Glidecam L7-PRO - Monitor Colorido de ENG/EFT 16:9/4:3

Comments about Glidecam L7-PRO 16:9/4:3 ENG/EFT Color Monitor:

This monitor is meant to be used on a stabilizer, and as a framing assist it does it's job. However, in other respects it falls well short of my expectations.

1. The monitor is is not much use as a focus assist. Despite having almost twice as many pixels as my camera's rather low-res viewfinder, the clarity of the image was compatible, and focusing manualy was difficult. This seems to be do to two problems. a, the horizontal resolution is only 234 pixels, and b, the image was smeared horizontally to a slight extent. A high-res production monitor (I use a 700 line CRT) will always have a place in the studio.

2. The color of the monitor isn't great, but with a low cost LCD, what would you expect? again, use a production monitor until you start shooting, then rely on the LCD.

3. The monitor is connected via a short brake-out cable. Too short. Unless you are using a palm sized camera, the composite video cable will not reach from your camera's shoe to the video out jack. I had to add 8" to the length of the cable in ordered to have it plug in with a comfortable bit of slack. Being good with a soldering iron, I cut the connector off the end and added more wire.

4. The description on BH is incorect on many points

a. The monitor is made primarily of plastic, not metal.
b. The video input is a male RCA connector on a 10" cable, not BNC.
c. The monitor only weighs about half of what is listed.


Oddly, the monitor it self is set up with a myriad of input options, yet I cannot find brake-out cables to use them. It has speakers, but no way to use them, and another jack for a second brake-out cable with a different connector design. I hope that in future, some of the options will be come available. Glidecam, maybe we could have a Y/C cable? Please?