FS7: 7" Client/Director Monitor Preference

T

TMHiggins

Member
Looking to grab a new 7" monitor for clients and directors. I've had the SmallHD 502 for over a year and a half for on camera and have been pretty happy with the ease of use and LUT support. That being said, I don't trust it as much as I'd like to as far as color goes. It always seems somewhat off in comparison to other monitors.

I have the Shape Wireless Director's Monitor Kit that I will be putting it in for quick and on the go wireless monitoring and will also be using it in more controlled settings to a certain extent. Not in a studio or where there's time for larger monitors. For past shoots, I've used an Odyssey 7Q+ and a Shogun Flame in the Kit that worked great. Only downside with those monitors is that they're also recorders which I don't need.

I'm looking at the SmallHD 702 Bright (so I don't have to deal with those weirdly designed sunhoods the 500 series uses and I constantly break), the new SmallHD 702 OLED (more color accurate than my 502), or any other options people have good reviews of!

Any users of the 702 Bright with great reviews? Or thoughts on the new 702 OLED? Definitely open to brands other than SmallHD, just feel like there's not many companies out there making reliable 7" monitors that aren't recorders.
 
Last edited:
I still own my 7Q since the FS700 and use it only as monitor. Maybe a used 7Q could be a smart choice?
 
Could be - I've also been looking at a used 7Q+, but feel like I'm going to end paying more for the recording abilities that I don't need. Maybe that's a good thing as well - to have that recording ability if it's needed.

I do really enjoy the usability of the Odysseys as well. Decisions, decisions!
 
I was sugesting the 7Q because of missing recording HDMI ability it's significant cheaper on the used market than the 7Q+ but sill more solid than the smallHD
 
Gotcha - I was thinking if I could grab a used 7Q+ for a decent price it'd give me the option of HDMI 4k if I ever need it. But 7Q would definitely be more cost effective for what I'm looking for!

Just out of curiosity, can the 7Q and 7Q+ record HD Prores through SDI without the back for the FS7? If I go the Odyssey route, I'd love to have that as a back up to the MXFs if I need it.
 
I love my 7Q equally as a monitor and recorder. When put side by side with an Atomos Inferno it was crazy how much difference there was in color.
 
Doug Jensen said:
7 inches? Isn't a little small? With the clients I work for a 17" client/director monitor is mandatory. Show up with anything smaller and you won't be back a second time.
Click to expand...

Maybe for a handheld wireless monitor? Lots of directors like to walk around with the monitor around their neck. Video village absolutely needs something larger. I see those Sony 17" OLEDs on pretty much every job.
 
Doug Jensen said:
7 inches? Isn't a little small? With the clients I work for a 17" client/director monitor is mandatory. Show up with anything smaller and you won't be back a second time.
Click to expand...

I second most of that. I use a 7"(the DP7Pro is actually closer to 8") as an on-camera monitor. You want at least 17" for client/director/multi-cam. It seems like I'm running into 23"-24" monitors a lot more, now in the field.
 
Run&Gun said:
I second most of that. I use a 7"(the DP7Pro is actually closer to 8") as an on-camera monitor. You want at least 17" for client/director/multi-cam. It seems like I'm running into 23"-24" monitors a lot more, now in the field.
Click to expand...

I had two Sony BVM-E250A 25" OLEDs on a multicam last week. Multiview was on a 40" Panny plasma, but PGM was on the OLED. On-set monitors for lighting was a 17" Panny and 17" Sony.
 
edinc90 said:
Maybe for a handheld wireless monitor? Lots of directors like to walk around with the monitor around their neck. Video village absolutely needs something larger. I see those Sony 17" OLEDs on pretty much every job.
Click to expand...

Exactly. This wouldn't replace a 17" monitor, more so supplement it for the jobs or shots when a 17" or larger monitor just doesn't make sense. For run and gun situations I find myself in, a 17" monitor is too cumbersome and slow. By no means am I referring to a controlled studio setting or a controlled location setting as the sole video village monitor, I'm referring to the shots where we have to go pick off one shot and it turns into six different shots or just gathering shots throughout different locations on the fly. To be able to still give a wireless feed and show the director or even a client what I'm shooting, can mean a lot I've found.

Here's the Shape Wireless Director's Kit I was referring to. I had it rigged up with a 7Q+ for my last job where we were shooting a documentary and the director really liked being able to see what I was shooting without constantly looking over my shoulder.

Unfortunately, a 17" Panasonic won't fit in it or else I'd go that route :)

IMG_0675.jpg
 
Last edited:
TMHiggins said:
Just out of curiosity, can the 7Q and 7Q+ record HD Prores through SDI without the back for the FS7? If I go the Odyssey route, I'd love to have that as a back up to the MXFs if I need it.
Click to expand...

yes it does. I use them for playback on site but not for editing so far
 
After 15 responses no one has answered his question (except for 7Q suggestion) regarding SEVEN INCH HAND HELD MONITORS. A question Im curious about as well. We're gearing up two F5/R7 packages and are leaning towards the 702 High-Bright as well for operators, seeing the image being more important then color fidelity. For director & DP the demands are different. There's a lot of 7" monitors out there, does anybody use one and what are your recommendations?
 
TMHiggins said:
Exactly. This wouldn't replace a 17" monitor, more so supplement it for the jobs or shots when a 17" or larger monitor just doesn't make sense. For run and gun situations I find myself in, a 17" monitor is too cumbersome and slow. By no means am I referring to a controlled studio setting or a controlled location setting as the sole video village monitor, I'm referring to the shots where we have to go pick off one shot and it turns into six different shots or just gathering shots throughout different locations on the fly. To be able to still give a wireless feed and show the director or even a client what I'm shooting, can mean a lot I've found.

Here's the Shape Wireless Director's Kit I was referring to. I had it rigged up with a 7Q+ for my last job where we were shooting a documentary and the director really liked being able to see what I was shooting without constantly looking over my shoulder.

Unfortunately, a 17" Panasonic won't fit in it or else I'd go that route :)

View attachment 121731
Click to expand...

Can you post more photos of that rig? Curious what power distribution looks like on the back.
 
Fotojorno said:
...leaning towards the 702 High-Bright as well for operators, seeing the image being more important then color fidelity. For director & DP the demands are different.
Click to expand...

Have only used the 702 Bright on the Alexa Mini. Was good for viewing outdoors, but made it hard to get a feel for the image when working indoors.
 
Taylor Rudd said:
Can you post more photos of that rig? Curious what power distribution looks like on the back.
Click to expand...

Excuse my messing living room :) As it's set up now - the Ptap cords are too long and messy in my opinion. Once I pull the trigger on a monitor I plan on either soldering the cables into much shorter cables or looking into shorter cables that will fit right out of the box without having excess. I also plan on somehow mounting the PTap splitter somewhere on the bottom of the cheeseplate where it won't interfere with the teradek, but will still be in a much better spot than velcroing to my Anton Bauers (it was the quick fix at the time).

IMG_0674.jpgIMG_0676.jpgIMG_0725.jpgIMG_0726.jpgIMG_0727.jpg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0726.jpg
    IMG_0726.jpg
    76.1 KB · Views: 0
  • IMG_0727.jpg
    IMG_0727.jpg
    84.4 KB · Views: 0
Looks like SmallHD is at again, now with the 503 and 703 Ultra Brights that will be shipping at the end of March for $2,499 and $2,999. Early adopters can pre order them now for $300 and $400 off respectively.

I'm leaning towards a 7Q+ to have the recording option if I need it (and the great reviews from current Odyssey users), but the 703 Ultra Bright looks promising as well!

Any thoughts on these two new monitors?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top