Not sure where to put this topic, but has anyone found a small TV or monitor that can be used when adjusting various parameters on a DVD player or receiver so that you don't need to turn on the projector? I use my blu-ray player for CDs and SACDs and may want to change a parameter now and then, and don't want to turn on my Panasonic AE3000 just for that! My Denon 2809 shows some parameters on its display, but not all, and my Oppo BDP-83 does not use its display for setup parameters at all, it seems. I saw advice somewhere to get a 7" monitor to use for such a purpose, but I can't find anything less than 13". That would take up a fair amount of space in my equipment rack. Any ideas?
dosborne
2009-07-15, 01:08 PM
Walmart used to sell a 5.5" B&W TV w/radio (AC, cigarette lighter plug or batteries) for $20. This was sold under a number of different brand names and suppliers. I picked up 2 and use one as a monitor for my A/V stuff and one when I align sat dishes.
I picked up the first one new and the second off a local buy/sell listing. There are some similar, but a bit more expensive, portable TV's out there. If you don't need audio, LCD monitors are way down in price (if you can find the right inputs).
ctown6412
2009-07-15, 02:45 PM
I have pm you a place to find 7" monitors for $68us shipping included
Thanks for these suggestions. At least it points me in the right direction. CTOWN, your monitor is from an outfit in Hong Kong -- not sure if I want to place an order direct to HK. But I'll see if I can find someting similar closer to home.
ctown6412
2009-07-15, 03:14 PM
I get things off that site all the time and NEVER had an issue! with work items I would say I spent a min $2k on that site alone :)
Shipping is lighting fast too typically.
AmowAgou
2009-07-15, 04:23 PM
No name portable DVD players with video input terminal can be found cheaply everywhere. That should work.
David Susilo
2009-07-17, 10:10 AM
Toshiba portable DVD players (less than $100 CDN retail) always have video input.
Flummox
2009-07-17, 11:29 AM
Get a slingbox and hook up the reciever and or Bluray to it. Then you:
A) have the ability watch shows outside of home
b) can use any computer or laptop as your "parameter checker"
WestCDA
2009-07-17, 02:14 PM
Xenarc has a range of monitors that would fit nicely in your rack. Most are VGA/touchscreen, but you can also get non-touchscreen monitors with AV (composite) inputs. Sizes are from 7 inches on up.
I use a 22.5 inch ACER monitor for the same purpose (setup/configuration without using the projector), which is the smallest HDMI input LCD monitor I can find with 1080P resolution. I need it for taking the HDMI output from a number of devices set at 1080P out including an HTPC, but also use it for low-res stuff like receiver setup which is upconverted and output on the unit's HDMI out. Mine is a table mount as some of the sessions can be fairly lengthy.