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Monitors $3000-4000?


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For those of you who don't know, I'm in the process of budgeting. That's BUDGETING, not buying. While I'm appreciative that you guys are going out of your way to remind me to do this and that before buying, I assure you that I do plan to do these things, and right now I am NOT buying. But as Mark pointed out, it is never too early to budget in this economy.

 

So, getting to my point, I've only tried out a few monitors, and not in ideal circumstances (gloomy days, indoors, etc). My favorite was the Transvideo SBL series, but at $8000, it's way out of my price range (even used it doesn't drop that much). I also have looked at the the Rainbow II 6.5", but from what I've looked at, people are saying it's more of a director's monitor than a steadicam one. It does have some nice features, but lacks framelines and a level (the level isn't such a big deal though), and it's SD (not sure about downconverting, etc). However it does fit exactly at my price point.

 

I'm sure that there are other monitors out there in my price range, new or used (for used I mean it could be possible to find a monitor at that price used, not that I'm looking for actual used offers), and I'd love to hear what you guys have to say.

 

Thanks very much! Again this is for budgeting reasons only :)

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For those of you who don't know, I'm in the process of budgeting. That's BUDGETING, not buying. While I'm appreciative that you guys are going out of your way to remind me to do this and that before buying, I assure you that I do plan to do these things, and right now I am NOT buying. But as Mark pointed out, it is never too early to budget in this economy.

 

So, getting to my point, I've only tried out a few monitors, and not in ideal circumstances (gloomy days, indoors, etc). My favorite was the Transvideo SBL series, but at $8000, it's way out of my price range (even used it doesn't drop that much). I also have looked at the the Rainbow II 6.5", but from what I've looked at, people are saying it's more of a director's monitor than a steadicam one. It does have some nice features, but lacks framelines and a level (the level isn't such a big deal though), and it's SD (not sure about downconverting, etc). However it does fit exactly at my price point.

 

I'm sure that there are other monitors out there in my price range, new or used (for used I mean it could be possible to find a monitor at that price used, not that I'm looking for actual used offers), and I'd love to hear what you guys have to say.

 

Thanks very much! Again this is for budgeting reasons only :)

 

 

Sometimes I wonder if you even read the forum much less understand the gear.

 

The best daylight viewable Steadicam LCD which has internal upconversion of SD, a true HD Panel and designed for Steadicam is the Cinetronics line of monitors. Yes you need to stretch your budget a bit but a monitor is not where you want to cheap out

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What part of asking about a budget-friendly monitor makes it appear that I don't understand the gear? I also don't have time to read through hundreds of threads, and the search on the forum is nothing to be proud of.

 

I'll be sure to take a look into the Cinetronics. I've been following the thread for a while, it looks like a great deal.

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I also don't have time to read through hundreds of threads

 

[sigh]. And there lies the problem. If maybe you actually took the time to read the archives you'd find a wealth of information. But hey, you only want to work in this biz... I'm working in it everyday and I still find to the time to read the forum and help people.

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Alex,

 

The reason you are not getting the answers you want re: monitors is because the monitor you want doesn't exist at that price point.

 

It's as plain as that. Embrace it.

 

You could budget $1000, $2000, $3000, $4000. Compromises at each level. What's most important? What can you give up? What sled does it match up with? Start low-budget and repurpose that monitor when you upgrade? Or buy the top of the line right away? These are questions only you can answer for yourself. Plug in a budget number, keep researching and take that workshop. In 6 months there may be new options that change the discussion. For now it's just a number.

 

At $1000 the current line of Marshall 7" are solid and versatile.

At $2000 the Marshall 6.5 transflective offers daylight viewability on a budget, with other compromises.

Sounds like you already have a handle on the Transvideo offerings.

Other monitors have been discussed on various threads.

If you want a "no compromise" LCD monitor, right now Cinetronics is the only game in town.

 

The specs are available, the limitations and strengths of each have been discussed. It's up to you now. Good luck.

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If it were me and were BUDGETING for up to 4 grand and my sled could handle the 4 pound weight of the Cinetronic I would forgo a few other smaller purchases and go straight to the Cinetronic. Having said that, in the 3 grand range the Nebtek SC monitor has got the nod from more than a few operators. The direct link to the product is here.

 

I'm using the daylight viewable V-LCD651-STX Marshall at the moment. It's just under 2 grand. I get around the lack of image flip by having a nanoFlash between the monitor and the camera which can perform the image flip function when required. Granted a lot of operators either don't have a nanoFlash or wouldn't be in a position to add that to the camera package they are presented with. Also you can also manually flip the 651STX monitor.

 

-Andrew

Edited by Andrew Stone
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Sorry if I worded my question wrong. I'm not expecting something on-par with the Transvideo SBL series at this price range, I was just wondering what my other options are that are similar to the Transvideo Rainbow II (I mentioned the pros and cons more for those not familiar with the monitor, not describing everything I'm looking for).

 

I'll see if I can stretch my budget to the Cinetronic, but otherwise I appreciate the other suggestions.

 

Andrew, how does the Marshall monitor do in sunlight? I've actually just been chatting with another op about that one, and that was the only area I was unsure about. Other than that, it fits my needs well enough.

 

Thanks again for the help!

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To my knowledge the 651STX Monitor is the best daylight viewable monitor in that price range. Do a search here, you will see a number of operators eschewing it's benefits. According to the reports, as I mentioned above, the Nebtek is the next in line but it is around $3500. Have you read all the posts related to Charles's Monitor Shootout from a couple of years ago. It was shortly after the shootout that people became aware of how good the 651STX was in relation to say the Nebtek and a couple of others. Transvideo was the "go-to" monitor for daylight the viewable LCD's and now its the Cinetronic.

 

You should be cautious though about the 651STX, if you are a day player or work on a set, the lack of image flip will put you in compromising positions when set time is the order of the day.

 

-Andrew

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To my knowledge the 651STX Monitor is the best daylight viewable monitor in that price range. Do a search here, you will see a number of operators eschewing it's benefits. According to the reports, as I mentioned above, the Nebtek is the next in line but it is around $3500. Have you read all the posts related to Charles's Monitor Shootout from a couple of years ago. It was shortly after the shootout that people became aware of how good the 651STX was in relation to say the Nebtek and a couple of others. Transvideo was the "go-to" monitor for daylight the viewable LCD's and now its the Cinetronic.

 

You should be cautious though about the 651STX, if you are a day player or work on a set, the lack of image flip will put you in compromising positions when set time is the order of the day.

 

-Andrew

 

 

The latest version of the marshall does auto flip when it detects scan reverse signal. I pleasantly just found this out.

 

JA

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To my knowledge the 651STX Monitor is the best daylight viewable monitor in that price range. Do a search here, you will see a number of operators eschewing it's benefits. According to the reports, as I mentioned above, the Nebtek is the next in line but it is around $3500. Have you read all the posts related to Charles's Monitor Shootout from a couple of years ago. It was shortly after the shootout that people became aware of how good the 651STX was in relation to say the Nebtek and a couple of others. Transvideo was the "go-to" monitor for daylight the viewable LCD's and now its the Cinetronic.

 

You should be cautious though about the 651STX, if you are a day player or work on a set, the lack of image flip will put you in compromising positions when set time is the order of the day.

 

-Andrew

 

 

The latest version of the marshall does auto flip when it detects scan reverse signal. I pleasantly just found this out.

 

JA

 

 

Wow! Thanks very much for this! That just bumped the marshall way up on my list. While I agree that the monitor isn't the best place to make cuts, I just ran a calculation of everything I'll need to buy, and it's getting near the top of what I'll be able to get financed.

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I saw that back in 2009, a rep from Marshal said adjustable frame limes and a digi level would be added in 90 days to a new monitor. Did either happen?

 

Also those of you who participated in the monitor shootout in 2009, your work continues to help people, myself included, and I'm sure that as long as the thread is there it will help operators well into the future.

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The monitor, as it is today, has adjustable frame lines (both with presets and completely adjustable). The digital level was released, but I don't know of anyone who's picked it up or tested it.

 

I've been happy with the monitor, and when I bought it, it was the best price/performance combination I could find. I can't say I'm not tempted by the Cinetronics though - they appear to be really changing the game of Steadicam LCDs.

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I Have been searching for a new monitor for a year now, and looked at the Transvideo SBL and some others, amongst them the Marshall. It has a good viewable image in sunlight, (have tried it on a canon 5d) but at IBC last year, I tested the level they are selling. And it's no good. It doesn't react fast enough, and it connects on the side of the monitor via a USB mini connector with a stiff cable.

Thats why I didn't go for the Marshall.

 

The Transvideo is great, but so is the price of it.

 

So now I'm waiting to get a demo of the Cinetronic Monitor.

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