Which Video Monitor to buy ? at DVinfo.net

Peter Dorr · April 27th, 2003, 08:07 AM

I do semi-prof DV editing and want to upgrade from my standard Sony Trinitron TV as output monitor to a proper Video-Edit monitor. anything bewteen 14" and 17" is ok.

I have 2 candidates now and don't know which to chose.

Sony PVM14L4, a 14" for 1659 euro
and
Panasonic TM-H1750CG, a 17" for 939 euro

Of course the Panasonic looks a much better deal, but what's the catch here ?

Anybody any suggestion, even for another monitor.
Any help will be appricated,
Thanks,
Peter

Jeff Donald · April 27th, 2003, 08:26 AM

Be sure and do a search on monitors, using the search function in the upper right corner. The immediate disadvantage I notice is the 17" size is too large for the average studio. The editor would be setting too close to get an accurate view. I would suggest the 14" on that basis alone, for a small studio. Sony has other models (many of which have been mentioned here before) that would be closer in price.

Don Donatello · April 27th, 2003, 05:40 PM

don't know the euro models but for US
in general the more you pay the more resolution, gamma/color accuracy & features you get ...
do you want 16x9 ? do you want blue only ( to adjust hue/satuation) , underscan, switching for 2-3 inputs , RGB inputs ? component in ?

14m4u ( note it has SMPTE-C phosphors= excellent for doing color correction)
14" (13"V) Trinitron color production monitor features over 800TVL resolution. SMPTE-C phosphors for accurate color matching. Knob type controls for easy setup, menu driven CPU with on screen display (OSD). accepts NTSC, NTSC (4.43), PAL, SECAM in Composite, Y/C and RGB and Y/R-Y/B-Y formats. Pulse cross, underscan, 16:9, remote and tally. EIA rack mountable, metal cabinet $1500

14m2u
14" (13"V) Trinitron color production monitor features over 600TVL resolution. Dark tint CRT with P22 phosphors. Knob type controls for easy setup, menu driven CPU with on screen display (OSD). Accepts NTSC, NTSC(4.43), PAL, SECAM in Composite, Y/C and RGB and Y/R-Y/B-Y formats. Pulse cross, underscan, 16:9, remote and tally. EIA rack mountable, metal cabinet. $1200

14m5u
14" (13" viewable) Trinitron color monitor features: 500 TV lines resolution, accepts 4 color standards (NTSC/PAL/SECAM/NTSC4.43), 6500K color temperature, on screen display in 5 languages, beam current feedback, metal cabinet, universal power supply 100-240V (UL listed for 120V/50Hz only), audio, inputs: 2 composite, 2 Y/C. New features include: new picture improvement IC and short cut operation menu. $580

14m6u
14" (13" viewable) Trinitron color monitor features: 500 TV lines resolution, accepts 4 color standards (NTSC/PAL/SECAM/NTSC4.43), 6500K color temperature, on screen display in 5 languages, beam current feedback, metal cabinet, universal power supply 100-240V (UL listed for 120V/50Hz only), audio, inputs: 2 composite, 2 Y/C, 1 RGB, 1 Ext. Sync for RGB, contact closure remote control, 4:3/16:9 switchable aspect ratio. New features include: new picture improvement IC and short cut operation menu. $680

Robert Poulton · May 2nd, 2003, 06:45 PM

so what place has the PVM-14m4u for sale that is trust worthy. I couldn't find it on the sony business site but maybe it is a hidden link or something. Maybe I just didn't look.

Rob:D

Mike Rehmus · May 2nd, 2003, 07:46 PM

B&H

Rob Wilson · May 2nd, 2003, 08:58 PM

Might want to look at this Pansonic H 1390YN

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh2.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___154344___PABTH1390YO___REG___CatID=1981___ SID=F5231ACFFF0

It's listed as used (at the winter olympics) but the one they sold me looks and acts new. 700 lines, component in plus the other good stuff and for less than $700. I love it.

Robert Poulton · May 3rd, 2003, 03:59 AM

Yah I looked on the BH site but all they had was the side bars that would hold the monitor. Is there any other place I could get it or did they stop making the monitor. Thanks Rob. Is the description right? Is it SMPTE-C and all the other features it lists?
Let me know I would like to buy this if they still have them.

Rob:D

Mike Rehmus · May 3rd, 2003, 09:36 AM

CAll B&H. They are open tomorrow IIRC.

Or you can try HT Electronics in Fremont or Reno or Snader in Marin (may hae a Sacramento office too). These are full-price places.

I have a friend with a very nice Sony monitor that auto switches between 4:3 & 16:9 and has all the nice inputs except 1394. Don't know the model number but it was around $1200 IIRC. The very newest monitors will also 1394. The good part about 1394 is it carries both video and audio. Only one (albiet not too robust) cable/connector to hook up. I understand the daisy-chaining or hub connections for 1394 are not fully foolproof yet.

Another alternative is to consider a field monitor. Something in 8 or 9 inches is just enough for editing if it is reasonably close and it sure makes a difference in the field when you have time to set it up.

I first bought a 14" JVC B-Stock unit for about $800 that is superb. All the bells and whistles.

I like it better than the very expensive Sony we bought at the community college that is going bad after being run about 2 hours per week during the school year over about 7 years. The CRT cathode is running out of electrons. Almost too dark to use as the master monitor.

Zac Stein · May 3rd, 2003, 10:22 AM

Do some sony monitors now carry firewire, i have never seen that.
That would be fantastic for me, i am in the market to buy one, and i can save all the money of buying a advc 100 converter as well, do you have links to any of these monitors?

Zac

Rob Wilson · May 3rd, 2003, 10:28 AM

Rob D,

B&H's web site still lists them as in stock. Pretty good deal when you consider all the features and that they retail at over $1100. Correction - 750 lines, not 700 and yes SMPTE phosphors.

Robert Poulton · May 4th, 2003, 01:51 AM

Hey thanks Rob.
LOL I will have to call them this week. Oh that D is suppose to be :D for smilie but it doesn't work on this forum. Habbit.

Rob

Zac Stein · May 4th, 2003, 03:43 AM

I have a question, which people may be able to answer who are watching this thread.

How close can you keep a tv monitor, to a computer monitor and/or your computer as well.

Zac

Clayton Farr · May 4th, 2003, 10:32 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Wilson : Rob D,

B&H's web site still lists them as in stock. Pretty good deal when you consider all the features and that they retail at over $1100. Correction - 750 lines, not 700 and yes SMPTE phosphors. -->>>

Hi Rob,

Where are you seeing them on B&H's site? I've been trying to track down either a 14M2U or 14M4U and it seems that they've been phased out by their new L5 (?) series.

Any suggestions on where to find one of these - either new, refurbed, or gently used - at a good price would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Clayton

Rob Wilson · May 4th, 2003, 10:36 AM

Clayton,

Here is a link to B&H's page

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh2.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___154344___PABTH1390YO___REG___CatID=1981___ SID=F52B2F94A70

Hope this helps

Clayton Farr · May 4th, 2003, 06:41 PM

Thanks Rob.

I guess I had misunderstood your previous post, I thought you meant that the PVM-14M4u's were still available at B&H. None the less, this monitor looks like a great deal too.

At the risk of starting yet another mfr mud-slinging session, what have most people's experience been with non-Sony production monitors? They certainly are more bang for the buck...

The major reservation I seem to keep hearing is that each mfr's monitor has its own 'look' and that the Sony's are the look that most expect. This seems somewhat counter intuitive since the whole point of such a monitor is consistency to standards, right? But I've only had experience with Sony so I'm a bit in the dark.

If I could rationalize that I wouldn't be painting myself into a corner with the Panasonic or a similar featured JVC, the savings would be significant and it would be nice to know that I am not purchasing just on blind label loyalty...

Any insights, testimonials, or caveats would be appreciated.

Thanks again,
Clayton

April 27th, 2003, 08:07 AM	#1
Peter Dorr New Boot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Netherlands - Europe Posts: 21	Which Video Monitor to buy ? I do semi-prof DV editing and want to upgrade from my standard Sony Trinitron TV as output monitor to a proper Video-Edit monitor. anything bewteen 14" and 17" is ok. I have 2 candidates now and don't know which to chose. Sony PVM14L4, a 14" for 1659 euro and Panasonic TM-H1750CG, a 17" for 939 euro Of course the Panasonic looks a much better deal, but what's the catch here ? Anybody any suggestion, even for another monitor. Any help will be appricated, Thanks, Peter

April 27th, 2003, 08:26 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Be sure and do a search on monitors, using the search function in the upper right corner. The immediate disadvantage I notice is the 17" size is too large for the average studio. The editor would be setting too close to get an accurate view. I would suggest the 14" on that basis alone, for a small studio. Sony has other models (many of which have been mentioned here before) that would be closer in price. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 2nd, 2003, 07:46 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	B&H __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 3rd, 2003, 09:36 AM	#8
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	CAll B&H. They are open tomorrow IIRC. Or you can try HT Electronics in Fremont or Reno or Snader in Marin (may hae a Sacramento office too). These are full-price places. I have a friend with a very nice Sony monitor that auto switches between 4:3 & 16:9 and has all the nice inputs except 1394. Don't know the model number but it was around $1200 IIRC. The very newest monitors will also 1394. The good part about 1394 is it carries both video and audio. Only one (albiet not too robust) cable/connector to hook up. I understand the daisy-chaining or hub connections for 1394 are not fully foolproof yet. Another alternative is to consider a field monitor. Something in 8 or 9 inches is just enough for editing if it is reasonably close and it sure makes a difference in the field when you have time to set it up. I first bought a 14" JVC B-Stock unit for about $800 that is superb. All the bells and whistles. I like it better than the very expensive Sony we bought at the community college that is going bad after being run about 2 hours per week during the school year over about 7 years. The CRT cathode is running out of electrons. Almost too dark to use as the master monitor. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

April 27th, 2003, 05:40 PM	#3
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	don't know the euro models but for US in general the more you pay the more resolution, gamma/color accuracy & features you get ... do you want 16x9 ? do you want blue only ( to adjust hue/satuation) , underscan, switching for 2-3 inputs , RGB inputs ? component in ? 14m4u ( note it has SMPTE-C phosphors= excellent for doing color correction) 14" (13"V) Trinitron color production monitor features over 800TVL resolution. SMPTE-C phosphors for accurate color matching. Knob type controls for easy setup, menu driven CPU with on screen display (OSD). accepts NTSC, NTSC (4.43), PAL, SECAM in Composite, Y/C and RGB and Y/R-Y/B-Y formats. Pulse cross, underscan, 16:9, remote and tally. EIA rack mountable, metal cabinet $1500 14m2u 14" (13"V) Trinitron color production monitor features over 600TVL resolution. Dark tint CRT with P22 phosphors. Knob type controls for easy setup, menu driven CPU with on screen display (OSD). Accepts NTSC, NTSC(4.43), PAL, SECAM in Composite, Y/C and RGB and Y/R-Y/B-Y formats. Pulse cross, underscan, 16:9, remote and tally. EIA rack mountable, metal cabinet. $1200 14m5u 14" (13" viewable) Trinitron color monitor features: 500 TV lines resolution, accepts 4 color standards (NTSC/PAL/SECAM/NTSC4.43), 6500K color temperature, on screen display in 5 languages, beam current feedback, metal cabinet, universal power supply 100-240V (UL listed for 120V/50Hz only), audio, inputs: 2 composite, 2 Y/C. New features include: new picture improvement IC and short cut operation menu. $580 14m6u 14" (13" viewable) Trinitron color monitor features: 500 TV lines resolution, accepts 4 color standards (NTSC/PAL/SECAM/NTSC4.43), 6500K color temperature, on screen display in 5 languages, beam current feedback, metal cabinet, universal power supply 100-240V (UL listed for 120V/50Hz only), audio, inputs: 2 composite, 2 Y/C, 1 RGB, 1 Ext. Sync for RGB, contact closure remote control, 4:3/16:9 switchable aspect ratio. New features include: new picture improvement IC and short cut operation menu. $680

May 2nd, 2003, 06:45 PM	#4
Robert Poulton Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 245	so what place has the PVM-14m4u for sale that is trust worthy. I couldn't find it on the sony business site but maybe it is a hidden link or something. Maybe I just didn't look. Rob:D

May 2nd, 2003, 08:58 PM	#6
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Might want to look at this Pansonic H 1390YN http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh2.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___154344___PABTH1390YO___REG___CatID=1981___ SID=F5231ACFFF0 It's listed as used (at the winter olympics) but the one they sold me looks and acts new. 700 lines, component in plus the other good stuff and for less than $700. I love it.

May 3rd, 2003, 03:59 AM	#7
Robert Poulton Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 245	Yah I looked on the BH site but all they had was the side bars that would hold the monitor. Is there any other place I could get it or did they stop making the monitor. Thanks Rob. Is the description right? Is it SMPTE-C and all the other features it lists? Let me know I would like to buy this if they still have them. Rob:D

May 3rd, 2003, 10:22 AM	#9
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	Do some sony monitors now carry firewire, i have never seen that. That would be fantastic for me, i am in the market to buy one, and i can save all the money of buying a advc 100 converter as well, do you have links to any of these monitors? Zac

May 3rd, 2003, 10:28 AM	#10
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Rob D, B&H's web site still lists them as in stock. Pretty good deal when you consider all the features and that they retail at over $1100. Correction - 750 lines, not 700 and yes SMPTE phosphors.

May 4th, 2003, 01:51 AM	#11
Robert Poulton Major Player Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 245	Hey thanks Rob. LOL I will have to call them this week. Oh that D is suppose to be :D for smilie but it doesn't work on this forum. Habbit. Rob

May 4th, 2003, 03:43 AM	#12
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	I have a question, which people may be able to answer who are watching this thread. How close can you keep a tv monitor, to a computer monitor and/or your computer as well. Zac

May 4th, 2003, 10:32 AM	#13
Clayton Farr Contributor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 94	<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Wilson : Rob D, B&H's web site still lists them as in stock. Pretty good deal when you consider all the features and that they retail at over $1100. Correction - 750 lines, not 700 and yes SMPTE phosphors. -->>> Hi Rob, Where are you seeing them on B&H's site? I've been trying to track down either a 14M2U or 14M4U and it seems that they've been phased out by their new L5 (?) series. Any suggestions on where to find one of these - either new, refurbed, or gently used - at a good price would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Clayton

May 4th, 2003, 10:36 AM	#14
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Clayton, Here is a link to B&H's page http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bh2.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=ProductActivator__Aproductlist_html___154344___PABTH1390YO___REG___CatID=1981___ SID=F52B2F94A70 Hope this helps

May 4th, 2003, 06:41 PM	#15
Clayton Farr Contributor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 94	Thanks Rob. I guess I had misunderstood your previous post, I thought you meant that the PVM-14M4u's were still available at B&H. None the less, this monitor looks like a great deal too. At the risk of starting yet another mfr mud-slinging session, what have most people's experience been with non-Sony production monitors? They certainly are more bang for the buck... The major reservation I seem to keep hearing is that each mfr's monitor has its own 'look' and that the Sony's are the look that most expect. This seems somewhat counter intuitive since the whole point of such a monitor is consistency to standards, right? But I've only had experience with Sony so I'm a bit in the dark. If I could rationalize that I wouldn't be painting myself into a corner with the Panasonic or a similar featured JVC, the savings would be significant and it would be nice to know that I am not purchasing just on blind label loyalty... Any insights, testimonials, or caveats would be appreciated. Thanks again, Clayton