NEW SmallHD 5.6 inch 720p monitor

The DP6 has been out for a while. Would you buy it again? Any problems? Critical focus is my main objective. Is there anything better to focus with for the money?

Thanks in advance,
Grant
 
I have one, and it's an excellent monitor. I've used the DP1 and the DP6 is a massive improvement over it in every conceivable way. Clearly SmallHD has taken note and made every effort to improve their product this time around. I would dare say that this is one of the best portable monitor right now for under $1500. It's small, light, yet has a very rugged feel to it. The buttons and scroll wheel are sensibly placed and the menu system is intelligently designed so that you can adjust settings quickly and easily. The DP1 suffered from massive noise and blockiness in the shadow area; this is completely gone with the DP6. The image is clean and sharp without the edges looking like they're being artificially sharpen. Color rendition is attractive. Note that I said "attractive" and not accurate since it's really impossible to expect a monitor at this price range to be capable of accurate colors. It's still important though that the monitor be able to show a pleasant looking image, something that was a problem with the DP1, and in this case the DP6 delivers. The false color and 1:1 features are extremely useful, and of course SmallHD does regular firmware update. I don't have much to complain about it.. The DP6 seems like a professional product that can stand up to on set abuse and not be rendered outdated any time soon.
 
Huy Vu said:
I have one, and it's an excellent monitor. I've used the DP1 and the DP6 is a massive improvement over it in every conceivable way. Clearly SmallHD has taken note and made every effort to improve their product this time around. I would dare say that this is one of the best portable monitor right now for under $1500. It's small, light, yet has a very rugged feel to it. The buttons and scroll wheel are sensibly placed and the menu system is intelligently designed so that you can adjust settings quickly and easily. The DP1 suffered from massive noise and blockiness in the shadow area; this is completely gone with the DP6. The image is clean and sharp without the edges looking like they're being artificially sharpen. Color rendition is attractive. Note that I said "attractive" and not accurate since it's really impossible to expect a monitor at this price range to be capable of accurate colors. It's still important though that the monitor be able to show a pleasant looking image, something that was a problem with the DP1, and in this case the DP6 delivers. The false color and 1:1 features are extremely useful, and of course SmallHD does regular firmware update. I don't have much to complain about it.. The DP6 seems like a professional product that can stand up to on set abuse and not be rendered outdated any time soon.
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++++1 on that! and i also agree that color is not as accurate as i would like out of the box. My plan is to try to either eye calibrate it next to the canon xh-a1 fold out monitor and try calibrating it using my Eye-one pro light meter. It does have seperate RGB controls but i believe it shifts the entire IRE spectrum. If i get the VideoEQ pro soon for my home theater ill try testing that out with the smallhd to see if the videoeq pro can do alot better on the tweaking side. I bet it would be small though , not like the difference that a pioneer 141 plasma with a videoEQpro makes.
 
I´m still torn between the DP6 and the similar TV Logic VFM-056.

Actually I like the DP6 better, cause it has 2 assignable buttons and the easy firmware updates, but the TV Logic has a better "Foucs in Red" .
And that´s my main reason for a monitor, the need of accurate quick focus, especially for documentaries.

Frank
 
I didn't have much experience talking to TV Logic, however, based on my experience, SmallHD has great customer service/tech support. I've been asking SmallHD questions back and forth before the purchase, all inquiries got satisfying answers within 24hrs. Plus the shipping was rapidly fast. I put the order around noon on Mar 29th, got it shipped to my door (Toronto, ON) by noon on next day. How amazing. Personally, I prefer the company who cares their customers, even a potential one. Hope that helps your monitor shopping.
 
I have spent a bunch of time researching this and after all that, I am still uncertain on whether to buy now or wait a while since this is a option for me. As mentioned above, everyone speaks highly of Small, though Marshall and TV Logic have their fans. Seems like this market is changing and maturing pretty quickly, and in 6 mos things might change (always does in electronics). I am still curious how the iPad or other devices might play into this. One manufacturer is taking a signal from cam and sending it to the iPad through wifi. Though they admit a bit of latency and it is expensive. Imagine how awesome it would be to use the better than great screen of a $600 iPad to monitor with. Just wishing here, and hoping someone will put a HDMI input on a product.

Grant
 
You buy if you need it. I have a Marshall and added the SmallHD and find it superior to the Marshall. I shoot for work so I bought because I need it. If it's a hobby then the need is very different.
 
PhotoNashville,

No particular hurry, in my case the eyes need a little help with critical focus on the HPX170. Not a crisis, but as time goes by, it will be a needed. So when I find the right deal, I'll move.

Bye the way, which Marshall do you have?

Grant
 
I used last year the 7" HDMI Marshall X70P or whatever the exact model is and now have the 5" Marshall.

The SmallHD focus peaking is superb.
 
Thanks PhotoNashville

Unless something else pops, I think the Small is my winner. The focus is what I'm after, it sounds like the build is excellent, and the upgrade ability all sound great.

Grant
 
Hi Guys

I'm looking to buy the DP6 and was wondering if the menu functions were stackable ie can I use underscan and frame guides at the same time as I have an AF100 and am not too keen on relying on the Af100s lcd although it's very clear, I just miss some of the functionality of my old Z1.

Many thanks

Terry
 
Hey guys - am just about set to buy the Small HD DP6 for critical focus with my 2 HPX170s (shooting doco's/concerts). But could use some advice here please - am trying to think of a good reason to spend the extra $300 for the HDSDI out. I like the slick SDI cable connection, but from what I can understand the HD signal should be pretty much identical over the Panny component cable (albeit analogue). Any response will be welcome to help my buying decision.
 
Main advantage is that HDSDI is a locking connector, so once it goes in there it's not coming off. Component and HDMI output port on most cameras tend to be extremely fragile, bump it the wrong way and you can lose signal in the middle of a shot or worse, break the connector all together. That won't happen with HDSDI.
 
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