with the IDX plate. The modification must be done at NEBTEK or you warranty is voided (NEBTEK assumes the balance of your warranty once the procedure is done). Cost- $210, Turnaround time- generally 1 to 2 days.

"Do the Sony M series work as well?"

Our SONY Li Battery adapter works with either the SONY L or M series batteries.


And Yes KEN... HD does mean "High Debt" when it comes to buying the right gear for your camera. Our initial investment on the SONY Z1U is now well over $10K with everything we supply in the rental kit.


Keep you friends close and your wallets closer everyone... the toys just keep getting better and better,

-Rob:)

Just wanted to post that I've received my marshall monitor back from Rob DuBree at Nebtek and it's steller. The ability to now use Canon batteries is *almost* priceless I absolutely reccomend this to anyone that doesn't want to use IDX or V-Mount batteries with thier marshall monitors.