I was wondering whether it is possible to attach a digital camera directly to a free standing monitor to have a larger viewing area?

Our photo area is very small and I can't fit a CPU, monitor, etc... in the room. However, I would like to check angles, etc...on a larger area than the LCD pad.

Is this possible with a standard monitor and/or TV.

-- Patti Jenkins (ZARUBALink@aol.com), August 15, 2000

Answers

the answer depends on the camera. the nikon coolpix line has a tv out function that displays whatever's on the lcd (even if the lcd has been turned off) but some cameras only use the tv out function when in playback/review mode.

-- keat lim (keatlim@my-deja.com), August 15, 2000.

I would add one thing to Keat Lim's response. The cameras provide VIDEO outputs, not TV outputs! You need to run the VIDEO signal into either a VCR or a modulator to produce a signal compatible with a TV's tuner... If your TV has a direct video input, you don't need the modulator or VCR, the modulator is built into the TV.

A monitor with a composite(video) input signal would be ideal! You can often find these with old commodore computer systems for a song.

Good Luck!

-- Gerald M. Payne (gmp@surferz.net), August 15, 2000.

Patti,

I have an AGFA ePhoto 1680 (it's somewhat older) digital camera, and I have played with using it hooked up via a serial cable to both a desktop (nice, big monitor) and a laptop (fits your size requirements). The AGFA desktop software allows me to totally control the camera operations from my PC.

I checked the Users Manual for the ePhoto 1680, and it does say that the same video cable that I've used for viewing pictures I've already taken on a TV can also be used in Record mode to allow you to take pictures using the TV in place of the LCD viewfinder (LCD doesn't function while the Video Out cable is attached).

I don't know if this is something the newer digital camera support or not -- the manufacturers'current focus appears to be on CCD capacity and ease of use (similar to film cameras); the 1680 was sort of an odd duck in form factor and functionality.

- Craig Cunningham

-- Craig Cunningham (craig.cunningham@excite.com), August 24, 2000.