Could anybody give me any advice on Marshall on-camera monitors? I'm looking for a solution for my XL-H1 that I would be pleased with for focusing as well as semi-critical color management. Does anyone have experience with this? Or would you recommend another option.

Thanks for your input!

Bob Stovall
Vision Digital

Anything less than a Marshall V-R70P-HDA high-def for field work is a waste of money. Avoid anything without component in. They might be ok for framing shots on a jib but worthless for focus. Even the Marshall is borderline for critical focus and not something I'd trust for in-camera color correction in the field as the controls are analog so know your presets and camera intimately. Where's my overscan ? Where's the digital zoom ? Meh.

The good news is that Marshall may have some new stuffs at NAB in April if the 'coming soon' banners on their website are accurate.

What's better than Marshall? Is the Panasonic worth 3x the price ? Probably worth every cent. Nice specs, wish it were 16:9 native.

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=68537&catGroupId=14625&surfModel=BT-LH900A

That's just my opinion - Take the time to read through some of the hundreds of other threads on this site regarding on-camera monitors and you'll be either be enlightened or terminally confused.

I spent couple of weeks reading forums before buying monitor.
I would totally agree with Jay. Marshall monitor is not perfect, but most of the time you can get right focus.

Xenarc 7" or comparable LCD monitor with Mayflash component -> vga adapter is the same quality for about half the price, although you have more stuff to worry about and it's probably not as durable. I'd say if you're any kind of professional to go with the Marshall, but for reference, the Xenarc/Mayflash setup yields pretty much the same image, for focusing work anyway.

To Ben
Have you used that setup yourself so you know it works. I bought (and returned) a professional scaler component-> vga that couldn't do the job with a 17" monitor so I'm just inrested in if you could confirm that the setup works.
If yes do you have any links to the xenarc and mayflash? Doesen't the mayflash need external electricity?

To Ben
Have you used that setup yourself so you know it works. I bought (and returned) a professional scaler component-> vga that couldn't do the job with a 17" monitor so I'm just inrested in if you could confirm that the setup works.
If yes do you have any links to the xenarc and mayflash? Doesen't the mayflash need external electricity?
Yes, I have this setup right now. Works wonderfully. I'm even playing with the idea of bringing a computer LCD on set with me to look at results after a take using this scaler. I got the adapter in the mail before the actual screen, so my initial tests with it were with a 17" computer monitor. Detail was as clear as day.

The Mayflash link: http://www.mayflash.com/vgabox/vga001/vga001.htm

The Xenarc link: https://xenarcdirect.com/product.php?productid=16133&cat=249&page=1

The setup works great. Yes, the Mayflash adapter requires 6v DC power, I remedied this with a 4 AA battery holder from Radioshack wired to a DC plug that fits. This provides the 6V needed, and the batteries last for about 3-5 hours.

Ben, what camera are you using? I have a hd100 do you have anyexperience using it together with the setup you mentioned.

I am looking for a monitor to use with my Sony XDCAM HD. I was wondering if anybody has any comments on this monitor?

Thanks
Warren Gentry

Ben
What was the price for these parts?

here's the best thread on this topic:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=79670&highlight=marshall+swit

you can also order the marshall from nebtek, and they'll wire it to be compatible with the battery of your choice, instead of the standard IDX set-up. i have mine wired to use with my canon batteries, so no additional battery purchase is required. practically pays for itself.

it's very nice.

Is it possible to power the Xenarc and the Mayflash with one Nebtek battery adapter by simply splitting the end into 2 plugs? Or, is the power draw to great. The battery adapter is rated at a max of 1.2 amps.

Thanks.

Ben
What was the price for these parts?
$49.99 if I recall correctly for the Mayflash VGA001, and $319 for the Xenarc 7".
Ben, what camera are you using?
Sony FX-1.
Is it possible to power the Xenarc and the Mayflash with one Nebtek battery adapter by simply splitting the end into 2 plugs? Or, is the power draw to great. The battery adapter is rated at a max of 1.2 amps.
It has nothing to do with power draw being too great. The Xenarc is 12v, the Mayflash is 6v. So the answer is no, at least not without some additional circuitry.

You could use a dc-dc converter to convert 12v to 6v. That way you'd only need one battery. Be careful it isn't just a circuit that throws away the 6v you don't need (in the form of heat), but instead look for one that lowers the amperage so the total wattage isn't doubled.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_converter