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Hummingbird LCD


TJ Williams

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OK so I'm facinated by this picture. (posted under Monitors CRT vs LCD on page 2) We don't get all that much sun up here in Seattle. this is the reflection of the sun at midday in the center of the Hummingbird LCD Color monitor set at 60 percent brightness and shot quite off angle. Note that the reflection actually improves the contrast right below the reflection. I'm selling these for them in the US and have more pictures and specs. for anyone interested. E mail me at

TJsteadicam@qwest.net

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OK so I'm facinated by this picture. (posted under Monitors CRT vs LCD on page 2) We don't get all that much sun up here in Seattle. this is the reflection of the sun at midday in the center of the Hummingbird LCD Color monitor set at 60 percent brightness and shot quite off angle. Note that the reflection actually improves the contrast right below the reflection. I'm selling these for them in the US and have more pictures and specs. for anyone interested. E mail me at

TJsteadicam@qwest.net

I'm just more surprised that this is probally the 10th post that your schilling these, give it a rest dude.

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I was paid a visit by a Hummingbird the other day. Guy Genin of ZGC on the east coast came to the house with it and I must say that I was very impressed. The Hummingbird in question is the Hummingbird 6.5" LCD monitor called the "Classic".

First of all, the pictures on the web site don't really do it justice. It is a large piece of equipment, much larger than I had expected, which is not bad, considering that I find that my Transvideo is a tad small and light. Secondly, all those rubber bumpers around the face of it are pretty cool looking in person. Finally and most importantly, when its turned on, the image on the screen is what most impresses.

As I said, I am a Transvideo guy. Have I loved the experience? In a word, no. Have I lived with it? Yes and for several years, but I missed my Masters green screen monitor terribly. So much for trying to put together a rig and raise a family at the same time. Budget constraints rule. Hence the TB6 idea was out of the question.

The real problem with the Transvideo is brightness and reflection. I don't really have a problem with off angles of the screen, and interiors are great. The biggest dilemma has been seeing the image outside or when a big honking light was shining over my shoulder.

The Hummingbird seemingly has solved those issues. Outside in midday sun, it was plently bright and had scads of contrast compared to the Transvideo. When I held it up to the sun, and tried to find the worst angle possible, I was really pleased to see that it was fine up until the sun was in direct reflectance and I would imagine that most if not all monitors would have a little problem with that.

All the controls and adjustments are software type with pushbutton menus, but they are pretty well laid out, and easy enough for those of us ludites who still yearn for knobs, and there are plenty of options within the menus for adjustment of color, contrast, size, shape, etc.

The bottom line. Is it perfect? No its not, but at around $4000.00, I'll take near perfect especially considering that Green screen perfection is about three times the price. There are things that are being fine tuned about the monitor and Guy Genin of ZGC who is representing the monitor in the US is very interested in feed back and getting that feedback back to Imp electronics, the manufacturers.

So for the record, I am buying one, barring any unforseen circumstances.

Two notes:

1)For those of you who are not familiar with Guy and ZGC, they are the company that brings you the Cooke family of lenses, and have done so for a while. They are a very established company in the US and within the film community.

2)I am not affiliated in any way with ZGC or Imp Electronics. I just want us all to get a good idea of what kind of equipment is out there. I hope this helps.

Jamie

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As far as a Frameline generator is concerned, I already have one, so the cost to me is still about 1/3rd the cost of the best Green Screen. Do I think that the FLG is expensive? I guess I do, but you can price out other FLGs and velcro one on to the back of the monitor if you'd like. Maybe you can find one second hand, like I did.

When any one asks me if something is expensive, my general response is "what do you think". One mans costly is anothers bargain.

I hope this helps.

Jamie.

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I´m thinking about to buy a Humminbird LCD monitor. I have one for tests since 2 weeks and so fare i`m pretty impresed about the quality off the picture. Did some have run a frameliner on it !?? I`m searching one that works together with my XCS electronic bubble and what will it cost.

And did some one know where i can find a price list of XCS products in the net ?. I could find prices on theire home page and no mail adress.

 

thanks Robert Patzelt

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saw howards imp modified monitor at show last week...

 

he claims to have hardwared a lot of its "menu driven" features... i e , given switches and knobs to things u have to go through menus for...

 

dunno.. what i saw,, the knobs worked .. in digital increments neverthless... the switches flicked.. was in a nicely machined black alunimium case... and had a frameline generator. and cost 3 and a half grand.. i would like to buy one, but am scared of howard economics so gonna wait and see, right now, it looks like a bargain,

 

the imp monitor itself is well bright! my monitor upgrade is in that direction.. but depreciation in technology like that is massive,,, so ill have to wait and see. but it looks really really good..

 

thomas "7'monitor" english

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I have seen the MK-V original LCD, the Panasonic, and I own a Transvideo, and I have test driven the Hummingbird. Of all the monitors, the Hummingbird is the brightest,best image, by far. I have been in the process of buying one with the dealer in my region,ZGC, but they are in the process of getting Hummingbird to modify the monitors to be a little more Steadicam friendly. IE; all of the aforementioned Howard adaptations, better power management, and accessories that can accompany the monitor with the sale, such as rain protection, and sunshade.

I truly think that the monitor is a big step in the right direction regarding LCD monitors and at the price, its not a bad investment, especially if you have been struggling with seeing images off of other LCDs. I would imagine that there will be other products out there in the future, but until someone produces one, at a cost equal to or less than the Hummingbird, that monitor is the LCD to beat.

My only caveat at this point is whether or not the changes that I feel are necessary for ease of use on a Steadicam will be made. Guy Genin and Les Zellen of ZGC in New Jersey, have been in contact with Imp Electronics on a regular basis, and have spent a good deal of time at the factory talking to the Imp guys. They are keeping me updated on the progress. Of late there has been very little news, but if and when changes occur, I will post them on the forum. Until then I remain a hopeful potential customer, in search of a brighter LCD at a reasonable cost.

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HI Guys

 

Sorry I have not been on for a very long time - too busy.

 

The MK-V /Hummingbird high brightness LCD monitor - what can I say - it is stunning (you may say I am biased... :-)

I first saw the Hummingbird system over 2 years ago and was very impressed. And we have been talking ever since.

The 6.5" MK-V/Hummingbird has all the features you need as a working 'Steadicam' op. It is PRO input compatable, availble in CP or PRO mount. Digital frames lines, centre cross and boarder, 4:3, 16:9 and 2:1. + reverse scan, filp and zoom (in - out). And best of all NO sunshade! - in fact the brighter the better.

We will be demo-ing (is that a word?) these at Cinegear - I hope it is very sunny!

(this is not a re-boxed normal Hummingbird 6.5")

Pop in and have a go and also see some of our other new toys..

Also Walters excellent back mount vests.

I also like to thank everyone who came to see us at NAB and I welcome any feed back from the ops who saw and tried the Nexus, V2" Gimbal and MK-V/ Hummingbird Monitor at NAB this year.

(updating the site as we speak so the new stuff should be up very soon)

 

Many thanks

 

Howard "Nice to back on the forum" Smith MK-V

www.mk-v.com

howard@mk-v.com

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sorry I forgot to add - the monitor also has built in heaters for working -10 or below.

NTSC and PAL.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to email or call me.

 

Also we are taking orders now.

 

Many thanks

 

Howard J Smith MK-V

www.mk-v.com

howard@mk-v.com

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