External Monitor at DVinfo.net

Rafal Krolik · April 12th, 2004, 02:00 PM

Sorry, this will make me sound like a novice, which I am, but I have to ask. I saw one of those portable dvd players which comes with a 6 inch LCD screen. Since this unit has RCA I/O and costs only about $200.00, is there a reason why I should buy a special external monitor from somewhere like Verizoom and pay over $300. On the surface, it looks like I would spend less money and get more but I might be missing something.
Any help would be appreciated

Glenn Chan · April 12th, 2004, 02:42 PM

What are you trying to do?

If you want accurate colors then a small NTSC/PAL monitor is what you're looking for. For certain kinds of shooting a monitor may not be very practical.

So, what are you trying to do and what's your budget?

Rafal Krolik · April 13th, 2004, 06:37 AM

Glenn, my main concern is to get away from looking through a viewfinder as well as portability. I need something that will be sharp enough to allow me for a good manual focus. Budget is really not much of an issue but like in any business I would hate to spend more than I need. Hope this helps.

Michael Ansbro · April 13th, 2004, 01:24 PM

If you read the reviews on Amazon, you'll find that the $200 players are highly unreliable.
I'm still waiting for the hybrid displays to go from palm computers and camcorder displays to monitors so we can see these things in the sunlight.

Rafal Krolik · April 13th, 2004, 01:41 PM

Thanks for your input Michael. The player is a fun to have add-on but my main concern is the creen itself.

Matthew Eastwood · April 14th, 2004, 12:00 AM

i am very disappointed with my verizoom 5.6" LCD.
even in indoor, non-flourescent light situations (with the included hood attached) there is a horrible "metallic" sheen to the image. it's so bad i consider it unusable.

Ken Tanaka · April 14th, 2004, 12:10 AM

There are no great deals on LCD monitors. Most of the small, less-expensive LCD monitors are too dim to be usable in bright light, and/or too coarse of resolution to be usable for focus judgment, and/or too limited in color latitude to be useful for exposure control.

The highest-quality LCD's are expensive ($700-$1000+), but you get what you may for. I went through two cheap LCD's (at around $150-$250 ea.) before buying a 7" Panasonic TC-7WMS1. Nebtek sells some of the best LCD's available for relatively reasonable prices.

Rafal Krolik · April 14th, 2004, 05:41 AM

Well, I respect your opinions guys and will look into what Nebtek has to offer. I learned a while ago that you do indeed get what you pay for but you never quite know untill you ask. Thanks.

April 12th, 2004, 02:00 PM	#1
Rafal Krolik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Milwaukee, Wi Posts: 160	External Monitor Sorry, this will make me sound like a novice, which I am, but I have to ask. I saw one of those portable dvd players which comes with a 6 inch LCD screen. Since this unit has RCA I/O and costs only about $200.00, is there a reason why I should buy a special external monitor from somewhere like Verizoom and pay over $300. On the surface, it looks like I would spend less money and get more but I might be missing something. Any help would be appreciated

April 14th, 2004, 12:10 AM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	There are no great deals on LCD monitors. Most of the small, less-expensive LCD monitors are too dim to be usable in bright light, and/or too coarse of resolution to be usable for focus judgment, and/or too limited in color latitude to be useful for exposure control. The highest-quality LCD's are expensive ($700-$1000+), but you get what you may for. I went through two cheap LCD's (at around $150-$250 ea.) before buying a 7" Panasonic TC-7WMS1. Nebtek sells some of the best LCD's available for relatively reasonable prices. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 12th, 2004, 02:42 PM	#2
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	What are you trying to do? If you want accurate colors then a small NTSC/PAL monitor is what you're looking for. For certain kinds of shooting a monitor may not be very practical. So, what are you trying to do and what's your budget?

April 13th, 2004, 06:37 AM	#3
Rafal Krolik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Milwaukee, Wi Posts: 160	Glenn, my main concern is to get away from looking through a viewfinder as well as portability. I need something that will be sharp enough to allow me for a good manual focus. Budget is really not much of an issue but like in any business I would hate to spend more than I need. Hope this helps.

April 13th, 2004, 01:24 PM	#4
Michael Ansbro Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Diego California Posts: 32	If you read the reviews on Amazon, you'll find that the $200 players are highly unreliable. I'm still waiting for the hybrid displays to go from palm computers and camcorder displays to monitors so we can see these things in the sunlight.

April 13th, 2004, 01:41 PM	#5
Rafal Krolik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Milwaukee, Wi Posts: 160	Thanks for your input Michael. The player is a fun to have add-on but my main concern is the creen itself.

April 14th, 2004, 12:00 AM	#6
Matthew Eastwood Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lawrence, Kansas Posts: 40	i am very disappointed with my verizoom 5.6" LCD. even in indoor, non-flourescent light situations (with the included hood attached) there is a horrible "metallic" sheen to the image. it's so bad i consider it unusable.

April 14th, 2004, 05:41 AM	#8
Rafal Krolik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Milwaukee, Wi Posts: 160	Well, I respect your opinions guys and will look into what Nebtek has to offer. I learned a while ago that you do indeed get what you pay for but you never quite know untill you ask. Thanks.