VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Lizden

So...

I have a new client that I'll be working with for French VO that has requested that I get a monitor & wireless mouse in my booth to read scripts off of since they do their sessions via phone patch with the scripts onscreen via Go-to-web-meeting (or whatever it's called) so that they can change them on the fly.

I have a small booth.

I could just bring my laptop in, but then there would be fan issues.

Basically I need to get a monitor by Friday Noon ET for my first session with them (basically at Staples) Embarrassed

I'm probably going to get it tomorrow.

I would be plugging it into my 17" laptop which is my main workhorse.

Any suggestions?

Of course maybe I could just get a netbook & then I could also use that on the road.

I hate being rushed with this stuff, but such is life.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:45 am Post subject:

I like Viewsonic monitors. But does it really matter?? they are all pretty much six of one and half a dozen of another at this point.

If you have wireless or WIFI you could just get an iPad.
_________________
The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

Lizden · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:50 am Post subject:

Thanks Mike!
I actually thought that they were all pretty much the same these days, but it's good to hear that from you!

I actually thought of an iPad, but I'm PC...although I guess it really wouldn't matter 'cause it would go through the router....hmmmmm

Yeah, but for now I think I'll just stick with a straight monitor.

Thanks again! Laugh

_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:59 am Post subject:

If you have a little time you might be able to get on craigslist and find one for $50 or so. Just go as cheap as you can on this.

Not to sway you but the iPad is the way I would go, considering it would have only been $100 more than the last monitor I purchased.
_________________
The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

DougVox · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:04 am Post subject:

Plus, you might want to consider heat issues...a monitor is likely to make your booth much warmer than an iPad will.
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Voiceover UNnouncer®
UNnouncer.com

asnively · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

Isn't there more to this problem than just the screen? Wouldn't you need to be able to navigate on the screen, to scroll, refresh, etc.? If so, you'll have to have an input device, like a mouse or something.

Even if you wouldn't need that capability for this particular client, why not take a step closer to a paperless studio and/or invest in something that would be flexible to additional clients' needs down the road?

An iPad would give you a fully-operational device that could see content and interact with it, and could easily be placed on the copy stand of your choosing.
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Amy Snively
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:12 am Post subject:

You guys really do just want me to spend another $500 and go MAC, dontcha???! Wink

_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

asnively · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:14 am Post subject:

Not me. I'm married to a Mac programmer and have a child for whom Apple is a religion. I used a Mac for over a year and it was the most frustrating computer experience I've ever had. I've been a (relatively) happy Windows user ever since.

It's just the iPad seems like the right tool for this job.
_________________
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Amy Snively
Faff Camp
FaffCon
TalkerTees

Lizden · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:18 am Post subject:

Looking at this, you all may be right.
I'm going to take a look at what's available at Staples later today...and if there is only about $100 difference...I may head over to the Apple store....

Stupid question...you CAN buy an iPad off the shelf, right?
There's no waiting period anymore, is there?
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

asnively · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:55 am Post subject:

You can go to www.milo.com and see who has one in stock near you.

Smile

_________________
the Amy Snively family of brands for all your branded thing needs.
Amy Snively
Faff Camp
FaffCon
TalkerTees

Lizden · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:58 am Post subject:

Thanks, Amy!!!
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

todd ellis · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:06 pm Post subject:

what i would do is get a new monitor & a kvm (keyboard/video/mouse) switch.

this would allow you to bring your keyboard & mouse into the booth with you - AND if you decide you like it - you gan shop for a bargain keyboard/mouse the day after thanksgiving.

ipad starts at $500

monitor - $130 - $160
kvm switch - $30 - $60
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 2:33 pm Post subject:

Nothing like taking action!

New 18.5" LCD monitor: on clearance $100
Wireless keyboard & mouse: on sale $40
Longer monitor cable: $14
AND...while I was there I decided to upgrade my laptop's RAM from 1GB to 4BG: $202 installed
TOTAL: $382 (including tax)

Help & input & advice from the VO-BB: PRICELESS!!!!!!! Laugh

Thank you all!
Laugh

_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Lizden · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 3:03 pm Post subject:

BTW:

The reason I went this route was because it will make my using Word2Wav & VoxStudio much easier.

No more bringing the laptop into the booth & dealing with fan issues!

This solution solved many of my challenges in one swoop!
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 3:41 pm Post subject:

I knew you'd figure it out.
_________________
The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.