17" professional field monitor opinions

[Ken Willinger]

I've got a Panasonic BT-LH series 17" monitor that I currently use on set when filming (sometimes it is a client monitor, sometimes I use it in addition to the Red on board monitor). It's a few years old and I'm upgrading. My inclination is to get the newer Panasonic 17" replacement. After all it has held up very well in the field and I've travelled it all over the place without problems... a proven track record. Though I've always felt the color was a bit green on it, no matter how I set it up.

However there are now a few more options available, of which I have no experience with. Ikegami has the HLM-17 monitor. It has similar features to the Panasonic, yet is about $800 less expensive. Ikegami has a long track record in monitors. And I used their broadcast cameras for many years and liked them better than the Sony equivalents.

Also TV Logic has the LVM-17 series monitor. Again similar in features as the previous two and in the same price range... $200 less expensive than the Panasonic. I've seen TV Logic monitors in edit suites and they look great, but have not seen them in the field. Can they stand up to the wear and tear of on set use?

Panasonic - $2800
Ikegami - $2000
TV Logic - $2600

Those that have experience with these monitors please pipe up! I'm interested in your thoughts about quality, ruggedness, color reproduction and anything else that may be pertinent to on set use.

 

[Dustin Cross]

I really like my Flanders Scientific 17".


Dusty

 

[Ken Willinger]

Thanks for the heads up on the FSI monitors. I didn't know about them. Is it rugged enough for on the road work?

 

[Kar Wai Ng]

I find the newer Panasonic 17" (1760) has better contrast and more neutral colour than the previous 1710 or 1700. I wouldn't grade off of it, but it is still much better than the older panel, which I also find to be a little green (or very green, depending on its age.)

The FSI 1760 is a very nice panel, and people say its reproduction is better than the Panasonic. It has more features than the Panasonic, whether you need them is up to you. It's a nice looking image, but I haven't put it beside a Panasonic to compare. I would say the Panasonic is still more rugged in the field.

 

[Tom.Wong]

FSI color reproduction wise is much better than the panny, and it has built in calibration, and several times more exposure tools to use. great as a client monitor, even better as a DP's monitor. the specs say it's made of brushed aluminum and they make the 17 inch specifically to go to the field so it should be fairly rugged. but the 17 inch panny is a industry standard as a field monitor, so it's built like a tank. I don't think you'll regret either choice, I just lean more towards the flanders because you get more for the buck.

i also love the fact that the power consumption is super low on the flanders, so you can even power it with a better. either 3 stud or v mount. your red brick can power it. great option.

 

[Ken Willinger]

I've decided to go with the FSI monitor. Currently there are a few 1760 models available as NAB B-stock. It's a few hundred dollar savings. Thanks again for the input.