Are SD monitors worthless for focusing?

[MalfunctioningHuman]

I'm looking into an external 7'' monitor that can be attached easily via a hot shoe adapter, and which doesn't weigh too much. The main one I'm looking at which won't break the bank has 480x234 resolution. Would that be utterly worthless for focusing, or is it workable (although not optimal)?
I know HD is the way to go, I'm just wondering if SD would be serviceable in any way.

Thanks!

[patrykrebisz]

yes. they are.

[CorbenT]

The absolute minimum resolution needed to focus with is 800x480. The HV30's is 640x480 but will appear sharper because of the screen size.

[MalfunctioningHuman]

Thank you guys, I think I will start saving some money then. Small HD monitors are not too affordable yet.

[CorbenT]

If you are prepared to go the DIY route you could save quite a bit of money. I have purchased off Vitrolight on EBay before, who has high quality LCD panels along with their control boards for about $100. If you want HD resolution, he has a 6.3" LCD with 1024x768 res. Then you would ask him for the A/D board which has VGA and AV terminals. TO get HD resolution you would then buy a component-VGA adapter ($40) and build a case. IF you can be bothered, this poses quite a nice LCD.

[MalfunctioningHuman]

If you are prepared to go the DIY route you could save quite a bit of money. I have purchased off Vitrolight on EBay before, who has high quality LCD panels along with their control boards for about $100. If you want HD resolution, he has a 6.3" LCD with 1024x768 res. Then you would ask him for the A/D board which has VGA and AV terminals. TO get HD resolution you would then buy a component-VGA adapter ($40) and build a case. IF you can be bothered, this poses quite a nice LCD.
Thank you for all these information, it is very helpful. :hv20-smilie77: I must look into that, although I must confess that the prospect of building a case and integrating everything into something which looks minimally professional sounds a little daunting. Have you actually done that yourself? If so, it would be very nice to see some of what you have done.

[CorbenT]

There are some pictures of my housing solution here http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=3448&page=44

Also, according to cinema5d.com, there is a full 1080p LCD for $230
http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5799&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=lilliput+HDMI+Monitor&sid=d3ed27d8d93f169d0a70cbc3f43593f0&start=10

[krewcial]

you can always use this : http://www.hood-pro.com/

it's a good alternative to a HD screen, especially if you want to have a compact setup.

I use a Manhattan HD LCD for indoor stuff where I have time to build the set/location, but for outdoor stuff where you don't have time or don't want to carry a large setup, the sock-loupe is a great accessory that does the job.

[MalfunctioningHuman]

There are some pictures of my housing solution here http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=3448&page=44

Also, according to cinema5d.com, there is a full 1080p LCD for $230
http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5799&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=lilliput+HDMI+Monitor&sid=d3ed27d8d93f169d0a70cbc3f43593f0&start=10
Your setup doesn't look too bad for a home brewed solution. You certainly saved tons of money, plus I can tell the picture quality is really good. :hv20-smilie77:

I don't see myself crafting something that would last long however, and I would probably be very worried about putting too much strain on the monitor itself.

The Lilliput you point to looks very nice, except that it doesn't have image flipping/mirroring, and I am not sure either about the mounting options.

ProAm (the crane company) makes the LCD monitor I was looking at. Full image flipping/mirroring, and standard shoe mount. The problem is that it is SD. They have an HD model too, but it costs considerably more, plus they seem to be out of stock at the moment:
http://www.bargain-camera.com/store/product.php?productid=16351&cat=273&page=1

Your set up has given me a lot to think about though. Maybe I'll give it a try. What would be really neat is to be able to get an enclosure designed and get a small production run of those from a machine/plastic shop.

[MalfunctioningHuman]

you can always use this : http://www.hood-pro.com/

it's a good alternative to a HD screen, especially if you want to have a compact setup.

I use a Manhattan HD LCD for indoor stuff where I have time to build the set/location, but for outdoor stuff where you don't have time or don't want to carry a large setup, the sock-loupe is a great accessory that does the job.
That looks like an interesting device, thanks for pointing it out.

Unfortunately I want something that I can also mount on a crane, and something that has image flipping/mirroring capability.

The ManhattanLCD units look great, but they are a little (much) out of my price range.