Robert Starling / Everyone - Nebtek Question

[Tom Daigon]

I was talking to an old acquaintance (Gaylen Nebacker- who was a tape op at a large SLC post facility where I was an editor many years ago) about stuff earlier today. I mentioned my interest in his Solar HD-7 monitors.

Since my budget is very lean this days but my rig is pleading for a hd monitor, I thought a good compromise was the SolarHD-7CW, which is the same (without 8 pin lemo and battery mount and customer frames and leveler ) as the SolarHD-7SC . Since my goal is just to augment my editing and motion graphics with some jib / glidecam work on "the side" I thought since I cant afford the $3500 for the SC, the CW would work. It would necessitate removing the mount for the CW but his brother Loren said that would be doable. What is your experience and opinion of this monitor line. Please keep in mind that my goal of stabilizer use is much more limited in scope than most on this forum (and so is my bank account ) ;-)

 

I have read the other entries on the monitors, but want some current evaluation since some time and use has transpired since the comments were posted

 

PS Im loving the V-25 /X-45 rig I just got. With the handbook and dvd close at hand, I spend time twice a day doing the exercises . I can feel muscles that my hour of swimming laps (3 times a week) haven't touched. But I seem noticeably stronger after the last week.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Tom Daigon

[Robert Starling SOC]

I have one here Tom if you'd like to take a look at it when I get back from LA in a week or so. This coming week will be the first week using it on real jobs so I can't give a review yet. So far the menus seem to be logical and the size is nice as well. It took two small adapters to help it fit on my Steadicam monitor yoke.

 

The first job on Monday is a RED camera and toward the end of the week>weekend I'm on a film job so it will definitely be interesting to see how the notoriously dim video taps look on it in full sunlight.

 

Keep practicing your line dances!

 

Robert

[Tom Daigon]

I have one here Tom if you'd like to take a look at it when I get back from LA in a week or so. This coming week will be the first week using it on real jobs so I can't give a review yet. So far the menus seem to be logical and the size is nice as well. It took two small adapters to help it fit on my Steadicam monitor yoke.

 

The first job on Monday is a RED camera and toward the end of the week>weekend I'm on a film job so it will definitely be interesting to see how the notoriously dim video taps look on it in full sunlight.

 

Keep practicing your line dances!

 

Robert

 

Great! Those jobs should give you an opportunity to put the monitor thru its paces. I look forward to checking it out and getting a full report when you return to Vegas.

[Andrew Stone]

Hi Tom,

 

I am going to throw this out as an idea as it is much cheaper than buying a Nebtek and it will get you a significant way towards getting a good translated HD sourced image on your existing monitor and that is using a Decimator. As long as you have an HD-SDI out from your HD camera you can have this unit translate it into a VERY good 16x9 SD signal.

 

There are quite a few ops here that use it and may wish to chime in. I know there is at least one veteran here that uses both a Decimator and has one of the Solar HD monitors. Chances are you will have the HD viewfinder on your camera which you can use for a focus check and have a really decent image on your monitor below for framing.

 

I am interested in hearing as well some of the opinions on your post. Similar to you, I have been debating about whether or not to get one of the Solar monitors or hold out till when I am buying another rig down the road. Presently I am using the Flyer which has as an SD monitor with a 16x9 aspect ratio. I am really happy with the output of the Decimator.

 

You can get them here:

 

http://www.tecads.com/product_info.php?pro...f105ab96c1f6501

 

-Andrew

Edited February 8, 2010 by Andrew Stone

[Tom Daigon]

Hi Tom,

 

I am going to throw this out as an idea as it is much cheaper than buying a Nebtek and it will get you a significant way towards getting a good translated HD sourced image on your existing monitor and that is using a Decimator. As long as you have an HD-SDI out from your HD camera you can have this unit translate it into a VERY good 16x9 SD signal.

 

There are quite a few ops here that use it and may wish to chime in. I know there is at least one veteran here that uses both a Decimator and has one of the Solar HD monitors. Chances are you will have the HD viewfinder on your camera which you can use for a focus check and have a really decent image on your monitor below for framing.

 

I am interested in hearing as well some of the opinions on your post. Similar to you, I have been debating about whether or not to get one of the Solar monitors or hold out till when I am buying another rig down the road. Presently I am using the Flyer which has as an SD monitor with a 16x9 aspect ratio. I am really happy with the output of the Decimator.

 

You can get them here:

 

http://www.tecads.com/product_info.php?pro...f105ab96c1f6501

 

-Andrew

 

Thanks for the info Andrew. As it turns out my primary camera is the Sony EX3 which has a menu option to output a down converted signal from several spigots. I am currently using a very adequate monitor called the DP-1

from smallhd.com. It isnt 1000 nit like the Nebtek and it doesnt have an SDI in yet. But it works well on the V-25 rig for balancing and its a great SD image. $3500 is a lot for a dilettante like me at this point. I have have a more pressing need to upgrade to the Gold vest for better support and design. Luckily the folks at Glidecam are the best when it comes to customer service. Its a moot point because the Nebtek site indicates the monitors are out of stock for 2-3 weeks pending some enhancements.

Edited February 8, 2010 by Tom Daigon

[Charles Papert]

Obviously I'm a Decimator fan, but I've been delighted having the Solar7 for the past few months and once the frameline and level upgrades are in place, I intend to make this my primary monitor. There is a good argument to be made for the uncompromised viewability of a top-notch green screen (for me that's the TB6) but I would have a hard time justifying an SD LCD with an HD camera at this stage of the game. Of course, within a few years there will be substantial improvements but that's just something we have to deal with--things are changing fast on the hardware end of this business, and it's not going to be a situation where a rig will be satisfactory for 10 years or more. Unfortunate that all of this comes at a time when we are all getting paid less and less for our services, but that's neither here nor there.

[Andrew Stone]

As it turns out my primary camera is the Sony EX3 which has a menu option to output a down converted signal from several spigots. I am currently using a very adequate monitor called the DP-1 from smallhd.com... and its a great SD image. $3500 is a lot for a dilettante like me.

 

Hi Tom,

 

I will post up some info more for others reading the thread who are using EX cameras or have this dilemma that many operators (early in their career) have which is what piece of gear to get next...

 

I came to use the Decimator as an SD Monitor conversion box by happenstance and I too have an EX-3 as my primary camera right now.

 

I got the Decimator as a result of getting a nanoFlash in an effort to get +50Mbit / 4:2:2 material for selling to broadcast. I picked up the Decimator as a way to verify the input from the EX-3 to the nanoFlash. It was only when I saw the image coming out of the nanoFlash that I realized the quality was so far and away superior than the image coming out the composite output on the EX-3 that I decided to use it to bring the image to my Steadicam (SD) monitor. I realize there is a component option on the EX to bring your image to your SmallHD monitor which is probably the way to go. For other EX owners the Decimator may be the route to go depending on their monitor and/or need for wireless transmission.

 

It is often at this point once an operator has their first rig that they are often faced with the proposition of getting wireless follow focus and wireless transmission gear, as well as often upgrading the monitor. All are expensive propositions for a starting operator. The Decimator could in some cases serve several functions and delay the need to spend 4 or more grand on a good HD monitor allowing one to consider other parts of the kit that may help securing gigs.

 

Having said that Nebtek's Solar 7SC given the myriad of features and user reports from Charles and a few others seems to be the best value right now of the mid to higher end SC monitors.

Edited February 8, 2010 by Andrew Stone

[Tom Daigon]

Charles, I agree that the Solar 7 is way more desirable as a professional tool to the SD LCD that I am currently using. Before I realized how much I needed a better vest, I was ready to buy one from Gaylen over the phone :-)

As a professional editor / motion graphics artist I strive for the best hardware and software to get the job down. This is the motivation for building a well stocked edit bay at home ...to supplement learning opportunities that can be utilized at the work place. As a newbie Glidecam operator my desire is to have the same approach, but finances and minimal experience set limits on my purchases (d'oh...) I realize this is a board for full time professionals and can only hope as time and opportunity goes forward that I will be able to join the ranks of folks buying Solar 7s, nanoflashes (great invention) and the myriad of other basic necessities for this profession. At the moment I just feel blessed to have a solid rig, the handbook, the dvd and lots of enthusiasm. I guess that will have to do for the moment ;-)

Edited February 8, 2010 by Tom Daigon