FS7: DP502 monitor

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morgan_moore

Major Contributor
Per the other monitor thread I made my choice. SmallHD Dp502

Im still getting my head around, having been a bit sceptical at first. But really it is occurring to me that this basically fixes many many 'problems' of the FS7.

-LUTs in Slog or Custom at any frame rate with WFM (of source signal) and in playback - Luts in playback is a seriously good client pleaser!

-Off centre focus check.. even in play back!

SDi places it where ever you want

-RGB histogram allows evaluation of colour (point it at a white card, align the spikes)

There are some downers,
Screen protector is shiny and a rip off
no cross convert yet SDi to hdmi
another battery system/chargers
focus mag is 'forgotten' (FW could keep focus mag on a 'page')

S
 
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I like the 502 the best, but I do wish it had a power port. My old crappy Sony Camcorder from the late 90's had a battery shaped plate with the power cord out that fit where the batteries would go. Kind of hard to describe with words, but basically it was like a BP-U battery that fit into the port, but instead of the battery part there housing for power cable out.

Small HD should do something like that so you can power the 502 from a P-Tap
 
Well it runs off one battery and I have a 5d-Ptap dummy battery

Need to check the voltage and it should work - just being cautious - Ive exchanged some mails with smallHD who note that the input voltage is listed on the specs page of their website.

Ive not taken it apart but I have a feelign the 5d section may be a removable plate..

S
 
Be aware that neither the 502 nor the DP7 can send the LUT output to a second monitor. Its been promised for a year in the 7.
 
morgan_moore said:
Well it runs off one battery and I have a 5d-Ptap dummy battery
Click to expand...

That's how I'm powering the Graticle on my C300. Zacuto actually has them on their site if anyone is having a hard time finding them elsewhere, but I think Switronix(?) actually makes it. It's a "dummy" Canon LP-E6 with a coiled cable/male PowerTap plug.
 
Lenilenapi said:
Be aware that neither the 502 nor the DP7 can send the LUT output to a second monitor. Its been promised for a year in the 7.
Click to expand...

Good to know.

Im not sure what software the 7 runs but the 5 is on a very modern feeling 'page' based software - I expect it might be a bit more rounded over time - but of course I will not expect it - just like I have given up on the FS7 ever properly supporting LUT - it may happen.. or not.

S
 
morgan_moore said:
-LUTs in Slog or Custom at any frame rate with WFM (of source signal) and in playback - Luts in playback is a seriously good client pleaser!
Click to expand...

Can you also view a version of the waveform with exposure changes from your LUT of choice? I was speaking with one of the developers at NAB and couldn't quite get a straight answer on that.
 
"Be aware that neither the 502 nor the DP7 can send the LUT output to a second monitor. Its been promised for a year in the 7."

I thought this was one of the features that Small was showcasing with the 502 - the ability to have one Lut for it and then use another, different Lut, if wanted, to send out to another monitor. Along with the cross- conversion of sdi / hdmi. Did I dream all that up? I too don't have much faith in Sony properly supporting Lut options and was certainly looking for other options...
 
I don't know what's planned for the 502 . You may have it right, but what's planned isn't the same as what's implemented. It isn't there yet according to an email i got last week from small HD. The 7 has had LUT-out to external monitor planned for a long time - perhaps as long as a year though I'm not sure. Still not happening. That's what kept me from the DP7. I bought it expecting the Lut's to go to external monitor and only found out later it didn't so I returned it. Maybe I should have done my homework better though.
 
markfpv said:
I thought this was one of the features that Small was showcasing with the 502 - the ability to have one Lut for it and then use another, different Lut, if wanted, to send out to another monitor. Along with the cross- conversion of sdi / hdmi. Did I dream all that up? I too don't have much faith in Sony properly supporting Lut options and was certainly looking for other options...
Click to expand...

So the status of the monitor as of now..

-no WFM at all - There is RGB histo which I see as a major upgrade to the FS7 as one can evaluate colour*, (for example see green shifts) this represents the value of the incoming signal NOT the Lut.

Using a lut gives me huge colour confidence - in my office which is mixed LED spots I can clearly see that some are tungsten and some 'daylight' with a green swing.

-there is an extensive range of zebras (i hate zebras) and excellent masks for 239 et al.

-no cross cross convert at all

-I have not tested what the SDi is putting out as I dont own a second monitor.

-there is no lag that I have noted
--
"Did I dream them up"

I doubt you did.

Frankly SmallHD piss me off somewhat with their inability to say no and fudge across stuff in marketing speak (is this a reflection of being taken over by Vitec, the Monsanto of camera brands?)
They told me on Twitter that the bluetooth controller was shipping.. a plain lie.

Id much prefer to give my money to someone else - but the thing is IMO the current market leader and I was desperate to move forward from the FS7 onboard monitor.

it all makes me just want to buy an Amera and have it over with :)

------

*Evaluating colour - how could the FS7 not have an RGB histo/WFM - there is one on the NEx5n for fux sake
 
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I was trying to be more understated but....

Comprehensive seems to be much more reliable about implementing what they say they're going to do. Just my observation. My friend owned a DP4 and got PO'd because he said (his words not mine) that they kept promising stuff that they never did. Now they may follow through beautifully on this but I would say buyer be careful ...
 
Understatement is not my middle name :)

Every tool I work with I want to be 'on my side' helping me deliver great images. I'd love to work with a company that where 'on my side'

I have a simple mantra - I want to see and hear what I am shooting.
 
Im looking to buy this unit very soon.

A few concerns:
Is the menu-system quick? How do you like the peaking, false colour and LUT-support?

How do you mount it? Does it only have one mounting point?

Thanks!
 
Wow. - I hate to even post this , but out of curiosity I've been asking small HD about LUT out to external monitor ever since I first tried one in December . At that time and in later emails I was told it was coming .
Today I just got this email :

Hi,
I do not think that they are working on a fix for the DP7 to output LUTs downstream.
Sorry about that.

SmallHD

By contrast the 7Q has been steadily knocking out each one of the long list of promises Mitch has made here . It was one reason I chose the 7Q instead of the Small .
Even Sony has been doing a pretty good job of that with the FS7 .
 
Over promising, under-delivering...I suppose someone in Sales / Marketing knows what many of us need /want ... now if only they could make it happen
 
Given the current marketing strategy being used by vendors (lie about features and make false promises), I am hereby withholding my purchase of any software driven hardware until I see the features incorporated. I was on the verge of pulling the trigger on the 502, but, I have reconsidered. There's just too much false advertising going around.
 
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