2012Monitors forum
Selecting and powering affordable return monitors and prompters for camera rigs
14 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Inexpensive composite monitors in the 4.3 to 7 inch range can serve adequately as return monitors or prompters when budget is tight.
- Generic cheap monitors from online retailers may have acceptable quality and remain functional despite low cost.
- Low-cost monitors often have narrow voltage tolerances and poor documentation, making them vulnerable to damage from unregulated power sources like D-tap connectors that can supply up to 16 volts directly from a charger.
- Custom mounting brackets can be fabricated to attach small monitors to camera eyepiece mounts or top handles using standard 1/4-20 screws and small arms.
- Small monitors intended for other uses can be modified and repurposed as return or prompter monitors with custom cables fitted to match existing camera rigs.
- Purchasers should expect cheap monitors to have limited durability and may want to buy multiple units as backups.
Depends on
- Discussion focuses on analog composite monitors rather than modern digital displays.
- Power supply compatibility remains partially unresolved in the thread.
- Specific mounting solutions described are tailored for Sony and Panasonic broadcast cameras.
- The comparison between budget 7-inch monitors and premium 7-inch options like the Xenarc 700YV leaves the value question open.
- No detailed testing or long-term durability data provided for the ultra-cheap options.