Add professional monitoring and high-quality recording to your camera with the Video Assist 3G-SDI/HDMI 7" Recording Monitor from Blackmagic Design. It features a bright 7", 1920 x 1200 display with 300 cd/m² brightness to help you frame and focus your shots, and it provides 3G-SDI and HDMI inputs for recording the video output from professional and consumer cameras. You can monitor and record video resolutions up to 1080p60 10-bit 4:2:2 and up to 16 channels of embedded 24-bit 48 kHz audio. This monitor also features two balanced 3-pin mini-XLR inputs with 48V phantom power support for crisp audio recording. Firmware update 3.3.1 adds a video output via the USB Type-C port that can be used to convert your connected camera for webcam use. It also adds XLR audio mapping to different channels, XLR external timecode, and select channel selection for audio monitoring.

The Video Assist 3G 7" records to SDXC/SDHC memory cards via dual UHS-I SD card slots. Use the USB Type-C port to record for configuring and upgrading the monitor. Video is recorded using industry-standard Apple ProRes (HQ, 422, LT, or Proxy) and Avid DNxHD codecs.

This monitor's touchscreen interface enables you to adjust settings and access monitoring features such as histogram, waveform, RGB parade, vectorscope, and many more scopes and exposure tools. There is also a tally light on top of the monitor to indicate it is operating and recording. Choose from 11 languages for easier use of on-screen text displays and menu options. Power the monitor using the included 12V power adapter or using separately available Sony L-Series type batteries on the dual battery slots.

Up to 1080p60 Video

Supports video formats up to 1080p60

Upgrades Older Camera Viewing/Recording

Can be used to upgrade viewing and recording options with older cameras

7" Touchscreen Display

7" touchscreen LCD screen with customizable overlays

3G-SDI and HDMI Input/Loop-Out

3G-SDI and HDMI input ports with loop-through outputs

3D LUT Support

3D LUT support for customized viewing

1080p USB Webcam Output

Sends a streaming-friendly 1080p video signal to your computer, enabling the use of your connected camera as a webcam

Metadata Entry

Direct metadata entry

Dual SD Card Slots

Dual SD card slots for ProRes recording

Image Display Tools

Multiple display tools including focus peaking, zebra, and false color

Waveform and Vectorscope

Waveform, vectorscope, histogram, and RGB parade

XLR Audio Mapping

XLR audio mapping to different channels

XLR Timecode

External XLR timecode

Selectable Audio Monitoring

Ability to select which audio channels you are monitoring

Minimum macOS System Requirements

macOS 10.15 Catalina
macOS 10.14 Mojave
USB 2.0 port for updates

Minimum Windows System Requirements

Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit
USB 2.0 port

Supported Languages

English
Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Turkish

Blackmagic Design Video Assist Specs

Key Specs

Display Size	7.0" / 17.8 cm
Native Resolution	1920 x 1200
Touchscreen	Yes
HDR Support	No
Media/Memory Card Slot	Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) [Supports Recording]
Wireless	No
Video Format	SDI (10-Bit 4:2:2 YUV) 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 576i: 50 480i: 59.94 HDMI (10-Bit) 1080p: 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98 1080i: 60/59.94/50 720p: 60/59.94/50 576i: 50 480i: 59.94
Phantom Power	No
Battery	2x L-Series Mount on Fixed Plate

Display

Panel Type	LCD
Display Size	7.0" / 17.8 cm
Native Resolution	1920 x 1200
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Viewing Angle	Horizontal: 135°
Touchscreen	Yes
Maximum Brightness	310 nits / cd/m²
Color Support	1.07 Billion Colors (10-Bit)
HDR Support	No
Color Gamut	100% Rec. 709
LUT Support	Yes
Image Controls	Anamorphic De-Squeeze, Blue Only, False Color, Focus Peaking, Histogram, Image Flip, Picture-in-Picture, RGB Parade, Screen Markers, Vectorscope, Waveform, Zebra

Inputs/Outputs

Video I/O	1x HDMI Input 1x BNC (3G-SDI) Input 1x HDMI Output 1x BNC (3G-SDI) Output
Embedded Audio	HDMI: 8-Channel SDI: 16-Channel
Audio I/O	2x Mini-XLR Input 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone Output
Built-In Speaker	Mono
Power I/O	1x Barrel (12 VDC) Input
Other I/O	1x USB-C 1x 2.5 mm (LANC) Input
Media/Memory Card Slot	Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) [Supports Recording]

Wireless

Wireless	No
Wi-Fi	No
Bluetooth	No
Mobile App Compatible	No

Format Support

Video Format	SDI (10-Bit 4:2:2 YUV) 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 576i: 50 480i: 59.94 HDMI (10-Bit) 1080p: 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98 1080i: 60/59.94/50 720p: 60/59.94/50 576i: 50 480i: 59.94
Timecode Support	Yes

Recording

Pulldown Conversion	No
Camera Trigger	No
Pre-Roll Record	No
Encoding Formats	Up to 1920 x 1080 ProRes 422, 422 HQ, LT, Proxy 10-Bit 4:2:2 at up to 60 fps DNxHD 45, 45 MXF, 145, 145 MXF, 220x, 220x MXF 10-Bit 4:2:2 at up to 60 fps
Maximum Audio Tracks	16
Metadata Tagging	Yes
Reference Input	No
Phantom Power	No

Power

Input Power	12 VDC
Battery	2x L-Series Mount on Fixed Plate

Mounting

Tripod/Accessory Mounting

6x 1/4"-20 Female

General

Environmental Resistance	No
Operating Conditions	32 to 72°F / 0 to 40°C up to 90% Humidity
Storage Conditions	-4 to 113°F / -20 to 45°C
Material of Construction	Aluminum
Dimensions	7.6 x 5.14 x 1.45" / 19.3 x 13.06 x 3.68 cm
Weight	1.82 lb / 825.00 g

Packaging Info

Package Weight	2.98 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)	10.8 x 10.5 x 3.3"

Blackmagic Design Video Assist Reviews

BlackMagic monitor

By Ernest

Rated 5 out of 5

Date: 2026-04-10

The Black Magic monitor is outstanding.

As Advertised, Could Be Be

By Amado

Rated 4 out of 5

Date: 2025-04-06

This is a video recorder. Great. I plug it in, push record, it records. Good little monitor, too. Plenty of options as expected for a monitor of this price. But! This could be much better. Right now, clips record sequentially to a timeline. I'd love to be able to easily review in-device. Timeline makes little sense to me for that. Give me a clip view with thumbnails of the first shot (for us, that is generally a slate with scene/take). With that, I could use this for easy off-camera review on set (what I bought this for).

See any errors on this page?

Does the HDMI output support 10bit color?

Asked by: Josh

Yes both SDI and HDMI are 10 bit according to the specifications.

Answered by: BMD Product Specialist

Date published: 2025-12-21

Can you connect this monitor to an iPhone ...

Can you connect this monitor to an iPhone recording at 1440 or above using the Blackmagic camera app?

Asked by: Andrew

Yes, you can use the Blackmagic Design Video Assist 3G-SDI/HDMI 7" Recorder/Monitor with an iPhone running the Blackmagic camera app with an HDMI adapter or dock, like the Blackmagic Design Camera ProDock, B&H # BLPRODOCK.

Answered by: Kenneth C

Date published: 2025-10-23

Can you record to a USB-C hard drive?

Asked by: John

No, the Blackmagic Design Video Assist 3G-SDI/HDMI 7" Recorder/Monitor will only support recording to SD cards. Please look at the 12G Video Assist if you would like to use both SD cards and USB-C SSD media. Blackmagic Design Video Assist 7" 12G-SDI/HDMI HDR Recording Monitor BH #BLVIDA127HRD

Answered by: Chris H

Date published: 2026-04-10

Will this monitor cross convert HDMI input to SDI ...

Will this monitor cross convert HDMI input to SDI output and vice versa?

Asked by: Theodore

Yes, the Blackmagic Design Video Assist 3G-SDI/HDMI 7" Recorder/Monitor will output from the SDI and HDMI ports even when the input is from the other cable type.

Answered by: Paige K

Date published: 2025-11-21

Does this offer camera control for the BMPCC6K ...

Does this offer camera control for the BMPCC6K (start/stop/change settings) ?

Asked by: Logan

The Blackmagic Video Assist monitor will not have camera controls. However, a monitor that will allow you to have camera control for the BMPCC6K is the Portkeys BM5 5.2" monitor, which can be found here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1500699-REG/portkeys_pkbm5_b_5_2_2000_nit_touch.html/overview You will need to use the additional Portkeys BT1 Bluetooth Module for compatibility with the BMPCC6K, and you can see that here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1526315-REG/portkeys_bt1_bluetooth_module_for.html

Answered by: Geetika

Date published: 2021-01-03

is there a power cord included?

Asked by: David

Yes, a wall power supply with the cord is included with the Blackmagic Design Video Assist 3G-SDI/HDMI 7" Recorder/Monitor. Included wall power supply: Blackmagic Design Power Supply for Video Assist BH #BLPS12V20W25

Answered by: Chris H

Date published: 2024-03-28

Why not implement CAMERA CONTROLs like the ...

Why not implement CAMERA CONTROLs like the Portkey LCD... so that Blackmagic users can start controlling their cameras the way RED users control theirs?

Asked by: Alberto

At this time, Blackmagic has not specified if the monitor will control a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, although, this may be possible through an HDMI connection. Once this new monitor is released, we should have more information on this.

Answered by: Eric

Date published: 2020-08-04

Provided I use a composite to SDI adapter, will ...

Provided I use a composite to SDI adapter, will the BMDVA record standard def video without any need to upconvert the video prior to being plugged into the monitor? I would like to record video from a variety of old consumer video cameras. I'm hoping this is a viable solution.

Asked by: RetroTech 1

It is possible once converted to SDI to record on the video assist. The conversion must conform to 525 SDI supported standards. Keep in mind some consumer cameras may not output a broadcast standard signal which may not be accepted by the Video Assist. Also, for cameras that play back internal recordings, it may be necessary to have a time base corrector before conversion in order to stabilize the signal.