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Manufacturer:
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Transvideo
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Model:
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6.5” LCD Ultrabright Rainbow II - Wireless Monitor.
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Short Description:
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A compact LCD monitor with Transvideo’s Titan Wireless Receiver & Transmitter.
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Why was it needed and what did it replace:
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I needed a wireless monitor that could be used for directors and could stand up to being used consistently for five days a week and whilst remaining easy to view in bright and sunny environments. It is the first time I have owned a wireless monitor, before which I used to work with hired in wireless LCDs.
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Author:
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Jon Boast
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Date:
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21/08/2007
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What other systems did you consider? :
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I considered monitors and tx/rx kits from Teletest, Black Box, Marshell and IDX (Wevi).
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Why did you choose it?:
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I wanted to offer directors the best picture possible from a wireless monitor and my experience of the Transvideo range was that whilst slightly more expensive the picture quality was pretty impressive and the unit was well thought through.
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Did you buy new or used - if new did you consider used / visa versa? :
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New, along with some other bits of kit I was purchasing at the time. I did consider used for a short time, however I have had problems with wireless monitors in the past and I think by the nature of their work, second hand ones would have had plenty of use, I decided that getting one straight from the factory was the only way to go!
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Who did you buy it from (direct from manufacturer or through a dealer)?:
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At the time of purchasing lots of kit, I was working a did not have time to source everything from the main dealer and so I went through a kit retail company who were very friendly and helpful, Mitcorp.
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What price did you pay?:
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£2550 for the bundle which consisted of the Ultra Bright Rainbow II monitor and the built in receiver and the transmitter, along with the monitor positioning arm and a small peli case! The bag/raincover for the monitor was an additional £95.
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Were you happy with the sales service?:
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In hindsight I should have bought the monitor straight from the UK dealer, ICE, rather than through a kit retail company. This is because my first unit developed a fault and it was made more complicated trying to get it replaced whilst I was on Location in Spain due to the fact there were so many companies involved in the loop. In future I would deal direct with the dealer. Once the dealer and Transvideo were aware of my problem they dealt with it pretty quickly, and replaced my unit. This monitor is at the upper end of the prices for such kits, and when you spend such money you do hope for some good after sales service.
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What major projects have you used it (or plan to use it) for?:
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The monitor is now part of my PSC kit and due to the nature of the industry and the type of shows being produced it is used for 85% of my jobs. I used it recently on a production for Channel 5 and for a show called ‘Under Cover Mum’ for ITV Factual. It is often away working on A Place in the Sun for Channel 4 where it is put through its passes by directors on sandy beaches and hot climates.
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Does it perform as expected?:
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It performs very well. As with any most wireless RF transmitters and receivers, it does have its moments when the signal is being blocked by thick stone walls or other obstructions or when an aerial has worked its way loose. As monitors in this range go though, the reason I bought it in the first place is because it generally deals with pictures well for a small LCD, and its ultra bright feature makes it a dream for directors to view in sunny situations.
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Pro's:
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This monitor has a wide viewing angle, which is why it is why it is a popular brand for Steadicam operators. Also the Ultra Bright feature of this monitor is a real benefit. Lastly, having the receiver so well built into this unit makes it very easy to operate and reduces the risk of bnc or powering cables failing on location, which I have often found to be the case in the past with wireless LCD monitors.
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Con's:
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I power the monitor with my IDX Endura 10 batteries, and whilst it does last for a 10 hour day on one battery, the unit can get very hot and has been a complaint from directors. Also the pots for adjusting the brightness and contrast are two way, they can be turned ( manual) to adjust settings such as saturation and pushed inwards (digital) to adjust the more advance features such as menu and ratios. The push in function can be easily locked, however I have found that the turning function can be easily knocked and accidental adjustment of the other functions can be frustrating at times.
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What would your brief summary be on this product?:
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This compact monitor with built in receiver is very well built and produces good image quality as far as you can with a wireless picture. It can be viewed very well in sunny locations and is easy to operate with no receiver getting in the way. It is at the upper end of the price range for such monitors.
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About you – please tell us about you, your background, your company and any credits you or your company may have :
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Jon Boast is a London based freelance Lighting Cameraman. He has extensive experience of working with many broadcasters and production companies and prides himself on creating unique images. The Transvideo LCD monitor is part of his DigiBeta/HD PSC kit. www.televisioncameraman.co.uk
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