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Black magic smartview duo


johngooch

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Has anybody tried the Black Magic Smartview Duo monitor system.

They look pretty good. DC power, rackmount, SD, SDI every combo that i think i could ever need. price is better than buying individual monitors or just keeping my NTSC monitors and buying downconverters.

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/smartview/techspecs/

My concerns would be brightness, durability, interference etc....

Thanks,

john.

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I believe Geoff Maxwell uses them in one of his current carts. There has been some discussion on these monitors previously, another downside that I can see is that they are only adjustable via ethernet, so you need a laptop on the cart I think (unless it's got a memory that you can just set once and leave it). If you've got a laptop already, then it's not an issue.

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Hey John, I've been running that monitor rack on my cart for the last 6 months or so, bang for buck I don't think there is a better option. They handle all known frame rates and have been rock solid, I've used them on both studio and location blocks under bright conditions.

Pro's:

- price - well less than 1/2 the cost of any other dual HD-SDI rack monitors that I found.

- build quality and finish seem pretty good.

- lightwieght

- 12 volt DC operation (run fine off 16v lithium batts also)

- matte screens

- good color and resolution

- SDI loop out on both screens.

Con's:

- no external power switch (i power mine on/off by unplugging it or you could make switch)

- no separate on/off for each monitor

- off angle viewing not great

- picture adjustment can only be done via laptop and even then are pretty basic

- HD-SDI only, no composite etc

- No speaker or audio display

- No adjustable viewing angle.

Brightness seems ok, I'd say average, was fine outside in sun when used in conjunction with a small hoodman type shade. Lack of external picture controls has been fine, I just set them at start of job and haven't needed to adjust them since, laptop connection and adjustment is pretty simple though.

I have mine installed in a 4U high SKB case along with a remote audio speakeasy R1 rack speaker, works like a charm.

Cheers,

Chris.

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Thanks Chris, i mis-read the spec and assumed that this monitor was capable of handling NTSC signal. Bummer, as i still want the option of using my CAT-5 balun system when i can.

I mis-read the terms SD(in some worlds that means standard def) 525/59.94 as a normal NTSC signal. Wishful reading.

Back to the drawing board.

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Thanks Chris, i mis-read the spec and assumed that this monitor was capable of handling NTSC signal. Bummer, as i still want the option of using my CAT-5 balun system when i can.

I mis-read the terms SD(in some worlds that means standard def) 525/59.94 as a normal NTSC signal. Wishful reading.

Back to the drawing board.

BlackMagic also make a range of signal converters - there is an analogue to SDI one for $295 list price I think. May not be an option for you but just thought I'd put it out there.

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  • 3 years later...

I read, also, that mounting upside down is efficient at discouraging ''set tourists'' from looking at the shots over your shoulder...

I think I may have mentioned that at some point. With it upside down, the screen gets darker the higher you're off axis, and it gets lighter if you're looking from below. Right side up is, of course, the opposite. A lighter image helps when watching for boom intrusions, etc. A darker image makes it harder to see.

Ironically, I usually don't really mind if someone watches on my monitors, as long as they don't interfere with my job -- like talking right behind me while I'm trying to listen.

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