What would your perfect LCD monitor include?

[Alec Jarnagin SOC]

"As to the TB-6, it REALLY could be made for that (and it is by its current makers). CRT's are more of a disposal problem then a product since the introduction of flat-screens and lcd's and are therefore, to say the least, cheap. One's that are greenscreen are even more so as that technology is 50 years old. The additional features offered are by them are not difficult to add afterward."

 

Jeremy,

 

With all do respect, I know Greg Bubb (owner of XCS and maker of the TB-6) very well and I think you fail to realize what has gone into the TB-6 to make it the monitor it is. If you had ever seen one in person, I think you would admit your error. The TB-6 has been going up in price because LCDs are so common and having custom tubes made has become far more expensive. The TB-6 offers many great features including the best anti-glare coating I've ever seen. I'm not going to go on and on about how great this monitor is because its wide spread use in the industry already testifies to this.

 

Now, about your monitor. I'm not suggesting for a moment that you cease your efforts. By all means, go for it, but I agree with Eric when it comes to features. I know its only been a week, so keep up the work. Perhaps sitting down with a few Steadicam Ops and looking closely at their rigs will give you a better understanding of our needs.

 

Edit: Just saw Eric's last post - sorry if they are a bit redundant

 

Respectfully,

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Edit: Just saw Eric's last post - sorry if they are a bit redundant

 

 

Not redundant more of a reinforcement :)

[Brant S. Fagan SOC]

Jeremy--

 

Please don't be dismayed at the outburst of sentiments about monitors from this group.

 

Basically, we are faced with compromises and choices at every equipment choice point. We all need basically what Eric has stated with the emphasis on MilSpec technology and avionics quality.

 

I agree completely with that both in fact and attitude! We need more than what some military units have for field use; the stakes are the same (sort of) for us, failure of the gear is NOT an option. Sure, I know, man made it and someday it will break. My current monitors have been on sets with temps from -15*F to over 110*F and have yet to fail. I am still looking for what might replace them with a similar or better service record.

 

Let's face it, some low-cost (read cheap) LCD monitors, like the two (2) Panasonic 7" 16:9 units I have are a tremendous value compared to the green CRT units of yore. Hey, I started out with a Model II sled that had a screen size smaller than a business card. I thought that PRO I monitor was the cat's own ass when I dropped thousands of dollars for a second hand unit when the second generation units became available.

 

So needless to say, when I can get a usable monitor for under US$500 with shipping, I jumped on that train as a transitionary platform and now am awaiting a future prospect.

 

I have trolled the Net for too many hours seeking a LCD product from many different market segments and still have yet to find the answer. Sure, I've checked into the Boland units, some from a marine electronics outfit, some from some "secret" agency supplier outfits, and countless others.

 

So don't give up just because some, OK, ALL of us have some STRONG opinions and feelings about monitor specs and our individual needs. But we can't shoot what we can't see!

 

I have spent YEARS improving my gear and my gadgets ranging from brackets to complete gimbals not to mention building my own sled from the stage on down. I for one understand how this process works. Rome wasn't built in a day either, but careers can certainly death spiral in less than that!

 

Stay the course!

 

Best,

 

Brant S. Fagan, SOC

Steadicam/Camera Operator

[Guest Jeremy Hawkins]

Jeremy--

 

Please don't be dismayed at the outburst of sentiments about monitors from this group.

 

Basically, we are faced with compromises and choices at every equipment choice point. We all need basically what Eric has stated with the emphasis on MilSpec technology and avionics quality.

 

I agree completely with that both in fact and attitude! We need more than what some military units have for field use; the stakes are the same (sort of) for us, failure of the gear is NOT an option. Sure, I know, man made it and someday it will break. My current monitors have been on sets with temps from -15*F to over 110*F and have yet to fail. I am still looking for what might replace them with a similar or better service record.

 

Let's face it, some low-cost (read cheap) LCD monitors, like the two (2) Panasonic 7" 16:9 units I have are a tremendous value compared to the green CRT units of yore. Hey, I started out with a Model II sled that had a screen size smaller than a business card. I thought that PRO I monitor was the cat's own ass when I dropped thousands of dollars for a second hand unit when the second generation units became available.

 

So needless to say, when I can get a usable monitor for under US$500 with shipping, I jumped on that train as a transitionary platform and now am awaiting a future prospect.

 

I have trolled the Net for too many hours seeking a LCD product from many different market segments and still have yet to find the answer. Sure, I've checked into the Boland units, some from a marine electronics outfit, some from some "secret" agency supplier outfits, and countless others.

 

So don't give up just because some, OK, ALL of us have some STRONG opinions and feelings about monitor specs and our individual needs. But we can't shoot what we can't see!

 

I have spent YEARS improving my gear and my gadgets ranging from brackets to complete gimbals not to mention building my own sled from the stage on down. I for one understand how this process works. Rome wasn't built in a day either, but careers can certainly death spiral in less than that!

 

Stay the course!

 

Best,

 

Brant S. Fagan, SOC

Steadicam/Camera Operator

 

 

Thank you SO much!

 

I must admit being rather disheartened earlier, but this helps.

 

What I have the resources to do is to take the most current tech, acquire it cheaply, and build upon it so that it meets the specs I need. This is what I was offering to do and it is nice to see that it is appreciated. I will continue my efforts in this regard.

 

-Jeremy

[Charles Papert]

Brant, what's this about your cat's ass, now?

[Jerry Holway]

Since this topic is going round and round and round

 

It's actually "Steadicam®," not steadicam, Steadicam?, etc., and here and there (like in movie credits, websites, etc.) that's what we should use. Perhaps difficult and unnecessary in posts like this.

 

Jerry

[Guest Jeremy Hawkins]

You MUST tell me how you DO that little circle R thingie!

 

I have been trying to find that out forever!

 

Thanks!

 

-Jeremy

[Guest Jeremy Hawkins]

Now, on the Boland monitor:

 

1. Does anyone have a price on this?

 

2. What exactly is a 1000 degree vertical viewing angle? (you can aparently turn it over 3 times and never lose the image!) :)

 

3. The res is actually lower than mine that I got so much flack for.

 

4. I can make this, but with better resolution. If I do, will there be any takers, or will I get the same as I got before?

 

Help me design this and I am pretty sure I can do it much cheaper than boland (depending on what they are selling theirs for, but I am guessing it will be quite a bit).

 

-Jeremy

[Peter Milanov]

If you make a good quality product, people will buy it. If you make crap, nobody will buy it. It´s really quite simple....

[Charles Papert]

You MUST tell me how you DO that little circle R thingie!

 

I have been trying to find that out forever!

 

Thanks!

 

-Jeremy

 

On the Mac at least, it's option-R. Option-G is copyright (©). Option-2 is trademark (?)

[Afton Grant]

On the Mac at least, it's option-R. Option-G is copyright (©). Option-2 is trademark (?)

 

....and I believe Option 3 is Leather Seating.

 

For the PC, it's done by holding down the "Alt" key and typing a certain code on the keypad (the set of numbers on the right of most keyboards).

 

® - 0174

© - 0169

? - 0153

 

Makes perfect sense!! Don't you love how much simpler it is on the PC? oy vey.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Guys,

 

Let's stay on topic please

[Peter Milanov]

I got a price from Boland for the Digital High Def 6.5" with the Day Bright feature and HD SDI. $3595.

 

Anybody near a Boland reseller who can check it out in person?

[Guest Jeremy Hawkins]

Here's what I got from the company:

 

"Here is the breakdown on the new 6.5".

DHD65DB is Digital High Def with Day Bright for outdoor use, comes standard

with HD SDI, price is $3595.

AHD65DB is Analog High Def with Day Bright for outdoor use, comes standard with

component Analog and VGA, price is $2495.

We also have a standard def model P/N d065b DB which comes standard with VGA,

price is $2495."

 

-Jeremy

[Rob Vuona SOC]

Jeremy,

Good on ya, for tackling this endeavor . . . . .keep the chin up . . . . .all of us will be on board after it's been tested and proved to be a solid product.

 

I have been on the phone and emailing Boland for the past month regarding their 6.5" HD/SDI / Composit 2150 Nit monitor that Mike is proposing to build, they say they have some on order but won't have them ready until mid Sept if at all. They originally quoted me $3500 and then resinded that and said they had a rate increase and it will now be $4500. I even asked for the 8.4" to try out, which I feel is too big for steadicam but for that kind of brightness I could make it work.

 

If your monitor is 1400 Nit and has a the anti-glare you are claiming and takes an HD/SDI & Composit signal, hell, I need one so quickly just composit would be ok, everything else for me is gravy. I don't even care what the power or video cable is I'll make the adapter.

 

We all know it's a work in progress and the wish list is long . . . .If it works and ready NOW I'll be the Guinea Pig. Where and when ?

 

Thanks again

and keep on working on it . . . .!!!

 

Peace Out

Rob Vuona