New Steadicam Monitor

[Jess Haas SOC]

I want something that I can drop from ten feet on to concrete, pick it up and use it for under 5 grand.

Totally agree. I personally want it light but I don't want this to be sacrificed in the process with something silly like a plastic case.(although my current monitor has a plastic case and has survived this test and worse)

 

Some claimed it was an unfair comparison -- I guess the sun unfairly hit theirs more than the others?

Well to be fair at times some monitors were further from the sun than others ;-) Not to mention there were rumors that some of the monitors had been doped with lisigav injections.....

[chris bangma]

I also attended the monitor shootout, and wasnt happy with many of the monitors I saw there as well. This gave me the determination to try to come up with something better. Some of the monitors seemed flimsy in their build quality, some were just plain ugly, and too many had fans or holes to let dirt into them. The monitor housing that we are building is machined from solid blocks of aluminum. I know this will scare everyone away thinking it will be too heavy, but we should be able to keep the weight down to 4 pounds, or maybe a little less. The monitor will also be sealed with o-rings, to keep the dust and dirt out of the monitor.

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

User adjustable variable zoom for image size. I don't mean the obvious pre-set aspect ratios that all LCD come with, but a variable zoom to adjust image size like the TB-6. I use it every single day (I'll actually shrink the image a tiny bit some times in low mode, etc).

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

User adjustable variable zoom for image size. I don't mean the obvious pre-set aspect ratios that all LCD come with, but a variable zoom to adjust image size like the TB-6. I use it every single day (I'll actually shrink the image a tiny bit some times in low mode, etc).

 

 

Like I said, all the features of a TB-6... I also use the zoom feature all the time

[chris bangma]

The monitor has a zoom function, so you can zoom both in horizontal and vertical, and reposition.

[Rob Vuona SOC]

Chris,

Your hitting on all the right options !

 

For me I think the ultimate monitor is ;

• 7"

• 16/9

• HD/SDI/Analog

• Adjustable Frameline

• Mirror and flipable

• Digital Level

• Daybright Viewable

 

I agree with some of the other guys that 4lbs seems about 1.8 lbs too heavy definitely a bit on the heavy side.

 

My TVLogic monitor is 2.2lbs and it seems to be the perfect weight (http://www.preco.net/tvlogic/)

 

Actually if this monitor was daybright viewable and had an electronic level it would be the perfect monitor.

 

Again, all of us encourage a new monitor system so please keep building, lord knows I would love to test it as soon as it's testable.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I agree with some of the other guys that 4lbs seems about 1.8 lbs too heavy definitely a bit on the heavy side.

 

4lbs is the perfect weight, it's what every pro and XCS Ultimate was designed for.

[Charles Papert]

Those are two separate statements, Eric. Yes, both of those sleds were designed for that weight of monitor, because both of those manufacturers were making monitors that were that weight. As a result, neither sled is designed to accommodate a lighter monitor, however there is no specific reason other than this that defines a "perfect" monitor weight as being 4 lbs. The traditional rig was designed for 35mm cameras, and I think we've all been touched by HD at this point which can sometimes involved unfamiliar form factors and unexpected configurations. The assumption that every camera can be transformed into a 32 lb mass of a specific length and height that simulates the feel of an XL has already gone out the window. My feeling is that the sled of the future should be a lot more modular to allow for these contigencies, and any monitor being designed now should be built to whatever specs make the most sense functionally while looking forward to where we are headed with this stuff. Remember how exciting it was when the PRO arm was introduced, with an adjustable payload from 13 to 72 lbs? Sure, 95% of the time we were flying with two blue and two black springs, pretty much the same range we'd always have, but it was great to know you could accommodate a stupid-heavy payload, or conversely a mad crazy little one. I haven't flown any beamsplitter 3D rigs just yet but it's obvious that you want to minimize the weight of parts of the system--you always see this configured with LCD's.

 

So along these lines--I'd support the lightest possible monitor, knowing that it can always be beefed up with batteries or lead or Baldwin's liver. Although it's my belief that adding whatever form of weight down at the front of the sled makes more sense than at the monitor as it has more effect on the overall mass.

[George Grammatikos]

you can always add weight to your monitor ,and an extra battery are the best and the most useful weight

[Joshua Harrison]

User adjustable variable zoom for image size. I don't mean the obvious pre-set aspect ratios that all LCD come with, but a variable zoom to adjust image size like the TB-6. I use it every single day (I'll actually shrink the image a tiny bit some times in low mode, etc).

 

I just received my Nebtek Solar HD SC and it has a zoom function. I wasn't aware that it had that function when I bought it but I'm very pleased it does.

 

Josh

[chris bangma]

Just to update everyone, the testing of the monitor is going well. Everyone that has seen it has been extremely impressed. We sent the monitor out this week with Jerome Fauci, and he was overjoyed with it. He said that in a way it is too good, since the director insisted in looking over his shoulder all the time, since the steadicam had the best picture. If other operators in the Los Angeles area would like to test the monitor, please let me know, and we can make one available for you to test.

[Lawrence Karman]

Just to update everyone, the testing of the monitor is going well. Everyone that has seen it has been extremely impressed. We sent the monitor out this week with Jerome Fauci, and he was overjoyed with it. He said that in a way it is too good, since the director insisted in looking over his shoulder all the time, since the steadicam had the best picture. If other operators in the Los Angeles area would like to test the monitor, please let me know, and we can make one available for you to test.

 

 

I'd like to check it out. Please shoot me an email when it's available: lkarman5@verizon.net

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I'd also like to check it out

[Richard W. Davis]

I'd also like to check it out

 

I also want to be on that list.

 

Richard Davis

LA

[Jess Haas SOC]

Me Too