Monitor Suggestions?
32 messages in this thread
Hello to all!
In preparation for our big jump to 3DS 4.0, we are updating our Targa+
setup, and am looking for suggestions on what type of monitor to
purchase. Curreently, the Targe+ is going into a Mitsu 1381 Diamond
Scan which is a 14" VGA monitor which can also take NTSC, etc. We
paid $550 for this monitor three years ago and it has served us well.
1) Does anyone know if this Mitsubishi monitor is still available
new?
2) Does anyone have any feeling on similiar or slightly larger
monitors which may be `equal' replacements? Any Multi-sync's out
there worthwhile looking at?
How about the sony PVM-1351Q? This is in the price range, but seems
rather small. I have seen an ad for the PVM-2030, but it lacks many
of the features the 1351Q has (including input options).
So, to wrap, any guidance or thoughts are very much appreciated!!
Mike,
I have a 21" Idek Iiyama that accept any NTSC and PAL resolutions, as well as
VGA up to 800×600 non-interlaced, 1024×768 interlaced. It has RGB inputs and
outputs as well as analog and digital. I have had this monitor working with a
Targa+ until I sold the latest. It really seems to be made for Targa+ work. The
picture quality is really outstanding (at least, in the one I have).
I could sell it to you since it is in very good shape and I not longer work
with targas, but if you want to buy it new, I equally recommend it. Actually I
am using it as an oversized gaming monitor 🙂 There is a crowd of Idek fans in
the forum, I think Don Landis is one of them, so you can ask them about the
Ideks too. The multiple inputs and the input selection switch really come handy
when connecting multiple boards (such as a VGA and the Targa+ at the same
time).
BTW, the new models have digital controls.
ana /krazy images
Ah, Thanks for the reply!
Unfortunately, under the stress of leaving for a Disney World vacation, I had
to make a quick decision… I had the Sony PVM-2030 ordered.
Sounds like the Idek is a great monitor. If the Sony Doesn't work out, I will
look into that.
Thanks again!
-Mike.
I think you'll be happier with the sony, which is a _real_ video ntsc monitor.
The IDEK is a computer monitor with appropriate inputs for video, but not
really designed for video monitoring (video as in broadcast). I would not use
a computer monitor for creating images to go to broadcast video because the
difference is just too big – the computer monitor will always look so much
better.
John Tissavary | LUNA cie, inc
Yea, that's what I thought.
I told my guys to go ahead and order it while I was away last week. They
haven't done it, yet. Since it *isnt* ordered yet….
Do you think the Sony PVM-2030 is appropriate choice for the primary rendering
screen of 3DS w/ Targa+? Or will interlacing cause a problem?
Thanks!
-Mike.
I'm not sure what the PVM-2030 is. You want these basic features in a video
monitor (for _RDPADI_ rendering to a video frame buffer):
Type C Phosphor
blue gun calibration
component/composite/Y-C inputs
chroma/color selection
comb filter adjustment
underscan/overscan selection
Then, as if that wasn't enough, the more lines of resolution you have, the
better the picture will be. This isn't an absolute, but it's basically the way
it works. Some monitors have higher lines of rez, but still don't look great –
I guess tubes have something to do with that but I don't really know.
I have a Panasonic BT-H1350y, which is a 13" video monitor with the above
features, and 760 lines of resolution, which is more than the equivalent Sony
industrial grade, but less than the BVM series ($8000 for the 13" model!). It
has worked very nicely for me so far, and I paid @ $1000 for it.
Also, monitor size, while convenient, shouldn't be a deciding factor unless
you've got big $$$ to spend. A 13" high quality video monitor will do much
more for you than a cheaper, 20" TV or 17" computer monitor.
John Tissavary | LUNA cie, inc
Hmmmm,
The PVM-2030 has
"560 lines resolution…
…Delay line aperture control uses comb filter with notch switch…
…dynamic focus circuitry with electromagnetic quadrapole lens…
…auto white balance…"
The type c phosphor, blue gun, underscan/overscan etc. are all available on the
smaller (more capable) PVM-1340, but it is only 13" and this will be our
primary rendering / presentation monitor. I cannot afford those features in
the larger monitor.
We do *not* do broadcast quality work here. This will be used for
Architectural and transportation engineering rendering work. I have local
sources I can utilize for critical video input/output work.
My idea is to upgrade from out current Targa+ and 14" mitsubishi multisync to a
new Targa+ with bigger, higher quality monitor, w/out breaking our bank. So,
for me, monitor size is a more important factor than high-end video quality.
However, I guess I am starting to have second thoughts… Do you think that a
20" monitor as listed above would be an appropriate choice for Targa+ output?
How can I tell if the screen will have noticable flicker?
-Mike.
John,
PMFJI, but just what is the "Blue Gun Calibration" used for? My Sony PVM-1342Q
has a button labeled "Blue Only" and I never have known what its used for.
Regards…………Rick – Technical Animations
Blue gun only is for phase/chroma calibration. This will cause only the blue
gun to emit. You put up NTSC or SMPTE bars on the monitor, hit the blue button
and then you just make sure each white bar looks as much as the others as
possible, same for the black bars.
John Tissavary | LUNA cie, inc
John,
Let me paraphrase, adust the phase/chroma till all the white bars look alike
and the same with the black bars, is this correct?
Ok, so you calibrate the monitor, but what does this buy you?
Thanks for your response!!
Regards……….Rick – Technical Animations
>>Let me paraphrase, adust the phase/chroma till all the white bars look alike
and the same with the black bars, is this correct?<<
Calibrating the monitor gives you the standard from which to judge your colors
in NTSC. If your monitor is out of calibration (chroma/phase) then you won't
be getting what you see.
John Tissavary | LUNA cie, inc
No wonder the world looked so different to me<BG>. Thanks for the
reply!!!
Computer monitors do not have the same phosphor as a video monitor. If the
video work you do is important to you, then it is important that you get a good
video monitor. Sony 1344Q or its newer cousin would be a good monitor. If you
want a good compromise monitor, then one of the PVM series Sony monitors. The
only monitors out there that can stand up to the sony monitors in terms of
quality are the Ikegamis and well… I don't think you want to hock a car just
to get good video.
Brick
Actually, the amount of video work we currently do is rather limited. But,
thinking BIG, I am concerned about more work being done on tiny monitors. I
can't afford the 1344Q, but can just reach to the PVM-2030.
I hope it's a good monitor for general 3DS work as the main rendering screen!
Have any other opinions / comments?
Thanks!
-Mike.
Michael,
>> I can't afford the 1344Q <<
shop around the big video dealers and ask for availibility of b-stock models (I
got a 1344q for ~$700). That means they were used by Sony for demo purposes but
come with a full factory warranty. I wouldn't waste money on anything less. If
you must consider the Sony 1341 instead.
Good idea!
Do you have anybody you would recommend in the Milwauke/Chicago area?
Would you absolutely not use the PVM-2030? My applications are not very
critical; I am just looking for a good display monitor for my Targa+ and am not
really worried about extreme accuracy for taping purposes. So far, we have
never dumped to video tape, only stills to other types of devices.
-Mike.
Michael,
>> Would you absolutely not use the PVM-2030? <<
Me, yes. However, your application may differ enough to make it acceptable. I'm
not terribly familiar with that monitor. I don't know any dealers in your area
but if you could get ahold of a copy of AV/Video then it would contain adds of
major video discounters.
I found a distributor here, that has one in stock. I am going out there next
Tuesday to see how it all looks.
My only experience is with Multisync monitors, not true video monitors.
Interlaced displays on those monitors is awful, but they also have fast
phospher. I am hoping that the phospher on the PVM-2030 is long enough
persistance to not flicker.
sigh.
I guess I'll find out soon enough!
-Mike.
Michael,
>> I am hoping that the phospher on the PVM-2030 is long enough persistance to
not flicker.<<
take Tips or HiresQFX to see how it looks. I think you'd need to look for a
monitor marked specifically Long Persistence (LP) phosphors.
Michael,
PMJI. The Sony PVM-2030 is a fine monitor for displaying videotape at a
show. You know, show off a demo reel, make people stop at the booth. Not
great for frame buffer output, but better than a TV <g>.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
How is it in ralation to a multisync type monitor showing non-interlaced Targa
output? I currently have a little 14" Mitsubishi which works very well with
the Targa, and I am hoping the PVM-2030 is as solid a display (no flicker) as
the Mitsu.
What do you think?
-Mike.
Mike,
I've seen this monitor many times. You won't be happy. Definitely
nowhere near as steady as a long-persistence Mitsubishi (I have a 14" & a 20"
myself). RGB res. is 640×200, 560 lines when displaying NTSC video. Oh, the
640×200 is interlaced RGB, so that's 640×400 max. Pretty for display to the
general public, but I wouldn't want to work in front of it for more than, oh
say, 1 minute at a time.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Thanks, Kevin.
I am running out to a local vendor on Tuesday to verify this. If I don't like
what I see I think I will be trying to find an old Mutsubishi 1481a somewhere
in lost stock.
Wish me well on these trying journeys!
-Mike.
Michael,
>>I can't afford the 1344Q, but can just reach to the PVM-2030.<<
My catalog from B&H gives the cost of the PVM-2030 as $1029 and the PVM-1354Q
as$999.95, looks like to me they are about the same price??
The PVM-1354Q has all the specs (I Think) given by Tissavary plus RGB input.
The RGB signal is ___significantly!!___ better than SVHS on my Targa+. I think
the PVM-1354Q is the latter version of the PVM-1344Q.
Good Luck……………….Rick – Technical Animations
RGB is component, which I did specify as a basic requirment for modern video
monitor.
John Tissavary | LUNA cie, inc
John,
>>RGB is component, which I did specify as a basic requirment for modern video
monitor.<<
Sorry John, I must me confused with Y/C, Y-C and (Y,R-Y,B-Y). Not being a video
person I thought that component was (Y,R-Y,B-Y).
Regards………Rick – Technical Animations
>>Sorry John, I must me confused with Y/C, Y-C and (Y,R-Y,B-Y). Not being a
video person I thought that component was (Y,R-Y,B-Y).<<
Y/C and Y-C are the same (I guess…). Y, R-Y, B-Y is encoded component, and
RGB is pure component.
John Tissavary | LUNA cie, inc
>>Y/C and Y-C are the same (I guess…). Y, R-Y, B-Y is encoded component, and
RGB is pure component.<<
John
Terminology gets in the way again, thanks John.
OH. I thought the 1344q was the 19" version. *That* one goes for about $1600.
I am going to pickup a 2030 tomorrow for a two-day demo. I'll let you know!
-Mike.
Michael,
>>OH. I thought the 1344q was the 19" version. *That* one goes for about
$1600.<<
I believe the "13" in "1344q" tells you the size of the monitor. Take your time
looking, it will be worth the effort in the long run. Good luck!!!
Regards………Rick – Technical Animations
Well, here it is!
I got the loaner PVM-2030. It is a very nice monitor! It does
`jiggle' a little when used with 3DS; it is not as rock solid as our
little multisync, but the size is a definite improvement. Of course,
the interlaced display of the targa Windows drivers make this monitor
totally useless. The 3DS display seems to jiggle less with darker
colors. And, we have not been checking to see if we are sending
legal NTSC values; perhaps we can improve the display even more as we
become more careful.
The monitor seems to be a good compromise for us; it offers the larger
size of a 20", w/out all of the bells and whistles of the more
expensive professional monitors (which are not yet necessary in our
use). The only drawback may be living with the slight jiggling of
the interlaced display… distance from the screen seems to help
alot in controlling this.
So, we have some juggling to do internally to see if we can get a
better SVGA 24bit graphics card for Windows work. If we can do it,
we will purchase the 2030 for use as our 3DS Targa display.
Thanks to everybody here for their help!
-Mike.
I may be interested depending upon the price. Any other specs you can give me?
Tim