Hey, tech-heads

[Pastor Gary]

Okay -- not sure this exists, because I am not real sure what to search for.

In our mobile video set-up we use a smallish TV from Wal-Mart as a monitor for the video switcher(s). We would really LOVE to use an extra flat-panel LCD computer monitor we have at the office... bigger image, lighter weight, less space needed on table, etc. There are, of course technical issues I don't even clearly know how to quantify. (Things about scan rates, interlace, blah-blah-blah...)

Is there a way... wait: I SHOULD ask, is there an easy, cost-effective way to take the signal from a video switcher (single RCA connection) and convert it to something that monitor can accept and display?

[Paully_44]

I bought this, Extron Distribution Amplifier

I have 2 projectors, one shoots to the front wall for the congregation and the other shoots to the back so the pastor can read scripture or worship team can see words. The video scaler shoots the image to both projectors. I was told it can distribute the signal between multiple destinations.

[dolfan]

PG, we used to do it several years ago. There's a gizmo, but I don't know what it is called. It would do exactly what you're asking and it worked well with the Mac we used.

[RamboPreacher]

VDA's come in many sizes and shapes and costs.
as for monitors, I use little LCD monitors (RCA/NTSC video inputs), actually have been thinking of upgrading from the 3" size to 5" or 7".

[MacUser]

The LCD monitors are so cheap that you might could buy an entire new one with that feature for the cost of a converter these days. I'm sure it exists somewhere on the cheap.

Something to check on.. are those Automotive DVD players. Typically they come with an extra video screen that people don't use. That has the RCA connectors you might could find one of those real cheap.. like FREE?

Just an idea. Good Luck.

[Pastor Gary]

The LCD monitors are so cheap that you might could buy an entire new one with that feature for the cost of a converter these days. I'm sure it exists somewhere on the cheap.

Something to check on.. are those Automotive DVD players. Typically they come with an extra video screen that people don't use. That has the RCA connectors you might could find one of those real cheap.. like FREE?

Just an idea. Good Luck.

Okay -- good advice. Anybody here have leads/sources for very cheap flat/LCD monitors with RCA input? Or for the automotive extra DVD screens -- at least 9" size?

The image quality is not hyper-important. The video switchers put out fairly low-res previews anyway, and they are more like reference images than actual output. I don't think we can go smaller than 9" because of the amount of info displayed by the switchers. We are looking for TWO of these, and something in the $100 range... or cheaper... or free would be wonderful.

[RamboPreacher]

The LCD monitors are so cheap that you might could buy an entire new one with that feature for the cost of a converter these days. I'm sure it exists somewhere on the cheap.

Something to check on.. are those Automotive DVD players. Typically they come with an extra video screen that people don't use. That has the RCA connectors you might could find one of those real cheap.. like FREE?

Just an idea. Good Luck.

Okay -- good advice. Anybody here have leads/sources for very cheap flat/LCD monitors with RCA input? Or for the automotive extra DVD screens -- at least 9" size?

The image quality is not hyper-important. The video switchers put out fairly low-res previews anyway, and they are more like reference images than actual output. I don't think we can go smaller than 9" because of the amount of info displayed by the switchers. We are looking for TWO of these, and something in the $100 range... or cheaper... or free would be wonderful.

Ebay is where i have had best luck. they are a pretty vertical item, so unless you happen to know someone, any "store" is probably going to charge nearly retail.

7" is most popular and where you will probably find the best deal.

[Billy n NC]

A Quick search on EBay found these

http://cgi.ebay.com/7-Inches-Headrest-P ... dZViewItem

But this may even work

http://cgi.ebay.com/7-Portable-Hi-Res-L ... p1638.m124

______________

[Full Quiver]

try this

[MacUser]

Okay -- good advice. Anybody here have leads/sources for very cheap flat/LCD monitors with RCA input? Or for the automotive extra DVD screens -- at least 9" size?

Try some pawn shops for some quick local results?