smallhd dp6 or ac7 (non-oled)

cathstrat

cathstrat

Active member
Hi, Recently purchased a dp4 and ended up sending it back. Way too small for me. It's my understanding that SmallHD is discontinuing the dp6 but it seems I can get a pretty good deal on dvxuser for a used one. The AC7 - 8bit non-OLED is another possibility for my budget -- although it looks like it doesn't come with any accessories.

Thoughts on which way to go? Worrying that the 7" AC7 screen may be a little large -- but I love the idea of having the larger screen. Wish I could afford the OLED one, but not doable currently.

Thanks.
 
I am actually in the same boat you are right now. I have a DP6 at the office which is great, but I am torn between finding a used DP6, a new AC7 SDI, or my third option is the Alphatron EVF w/ Retina Display. I like the idea of an EVF but I also like being able to do stuff with a big screen. I'm really torn as I haven't used the AC7 or Alphatron.

Personally, I don't think the DP6 is too large. It is a nice size and I even use it with my shoulder-mounted AF. The only thing that I wish SmallHD would add to their software is waveform, which is unusable on the AF when its on your shoulder.
 
I like my DP6. The only issue I have is the color isn't accurate. Pretty close but on the warm side. I cant get it setup just right. I was hoping a firmware fix would come but never did. The AC7 looks good but Im leery of the same calibrating issue I have with the DP6. Both don't have scopes. If I was looking for a monitor today I would get one with scopes. I need them. We all do. At least waveform. Ikan D7W has those extra features. I haven't used one but others seem to like it. The deluxe kit is around $1300.

Rick Macomber did a review.


https://vimeo.com/56489078
 
Catherine- check out the 5.6" Marshall V-LCD56MD

Same 5.6" diagonal as the DP6.
1280 x 800, Waveform (full screen or in the corner), selectable color peaking focus assist, False Color exposure.
Lots of battery options, from AB to Panasonic.
HDMI passthrough.

LCD, not OLED, but Marshalls are known for their color accuracy (I have a 7" 480 Marshall I love, but I'm getting this 5.6").

HDMI for $799, 3G SDI for $999 at B&H.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...s_V_LCD56MD_V_LCD56MD_5_6_HDMI_On_Camera.html
 
Thanks. I am definitely going to check out the Marshall. I too hated the color problems with the dp4 and I certainly don't want to have that duplicated again in another smallhd monitor. I will have to see what the reports are once the OLEDs are available and reviewed in depth. But in the meantime I'm going to check out the Marshall. Is it 8bit or 6bit?
 
Two thumbs up for the Marshall: got it about a month ago and it is a GREAT monitor!

www.santafetvshow.com


P
cathstrat said:
Thanks. I am definitely going to check out the Marshall. I too hated the color problems with the dp4 and I certainly don't want to have that duplicated again in another smallhd monitor. I will have to see what the reports are once the OLEDs are available and reviewed in depth. But in the meantime I'm going to check out the Marshall. Is it 8bit or 6bit?
Click to expand...
 
A friend of mine invited me over to help him out with a photoshoot. He just bought an AC7 to pair with his Canon 7D. We were using the AC7 as a reviewing monitor for shooting stills. On the AC7, the shots looked wonderful but when decided to tether the 7D to a laptop using Lightroom, we were a bit puzzled that the RAW images we shot were not completely matching what we saw on the AC7. With some tweaking, I'm sure he'll be able to calibrate it and match the end results but straight out of the box, the AC7s are not calibrated to a specific camera. The DP4 is a great secondary monitor if you already have a larger field monitor. I too felt like it was too small and ended up selling it and purchasing the AC7. It does seem a little larger than expected compared to the DP4 but overall, it's a great sized monitor. I think the DP6 may be the perfect size for most people. I'm actually surprised they discontinued it. It would have been the perfect inbetween monitor in their line-up.

One things for sure, their customer service in unlike any other. That alone seals the deal for me.
 
Im not a massive fan of the colour of my DP6 but LOVE the screenshade

IMO all monitors are 100% useless unless you have a decent shade

I cheaped out and bought the HDMI only version and with new cmeras; a black magic, FS700, EX1 and others on my radar I wish I had forked out for an SDi version..

S
 
I purchased that marshall a few months ago and love it. Waveform is a must in my book. Big oversight on the smallhd monitors.
 
I have a DP6 and I wouldn't recommend it, I can't get the look I want out of it so I only use it for composition and focus. I even paid a video engineer to set it up with his scopes for a WYSISYG. Also, even with the shade you have to drape a black cloth over your head.
 
have you considered the new Atomos Samurai Blade?
I'm finally gonna invest now they got the recorder/monitor in one package
 
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