SmallHD HDR Monitors at Cine Gear 2016
An interview from the 2016 Cine Gear Expo at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles with Dale Backus of SmallHD. SmallHD has made a name as the leading innovator of on-camera monitoring solutions for professional cinematographers, videographers, and photographers worldwide. Creators of the world’s first high definition on-camera monitor, SmallHD continues to push the envelope of what’s possible in an on-camera display by combining advanced cutting-edge technology with accessible pricing.
In this interview Dale talks with us about SmallHD's first-ever line of daylight-viewable HDR production monitors in 17-inch, 24-inch and 32-inch sizes. Designed to outlast years of abuse, every monitor housing is milled from billet aluminum—an industry first—and holds a 3mm thick polycarbonate screen protector that is user-replaceable. Right out of the box, these monitors will drop straight onto a C-stand, table or cart, and the built-in “RapidRail” system enables quick mounting and powering of third party accessories, making wireless setups particularly easy. All this plus unprecedented brightness at up to 1500nits make for a true “shoot anywhere” package.
High-end software features include: cutting edge HDR preview capability when used with high dynamic range cameras, multi-view mode with ColorFlow for viewing multiple sources with varied post-production LUTs applied, 10-bit color processing, 10-bit HD waveform and scopes, and automatic display calibration.
Unlike other systems that require a computer and pricy software to calibrate accurately, SmallHD production monitors introduce a built-in Color Intelligence Engine that enables them to automatically calibrate by self-generating a 3D calibration LUT for the display, based on data received from a USB-connected color probe. This process eliminates cost, clutter, and wasted time, while providing huge confidence in the color accuracy of the display.
ColorFlow gives users added flexibility when it comes to managing post-production looks and previewing HDR during a shoot. Looks (in the form of 3D LUT files) and HDR can be applied and compared side-by-side to the raw SDI and HDMI signals using the multi-view function. Independently, a separate LUT can be sent downstream via SDI and HDMI to a client or director who requires a polished look on their monitor. Finally, any active LUT will be documented when the image capture button is pressed, placing the captured image and the corresponding 3D LUT next to each other on the user’s SD card—the perfect reference point for the post-production house during the color grading process.
The custom flight case holds every accessory needed, and has even been designed so that wireless systems do not need to be removed from the rear of the monitor when stored. The monitors’ built-in top handle, table stand and C-stand mount, plus the optional sun hood, polycarbonate screen protectors, Gold Mount and V-Mount battery plates, USB color probe, power cables and signal cables all pack comfortably and quickly into the protective case, ready for instant deployment on set.
For more information please visit: http://www.SmallHD.com
