SmallHD has announced its new Smart 5 Series 5-inch Touchscreen Monitors, which feature the recently released PageOS 5 operating system.
The Smart 5 Monitor Series comprises the Ultra 5, Cine 5, and Indie 5 touchscreen displays. There are also two additional wireless versions of the Ultra 5 (TX/RX). The Smart 5 series isn’t being targeted at the same user who would buy a SmallHD Action 5 Touchscreen 5″ On-Camera Monitor. That monitor was an entry-level product for a completely different audience. The Smart 5 Monitor Series is being squarely targeted at working professionals in the film and TV industry.
The Smart 5 series was designed in response to the significant demand for smaller touchscreen monitors with the same quality and functionality of SmallHD’s Smart 7 and Ultrabright Series. What is nice with the Smart 5 series is that users will have access to SmallHD’s camera-control licenses for ARRI, RED, and Sony VENICE.
The Ultra, Cine, and Indie in the Smart 5 Series represent three tiers of brightness, I/O capability, and physical interface options to match a wide range of on-set workflows. For example, if someone wants the top-of-the-line 3000nit powerhouse with physical buttons and an ethernet port, you can choose the Ultra 5. However, if you don’t have the budget or need for an Ultra 5 but you still want to be able to control your RED KOMODO with a daylight-viewable touchscreen, then the Indie 5 or Cine 5 would be a better option.
Ultra 5
Ultra 5 combines touchscreen functionality with a full complement of front-facing physical buttons for maximum control in cold weather. It provides a claimed brightness level of 3000nits, 2x 3G-SDI (I/O), 2x HDMI 2.0 (I/O), an ethernet port for optional ARRI & Sony VENICE camera control, 2-pin locking power connector, and a locking 5-pin USB (for RED Camera Control). The Ultra 5 will ship in Fall 2022.
- Display: 5-inch LCD
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p (HD) Resolution
- Color Depth: 4:2:2 10-bit
- Brightness: 3000nits
- Input/Output: 2x 3G-SDI (I/O); 2x HDMI 2.0 (I/O)
- Power Input: 2-pin Locking Connector
- Construction: Aluminum Unibody Chassis
- Software: PageOS 5
- Pricing: $2199.00 USD
Cine 5
The Cine 5 combines a touchscreen experience with a side-mounted joystick and back button, 2000nits of brightness, 3G-SDI (I/O), HDMI 2.0 (I/O), 2-pin locking power connector, and a 5-pin locking USB (for RED Camera Control). The Cine 5 will also ship in Fall 2022.
- Display: 5-inch LCD
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p (HD) Resolution
- Color Depth: 4:2:2 10-bit
- Brightness: 2000nits
- Input/Output: 2x 3G-SDI (I/O); 2x HDMI 2.0 (I/O)
- Power Input: 2-pin Locking Connector
- Construction: Aluminum Unibody Chassis
- Software: PageOS 5
- Pricing: $1599.00 USD
Indie 5
The Indie 5 offers a touchscreen-only interface with a physical power button and sliding touchscreen-lock switch. The most lightweight and streamlined of the trio at just 14.4 ounces, Indie 5 provides 1000nits of brightness, 3G-SDI (I/O), HDMI 2.0 (I/O), a barrel power input, and a micro-USB (for RED Camera Control). The Indie 5 will ship in Winter 2022.
- Display: 5-inch LCD
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p (HD) Resolution
- Color Depth: 4:2:2 10-bit
- Brightness: 1000nits
- Input/Output: 2x 3G/HD-SDI (I/O); 2x HDMI 2.0 (I/O)
- Power Input: Barrel Power Input
- Construction: Aluminum Unibody Chassis
- Software: PageOS 5
- Pricing: $1299.00 USD
Common Features
All the monitors come equipped with multi-touch interfaces and the Cine 5 adds an additional joystick and back button so that users have another way of utilizing camera-control functionality.
The Ultra 5 offers supplementary customizable function buttons for quick access to monitor and software functions if you happen to be wearing gloves. Each monitor is encased in a unibody chassis crafted from anodized aluminum and they all feature multiple mounting points.
The included PageOS 5 Toolset includes EL Zone Exposure Assist, well thought out and implemented waveform and false color, Look-Around Camera Control, Advanced Teradek RT Overlays, and more. The PageOS 5 UI offers quick and repeatable setups and full control over all parameters and display tools.
Bolt 6 wireless technology integration
SmallHD and Teradek have also joined forces to integrate the new Bolt 6 wireless technology into the Ultra 5 monitors. This led to the creation of the Ultra 5 Bolt 6 RX 750 and Ultra 5 Bolt 6 TX 750. These models enable 6GHz connectivity, eliminate the need for additional cables or batteries, unlock full wireless camera control, and work seamlessly with the handheld Teradek RT for full wireless FIZ control. The RX monitors are available with integrated Gold- or V-Mount options and all Ultra 5 wireless monitors are fully cross-compatible with all Bolt 4K devices over the 5GHz band.
Ultra 5 RX 750 and Ultra 5 TX 750 are expected to ship beginning January 2023. Below is how much they will retail for:
- SmallHD Ultra 5 Bolt 6 RX 750 Monitor Kit $3,499 USD
- SmallHD ULTRA 5 Bolt 6 TX 750 Monitor $3,299 USD
Thoughts
The SmallHD Smart 5 Series 5-inch Touchscreen Monitors look like a good option for working professionals who want a fully featured, built like a tank, high-end 5″ on-camera monitor.
These are certainly not budget monitors and they are not designed to compete with the SmallHD Action 5 or the vast array of affordable 5″ monitors that have flooded the market in recent years.
