Finally! External LCD Monitor Solution < $200

[Tim Polster]

I use the Bogen clamp-on platforms for my CRT monitors and they work great.

I am sure there is a way to make them work for an LCD.

Maybe you could glue/epoxy a female recptor like on the side of a light to the monitor and not use the platform, just the post the platform mounts to.

Too bad this monitor does not have component inputs. It sounds like it works fine, but it would have more detail with component.

[Leo Versola]

I tested mine out quite a bit last night with an HV20/Letus Extreme combo and I found it to be perfectly acceptable for focusing/framing; MUCH nicer and easier than using the small LCD. The screen is actually quite nice; bright and sharp, even with composite signal. Great find!

It will certainly hold me until I purchase an HPX-170 later this year at which time I'll decide whether or not I'll need a more 'proper' and sturdy field monitor.

Next task; experimenting with different mounting options.

[Gints Klimanis]

What kind of batteries does this portable DVD player use?

[Andrew Kufahl]

It is a rechargeable battery that comes with the device. Roughly 1/4" thick (it's not right in front of me, so don't quote me on that... I'm going off of memory) and it attaches to the bottom. It almost looks like a slim second bottom when it is attached.

[Gints Klimanis]

Thanks for the battery info, Andrew. Please let us know how long this thing runs for you. I would hope that running it without the DVD player would run longer than the six hours stated in the on-line specs.

Also, I'm hoping to use this player to flip the output of my RedRock M2 35mm adapter. Does this DVD player flip its image if you turn it upside down? I think I've seen them mounted in cars upside down, and I'm hoping this one does not do that.

(Man, I wish Sony included the image flip function in their EX1)

[Andrew Kufahl]

I pondered many design options for mounting this thing last night, then went out over lunch today to see what parts I could find. Here's what I picked up:

1 Drum Cymbal Boom Arm - $10
1 Multi-Purpose Clamp (probably for drums) - $10
1 Small Piece of 16 gauge Sheet Metal - $8
2 Strips of 4"x2" Velcro - $2.50

After 30 minutes of effort here's what I ended up with:

- Picture of all the parts used for this mount.
http://home.new.rr.com/ark/MonitorMount/DSC08119.JPG

- Picture of the clamp attached to the tripod leg (Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. Maximum diameter for these legs is 30mm.)
http://home.new.rr.com/ark/MonitorMount/DSC08116.JPG

- Picture of the drum cymbal boom pole attached to the sheet metal.
http://home.new.rr.com/ark/MonitorMount/DSC08117.JPG

- Pictures from various angles.
http://home.new.rr.com/ark/MonitorMount/DSC08114.JPG
http://home.new.rr.com/ark/MonitorMount/DSC08115.JPG
http://home.new.rr.com/ark/MonitorMount/DSC08120.JPG
http://home.new.rr.com/ark/MonitorMount/DSC08125.JPG
http://home.new.rr.com/ark/MonitorMount/DSC08128.JPG

This setup gives me quite a few configuration options. The sheet metal base swivels left/right 360-degrees. The boom elbow allows for 180-degrees of tilt. The boom bar allows for 360-degrees of rotation around the shaft. The boom arm can slide (lengthen/shorten) anywhere out to 1 foot. And even the clamp around the tripod leg can be rotated 360-degrees around the tripod leg. Oh, and don't forget that the screen on the DVD player allows for tilting 180-degrees, and rotating 180-degrees.

I setup my tripod a number of ways that I commonly use it, and was able to easily adjust the mount based on how I would like the monitor to be positioned for that setup. That's "easily" based on my definition of that word... (Note: The clamp around the tripod leg is [thankfully] a wing-nut with a quick release, so it is pretty easy to put on and take off.)

Construction wasn't too difficult at all, as most of the parts connect with wing-nuts. Forming and cutting the sheet metal was the only part that involved "labor". The sheet metal I purchased was an adequate width (6 inches) so I only needed to cut it to length. First I drilled the hole for the cymbal boom arm. Then I put the sheet metal in a vise and bent it. Then I used a Dremel tool with a cutter-disc to trim it to length. Then I used a metal file to get rid of jagged-edges.

I'm thinking that I will trim some of the metal off the mounting plate (where the cymbal boom arm attaches to the sheet metal). I think it will look better if I cut off the sharp corners and give it a tapered look. I'll probably round the other sharp corners at the top of that piece.

[Bill Busby]

I ordered & picked up one of these today from Circuit City. There was a package deal I noticed (that isn't obvious at first) for the same $180 if you just bought the player... includes a Targus DVD player case & Sony earbud headphones (says roughly an $80 total value) free.

Image quality is as good as some are saying here. And for $180 for the player alone, I think you get a little more than you pay for.

While waiting to pick up my order, I noticed on a shelf nearby that had those digital picture frames. There was a $250 Sony unit (DPFV900) that looked really nice, same 800x400 rez, very lightweight... but of course no inputs at all. I'm sure some wizbrain could probably hack this thing in some way :)

[Gints Klimanis]

Originally Posted by Bill Busby

I
While waiting to pick up my order, I noticed on a shelf nearby that had those digital picture frames. There was a $250 Sony unit (DPFV900) that looked really nice, same 800x400 rez, very lightweight... but of course no inputs at all. I'm sure some wizbrain could probably hack this thing in some way :)

I was checking out the Sony Picture frames but they don't play video. Too bad.

Although I'm excited about having a light weight monitor, it's hard to drop $200 when you could put that into a laptop and view Firewire output. Adobe OnLocation (I think this used to be DVRack) is looking more interesting.

[Andrew Dean]

Hmm. just noticed it only lists ntsc support. anyone see a menu option for pal on the video input of this unit?

thanks

[Ivan Snoeckx]

Yes, there is also a PAL version of it. Here in Europe it is the DVP-FX850.

[Steve Sobodos]

Does this unit do 16x9 via composite?

I have the Canon XHA1 and was considering the ikan V8000HD 8" TFT LCD Monitor which has the same native resolution but has component inputs at $795. At $500 less this is much more in my price range.

[Jerome Cloninger]

Originally Posted by Steve Sobodos

Does this unit do 16x9 via composite?

I have the Canon XHA1 and was considering the ikan V8000HD 8" TFT LCD Monitor which has the same native resolution but has component inputs at $795. At $500 less this is much more in my price range.

Yes it does. Just make sure you have it in 16x9 (normal) mode on the LCD menu. You can also switch to 4x3 and it will pillar box.

BTW, I just fed 16x9 through BNC to a switcher and then pass through a Canon ZR40 to computer and captured via Vegas live. Worked great. The only thing I had to do was switch to 16x9 on the media properties in vegas and it was 16x9. Reason I say this is it just depends on what aspect your viewing device/program is set to.

[Steve Sobodos]

Great! My Canon can send anamorphic 16x9 composite out so it's off to Best Buy. Thanks.

[Jerome Cloninger]

Originally Posted by Steve Sobodos

Great! My Canon can send anamorphic 16x9 composite out so it's off to Best Buy. Thanks.

I have the Canon A1 too... I mentioned in the post I sent it through the player....

Don't get a speeding ticket now!

[Steve Sobodos]

Got it! (not the speeding ticket). I charged it and monitored my Canon A1 output. Well it isn't HD but it certainly is worth the $180.

Thanks to all.