DVI to Video adapter > CRT Broadcast Monitor? Is there a better option?

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Level 2

357 points

DVI to Video adapter > CRT Broadcast Monitor? Is there a better option?

I am a freelance motion graphics artist, and I use Final Cut Studio, After Effects, Photoshop, etc.

I need a CRT monitoring solution for checking my color grades, etc.

SD resolution is fine, and i've got my eye on a JVC TMH-150CGU broadcast monitor from B&H. It has an S-Video (Y/C) input.

I'm thinking of using the Apple DVI Video Adapter hook up to it via S-Video.

I have a Pantone Eye-One that I can use to calibrate the monitor.

Would this setup work ok in the above applications? Will it support Digital Cinema Desktop Preview in Final Cut?

I have the 30" Apple display. Will connecting the CRT via DVI steal 256mb of my video memory???? That seems drastic considering it's already driving a 30" display AND running after effects!!

I've thought about FireWire monitoring, but I suspect the FireWire/DV 4:1:1 compression will affect the colors.

I know a CAPTURE CARD would be ideal, with SDI, etc... but I don't really have a need for a full blown capture card at the moment. I don't think use it to it's full potential (ie- to capture). It seems silly spending $$$$ just for a monitoring solution.

Or is a capture card my only option for pro monitoring? If I was to buy one, i'd want a future proof one should I digitize in the future (ie, HD, with analog support), so that leaves either a Blackmagic Intensity Pro (which I believe is only 8 bit) or a BlackMagic Decklink HD Extreme. And then i'd also need the SDI or Component expansion card for the JVC monitor, and before I know it, i've spent over $1000, just for a decent monitoring solution. Ouch.

I strongly considered the Intensity Pro card, because I could monitor SD component, and HDMI HD from the same card. But it put me off when I heard it ws only 8 bit. But it is 4:2:2 though.

What might KILL the Apple DVI adapter option is I have a TON of PAL footage, and I heard the adapter is NTSC only (or a seperate PAL version). So even though the monitor supports both standards, the adapter doesn't. Or so I've heard.

Very confused. Any other options or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

MacPro, 2 x 3Ghz Intel Xeon, 6GB Ram, ATI X1900, Mac OS X (10.5.1), Nikon D80, Pantone One

Posted on Dec 28, 2007 10:52 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 28, 2007 11:49 PM in response to Mark Paterson

Hi,

From the sound of things you have answered your own question.

If you wanted a CRT to just check video playback, safe areas and text legibility then a cheap option of monitoring via a deck or camera would suffice.

You mention a lot of PAL footage just as a FYI this would be 4:2:0 as opposed to 4:1:1 with NTSC under the DV codec.

You don't mention (and I'm sorry if I missed it) what codec you output to. I had always found when working with DV only that a DV monitoring solution was sufficient for most applications.

However as you indicate that colour plays a factor in the equation bite the bullet and get a decent monitoring system from the off. I am using the Decklink Extreme and have found it to be excellent especially in real time conversion and monitoring of HD to SD.

In addition you get the ability to work all the way up to 10bit (drives allowing) and capture over SDI with full deck control.

You could stagger the cost since the BM card will let you monitor composite out in addition to component so the expansion board for the CRT might not be a must have from the get go for you.

Whatever route you go you will want to calibrate the CRT using broadcast colour bars rather than a Pantone system, theres plenty of info on the web regarding this . . and why.

🙂

Message was edited by: Steve Mizen

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Answer 2

Mark Paterson Author

Level 2

357 points

Dec 29, 2007 7:00 AM in response to Steve Mizen

Thanks for your advice Steve,

My timelines will be all sorts of mixed media, maybe a little DV here and there, but I mostly work in PhotoJPEG, Animation or Uncompressed. Not used ProRes yet, but it looks great.

To be honest I was veering towards a Blackmagic Card. I just needed a push in that direction. Hehe Now my only question is...

+*Intensity Pro or a Decklink Extreme?*+

Granted the Intensity pro lacks deck control, but I dont have a deck, and if I needed to hire one, I could use a USB-Serial Keyspan adapter.

Can anybody recommend the Intensity Pro as a monitoring solution, using the component outputs to a CRT monitor. I will be looking for accuracy using Apple Color, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, etc.

It's a lot cheaper than the Decklink Extreme, so I was wondering what the main differences were. Maybe the monitoring parts of both cards are pretty much the same??? Just that the Extreme features SDI in and out, deck control, BNC connectors, 1080p 24, etc?

Hmmm, I've also noticed that the Extreme features 14 bit analogue output. Giving that the Intensity Pro doesnt even mention the output analogue bit depth, i'm guessing it's only 8 bit. Is this bad for monitoring, grading, etc?

Thanks again

Mark

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Answer 3

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Dec 29, 2007 7:47 AM in response to Mark Paterson

Can anybody recommend the Intensity Pro as a monitoring solution, using the component outputs to a CRT monitor.

Yes, I can. And it will get you a true broadcast quality image, unlike the DVI adapter you were considering. And you wouldn't use a calibration tool on this. Those are for computer monitors. No, Instead you'll need to calibrate the monitor to color bars...and I hope it has a BLUE ONLY option, as that makes it easier:

http://www.lafcpug.org/phorum/read.php?11,152712,170810#msg-170810

Shane

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Answer 4

Zebulun

Level 5

6,749 points

Dec 29, 2007 8:34 AM in response to Mark Paterson

While the Intensity Pro certainly is at a good price point (I really wanted one for quite some time), I'm not going to recommend it. Ned Soltz wrote and excellent review in DV magazine and you may want to track that down.

It has a couple of problems for me; HDMI and RCA connectors. HDMI was meant to control us consumers and our thieving ways by enabling DRM in digital signals and why it's being incorporated into prosumer cams rather than accurate 75 ohm bnc terminations is beyond me. Before anyone tells me how much data HDMI can carry, consider the fact that I can fire HD studio cams off of HDSDI bnc terminations and coaxial cable and this little wire will carry voltage, prompter, lens/camera control and telemetry, returns, viewfinder info, lens remote control, accessory voltage, audio, intercom communications and bnc connectors are easily repairable.

You can make the argument that such a short distance from the computer to your monitors the connection or cable won't make a visible difference and to some extent you're correct, however, you're making a living from this rig, correct? Nothing beats proper cable properly terminated for the job at hand.

I would not recommend the Intensity Pro but rather a Kona LHe or suitable Decklink product. Just be aware that Blackmagic products have had a lot more problems than the Aja products with regard to properly working with Apple Color.

Good luck.

Zeb

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