Derek H Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 So I just used a 664 outdoors today for the first time, overcast day.. Not exactly sunlight readable is it? My eyes hurt at the end of the day from squinting. I really missed my 552s LEDs! How are you guys dealing with this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Wynne Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 I was wondering about this when I saw the unit at NAB, I don't think this is a flaw with the 664 as much as it is a limitation with LCD screens in general, however I did notice the LEDs surrounding the fader pots we're also much dimmer then the 552 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Ostroff Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 LEDs near the fader pots are adjustable (separate from LCD in the menu), however the LCD still poses a significant problem outdoors. Have used iPod/iPad antiglate covers (wet application) which have helped, however I find the LCD not bright enough. Hoping for a better solution / SD improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 Just be a squeaky wheel about it. Maybe it will get fixed like the Nomad's LCD did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimPitot Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 It's actually worse in overcast conditions. The white of the sky reflects directly onto it. Not great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevo Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 I am halfway thru filming a series thru the pacific and have found the screen,by far the biggest design flaw.....When you are bag based it is near impossible to read the screen in full sunlight. Apart from that its a brilliant piece of kit....but I really wish that screen was readable ant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Norflus Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 Just be a squeaky wheel about it. Maybe it will get fixed like the Nomad's LCD did. After looking into what could be done about it Zaxcom with a minor hardware mod and some new software was able to double the brightness of the screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBoisseau Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 So I just used a 664 outdoors today for the first time, overcast day.. Not exactly sunlight readable is it? My eyes hurt at the end of the day from squinting. I really missed my 552s LEDs! How are you guys dealing with this? At the risk of stating the obvious, the screen (or at least the meters) appears noticeably brighter if the "track names in meters" are turned OFF. I don't particularly like it, but that's what I revert to when outdoors. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbenboom Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 I am hoping to buy a 664 later this year, and woud love to avoid this prolem if possible. I know for a while some mixers where using little screen hoods for their Nomads, and I think that helped a bit. Did any of you try this with the 664? It so, what was the result? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimPitot Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 People laughed at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Arnold Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 People laughed at them. HAHAHAHA! *wipes eyes* My Nomad hasn't yet seen bright sunlight yet this year and I am afeared... ...but the Zaxcom mod really did help. In all honesty though I'm pretty sure that the 664 was brighter to start with, probably as a result of the Nomad issues. I'm sure we will all struggle at some stage. Me and others were certainly very squeaky about it, but there was an awful lot of improvement possible by comparison (in my opinion). At least we didn't all end up getting craft knives and cutting off the screen covers... : / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Arnold Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 For what it's worth - this my Nomad screen deliberately taken outside into some extremely bright and low winter sun back in November. It looks shaded but it's actually in full sun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 Out in Arizona desert today with direct sunlight, nomad LCD on 8 of 11 and easily visible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbenboom Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 People laughed at them. Ha ha! Just what I need, another reason for camera to give me a hard time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 All the LCD screens have problem direct in sun. That happend and in laptops etc.. When I can't see the screen I turn my body in different direction. Life is simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Arnold Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 All the LCD screens have problem direct in sun. That happend and in laptops etc.. When I can't see the screen I turn my body in different direction. Life is simple. This is true. However, I would gently point out that many people made comments like this and were rather dismissive of the problems Nomad users initially reported. In fact - as we rightly suspected - the LCD screen was not performing to the best of its abilities. I have no idea if the 664 screen has been pushed to its limitations, but if users are unhappy then asking if SD can improve things seems reasonable. LCD is not LCD is not LCD... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiel Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 The only thing that would be required is brighter (or more) LED's for the back light of the LCD screen. Should be fairly easy, apart from heat generation. Make sure you don't wear polarized sunglasses since an LCD also has a polarization filter Getting rid of the (optional) screen protector also improves visibility of the 664 LCD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evolvmedia Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Same experience here outdoors. The 664 LCD just isn't bright enough. Hopefully they'll address it if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimPitot Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 All the LCD screens have problem direct in sun. That happend and in laptops etc.. When I can't see the screen I turn my body in different direction. Life is simple. Utterly pointless post. Have you actually ever worked outdoors with a 664 or Nomad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 LCDs are tricky. Since we introduced our screen brightness change on Nomad we have had no complaints in this area. We have made the Maxx brighter yet and eliminated the screen cover that can cause glare. I hope none of our Nomads are wearing hoodies anymore. Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Utterly pointless post. Have you actually ever worked outdoors with a 664 or Nomad? You? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 The only thing that would be required is brighter (or more) LED's for the back light of the LCD screen. Should be fairly easy, apart from heat generation. I may not be getting what you mean, but as I read I doubt it's true. LCDs and LEDs are completely different technologies and one is not made up if the other. I should mention though, that I'm not a screen expert. Turning away from the sun is a fun idea, unless it's 12o'clock. Besides, while booming I can't just turn away. Once I've found a spot to boom, not be in the shot and still be able to see the subject as well as establish eye contact with the dp, there's no more turning away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Childers Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 I use my ears...haha no but really I don't think it's a huge issue, usually just need to see it when labeling or making notes, so I turn from the sun or use my hand to shade the screen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 I found the solution. Wireless monitor from mixer to sunglasses via SN-WiFi. :DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundwil Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 Not such a silly idea Vasileios! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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