This new model is an upgrade for the HS7T that looks to be discontinued, but PortKeys took a good thing and made it better with an aluminum body and a cool wireless receiver integration that attaches on the back.
The 520 gram HS7T Metal Edition is a 7-inch 8-bit IPS display with a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 and a viewing angle of 178°. The screen has a contrast ratio of 1200:1, with a peak brightness of 1200 nits.
Supported Formats
- HDMI (8-Bit)
- DCI 4K: 24
- UHD 4K: 30/29.97/25/24/23.98
- 1080p: 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98
- 1080PsF: 30/29.97/25/24/23.98
- 1080p: 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98
- 1080PsF: 30/29.97/25/24/23.98
- 1080i: 60/59.94/50
- 720p: 60/59.94/50
- 576p: 50
Video Formats
- 576i: 50
- 480p: 60/59.94/50
- 480i: 60/59.94/50
- SDI (8-Bit)
- 1080p: 60/59.94/50
- SDI (8-Bit 4:4:4/4:2:2 RGB)
- 1080p: 30/29.97/25/24/23.98
- SDI (8-Bit 4:2:2 RGB)
- 1080p: 60/59.94/50
- SDI (8-Bit 4:4:4/4:2:2)
- 1080i: 60/59.94/50
- 720p: 60/59.94/50
Image Controls
- 3D LUT
- Peaking
- Check Field
- Color Temperature Selection
- Customizable Aspect Ratios
- False Color
- H/V Delay
- Histogram, Image Flip
- OSD Flip
- Pixel Zoom
- R/G/B/Chroma Only
- Scaling
- Underscan, Zebra
I/O
- 1 x BNC (3G-SDI) Input
- 1 x HDMI Type A (HDMI 1.4) Input
- 1 x BNC (3G-SDI) Output
- 1 x HDMI Type A Output
- Embedded audio is on both HDMI and SDI
- Operating Temperature from 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Powering the HS7T Metal Edition
One of the upgrades with the Metal Edition is it now has two hot-swappable L-Series battery slots. You can also power it with a 4-pin LEMO input that requires 7 to 24V DC. The monitor draws 13 watts.
Wireless Transmitter Mount
A clever design idea is the added L-Series type mount on the back for a wireless transmitter. Not only can the receiver be mounted, but it also gets power. PortKeys states the mount is compatible with Forhope XM1000S, Cine Eye-Pro, and Hollyland Moma400S. I think it’s safe to say most of these types of receivers will work with the monitor.
On the bottom of the monitor is a NATO-type clamp. The NATO clamp also allows the monitor to be attached to a rig setup. Four additional 1/4”-20 taps on the body provide a few extra more mounting points for additional kit.
I reviewed the PortKeys BM5, and I like it. I still use it today due to its bright 2000 nits screen. The tools and menu system have come a longs way since the release.
If there is one specification I could change, it would be the 1200 nits brightness. This is bright but could be a challenge to use in the sun. Still, at only $399.00, it’s priced very competitively. If you want to add a wireless transmitter or build out an inexpensive wireless monitoring solution, the HS7T Metal Edition makes for a good start.
