I've never used a GH2 but as long as it has a composite video output, you can use a portable DVD player as an external monitor. However, I recently discovered another cheap option that might be better than using a DVD player. I wrote a review of a Lilliput external monitor with HDMI inputs on my blog. My blog URL is in the video description. Click the Gadgets tab and there's a post called "Cheap HDMI External Monitor For Canon 7D And DSLR Video". Check it out. Similar cost to a DVD player.
@JoffreyKilljoy Forgot to reply to you directly. I've never used a GH2 but if it has composite video output, you can use a portable DVD player as an external monitor. However, I recently discovered another cheap option that might be better than using a DVD player. I wrote a review of a Lilliput external monitor with HDMI inputs on my blog. Click the Gadgets tab and there's a post called "Cheap HDMI External Monitor For Canon 7D And DSLR Video". Check it out. Similar cost to a DVD player.
@jjualvare Sorry for the late response but yes, you can take this out in the field. Portable DVD players run on rechargable batteries (or you can plug it in). The only thing to watch out for is that these players are kinda fragile.
@Jesslayc Using a DVD player as an external monitor should work on a Nikon as well as long as there is an analog video output (which it should). I've never used a Nikon to shoot video so I can't give you a definite answer. An easy way to test this on a Nikon (before you get a portable DVD player) is to hook your camera up to a regular TV and see if you get an image on your TV.
Ughh just tried it with my DVD player but it didnt work. Used the barrel connector and with both yellow cables. It even has the AV In and AV Out ports but for some reason it keeps saying "NO AV In". WTF??! It's a 7" TFT Monitor Portable DVD Player MODEL: MDP - 1760. Used the Canon t2i.
@PioneersProductions I wonder why its not working? Looks like you're connecting the yellow cable to the yellow cable. Can you get the NTSC output of your T2i to a regular monitor like an LCD TV using the Canon AV cable just to check it out? Maybe there's a problem with the cable that goes into your DVD player? Does your DVD player use the same cable for output? Maybe connect the DVD player to a TV also and make sure it's not that cable. Hopefully you find out what's wrong!
@banearu When you can't plug in the DVD player, you can use battery power. I think pretty much all portable DVD players come with rechargeable batteries. There are also aftermarket battery packs you can buy. The DVD player I'm using in the video has the battery pack attached to the back of it. It looks like it's part of the DVD player when it's attached.
@RedSpectrumPictures Yeah, not all portable DVD players have A/V inputs. See the link to my blog post at the end of my video description. On that post, I've listed several models that have A/V inputs that range from 7 inch to 10 inch portable DVD players.
@Megatronindahouse If you want to see a list of DVD players with A/V input, click on the last link in my video description that'll take you directly to my blog post about using a DVD player as an external monitor and see which models have that feature.
I've never used a GH2 but as long as it has a composite video output, you can use a portable DVD player as an external monitor. However, I recently discovered another cheap option that might be better than using a DVD player. I wrote a review of a Lilliput external monitor with HDMI inputs on my blog. My blog URL is in the video description. Click the Gadgets tab and there's a post called "Cheap HDMI External Monitor For Canon 7D And DSLR Video". Check it out. Similar cost to a DVD player.
TheRenderQ 2 days ago
Will this work with a Panasonic GH2? Sorry for the noob question :/
JoffreyKilljoy 2 days ago
@JoffreyKilljoy Forgot to reply to you directly. I've never used a GH2 but if it has composite video output, you can use a portable DVD player as an external monitor. However, I recently discovered another cheap option that might be better than using a DVD player. I wrote a review of a Lilliput external monitor with HDMI inputs on my blog. Click the Gadgets tab and there's a post called "Cheap HDMI External Monitor For Canon 7D And DSLR Video". Check it out. Similar cost to a DVD player.
TheRenderQ 2 days ago
I noticed that you're using this for rviewing you videos, but can it be used to view picture taken out in the field?
jjualvare 3 weeks ago
@jjualvare Sorry for the late response but yes, you can take this out in the field. Portable DVD players run on rechargable batteries (or you can plug it in). The only thing to watch out for is that these players are kinda fragile.
TheRenderQ 2 days ago
Usually these have really small resolution (~ 480*234) can't control small DOF. :(
MacronConvair 4 weeks ago
onr on ebay for 10$ right now!!! :D
shapeworkstudios1 2 months ago
any easy way to mount it? one like this: watch?v=GGGhO23Zz8o&feature=related
shapeworkstudios1 2 months ago
work with a nikon? please say yes! if u dont know please find me a way :D
Jesslayc 2 months ago
@Jesslayc Using a DVD player as an external monitor should work on a Nikon as well as long as there is an analog video output (which it should). I've never used a Nikon to shoot video so I can't give you a definite answer. An easy way to test this on a Nikon (before you get a portable DVD player) is to hook your camera up to a regular TV and see if you get an image on your TV.
TheRenderQ 2 months ago
@TheRenderQ ok thank you! yes it works :D :D :D :D i will now be searching for one! any good really cheap ones u know of li reeeeaaally cheap!
Jesslayc 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great video keep up the good work.
tillasmax 3 months ago
Ughh just tried it with my DVD player but it didnt work. Used the barrel connector and with both yellow cables. It even has the AV In and AV Out ports but for some reason it keeps saying "NO AV In". WTF??! It's a 7" TFT Monitor Portable DVD Player MODEL: MDP - 1760. Used the Canon t2i.
PioneersProductions 4 months ago
@PioneersProductions I wonder why its not working? Looks like you're connecting the yellow cable to the yellow cable. Can you get the NTSC output of your T2i to a regular monitor like an LCD TV using the Canon AV cable just to check it out? Maybe there's a problem with the cable that goes into your DVD player? Does your DVD player use the same cable for output? Maybe connect the DVD player to a TV also and make sure it's not that cable. Hopefully you find out what's wrong!
TheRenderQ 4 months ago
Cable sex :)
shhoshh 5 months ago 2
@shhoshh Ha ha ha! That's what I was thinking after I finished editing the video!
TheRenderQ 4 months ago
How do you power the monitor when your out film?
banearu 9 months ago
@banearu When you can't plug in the DVD player, you can use battery power. I think pretty much all portable DVD players come with rechargeable batteries. There are also aftermarket battery packs you can buy. The DVD player I'm using in the video has the battery pack attached to the back of it. It looks like it's part of the DVD player when it's attached.
TheRenderQ 8 months ago
@TheRenderQ Okay thanks
banearu 8 months ago
Would this work with a HDMI out - to a tv? (Live view)
GamerRigz 11 months ago
@GamerRigz Yes.
SwisssBolla 10 months ago
@GamerRigz Yes. And with HDMI you will have HD output, while the analog video output seen in this video has relatively low resolution.
SwisssBolla 10 months ago
thanks for the tips, sadly my portable dvd player cant do this, which is a shame really.
RedSpectrumPictures 11 months ago
@RedSpectrumPictures Yeah, not all portable DVD players have A/V inputs. See the link to my blog post at the end of my video description. On that post, I've listed several models that have A/V inputs that range from 7 inch to 10 inch portable DVD players.
TheRenderQ 11 months ago
Awesome tutorial!!! realize now that you need a AV in portable DVD player al ot of the models are only AV out, cheers big help
Megatronindahouse 1 year ago
@Megatronindahouse If you want to see a list of DVD players with A/V input, click on the last link in my video description that'll take you directly to my blog post about using a DVD player as an external monitor and see which models have that feature.
TheRenderQ 11 months ago