Sony A7sii compatibility with SmallHD 502&702

[Wade Ferrari]

Hi Friends,


It's been quite some time since I've participated on this forum; however, I've run into a corner on an issue that I'm hoping this community can help me solve...Here's what I Got:

I'm working on a show using an A7sii (Firmware Version 2.10) as a Crash Camera. We were planning on using one of our SmallHD 502's as the onboard monitor for it; however, when I plugged the 502 in the monitor reads "No HDMI Signal." I then tried plugging the camera into a SmallHD702, same issue. I then tried a 2nd SmallHD702, same issue. Next I tried a SmallHD DP7 PRO and the signal works. That is to say, I have image from the A7sii with a DP7 Pro.

Now, I KNOW the SmallHD 502 is compatible with the A7sii as I have personally used that set up in the past. Further, our Dolly Grip owns an A7sii as well as a SmallHD702 and says he has used that set up more times than he can count without a problem. Further, when I contacted SmallHD, they confirmed the proper settings were being used in the HDMI menu of the A7Sii and beyond that had no further advice as, "We have more customers than we can count using this set up and we've never heard of a problem with this configuration."

Next, I contacted Sony. I'll leave my opinions of Sony's Customer Service and their product quality out of this. After updating the firmware of the A7sii to V2.2, as recommended by the Sony Tech, I plugged the SmallHD502 in and it held signal for literally 2 seconds... and then went back to displaying "No HDMI Signal". After that the Sony Tech said their official response is, "If you're using a 3rd party monitor, we can not properly diagnose the situation."

Settings Used:

SmallHD502/702 (Firmware 2.5, I also tried both of these monitors with Firmware Version 2.2 before updating)

A7sii (Version 2.20)
RAW File Type: Uncompressed

Recording Format: XAVC S 4K
Record Setting: 24p 100M

Picture Profile: PP7, Gamma: S-Log3, Color Mode: S-Gamut3.Cine

FINDER/MONITOR: Monitor (Manual)

HDMI Settings:
HDMI Resolution: 1080p (I've tried every option in here)
24p/60p Output: 24p (I also tried 60p)
HDMI Info. Display: Off
TC Output: Off
CTRL FOR HDMI: Off




Has anyone else experienced this issue? Any suggestions? I feel like I have eliminated as many variables as possible and the only thing I can come up with is that THIS specific Firmware of the SmallHD502/702 isn't compatible with the A7sii at this specific Camera Firmware.

 

[VMT]

I have the SII and 501 and have no issues. Could be your HDMI connection? Have you tested either with other equipment?

 

[Alpha Beta Omega]

Used my 702 with the A7SII and it works just fine so probably something wrong with how you set the camera or monitor. I presume you have the monitor set to the HDMI input and the A7SII to output 1080p and not 2160p because 2160p won work?

 

[Wade Ferrari]

Thanks for the responses!

@VMT Unfortunately, I don't believe it's the HDMI Cable. I've tried a 3' as well as a 6' and 12' HDMI Cable, all three work with the SmallHD DP7, but still nothing from the 702 or 502.

@Osslund Indeed, I also thought this might be the issue; however, I've tried every combination of settings in the camera and there are very few options on the SmallHD for HDMI Input. As mentioned in my initial post, I've tried setting the Output HDMI Resolution at Auto, 2160p, 1080p, and 1080i with no luck.

 

[VMT]

@VMT Unfortunately, I don't believe it's the HDMI Cable. I've tried a 3' as well as a 6' and 12' HDMI Cable, all three work with the SmallHD DP7, but still nothing from the 702 or 502.

I was actually thinking about the HDMI ports on the camera and the SmallHD...have you tested if they are working properly?

 

[Erik Naso]

I have a few different monitors and all work fine with my ar7ii. I have the 502 and used to have a 702 but sold it. Both worked with no issues. The fact that it works with the DP7 is strange. Try a TV as well or any other HDMI monitor you have around to see if they work.
I think your HDMI port on the camera sounds like it's failing. If it's under warranty send it in for repair or get a quote. These Micro HDMI connectors are fragile. Broke on on a GH4 just using it a lot and nothing bad happened like bending or bumping it hard. If you use a monitor a lot I highly recommend a cage with locking port or at least use the locking one that came with the camera.