From NoFilmSchool

Here, a smaller size matters.

SmallHD has added two new 13″ Production Monitors to its lineup that already includes 17″, 24″, and 32″ flavors. The 1303 HDR and 1303 Studio boast 10-bit color engines, full HD, SDI I/O, HDMI I/O, and 3D LUT processing.

Both will be on display at this year’s IBC Convention in Amsterdam, but we’re here to break them down for those who can’t attend.

Shared features

If you’re familiar with the existing production monitors, the 13″ is what you might expect: a cut and paste of the same technology, but scaled down in size. Each unit is made from a solid aluminum chassis to help protect against bumps and bruises. Both panels have a thick 3mm screen impact protector that can be replaced in seconds if damage does occur…[continue reading]

From Provideocoalition

SmallHD released version 1.0 of its firmware for the Production Monitors from series 1700, 2400 and 3200. Find more about the update and, if needed, download the software.

Bugs fixed, improvements to existing features and some new features are included in the firmware version 1.0 from SmallHD for their Production Monitors. Check the videos to find out more and continue to explore the firmware on SmallHD’s website.

The videos published by SmallHD show Wes and Dale (aka “bearded Vanna White”) outline all the updates that come with firmware 1.0. A lot of things change with this new software. The features added are an Enhanced Input Menu, HDR Preview Setting (HDR Models Only), New “Appearance” menu, Added Backlight Settings, USB Support Added, Crop Tool Added, Image Flip Added, Multi View Page Enhancement, Enhanced Focus Tools, while the Image Scale tool name has changed to Image Location…[continue reading]

With a 5-inch screen and a 1080p resolution, SmallHD’s pixel-dense 502 monitor is the perfect companion for any small camera or lightweight gimbal. It’s wide color range, huge selection of helpful overlays and professional build quality gives cinematographers a great tool for getting great shots.

They say that seeing is believing. Nowhere is this more true than with on-camera monitors. On a shoot, a low quality monitor can lead to out of focus shots, inaccurate color settings, and worst of all — a bevy of sleepless nights for the editor who is tasked with repairing it all. These are some of the reasons why SmallHD set out to create a new lightweight LCD monitor and viewfinder that they’ve christened the 502 and Sidefinder.

With a resolution of 1080p on a monitor only 5 inches wide, SmallHD claims that the 502 is the lightest and sharpest 5-inch camera top monitor in the world. With an incredibly dense pixel count and a handy optional viewfinder to boot, cinematographers now have the perfect set of tools for capturing the perfect shot.

The Build

When SmallHD began planning the design of the SmallHD 502 and Sidefinder, their two overarching goals were to make it small and durable. On inspecting the monitor for the first time, we can honestly say that they’ve done exactly that. Have you ever braced yourself to pick up something that looked heavy only to look surprised and foolish as you stood up with it way too quickly? To our chagrin, that was our first experience with the SmallHD 502. Once we got over the awkwardness of picking the 502 too quickly, we instantly realized the potential that the lightweight monitor afforded cinematographers. By weighing only a little over half a pound, the SmallHD monitor was perfect for mounting on the hot shoe of a DSLR or a hand-held gimbal like the DJI Ronin, where staying light-weight is a huge issue. In addition, that our monitor never slipped on the 1/4-20 threading that it was mounted on — a common problem with heavier monitors mounted to gimbals or extension arms…[continue reading]

From theBroadcastbridge.com

SmallHD has an array of new power accessories to make its popular 500 Series (five-inch) and 700 Series (seven-inch) high definition field monitors more versatile.

In addition to running 700 Series monitors off L-Series and LP-E6 batteries, SmallHD said there are new 700 Series Pro Battery Plate Kits, including DCA5 modules that fit into the LP-E6 battery slot. This allows the use of a Gold Mount or V-mount battery. Installed via ¼-20 screws, these 14 volt supplies power the monitor continuously for over a day.

The new DCA5 D-Tap to Barrel Power Cable works for both 500- and 700 Series monitors. Drawing power from the D-Tap/P-Tap output on professional battery systems like Anton Bauer, IDX, PAG and Blueshape, it accepts six to 30 volts providing an output of 6.4 volts.

Another option is the DCA5 AC system, which allows both 500- and 700 Series monitors to be powered by 120V or 240 volt AC. Also, there’s the DCA5 LEMO Power system that allows running 500- or 700 Series monitors from the LEMO power port on professional cine batteries. These three DCA5 power solutions utilize only one of the two battery slots, so an additional LP-E6 battery can be used for secure backup in case of power loss on set…[continue reading]

From HDVideoPro

SmallHD’s line of 5” 500 and 700 Series monitors, at 7”, are now compatible with an extended variety of popular and professional industry powering solutions. Previously compatible with popular and affordable Sony L-Series or Canon LP-E6 batteries, the panels are now available with Pro Battery Plate Kits that will allow the usage of top shelf powering systems. Newly available Gold Mount or V-mount battery attachments, for example, will power a 700 Series model for more than a day. The 500 and 700 Series monitors will be on hand at SmallHD’s booth during the IBC convention this coming September in Amsterdam.

“Now, regardless of the on-camera configuration we have a solution to fearlessly power your monitor— via DV or larger camera batteries, LEMO, DTAP or AC power,” says Wes Phillips, SmallHD Co-Founder, via the press release. HDVP has covered SmallHD several times since they began as a company in 2009, including a visit with the current models in the 500 and 700 Series lines at NAB this last April. They had just released the 450-nit, 720p 701 Lite and 702 Lite screens. Despite low price points of $699 and $899 respectively, they still offer HDMI in/out, built-in De-Log 3D LUTs, Focus Assist, Exposure Assist, Waveform, RGB Parade and audio metering…[read more]

From Behind the Screens By Joel Andrews

We may have convinced you that our new 17-inch production monitor can take a beating, but have we convinced you that the 1703 HDR solves real, on set problems? Chances are, if you’re already using production monitors on set, you want to know how the 1703 HDR compares to industry standard monitors such as the Panasonic BTLH1700HD and the Sony PVM-A170. In this short video, we explain how the 1703 HDR compares to the production monitors listed above, as well as explain how it can enhance your on set workflow…[continue reading]

Convergent Design will be releasing Firmware 2016.06, the largest, most comprehensive ever offered by Convergent Design, on Tuesday, 7-June-2016.

Twenty-three new features cover functions for Apollo, Odyssey7Q+, Odyssey7Q, and Odyssey7. Twenty-Two fixes and improvements to current functions also cover the same models. And there are new versions of two free software apps. Detailed release notes are included below. All of these updates are free to the owners of the Apollo and Odyssey products. Convergent Design continues to expand upon a product line first delivered to clients 2.5 years ago, including gifting features that were previously charged upgrades.

Of the many new features, fixes and improvements, while some were announced at NAB 2016, most are debuting with this announcement. Because this firmware is so expansive, Convergent Design has produced several videos to help illustrate and explain the new functionality. There is an overview of the new functions as well as four short instructional videos detailing specific functions. Additionally, because the functionality of Apollo was dramatically expanded, a new extensive Apollo Tutorial video is also available. These assets are available for linking or embedding.

[VIDEO] Overview of Apollo/Odyssey Firmware Update v2016.06
Learn about the new features and functionality in this huge update for Odyssey and Apollo. 

[VIDEO] Apollo Tutorial – Firmware v2016.06
Learn about the new features and functionality in this huge update for Odyssey and Apollo. 

APOLLO

Apollo Double Master Recording

[VIDEO] Apollo Double Master Recording
Learn about how Apollo’s new Double Master recording function that records your master onto two SSDs simultaneously. 

Apollo A/V Align

Intermix cameras with different signal latency and keep both audio and video in sync. Mix cameras from different manufacturers and with different signal processing and compensate for their delays in outputting signals.

[VIDEO] Apollo A/V Align
Learn about how Apollo’s new A/V Align feature will save you time & money in production and post. 

3:2 Pulldown Removal

Intermix HD 3:2 Pulldown video cameras with 24p cameras. Mix cameras that output 24p as 1080i60 with embedded 3:2 pulldown and cameras that output 1080p24, all on the fly with matching timecode.

[VIDEO] Apollo 3:2 Pulldown Removal
Learn about how Apollo’s new 3:2 Pulldown Removal feature that allows you to mix 1080i60 and 1080p24 footage. 

Live Switching Dissolves

Three speeds of dissolves available in live switching. A shortcut button allows alternating between cuts and dissolves for a more professional live edit.

[VIDEO] Apollo: Live Switching, Cuts and Dissolves
Preview channel has yellow box,live channel has a red box. Choose slow, medium or fast fades to record dissolves into program feed. 

Eight Channel Audio

Eight tracks of audio for each SDI video input. Apollo Dual-4K offers up to 16 total audio tracks and Apollo Quad-HD offers up to 32 audio tracks. (All Odyssey models and Apollo)

[VIDEO] Apollo: Audio
Setting master audio to be used over switched program channel, or choose audio to follow the video switch. 

ODYSSEY

Sony FS5 RAW

Record in CinemaDNG or Apple ProRes. 4K60p, 4K120p Burst, 2K240p. Odyssey provides the most complete support of Sony FS cameras in the industry. (Odyssey7Q/Odyssey7Q+)

IO Flare 4K RAW

Record in CinemaDNG. 4K60p. The only portable RAW recorder for the IO Industries cameras. (Odyssey7Q/Odyssey7Q+)

Eight Channel Audio

Eight tracks of audio for each SDI video input. Apollo Dual-4K offers up to 16 total audio tracks and Apollo Quad-HD offers up to 32 audio tracks. (All Odyssey models and Apollo)

SOFTWARE

CD Apple ProRes Transfer Tool v2.4 (New Version)

For Apollo multitrack files, select which tracks to transfer. Offload a Live-Switch or Quad-Split quickly to give to a client and then later offload all of the files.

 [VIDEO] CD ProRes Transfer Tool v2.4
Learn about the new functionality offered by the newest version of the CD Apple ProRes Transfer Tool. 

DETAILED RELEASE NOTES

NEW FEATURES: APOLLO & APOLLO OPTION (ODYSSEY7Q+/7Q)

Dual-4K/Quad-HD: Multi-Stream Audio Meters

• Dual-4K: Audio meters are displayed for the first four channels of each input
• Quad-HD: Audio meters are displayed for the first two channels of each input
• Expanded controls & descriptions in Audio menu

Dual-4K: PiP Left/Right Selection

• Dual-4K Picture-in-Picture display can be lower-left or lower-right
• Select in DUAL menu

Dual-4K: 4K60p Apple ProRes Support (Apollo)

• Record single channel of 4K60p in Apollo
• NOTE: Function already available in Odyssey7Q+/7Q Apollo Mode

Quad-HD: Double Master Recording

• Simultaneously record identical files to both SSDs
• 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
• 1080i 50, 59.94; 720p 50, 59.94, 60

Quad-HD: A/V Align

• Individually adjust frame delay to audio and/or video of each input
• Add up to four frames delay per video track
• Add up to seven frames delay per audio track
• Note: Not available when using 3:2 Pulldown Removal

Quad-HD: 3:2 Pulldown Removal Support

• 24p signals embedded within 1080i60 streams recorded as 1080p24
• Intermix 3:2 Pulldown signals (24p within 60i) with 24p/24psf signals
• Note: Not available when using A/V Align

Quad-HD: Markers During Record

• Set Markers while in Record
• During Record, MARKER button replaces Safe-Eject button

Quad-HD: Improved Focus Assist Access

• Option to switch HIDE button to FOCUS (Focus Assist) for easier access

Quad-HD Live-Switch: Dissolves

• Added dissolves (slow/medium/fast) in Live-Switch recording & output
• CUT/FADE shortcut button replaces * button during recording
• Dissolve speeds:  Slow = 16 frames, Medium = 8 frames, Fast = 4 frames
• Select dissolve speed in QUAD menu

Quad HD Live-Switch: Audio-Follows-Video

• Live-Switch option to also switch audio source along with video source
• Affects audio source to Live-Switch recording and output
• Select in Audio menu
• Audio fade-out/fade-in transition is 21 milliseconds to smooth audio cuts

Quad-HD Live-Switch: OLED Monitor-Only Switching

• Switch OLED view without affecting Live-Switch recording or output
• Select OLED view using Lower Toolbar QUAD/A/B/C/D buttons
• NOTE: Monitor-Only Switching affects SDI A & SDI B outputs unless they are set to Preview (SDI A Out) & Program (SDI B Out)

Quad-HD Live-Switch: Single-Tap/Double-Tap Switching

• Switch inputs with a single tap or use double-tap Preview/Program mode
• Select between single-tap/double-tap in QUAD menu

Quad-HD Live-Switch: Expanded SDI Monitor Output Options

• SDI A Out selectable between Quad-Split view or Preview
• SDI B Out selectable between Quad-Split view or Program

SDI A Out options in Output menu:

• LUT OFF (Quad-Split view with no LUT applied)
• LUT ON (Quad-Split view with LUT applied)
• MIRROR OLED (Quad-Split view with Preview/Program and other overlays)
• LIVE-SWITCH PREVIEW (Preview input selection)
   

SDI B Out options in Output menu:

• LUT OFF (Quad-Split view with no LUT applied)
• LUT ON (Quad-Split view with LUT applied)
• MIRROR OLED (Quad-Split view with Preview/Program and other overlays)
• LIVE-SWITCH PROGRAM (Program input selection)

NOTE:

• When either output is set to Mirror OLED, LUT application mirrors OLED
• When SDI A Out is set to Live-Switch Preview, LUT is not applied
• When SDI B Out is set to Live-Switch Program, LUT application mirrors OLED

Quad-HD Quad-Split: Timecode Burn-In

• Timecode window is baked into the Quad-Split recorded image

NEW FEATURES: ODYSSEY RAW BUNDLE (ODYSSEY7Q+/7Q)

Odyssey RAW Bundle Grant

• Owners of individual RAW options granted full Odyssey RAW Bundle
• Log in at account on CD website for Activation code
• Odyssey7Q+/7Q Rental options are now Odyssey RAW Bundle and Apollo

Dual-HD Recording

• Record two HD video signals simultaneously in Apple ProRes (HQ/422/LT)
• Two SSDs required (one recording per SSD)
• Matching timecode (input A, input B, Odyssey-generated or LTC)
• Resolutions & frame rates must match
• No Genlock required
• 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
• 1080i 50, 60
• 720p 50, 60

Sony FS5 RAW Support

• Record RAW in CinemaDNG from the Sony PXW-FS5
• Record RAW -> Apple ProRes from the Sony PXW-FS5
• Note: Set FS5 to Picture Profile S-Log2,  Color Mode S-Gamut/3200 or S-Gamut/5500

• 4K FS RAW -> 4K CinemaDNG 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94
• 2K FS RAW -> 2K CinemaDNG 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 100, 120, 200, 240
• 4K FS RAW Burst -> 4K CinemaDNG 100, 120

• 4K FS RAW -> 4K Apple ProRes 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94
• 4K FS RAW -> UHD Apple ProRes 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94
• 4K FS RAW -> 2K Apple ProRes 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94
• 4K FS RAW -> HD Apple ProRes 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94
• 2K FS RAW HS -> 2K Apple ProRes 100, 120, 200, 240
• 2K FS RAW HS -> HD Apple ProRes 100, 120, 200, 240
• 4K FS RAW Burst -> 4K/UHD Apple ProRes 100, 120
• 4K FS RAW Burst -> 2K/HD Apple ProRes 100, 120

IO 4K RAW support

• Record RAW in CinemaDNG from the IO Industries Flare 4K
• 4K RAW -> 4K CinemaDNG 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60

NEW FEATURES: ALL MODELS (APOLLO, ODYSSEY7Q+/7Q/7)

8-Channel Audio Support

• Record 8-channel SDI embedded audio in Apple ProRes (HQ/422/LT)
• Up to 32 channels in Apollo Quad-HD (8 channels per video input)
• Up to 16 channels in Apollo Dual-4K (8 channels per video input)
• Up to 8 channels in Odyssey 4K/UHD/2K/HD
• SDI embedded only, HDMI & Analog In limited to 2-Channel audio
• Audio meters display first two channels per input (first four channels per input in Apollo Dual-4K)
• Audio Out & HDMI/SDI embedded out use first two channels of video input
• Note: 8-channel audio not available in RAW, RAW->Apple ProRes, DPX, or Apple ProRes 4444 modes

Focus Assist Noise Reduction

• Improves legibility of Focus Assist
• Does not affect recorded signal
  NOTE: Enhance mode removed

Embedded SDI Record Trigger Pass Through

• Passes through SDI record trigger signal from various cameras to SDI outputs
• Regardless of trigger source, output trigger is ARRI/Canon/Sony standard

In/Out Marker Range Limiting

• Use In/Out Markers to limit range of playback in unit
• Starting play from an In marker will automatically stop at Out Marker
• Select LOOP in Playlist to repeatedly play only the selected In/Out range

NEW FEATURES: ODYSSEY7

Overlays Output On/Off

• Switch on/off OLED overlays to HDMI & SDI outputs
• Select in Output menu

FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS

Apollo

• FIXED Rare file corruption issue
• FIXED 1080p60 signal detection issue
• FIXED Occasional audio delay on SDI & HDMI outputs
• IMPROVED SDI B output carries embedded audio
• IMPROVED Source Naming added to  XML file 

Odyssey RAW Bundle

• FIXED Rare Canon RAW -> Apple ProRes frame issue
• IMPROVED Sony FS RAW -> Apple ProRes 240p drive spanning enabled
• IMPROVED Sony FS7 4K FS RAW -> 4K/UHD Apple ProRes debayer color fringing issue (yellow artifact at sharp edges)
• IMPROVED Playback Scrubbing artifacts of RAW recordings

Odyssey7Q+/7Q

• FIXED DPX support for Sony F35
• IMPROVED DPX now supports 1080p60 over HDMI
• IMPROVED Playback of 4K Apple ProRes
• IMPROVED Playback scrubbing artifacts in 4K Apple ProRes
• IMPROVED Reduced display latency in single input HD Apple ProRes

All Devices

• FIXED Guides interaction with Hide function
• FIXED HDMI signal detection from computer sources
• FIXED Timecode issue with HDMI source in Time-of-Day mode
• IMPROVED Device boot-up time
• IMPROVED SDI/HDMI Record Trigger from Panasonic DVX200
• IMPROVED SDI/HDMI Record Trigger from Sony FS5/F5/F55
• IMPROVED Playback without an input connected
• IMPROVED Increased power draw efficiency

SOFTWARE

CD Apple ProRes Transfer Tool v2.4

• For Apollo multitrack recordings, added option to select tracks for offload
• Fixed Windows issues
• Windows and Mac versions available

CD LUT Converter 1.3

• To prevent formatting issues, in the Project and Notes fields these characters are no longer allowed: < > ‘ ” &

Windows and Mac versions available
  

“Daylight view ability is an incredibly convenient feature of our large HDR displays, but for those shooting in controlled lighting environments, the new 1703 and 2403 ‘Studio’ are perfect for the video village” says Wes Phillips, SmallHD Co-Founder. “They feature the exact same build quality and software feature set, but don’t carry the same price tag of our extremely bright, daylight viewable HDR displays.”

The 1703 Studio and 2403 Studio models come in at $2999 and $3499 respectively, and both share the same array of custom accessories as their HDR versions.

Designed to outlast years of abuse, every monitor housing is milled from billet aluminum and holds a 3mm thick polycarbonate screen protector that is user-replaceable. The RapidRail Shoe Mount System enables quick mounting and powering of third party accessories, making wireless setups particularly easy.

Using SmallHD’s popular “Pages” system of software presets, these monitors will adapt to every professional’s needs and speed up shoot days by providing faster access to critical tools, improving on-the-fly focus, color and lighting decisions. The new Multi-View page provides simultaneous viewing of all 3 inputs, or multiple views of the same input with a different feature and/or LUT applied to each view. Each customizable page is just a single button press away.

Built-in ColorFlow technology enables the use of custom 3D LUTs in a variety of ways: custom display calibration, realtime preview of “creative” LUTs also to be used in post-production, and the ability to imbed LUTs in the video stream for display on monitors downstream. Built-in HD Waveform provides detailed analysis on pre-LUT and post-LUT video data, further improving exposure decisions when shooting in flat looking log profiles.

The 1703 Studio and 2403 Studio will be available on SmallHD.com and through SmallHD authorized resellers at the end of May 2016.

“These are unbelievably rugged production monitors, and the same level of build quality is demonstrated in every model.” says Wes Phillips, SmallHD Co-Founder, “Downtime can be a very expensive side-effect of a monitor built without durability in mind, so we took it upon ourselves to prove that these are the toughest monitors on the market.”

Learn more about SmallHDR Production Monitors by visiting us here: smallhdr.com.

Torture Test – HDR Production Monitors by SmallHD from SmallHD on Vimeo.

In Live-Switch mode, Apollo adds dissolves to what was previously a cuts-only switcher. Three dissolve speeds are available and the operator can switch between cuts and dissolves during recording via a touchscreen button.

Two SSD slots provide extended record times or the option for recording identical files simultaneously to both SSDs. Double Master Recording provides an immediate safety copy of the files. A client can leave with an SSD as soon as the shoot wraps, while the DP retains a copy.

Eight-Channel Audio is now enabled for Apple ProRes recording. The eight-channel audio is for embedded audio tracks via SDI or HDMI. It is available in all resolutions, including Dual-4K and Quad-HD. Apple ProRes HQ/422/LT are also supported. There are numerous additional new features and improvements in the upcoming firmware update, and a new edition of the CD Apple ProRes Transfer Tool with its own new functions.

Apollo features a touchscreen interface with a 7.7-inch OLED panel for viewing true blacks and accurate colors. It includes two SDI outputs, one HDMI output and monitor outputs for switched or quad view.

“Apollo is unique,” says Convergent Design’s President, Mike Schell. “It already had capabilities beyond what any other device delivers. We knew we could do more and we listened carefully to our clients. So in addition to some features we already had in the works, we’re introducing some unique functionality requested by the people in the field using our product. Our new Align function is unlike anything anyone has ever offered before.”

See the Apollo on Broadfield, here. Login for pricing.