New Steadicam Monitor

[chris bangma]

We will do testing of the onscreen level in May. Will let you know how it goes.

[Steve Fracol SOC]

I have also tested and used this monitor on set with my XCS and I can 2nd all that Simon, Eric and Robert have stated. I have been an LCD user since my EFP days (then to green) then back to LCD in 2004 and this is by far the best thing I have ever seen. I can't wait till they get the new housing done.

 

The only real problem is that the director tends to hover around my rig rather than hang around video village now. I guess we solve some problems and and created another (haha). My assistants seemed to like it as well. They seemed able to just glance over from the side and get an idea of things rather than put themselves in just the right spot to see the image. It is truly a great system...and only going to get better.

 

My .02

[Thomas K. Jensen]

We will do testing of the onscreen level in May. Will let you know how it goes.

Cool.

 

And I have some ideas.

It would be nice, if you could make the level customisable so you can place it where ever you want.

Another thing that I would love to have is the possibility to turn on some kind of number overlay - degrees? Something that would indicate if you are in level (0 perfect and maybe -10 to +10 indicating if it's out)

 

Just a thought.

[William Demeritt]

I'd love to be able to place my crosshairs anywhere I want, like with my Pro 2 monitor.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Cool.

 

And I have some ideas.

It would be nice, if you could make the level customisable so you can place it where ever you want.

Another thing that I would love to have is the possibility to turn on some kind of number overlay - degrees? Something that would indicate if you are in level (0 perfect and maybe -10 to +10 indicating if it's out)

 

The XCS PDL can be moved anywhere and even display horizontal level vertically, I'm sure that the Cinetronics level will match that feature.

 

I don't agree with the need for numerical feedback, first off with a level you don't really need since the level display will give you the same information. With a bubble and you have say a 2 degree level that means that when the bubble is half out it's 1 degree off and when the complete bubble is out then you are at the rated degree in this case 2 degrees. Having a 1-10 number to show how out of level you are is both redundant and inconvenient to read.

 

Remember our #1 Priority is FRAMING not level and if you had a numerical designator you would have to take time to READ that number then interpret what it's telling you before you apply corrective action. The Bubble representation is perfect for our use (Just like in aviation) since it gives us all the info we need in one quick glance, ie bubble out to the right roll rig right to join the bubble and your done.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I'd love to be able to place my crosshairs anywhere I want, like with my Pro 2 monitor.

 

 

Really? I HATE any sort of markings in the viewfinder other than the frame lines, I would never use a set of crosshairs. Crosshairs 4x3 lines etc etc all tend to influence composition on a subconscious level

[Thomas K. Jensen]

 

The XCS PDL can be moved anywhere and even display horizontal level vertically, I'm sure that the Cinetronics level will match that feature.

 

I don't agree with the need for numerical feedback, first off with a level you don't really need since the level display will give you the same information. With a bubble and you have say a 2 degree level that means that when the bubble is half out it's 1 degree off and when the complete bubble is out then you are at the rated degree in this case 2 degrees. Having a 1-10 number to show how out of level you are is both redundant and inconvenient to read.

 

Remember our #1 Priority is FRAMING not level and if you had a numerical designator you would have to take time to READ that number then interpret what it's telling you before you apply corrective action. The Bubble representation is perfect for our use (Just like in aviation) since it gives us all the info we need in one quick glance, ie bubble out to the right roll rig right to join the bubble and your done.

Erik, shure - the framing is the most important. But I just think it would be nice to have the option.

Sometimes I would rather have something other than the Lines to indicate level.

Btw - i have my level at the top of the screen. And as you, I never use cross hair - but it's nice that it is there so that those people, who it works for, can choose to turn it on.

 

Just saing that we are all different.

 

I'm looking forward to testing the monitor when it hits Denmark.

[RonBaldwin]

I use the crosshairs (or at least a dot) all the time -- moving it around with an hd picture is less important to me because I just put it in the middle. I am guessing that since the beta testers are all fans of Greg's and fly his sled, I am sure it will have similar features and quality to his pdl. I have been using a standard bubble recently while using a nebtek...really blows after using the pdl for so many years.

 

rb

[Anders Holck Petersen]

Robert, nice meeting you last week at NAB. Didn't really got to see the monitor again after our brief chat ( Spend too much time at the pool I guess. )

Really liked that Angenieux lens though!

 

Regarding the bubble, I mostly use it to line up shots, watch level during really dark passages etc. To be able to scale it down to be really un-obstructive is really important, just having it at the edges when you really need it.

 

I really don't care too much about the LEDs on my ultrabrite 2 as they tend to be obscured by the yoke/arm, placing them on the top of the monitor would seem preferable though. Seems like a good solution at the time when HD genlock/CG chiposets wasnt available.

 

On my Transvideo HD6 I tend to prefer the old 3A type bubble with the vertical/horizental line pattern.

 

One thing that could make the bubble much more useful would be motion compensation using modern MEMS sensors. I was very impressed by some of the iPhone bubble level apps which must be utilizing the accelerometer and/or Gyro to offer a 3 axis motion compensated bubble level. Even during quick acclerations/deaccleration and rotation, they seem to show your true level (within some limits)

One thing I have dreamed aboutis a level that would work when during fast tracking shots from a vehicle. Dont know if its possible. Shot a few of those on cameras with rolling shutter (RED/Alexa) and it was a nightmare to get straight, as true vertical edges shows up as angled on the monitor, and only horizontal features gives the true level away...:very confusing

 

Regarding framelines/crosshairs, I really like a centercross, especially when doing long lenses stuff. Not really to frame after but to notice if I'm drifting across features, or when trying to do a lock-off. Framelines are especially great when doing things like splitscreens etc. Both are featured on seperate outputs in modern cameras like Epic/Alexa, but having them locally on your personal monitor is much more flexible.

[chris bangma]

The current lcd controller is a bit limited in its on screen display. We should be able to do a fairly simple level with it, but nothing too fancy. The new controller has full control to place anything anywhere on the screen, so we can do a much better level display on this.

 

As for the level itself, we have been doing some testing with a gyro based level. We hope to have this finished some time in May, and let some of the operators test it.

[Kris Torch Wilson]

Is adding picture in picture an option? Once I got used to it on my Ultra Bright I love feeding program return into it and throwing my secondary monitor into the case. I can already hear Eric and the other film guys screaming. Frankly I don't give a shit about loosing a corner of my screen. I'm quite comfortable with my Live TV Hack lifestyle.

 

Kris

[chris bangma]

Picture in picture is an option. You would need to convert the second source to a different input, since it cannot do 2 of the same input types at the same time.

[Kris Torch Wilson]

Picture in picture is an option. You would need to convert the second source to a different input, since it cannot do 2 of the same input types at the same time.

 

Cool

[Joe Lawry]

I am reading with great interest.. Hopefully i'll be able to see a unit at CineGear this year.. Just about to book flights.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

I am reading with great interest.. Hopefully i'll be able to see a unit at CineGear this year.. Just about to book flights.

 

 

I'm sure that Chris and the gang will be at cinegear. And if for some reason they are not there are enough of us with them that will be happy to show them