Production Program/Preview outputs

[Dennis O'Neal]

Is there a way to configure a preview output on the VT2?

[Gordon]

Yes, using skins and Toasterscript.

[Paul Lara]

Originally posted by Dennis O'Neal
Is there a way to configure a preview output on the VT2?

If you mean coming out of the SX-8, no.

[Gordon]

Good catch Paul.

The question is ambiquous; I thought he was asking about adding buttons or other features to the preview ToasterVision monitor but I think you got the meaning of his question.

[Dennis O'Neal]

When using VT2 in production mode, being able to configure a preview out from the SX8 would be very helpful. I hope it might be an option in the near future.

[ScorpioProd]

Problem is there's only so many physical wires between the SX-8 and the Toaster.

Same reason you can get Y/C OR component out, but not both at the same time.

[Paul Lara]

Originally posted by Dennis O'Neal
When using VT2 in production mode, being able to configure a preview out from the SX8 would be very helpful. I hope it might be an option in the near future.

We hear you, and are examining that possibility, Dennis.

[Tod Cole]

If you guys could nail this one I think it would be HUGE for the live production enviroment w/VT.

[Gordon]

At first most people I show the VT[x] to think that it would be an advantage to have a preview out. However, the advantages of a ToasterVision preview monitor far outweigh a physical external preview out.
[list=1]
One big advantage is that there is minimum head movement. With Preview and Program both side by side on one 19" screen, reaction time is faster.
Brightness, Contrast, and Colour is more accurate. Unless you have very deep pockets, most companies don't use an Ikegami ($2000 USD), or equivalent for preview so a physical preview and physical final are different brightness, contrast and colour. Again having both on the same monitor means that you know your preview and final match. Very important if you need to tell the camera person to iris down or up and knowing if colour, contrast, etc. are correct.
With VT[3] and VT-Vision this is even vastly improved. With the brightness, contrast, and hue controls you can get a very close match to the expensive final monitor, (we have an Ikegami on final record deck). But wait there's more - zebra pattern for 75 and 100 IRE!! Ya don't get that with an external monitor.
With dual VGA output and two operators, you can have two previews open, one in front of each user. Again this is huge so that head movement is minimum. The colourist / CG key / DDR person has their own preview and key monitor without having to look over the switchers shoulder.
One less heat source for the video room. Each monitor generates a significant amount of heat.
[/list=1]

The only advantage to having a physical preview out would be to allow to send a second video stream to another location; say another record deck. But you can record both the preview monitor and the program monitor to separate hard drives/RAIDs if that is all you need.

All in all, I can't really see any significant advantage to having a physical preview out.

Why do you think this would make a HUGE difference?

[Tod Cole]

Well yes for limited application as mentioned. What about preview for CAM 2 Preview for CAM3 ect. That would make it HUGE.

[Jim Capillo]

Originally posted by Tod Cole
Well yes for limited application as mentioned. What about preview for CAM 2 Preview for CAM3 ect. That would make it HUGE.

That's much easier to accomplish. Most all monitors used for camera monitoring (triple ganged) have loop throughs. Just send the signal from the camera to the monitors then on to the inputs of the VT. That way you can have the cameras up all the time. If you're talking about having them on the computer moniters via TVision, I would think that would require some serious horsepower.... :confused:

[darenu]

Great points Gordon. I ususally don't find it to be a problem myself using Preview/Program side by side when switching myself.

There are 2 situations where an NTSC preview out would be fairly "huge":

1. When you have a separate director, producer, or client. You still have to loop all the camera inputs through monitors before the SX-8, but preview/program without hovering over the Toaster sure would be nice.

2. When using external switching hardware (the RS-8, or the handy-dandy $50 Command Post). Then the T.D. can make the switch without being in front of the Toaster screen, and the EIC can use the Toaster for color correction.

Anyway, sure would be nice if it can be done.

[Gordon]

Hi Tod;
Originally posted by Tod Cole
Well yes for limited application as mentioned. What about preview for CAM 2 Preview for CAM3 ect. That would make it HUGE.
Even without monitors that have loop throughs, the SX-8 has loop through. You use a 'T' connector on the SX-8 and then make sure to turn off the input termination.
http://store2.yimg.com/I/cinemasupplies_1741_6176568

[Gordon]

Hi Darenu;
Good points.

I forgot about having a real director in the room. I guess the director needs to check to make sure the switcher has 'readied' the correct camera. Preview out might be very important for broadcast TV studios and/or remote location rigs.