Connecting an iLink/Firewire/1394 port on a computer to a television monitor for preview of video from a nonlinear editing system is simple, fast, and a great way to see what's really going on in your video project. Some edit tasks such as color correction, chromakeys, and masking should never be undertaken without a television monitor being used to check the work, especially if the video is going to be delivered for broadcast or home television viewing.

While some SVGA cards offer SVideo or composite outputs, these should not be used for video preview if the video is destined for television output.  These outputs are often half resolution or worse, provide inaccurate color information to the television monitor, preventing accurate preview of colors for titles, editing functions, color correction, and chromakey work.

Connecting the computer to the television monitor for accurate preview is worth the small effort it takes, as preview of video files will be accurate for color, framerate, and quality.

 

To accomplish this task, you'll need the following:

	Television monitor
	Firewire/1394/iLink* cable
	OHCI card in desktop or laptop port (Some laptops have OHCI compliant ports built in to them. All Sony, most Toshiba, Hewlett-Packard, and Acer computers have compatible port)
	A converter device such as the ADS DV Bridge or Canopus ADVC 100 unit. Most camcorders support what's known as "Pass-thru" which allows the camera to pass the digital signal coming from the computer to an analog signal, which is sent from the camera to the television. Not all camcorders support this function.

There are two types of connectors: the Four Pin connector and the Six Pin connector. The four pin connector is most often used for camcorder and laptop connection, while the six pin connector is most often used for the desktop and Apple laptop connections. Cables with six pins on one end and four pins on the opposite end are quite common. Adapters that convert a six pin connector to a four pin connector are also easy to obtain. Four pin to four pin cables, used primarily to connect camcorders to laptops, are less common and are not always easily found. Most hard drive enclosure kits and other 1394 peripherals will have a six pin to six pin cable enclosed. You may also purchase six pin to four pin connector adaptors.

Six pin connectors are very common for desktop and Apple laptop connections.     Fig 1

Four pin connectors are commonly found on laptops such as this Sony VAIO. They are also found on all DV camcorders. Some laptops have 6 pin cards built into them rather than the 4 pin. 6 pin is superior only because it provides power down the cable and also provides a more stable connection due to its larger size. Fig 2

Cables typically come with any OHCI 1394 card that you might purchase, if not, look for a card that comes with the cable in the box. Otherwise, cables can be very costly when purchased separately.

Connect the cable to the laptop or desktop 1394 port. Be sure the cable is secure. If it appears to be loose in the connector port, it might be necessary to take the computer to your local computer store to have them tighten the port by slightly bending the input port points. Do not do this yourself.

Conect the other end of the cable to the camcorder's 1394 port. If a camcorder is not being used as a converter device, connect the cable to the device being used as a converter from digital to analog signal.

The Canopus ADVC 110 is a great and inexpensive converter device, converting the digital signal from the computer into an analog output that the television can read, allowing the television to display video from the nonlinear editing timeline.
We also recommend the ADS Bridge. Low cost, super quality, you'll be very happy with the ADS boxes

Fig 3

 

Video contained on the timeline of your nonlinear editing (video editing) application may now be viewed on the television monitor. Most software applications will allow you to preview video without rendering. Some applications will require you to render any video before previewing. Check your software owners manual or help guide for more information. You can usually find HELP information with most applications by pressing the F1 key on your keyboard.

Using an external monitor (television monitor) to preview your video will not only help you create better quality video, it will also help you learn how color spaces work, how to color correct more accurately, see images you might not have otherwise been able to see, and display accurate pictures of your video work. You won't need a high end broadcast monitor to start enjoying these benefits, but if you find you get addicted to the video editing/authoring bug, it won't be long until you'll find yourself wanting a high end monitor such as the Sony PVM series pictured to the left.

Fig 4

Canopus (ADVC series)
ADS Technologies (DV Bridge)
Convergent Design (Very high end, made for professional broadcast and post-house work)