Finally! External LCD Monitor Solution < $200

Matthew Petersen · January 19th, 2009, 04:37 PM

Nice one Krystian!

I think I can see from the bottom of the player that you're using the option V-Mount battery holder that comes with the cams (at least it came with mine).

I'm kicking myself for not allowing for this when I cut the foam out of my pelican.

I'm surprised that the zebras don't work, thought that would be included in the other superimposed feeds in the viewfinder like tape remaining, shooting mode, audio level etc.

My latest plan is to make a MODIFIED version of the bracket that isn't so long to mount my unit on. If only I knew something about metalworking!

MP

John Estcourt · February 3rd, 2009, 02:26 PM

thought I would resurect this thread to let you know that I bought a phillips PET1030/5 portable dvd player from cdiscount UK for a fantastic price (half amazons listed!) and it works brilliantly as a monitor.
I was dubious about being able to focus accurately with the canon xh-a1 using it but you can.
The 10 inch screen folds flat and it has a mounting hole on the back so I should be able to just clamp it to the tripod, it will be mainly used for my jib monitor but if i can get a good clamp who knows...its that good.
I see cdiscount have stopped listing it but if they show up again i might just buy a second one.

Graham Hickling · February 3rd, 2009, 02:49 PM

Thanks for that - is it the same as a PET1030, or does the /5 mean something?

John Estcourt · February 4th, 2009, 02:55 AM

not sure what the /5 means Graham, it was listed as the PET1030 but on the player itself it says 1030 /5.
When you consider what is being charged for some of the dedicated monitors(with the same resolution) these dvd players are really good value and with the car cigarette plug adapter I can probably run this off my 12v battery pack i use for my video light if i need more than the 5 hrs you get off the players in built battery.
Once again i cannot recommend these highly enough. If you cant focus with this, a trip to the optician is required.
cheers john

Scott Brickert · February 5th, 2009, 07:55 PM

OK, John, your enthusiasm was contagious. I just bought one.

How did you mount it (post a pic or two?)?

Mine should be here next week.

John Estcourt · February 5th, 2009, 10:26 PM

Hi Scott, Ive just ordered a tripod clamp similar to this
Amazon.com: Pedco UltraClamp - Clamping System with Camera Mount: Camera & Photo

hoping that this will do the trick, failing that i think velcro will probably do.
The dvd player has a mounting hole on the back that takes a standard tripod plate screw.
I wont get a chance to post pics till next week as im snowed under right now(nearly literally haha), but will try to do so early next week.
hope you are as pleased as I am with the philips, I managed to get out for an hour with the jib and it was great to be able to focus using the lanc on the pan handle and watch the footage. The only thing I need is a sunscreen for the display but Im sure I can improvise one easily enough.
let me know what you think when it arrives.
all the best john.

Nelson Alexandre · February 9th, 2009, 05:29 PM

Hi,

Can some of the members that already bought the Sony DVD player say how it performs under direct sunlight?

I'm considering the transflective monitors but they cost much more than the Sony's player so I'm wondering what is the best solution for a 35mm adapter focusing monitor.

Thanks

Peer Landa · February 9th, 2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Estcourt

Ive just ordered a tripod clamp similar to this
Amazon.com: Pedco UltraClamp - Clamping System with Camera Mount: Camera & Photo hoping that this will do the trick, failing that i think velcro will probably do.

This is exactly the clamp I'm using for my DVD monitor hack for my XL2 -- I'll post pictures later.

-- peer

John Estcourt · February 10th, 2009, 01:42 AM

Hi Nelson, the Philips dvd player struggles in bright light however I am in the process of making a sunscreen for it that I can attatch using velcro.

Peer,The ultra clamp has arrived and is fantastic, it screws straight into the back of the dvd player and then clamps to the tripod arm. its very strong and can easily take the weight of the player.
All set to go apart from the weather.

Scott Brickert · February 12th, 2009, 12:27 AM

OK, I got the Phillips and the bracket. It mounts just fine off a tripod leg.

What output are you using to feed the DVD player? I'm taking the composite signal out of the HV20. It's softer than expected. Can't see any way to increase the resolution (probably 480i?).

The picture was much sharper when playing a DVD. Can't tell if my expectations were off, or I'm not feeding the correct signal...

John Estcourt · February 12th, 2009, 02:47 AM

Hi, Scott i'm connecting from the BNC output on the XH-A1 so i assume the signal is 576i
Yes the dvd picture is sharper, but I can still focus using the player which is great when im using the jib arm. Im not sure how much better the likes of the Ikans are but at 4 times the price they would have to be somthing special.

Scott Brickert · February 14th, 2009, 01:26 AM

OK, I'm finally getting the rig dialed in.

I agree, it's a great bang for the buck, and it'll do the job for composing and focus.

Thanks for posting about it.

John Estcourt · February 14th, 2009, 04:42 AM

Phew, glad your happy with it Scott. I would hate to think you bought one on my recommendation and didnt like it.
Im just in the process of making a sunscreen for it, once its finishedI will try to get round to posting a picture of it set up but the weather is just dire.
cheers john

William James Ryan · February 25th, 2009, 06:25 PM

Maybe I should have just posted this info here, but here's the thread re: the clamp mount I built for my Sony 820.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sdtv-hdtv...steadicam.html

Peer Landa · March 7th, 2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gints Klimanis

The only decent one in clarity and contrast was the Insignia 10.2" although its color depth was low in that banding was easily seen in browns. It is obviously better than the Sony FX820 in hand.

Okay, since I've always trusted Gints (ever since his exclusive demo of the SGI pre-Indigo at our lab in 1991) I went ahead and got me an Insignia and hacked it into an external onboard monitor -- here's a silly video of my camera rig, including some other DIY hacks:
YouTube - My big rig camera... and my scalloped guitar... and my workout routine

-- peer

February 3rd, 2009, 02:26 PM	#152
John Estcourt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland, Ayr www.amour weddingvideos.co.uk Posts: 305	thought I would resurect this thread to let you know that I bought a phillips PET1030/5 portable dvd player from cdiscount UK for a fantastic price (half amazons listed!) and it works brilliantly as a monitor. I was dubious about being able to focus accurately with the canon xh-a1 using it but you can. The 10 inch screen folds flat and it has a mounting hole on the back so I should be able to just clamp it to the tripod, it will be mainly used for my jib monitor but if i can get a good clamp who knows...its that good. I see cdiscount have stopped listing it but if they show up again i might just buy a second one. __________________ john estcourt www.amourweddingvideos.co.uk

February 4th, 2009, 02:55 AM	#154
John Estcourt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland, Ayr www.amour weddingvideos.co.uk Posts: 305	not sure what the /5 means Graham, it was listed as the PET1030 but on the player itself it says 1030 /5. When you consider what is being charged for some of the dedicated monitors(with the same resolution) these dvd players are really good value and with the car cigarette plug adapter I can probably run this off my 12v battery pack i use for my video light if i need more than the 5 hrs you get off the players in built battery. Once again i cannot recommend these highly enough. If you cant focus with this, a trip to the optician is required. cheers john __________________ john estcourt www.amourweddingvideos.co.uk

February 5th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#155
Scott Brickert Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crested Butte, CO Posts: 576	OK, John, your enthusiasm was contagious. I just bought one. How did you mount it (post a pic or two?)? Mine should be here next week. __________________ Scott Shot-By-Scott

February 5th, 2009, 10:26 PM	#156
John Estcourt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland, Ayr www.amour weddingvideos.co.uk Posts: 305	Hi Scott, Ive just ordered a tripod clamp similar to this Amazon.com: Pedco UltraClamp - Clamping System with Camera Mount: Camera & Photo hoping that this will do the trick, failing that i think velcro will probably do. The dvd player has a mounting hole on the back that takes a standard tripod plate screw. I wont get a chance to post pics till next week as im snowed under right now(nearly literally haha), but will try to do so early next week. hope you are as pleased as I am with the philips, I managed to get out for an hour with the jib and it was great to be able to focus using the lanc on the pan handle and watch the footage. The only thing I need is a sunscreen for the display but Im sure I can improvise one easily enough. let me know what you think when it arrives. all the best john. __________________ john estcourt www.amourweddingvideos.co.uk

February 10th, 2009, 01:42 AM	#159
John Estcourt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland, Ayr www.amour weddingvideos.co.uk Posts: 305	Hi Nelson, the Philips dvd player struggles in bright light however I am in the process of making a sunscreen for it that I can attatch using velcro. Peer,The ultra clamp has arrived and is fantastic, it screws straight into the back of the dvd player and then clamps to the tripod arm. its very strong and can easily take the weight of the player. All set to go apart from the weather. __________________ john estcourt www.amourweddingvideos.co.uk

January 19th, 2009, 04:37 PM	#151
Matthew Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 28	Nice one Krystian! I think I can see from the bottom of the player that you're using the option V-Mount battery holder that comes with the cams (at least it came with mine). I'm kicking myself for not allowing for this when I cut the foam out of my pelican. I'm surprised that the zebras don't work, thought that would be included in the other superimposed feeds in the viewfinder like tape remaining, shooting mode, audio level etc. My latest plan is to make a MODIFIED version of the bracket that isn't so long to mount my unit on. If only I knew something about metalworking! MP

February 3rd, 2009, 02:49 PM	#153
Graham Hickling Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 1,669	Thanks for that - is it the same as a PET1030, or does the /5 mean something?

February 9th, 2009, 05:29 PM	#157
Nelson Alexandre Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lisboa / Portugal Posts: 45	Hi, Can some of the members that already bought the Sony DVD player say how it performs under direct sunlight? I'm considering the transflective monitors but they cost much more than the Sony's player so I'm wondering what is the best solution for a 35mm adapter focusing monitor. Thanks

February 12th, 2009, 12:27 AM	#160
Scott Brickert Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crested Butte, CO Posts: 576	OK, I got the Phillips and the bracket. It mounts just fine off a tripod leg. What output are you using to feed the DVD player? I'm taking the composite signal out of the HV20. It's softer than expected. Can't see any way to increase the resolution (probably 480i?). The picture was much sharper when playing a DVD. Can't tell if my expectations were off, or I'm not feeding the correct signal... __________________ Scott Shot-By-Scott

February 12th, 2009, 02:47 AM	#161
John Estcourt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland, Ayr www.amour weddingvideos.co.uk Posts: 305	Hi, Scott i'm connecting from the BNC output on the XH-A1 so i assume the signal is 576i Yes the dvd picture is sharper, but I can still focus using the player which is great when im using the jib arm. Im not sure how much better the likes of the Ikans are but at 4 times the price they would have to be somthing special. __________________ john estcourt www.amourweddingvideos.co.uk

February 14th, 2009, 01:26 AM	#162
Scott Brickert Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crested Butte, CO Posts: 576	OK, I'm finally getting the rig dialed in. I agree, it's a great bang for the buck, and it'll do the job for composing and focus. Thanks for posting about it. __________________ Scott Shot-By-Scott

February 14th, 2009, 04:42 AM	#163
John Estcourt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland, Ayr www.amour weddingvideos.co.uk Posts: 305	Phew, glad your happy with it Scott. I would hate to think you bought one on my recommendation and didnt like it. Im just in the process of making a sunscreen for it, once its finishedI will try to get round to posting a picture of it set up but the weather is just dire. cheers john __________________ john estcourt www.amourweddingvideos.co.uk

February 25th, 2009, 06:25 PM	#164
William James Ryan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 73	Maybe I should have just posted this info here, but here's the thread re: the clamp mount I built for my Sony 820. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sdtv-hdtv...steadicam.html