Is it time to get a Handheld Waveform / Vectorscope?

Discusss your Cinematography hardware, Cameras, Lenses, Grip, Rigs etc here
Post Reply
User avatar
Paramvir Singh
Hero Member
Hero Member
Posts: 677
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:54 pm
Location: Mumbai
Contact:

Is it time to get a Handheld Waveform / Vectorscope?

Post by Paramvir Singh »

Having shot extensively on the Red (various versions) and Ari Alexa, I realised it doesnt respond to a light meter the way we are used to, in film. The camera ISO settings often don't give the same image as suggested by my trusted Sekonic (for some reason, digital still cameras seem to be more accurate with my Sekonic).

Is it time to get ourselves Handheld Waveform and Vectorscope monitors for our work, especially how the whole digital marketing machine will eventually force us to use their systems more and more?


Tektronics Handheld Waveform Monitors

WFM90 • WFM91
Features & Benefits
Battery or AC Powered
Truly Portable
4-inch/102-mm Color LCD Display
Picture Monitor
Waveform Monitor
Vectorscope
Line Select Display
Audio Monitor
Waveform-in-Picture Mode
Video Output for Routing to External Display
NTSC (WFM90) or PAL (WFM91) Models
Applications
Field Production
Troubleshooting
Equipment Installation
The Tektronix WFM90 Series are handheld, multifunction monitors ideally suited to the monitoring needs of field production, equipment installation, or any situation where portability and battery operation is required for analysis of analog composite video systems. The combination of features and monitoring modes provided makes these instruments powerful enough to set up, time, and troubleshoot complex video and audio systems, combining the power of four separate instruments in the palm of your hand.

The high-resolution, four-inch/102-mm color LCD display provides a clear, unprocessed picture of the incoming video signal. Alternately, the waveform, vector, or audio displays may be shown full-screen or any one may be cut into any corner of the display. In addition to the LCD display, a composite video output supplies a monochrome waveform, vector, or audio display, either full-screen or cut into a color picture.

As a waveform monitor, the WFM90 Series provides all the features expected on a basic, single-channel monitor: external reference; 1H, 2H, and 2V sweeps; X1, X5, and variable vertical gain; flat and luminance filters. The external reference input allows users to perform the system timing adjustments critical to sophisticated field productions. In addition to these basic features, an alarm mode, where the waveform's color changes above 100 IRE (WFM90) or 700 mV (WFM91), provides quick feedback when video levels exceed accepted standards. All display controls are selected through simple, on-screen menus.

Whether adjusting a camera's black/white balance or adjusting chroma levels and hues on a time base corrector, the WFM90 Series' vector mode provides the needed display controls. Variable, X1 and X5 gain settings and a 360-degree phase shifter are selectable through on-screen menus, as are 75% or 100% bars for the WFM90.

The audio mode's voltage versus time display is useful for setting or checking levels and for detecting certain types of distortions. The audio display is driven through a single XLR connector, and a headphone jack permits listening to the displayed audio.

WFM90 Series monitors can be powered with a NiCd battery pack, six alkaline C cells, or an AC adapter, which also charges the NiCd battery pack. A 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter may also be used as a power source.

A rugged case with a shoulder strap makes transporting WFM90 Series monitors easy. Serial options are available for the WFM90 Series monitor, including a viewing hood for operating in bright light, and a desk stand that simplifies benchtop use.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image



Hamlet MicroFlex Multi-format Handheld Waveform, Vectorscope

Image

The Hamlet MicroFlex is the world’s smallest multi-format multi-standard handheld waveform, vector, audio, and picture analyzer with full VGA resolution, for all production and front line maintenance arenas.
The MicroFlex unit is capable of analysis, measurement, monitoring and generating test signals for a wide range of applications within video production A full range of standards are covered including 3G, level A & B as well as HD SDI, SD SDI and composite video signals and audio embedding. With expanded capabilities to include Eye pattern analysis for test signal path integrity, and automatic error detection for CRC, EDH, Gamut Errors and Illegal values In addition, MicroFlex offers support for AES/EBU formats, plus generates HD SDI and SD SDI video and audio signals dependant on the installed modules for added testing capabilities.
Using a built-in 3.5” diagonal high quality VGA (640 x 480), the MicroFlex display shows the picture in 4:3 or 16:9 formats, with conventional waveform, vector, and audio displays together with error data analysis. Any of the six (6) easy to plug-in MicroFlex option modules allow operation in a variety of current formats and enables future standards to be accommodated, allowing easy upgrade for the user at any time.
Post Reply