Production Monitors and You at DVinfo.net

Glenn Gipson · July 19th, 2004, 06:09 AM

When it comes to production monitors for your NLE, what kind do you prefer? Do you prefer a small 9” production monitor with 300 lines of resolution? Or do you prefer a 15” and above production monitor with over 500 lines of resolution? Also, how many lines of resolution is too little for critical DV post work, and how many lines of resolution are overkill?

Justin Sammarco · July 19th, 2004, 09:11 AM

I'm trying to find out about this as well.

Not for anything but we've been using regular 15" TV's. I dont' know if that is a good practice or what, but we can get a true image.

What monitors do you guys find to do the best job?

Jacques Mersereau · July 19th, 2004, 09:13 AM

IMO, the bigger the better as long as you get something with
high resolution. In other words, the Sony 8" monitor comes
in a 250 lines of resolution flavor and a HR (HiRes) 450 flavor.

The 250 does not really let you know you're in perfect focus.
The 450 does.

If you can afford it, the Sony 14" comes in several flavors, but get
at least the 600 lines model.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=80&a=231_1528&Submit.x=11&Submit.y=12&shs=&ci=1981&ac=

Dwight Flynn · July 19th, 2004, 11:41 AM

For production viewing purposes, how about a ntsc 17 LCD tv.

Glenn Chan · July 19th, 2004, 12:05 PM

If you're doing color correction, you really need a monitor that gives accurate color reproduction. Consumer TVs don't do that.

Jacques Mersereau · July 19th, 2004, 12:12 PM

and for real CC you'll want a monitor that provides "SMPTE C Phosphors."

David Phillips · July 19th, 2004, 02:28 PM

we use a 28" sanyo widescreen T.V. and haven't encountered any problems yet. We do colour correction and the playback is perfect on any T.V. or computer.

David Mintzer · July 19th, 2004, 08:28 PM

When you say "production monitor" are you referring to a field monitor or a monitor for use in your editing studio?

Glenn Gipson · July 19th, 2004, 09:24 PM

Production monitor for an NLE.

Glenn Gipson · July 22nd, 2004, 02:38 PM

I ended up getting a JVC TM-H150CGU http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/m...Code=TMH150CGU

But now my question is...what is the best way to position my monitor in relation to the studio monitors (speakers?) Should I keep my monitor in the center of my desk, or can it be off to the side while angled toward the center?

Mike Rehmus · July 22nd, 2004, 08:58 PM

I think 14" is about the minimum size. A broadcast monitor does make a difference. LCD doesn't work very well for all the known reasons. While a television may work for a while, they just are not stable enough over the long term and lack underscan capabilities.

If you purchase B stock, you can get a very good monitor for under $800.

The only thing that did more for my work than this monitor was the upgrading to a pair of near-field monitors for sound.

Stephen van Vuuren · July 23rd, 2004, 01:37 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Glenn Gipson : I ended up getting a JVC TM-H150CGU http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/m...Code=TMH150CGU

But now my question is...what is the best way to position my monitor in relation to the studio monitors (speakers?) Should I keep my monitor in the center of my desk, or can it be off to the side while angled toward the center? -->>>

I just got this same monitor - the extra lines of rez over my old Sony 400 line PVM really make a big difference in looking at DVX progressive scan footage. It's got nearly enough rez for 720p, though not really.

It's not quite a good a high end Sony SMTP C Phosphor, but then again it's half or less the price. the 16:9 feature, blue check, underscan etc are nice. Wish it had at least 2 S-video inputs though.

Per monitor placement. I have my main 21" monitor in center of my speakers and this one off to the side because while I can easily look over to the side to look at video, I like to be centered in the sound field when mixing audio, especially surround.

Graham Bernard · October 7th, 2004, 11:25 AM

Thinking about getting one of these puppies . .. any feedback?

Grazie

Doug Turner · October 12th, 2004, 07:10 PM

Anyone here used DVRACK? Could it really replace production monitor?

http://www.seriousmagic.com/dvrack.cfm

I used a 14" TV for a field monitor on my last shoot - mainly for framing (used camera eyepiece for exposure/zebra stripes and focus).

I've now got myself a 7" TFT LCD and a lead acid battery giving me enough power to run the LCD and my camera for 8 hrs. This I've found to be fantastic for my low budget, minimal crew and flexible shooting style - and I don't have to lug around a heavy field monitor/TV anymore.

Hal Wolin · October 13th, 2004, 12:43 AM

Whats the best route to take for a field monitor to hook into a camera?

Could you in theory get a way with an lcd screen or lcd tv?

July 19th, 2004, 06:09 AM	#1
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	Production Monitors and You When it comes to production monitors for your NLE, what kind do you prefer? Do you prefer a small 9” production monitor with 300 lines of resolution? Or do you prefer a 15” and above production monitor with over 500 lines of resolution? Also, how many lines of resolution is too little for critical DV post work, and how many lines of resolution are overkill?

July 19th, 2004, 09:13 AM	#3
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	IMO, the bigger the better as long as you get something with high resolution. In other words, the Sony 8" monitor comes in a 250 lines of resolution flavor and a HR (HiRes) 450 flavor. The 250 does not really let you know you're in perfect focus. The 450 does. If you can afford it, the Sony 14" comes in several flavors, but get at least the 600 lines model. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=80&a=231_1528&Submit.x=11&Submit.y=12&shs=&ci=1981&ac= __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 19th, 2004, 12:12 PM	#6
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	and for real CC you'll want a monitor that provides "SMPTE C Phosphors." __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 19th, 2004, 02:28 PM	#7
David Phillips Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Norwich Norfolk UK Posts: 112	we use a 28" sanyo widescreen T.V. and haven't encountered any problems yet. We do colour correction and the playback is perfect on any T.V. or computer. __________________ David Phillips

July 22nd, 2004, 08:58 PM	#11
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I think 14" is about the minimum size. A broadcast monitor does make a difference. LCD doesn't work very well for all the known reasons. While a television may work for a while, they just are not stable enough over the long term and lack underscan capabilities. If you purchase B stock, you can get a very good monitor for under $800. The only thing that did more for my work than this monitor was the upgrading to a pair of near-field monitors for sound. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 19th, 2004, 09:11 AM	#2
Justin Sammarco Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NY Posts: 57	I'm trying to find out about this as well. Not for anything but we've been using regular 15" TV's. I dont' know if that is a good practice or what, but we can get a true image. What monitors do you guys find to do the best job?

July 19th, 2004, 11:41 AM	#4
Dwight Flynn Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 393	For production viewing purposes, how about a ntsc 17 LCD tv.

July 19th, 2004, 12:05 PM	#5
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	If you're doing color correction, you really need a monitor that gives accurate color reproduction. Consumer TVs don't do that.

July 19th, 2004, 08:28 PM	#8
David Mintzer Rextilleon Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 520	When you say "production monitor" are you referring to a field monitor or a monitor for use in your editing studio?

July 19th, 2004, 09:24 PM	#9
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	Production monitor for an NLE.

July 22nd, 2004, 02:38 PM	#10
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	I ended up getting a JVC TM-H150CGU http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/m...Code=TMH150CGU But now my question is...what is the best way to position my monitor in relation to the studio monitors (speakers?) Should I keep my monitor in the center of my desk, or can it be off to the side while angled toward the center?

July 23rd, 2004, 01:37 AM	#12
Stephen van Vuuren Space Hipster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,508	<<<-- Originally posted by Glenn Gipson : I ended up getting a JVC TM-H150CGU http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/m...Code=TMH150CGU But now my question is...what is the best way to position my monitor in relation to the studio monitors (speakers?) Should I keep my monitor in the center of my desk, or can it be off to the side while angled toward the center? -->>> I just got this same monitor - the extra lines of rez over my old Sony 400 line PVM really make a big difference in looking at DVX progressive scan footage. It's got nearly enough rez for 720p, though not really. It's not quite a good a high end Sony SMTP C Phosphor, but then again it's half or less the price. the 16:9 feature, blue check, underscan etc are nice. Wish it had at least 2 S-video inputs though. Per monitor placement. I have my main 21" monitor in center of my speakers and this one off to the side because while I can easily look over to the side to look at video, I like to be centered in the sound field when mixing audio, especially surround. __________________ stephen v2 www.insaturnsrings.com

October 7th, 2004, 11:25 AM	#13
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Thinking about getting one of these puppies . .. any feedback? Grazie

October 12th, 2004, 07:10 PM	#14
Doug Turner Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia. Posts: 43	Anyone here used DVRACK? Could it really replace production monitor? http://www.seriousmagic.com/dvrack.cfm I used a 14" TV for a field monitor on my last shoot - mainly for framing (used camera eyepiece for exposure/zebra stripes and focus). I've now got myself a 7" TFT LCD and a lead acid battery giving me enough power to run the LCD and my camera for 8 hrs. This I've found to be fantastic for my low budget, minimal crew and flexible shooting style - and I don't have to lug around a heavy field monitor/TV anymore.

October 13th, 2004, 12:43 AM	#15
Hal Wolin Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bellmore NY Posts: 27	Whats the best route to take for a field monitor to hook into a camera? Could you in theory get a way with an lcd screen or lcd tv?