Jamie Northrup Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 (edited) I'm considering making some upgrades to my Flyer. To start, I think I'd like a better monitor. Here is the cable at the bottom of my sled ] What is the name of this 9-pin cable? Can I convert this to BNC only? (Powering off the Anton Bauer Dtap from the V-Mount) Do I have any real options for upgrading? I really appreciate the experts sharing their knowledge. Additional Photos I'll take my answer off the air. Edited July 19, 2011 by Jamie Northrup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted July 19, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Okay...I went down this path of thinking myself when I had my Flyer... I'm not sure what the connector is, I think its a variation of an 8 pin din conncector. It is the "standard" Flyer monitor connector. Easiest would be to find someone to cut that connector off and hardwire a BNC and 12v power connector of your choice to it, with enough new cable to reach your new monitor. Easy for any competent video engineer. Probably cost you under 100 bucks. Or, call Terry West, one of the foremost Steadicam wiring gurus, and have him wire you up an adapter. Probably $100 to $160 or so, but don't quote me. Just a guess. This leaves your sled "stock" for resale, and as a bonus you can still use your existing monitor for a backup. Now, the slippery slope....the original Flyer is a standard def sled. Unless you plan to run HDMI or HDSDI outside the post, there's no advantage to getting an HD monitor. The Flyer SD monitor is actually probably already the best overall SD monitor for that sled. Brighter than most at 500 nits, and a pretty good non-glare coating. With a 640x234 LCD panel... not the sharpest but it's onlya framing monitor after all. Inexpensive replacement monitors (HD or SD) can have power issues (nominally they are 12V but some can't handle the 16-17V a fresh battery spits out). Most are not bright at all, and I'd take brightness over sharpness for Steadicam use. As for running video outside the post, that's considered a no-no but if done right is not such a big deal. Run a taut video cable from the front of the camera stage under the lens, down to the top center of the monitor. Secure with tape, velcro, twist-ties, whatever to keep them from flopping around. If I still had my Flyer and was looking to do a monitor upgrade, I would go ahead and have Terry West rewire the post for HD-SDI and also extra power connections, both above and below. Then I'd add a new monitor like the new Marshall 7" 800nit HD monitor or their 6.5" daylight transflective monitor. I wouldn't bother with anything less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Northrup Posted July 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 As for running video outside the post, that's considered a no-no but if done right is not such a big deal. Run a taut video cable from the front of the camera stage under the lens, down to the top center of the monitor. Secure with tape, velcro, twist-ties, whatever to keep them from flopping around. Oh No! I just meant run a power cable from the battery to the monitor. Mark, thank you. Great information. Time to start saving up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted July 21, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 Understood. What I want to communicate is this: 1. The Flyer monitor is already one of the better standard def monitors you can get. Unless you're looking for some specific capability that the monitor lacks, it's actually an excellent monitor for the Flyer. 2. If you upgrade to an HD monitor you will either end up running in standard def mode anyway, or running video outside your post, or rewiring your sled. 3. Running video outside the post is not that big a problem if you secure the cables properly. 4. If I were in your shoes, I'd either leave it alone, or have the sled competently rewired for HD by someone like Terry West. Best, Mark As for running video outside the post, that's considered a no-no but if done right is not such a big deal. Run a taut video cable from the front of the camera stage under the lens, down to the top center of the monitor. Secure with tape, velcro, twist-ties, whatever to keep them from flopping around. Oh No! I just meant run a power cable from the battery to the monitor. Mark, thank you. Great information. Time to start saving up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Alec Jarnagin SOC Posted July 21, 2011 Moderators Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 "The Flyer monitor is already one of the better standard def monitors you can get." I have one on my light weight rig but it seems that it does not really underscan well (meaning I'm missing the edge of my frame). Anyone else get this? It drives me nuts, but I 'd hate to buy a Nebtek just for that (I love the Cinetronics and have ordered one, but it is too big for this sled). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted July 21, 2011 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 21, 2011 True about underscan.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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