Would this work as a monitor? at DVinfo.net

David Harrison · March 1st, 2025, 08:48 AM

I am trying to get a portable rechargeable item to use as a monitor for my Canon Vixia HF200 to use camping. The camera has an HDMI output so I can use my home tv as a monitor by plugging into one of the HDMI ports and selecting that input. I've found a rechargeable item with an HDMI port and also a USB so hopefully I could watch mp4 videos from a thumb drive with it also. I've contacted several sellers but none of them know if it would work as a monitor. Can any of you knowledgeable people tell me whether I could use this item as I use my home tv for a monitor:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25654884277...3ABFBMuNuN6all

Chris Soucy · March 1st, 2025, 01:50 PM

Hi David,

Not too often I see a "New Boot" with a join date of Aug 2008 and a post count of 12!

With the caveat that it's not a "full HD" unit I can't see any obvious reason why it shouldn't work as required, though depending on how good the internals are, the on screen results may not be as crisp as perhaps you might have come too expect.

Still, for $120 + shipping it's not exactly going to break the bank, one hopes.

Regards,

CS

Doug Jensen · March 1st, 2025, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Harrison

I am trying to get a portable rechargeable item to use as a monitor for my Canon Vixia HF200 to use camping. The camera has an HDMI output so I can use my home tv as a monitor by plugging into one of the HDMI ports and selecting that input. I've found a rechargeable item with an HDMI port and also a USB so hopefully I could watch mp4 videos from a thumb drive with it also. I've contacted several sellers but none of them know if it would work as a monitor. Can any of you knowledgeable people tell me whether I could use this item as I use my home tv for a monitor:

Yeah, it might be rechargeable, but how long will the battery last? Not very long, I would bet. You probably wouldn't even make it through one movie on a thumbdrive. You'd be better off buying a portable power station (search on Amazon) and then you could run any HDMI monitor you want. There are better full HD monitors for a lot less price than that ebay item. Any computer rmonitor with HDMI is a video monitor. Plus the powerstation could be used for lots of other things too. I have models from Bluetti and Jackery, but there are tons of even lower priced options that will work just as well.

Paul R Johnson · March 2nd, 2025, 02:01 AM

The only thing i wonder is that the spec does not mention if it accepts different formats. One issue i find really often is that visiting theatres as i do a lot, you find lots of different facilities panels in the orchestra pit, the wings and other areas but seeing hdmi, sdi or composite video labels doesn't mean it will work. The better types of monitor might accept an interlaced or progressive signal at the usual common frame rates, but often the kinds of cameras i come across are the opposite of what the cheap monitors accept. Every so often i run down to the local retail outlet to buy a cheap tv receiver, not a monitor, because the camera on the musical director wont work on the cheap video monitor that came out of a hire case! The specs always miss off this vital piece of info. This one seems to be a TV so should be OK.

Larrie Easterly · March 2nd, 2025, 11:08 PM

Most likely it would and for the price it I would take a shot at it. From the photo it comes with an adapter to plug into a 12v outlet so you should be able to charge it from your car.

March 1st, 2025, 08:48 AM	#1
David Harrison New Boot Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 12	Would this work as a monitor? I am trying to get a portable rechargeable item to use as a monitor for my Canon Vixia HF200 to use camping. The camera has an HDMI output so I can use my home tv as a monitor by plugging into one of the HDMI ports and selecting that input. I've found a rechargeable item with an HDMI port and also a USB so hopefully I could watch mp4 videos from a thumb drive with it also. I've contacted several sellers but none of them know if it would work as a monitor. Can any of you knowledgeable people tell me whether I could use this item as I use my home tv for a monitor: https://www.ebay.com/itm/25654884277...3ABFBMuNuN6all

March 1st, 2025, 01:50 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,695 Images: 18	Re: Would this work as a monitor? Hi David, Not too often I see a "New Boot" with a join date of Aug 2008 and a post count of 12! With the caveat that it's not a "full HD" unit I can't see any obvious reason why it shouldn't work as required, though depending on how good the internals are, the on screen results may not be as crisp as perhaps you might have come too expect. Still, for $120 + shipping it's not exactly going to break the bank, one hopes. Regards, CS

March 2nd, 2025, 02:01 AM	#4
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,050	Re: Would this work as a monitor? The only thing i wonder is that the spec does not mention if it accepts different formats. One issue i find really often is that visiting theatres as i do a lot, you find lots of different facilities panels in the orchestra pit, the wings and other areas but seeing hdmi, sdi or composite video labels doesn't mean it will work. The better types of monitor might accept an interlaced or progressive signal at the usual common frame rates, but often the kinds of cameras i come across are the opposite of what the cheap monitors accept. Every so often i run down to the local retail outlet to buy a cheap tv receiver, not a monitor, because the camera on the musical director wont work on the cheap video monitor that came out of a hire case! The specs always miss off this vital piece of info. This one seems to be a TV so should be OK.

March 2nd, 2025, 11:08 PM	#5
Larrie Easterly Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Oregon City Posts: 47	Re: Would this work as a monitor? Most likely it would and for the price it I would take a shot at it. From the photo it comes with an adapter to plug into a 12v outlet so you should be able to charge it from your car. __________________ Travel blog, www.luinil.com.