Kevin

Has anyone tried or successfully converted a ProVid ...to accept any type of HD monitor instead of the stock SD monitor it came with ? Curious.... The monitor on the ProVid is so "integral" to the rig....but...limited to SD. Thanks.

Actually...I've had some "first contact" emails with some broken english...from European clients...who were legit. BUT...there was contact info....and phone numbers....! HAHA.... I'm more bummed that they were able to hack the SOA website and get email addresses.... :)

Wow....just saw your post...and yes.... just posted about it. never heard of this before...obviously !! :)

Please be aware as of 3/11/11 I was contacted over 10 days ago. Asking about rates for a Steadicam job. This was via email. The email was in broken english. See below: I am Jordan Brown,a consultant/events organizer.I need your service as a Steadicam Operator for an event coming up very soon.I would appreciate if you would tell me your exact location since the project is taping place simultaneously within the states of the federation. The project will hold at a rented studio in your location,so you don't have to worry about traveling,the name and address of the studio will be forwarded to you before the date.please if interested you can contact me via email jam19brown@gmail.com. I replied, and over the course of several days...emails went back and forth. But I was concerned...I could never CALL this company or person. I also informed him that first time clients must pay via credit card. Even though I did this....a check for 2 days of work was FEDEX'd to me. I called the credit union in UTAH where it was cut...and they told me I would have to use there merchant banking number to see if the account and the amount was available. I did so...and the check for over 3500.00 was "good". I still didn't like this...and held the check. This was the next email I received. This is to confirm the delivery of the paycheck of $3,550 which covers your first part payment for your services.The payment was delivered this morning by FedEx with Tracking #: 796837819336. Take the check to your bank now and have it deposited into your bank account through the ATM for immediate availability of the funds. As soon as you are done with the deposit, get back to me with a scanned copy of the deposit slip for my office pursuit; And also for detailed instruction on how to treat the fund. I await to read from you as soon as possible. Do have a nice day. At this point I knew something was wrong.....I could never get intouch with this JAMES BROWN....as he said in an email he was in the UNITED KINGDOM on a job. After telling this story to a collegue today...she said...the same thing happened EXACTLY to a friend of hers. When you deposit the check...they set a date. They then tell you they overpaid you. You need to give them a check for "x" amount back. Meanwhile...that check...although it was good...is tied to another account. Probably in Nigeria. 3-4 Weeks later...it bounces...and your out the money...PLUS....they money you might have given them as a "refund". OH...the Fedex address the check was sent from....I went to Google Maps....it's a strip mall in Fullerton, CA....with a "FOR LEASE" sign on the address. The name on the check was a husband/wife with an address. Google Maps...400k house...looks like it's for sale. Called the bank....explained the issue. This account was hacked into. They were now aware of the problem. Also...the FBI told me...some poor schlep probably took a "job at home"...and is sent these checks...and given addresses to do FedEx shipments for them because "they're out of the country"....hence the bogus "from address" on the fedex and bogus name and phone number. Meanwhile....they think they'll get money for their "shipping services"...but there check will bounce too ! Sorry for the long post....but beware ! I'm glad my 30 years in the biz made me "inquisitive" about this bizzarre hunt for an operator.

We purchased the Marshall monitor for a field LCD monitor....not Steadicam usage. Well...it's okay...but I can't give it a GLOWING review. It could NEVER be used for Steadicam work...especially outside. Inside is okay...but the front glass is way too reflective. The other problem with the unit is that it doen'st reproduce chroma well. Even after setting up SMPTE bars to blue gun...the image we get in the SDI input is not good enough. We usually have the chroma cranked all the way up...and it's still not enough. Marshall say it's "within spec". We're using it with our Panasonic SDX900...with SDI output for viewing. Needless to say...we're dissappointed with the chroma feature. We've used an ASTRO before...and chroma was not an issue. It also seems the Astro did well outside as far as glare was concerned. You still needed a hoodman...but it helped. Last issue is the markers on the Marshall. Since it can do 16x9 and 4x3...it's handy. We shoot alot of 4x3....BUT the safe markers are only 16x9. Not good. Also...what you see in the monitor (regardless of the format ) is FULL RASTER. This can really mess you up...since the markers don't work in 4x3...therefore...if you're looking at the monitor...you may have action that is outside the safe zone....and substantially outside that zone ! It the monitor easy to transport...power...etc. Yes. Do I wish I spent another 1k on the Astro. Yes.