SmallHD Sidefinder Hands On Review

Erik Naso

Erik Naso

Veteran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrwtNvYSkno

The Sidefinder is an interesting idea with the flip out 500 series monitor. After using it for a few weeks I found it to be pretty good but it does have some quirks. Full blog post here.

*UPDATE*
New firmware released today 8-5-2015 that fixed the battery indicator issue. I havent tested all my batteries yet but so far the Wasabi work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL3ipT-nzTI

SmallHD 500 Series Firmware Version 2.0 8/3/2015Changelog


Features Added:
  2. 3D Luts Downstream
    Feature Description:​Send your 3D Luts downstream to the next monitor or device inline so your client or director can see a finished product.
    Notes:​There is now an “output preview” page. This page shows what is being sentdownstream. Use it to apply a look to the output video. This page can also be hidden viathe settings menu. (but not recommended)
  3. Cross Conversion Added (502 model only)
    Feature Description: Y​ou can now feed an HDMI signal into your monitor and output itvia the SDI OUT, or feed an SDI signal to your monitor and output it through the HDMIOUT.
    Notes: F​eature is activated in the monitor Settings menu under the Output option.
a. It is not possible to convert all HDMI formats to SDI. You should restrict HDMIformats to those supported by SDI.


  2. RGB Parade
    Feature Description: T​he RGB Parade is a helpful videoscope for separating out the 3color channels of digital video: red, green and blue.
    Notes:​Feature is activated by applying “Waveform” and choosing the “Parade” style.
  3. SDI Metadata Display
    Feature Description: V​iew timecode and record trigger that is being sent from yourcamera through the SDI output on your 500 monitor.
    Notes: F​eature is activated through Add tool *> Overlays *> SDI Metadata
a. Shows a small box with the SDI timecode, and a full*screen border to indicate theRecord Start / Stop bits. Each function can be disabled individually.
5. Brightness & Contrast Settings
Feature Description:​You can now customize your monitor’s contrast and brightness.Notes:​Feature is activated through Settings*>System*>Calibration in your monitor.
a. Adjusts the panel’s brightness and contrast. Last adjustment made to video databeing sent to the panel.
6. Profile Saving To SD Card.
Feature Description:​Save your current monitor configuration to an SD cardNotes: F​eature is activated through Settings*>User*>Profiles
a. Does not work without an SD Card.




  2. Only one profile may be saved per card. Can be used to copy profiles betweenmonitors.
  3. The following are intentionally not stored in the saved profile:i. Wireless settings
    ii. Remote settings
    iii. Image Capture counter, Image Capture behavior.iv. Display Calibration.
    v. Date & Time.
    vi. User Registration.
  2. Image Capture can now capture the image with the active LUT applied.
    2. Settings*>Capture*>Image Capture
    3. By default, it behaves the same as always, suppressing any active LUTs before
      capturing the image.
    4. Through the settings menu, users may now choose not to suppress the current
      LUT before capturing an image, and that image will be stored with the LUT
      applied.
    5. This Settings menu item also allows resetting the monitor’s auto*incrementing
      counter used when naming captured image files.
  3. Anamorphic 1.5x Option Added
  4. Audio Meters Opacity Setting Added
Bugs fixed

  • ● HDMI compatibility improvements
  • ● Zebra: IRE Range change from [*2 → 107] to [*7→109]
  • ● Focus assist accuracy improved
    Known bugs:
  • ● Audio Data is not passed downstream
    (Audio meters, and headphones will not work on downstream monitors)
  • ● Image Capture not functional when EVF mode is active
    Compatibility Bugs/ Known Incompatibilities:
    1. Input
a. 720p100, 720p119.88, 720p120 on YCC 4:2:2, YCC 4:4:4, & RGB @ all bitdepths
i. Will only display on a 501/502/702 when image scaler is active and scaleis set to 75 or lower.
b. RGB 10 bit




i. 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080p23.98, 1080p241. NOT SUPPORTED
c. YCC 4:4:4 10 bit
i. 720p 59.94, 720p60, 1080p23.98, 1080p24
1. Always display with incorrect color rendering
ii. 720p23.98, 720p24, 720p25, 720p29.97, 720p30, 1080p25, 1080p29.97,
1080p30
1. Can Display with Incorrect color rendering on screen
a. Resyncing SHOULD cause correct sync and colorrendering
2. Conversion
a. SDI → HDMI
i. 1080psf23.98, 1080psf24
1. Does not convert from SDI to HDMI
ii. 1080psf25, 1080psf29.97, 1080p30
1. Convert to interlaced signals, NOT psf
  2. 1080psf25 → 1080i50
  3. 1080psf29.97 → 1080i59.94
  4. 1080p30 → 1080i60
iii. 720p 23.98, 720p24
1. Does not convert SDI → HDMI
b. HDMI → SDI
  2. 10 bit & 12 bit data streams do not convert from HDMI → SDI
  3. 720p 23.98, 720p24
1. Does not convert HDMI → SDIiii. SD signals do not convert HDMI → SDI
3. Image Capture
a. Image Capture
  2. Image Capture Not Functional when EVF mode active
  3. Image capture operates at non native resolution for all non*1080 formats
    2. 720p captures @ 1920x720
    3. 1080i captures @ 1920x540
    4. 576p captures @ 1920x576
    5. 480p captures @ 1920x480
    6. 576i captures @ 1920x288
    7. 480i captures @ 1920x240
 
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