Unveiled: SmallHD Production Monitors

SmallHD products don’t seem so small anymore, with the announcement of the company’s new Production Monitors. Arriving in 17, 24, and 32" variations, these new monitors sport 10-bit color engines, full-HD panels, HDMI, and SDI I/O, 3D-LUT processing, and stout all-aluminum construction to satisfy professional high-resolution workflows on set and in the studio.

Perhaps the most notable feature sported by the SmallHD Production Monitors is HDR support. When working with cameras that record an extended dynamic range using log or other picture profiles, standard-range displays often either truncate or alter the output signal to fit the display’s limitations. Truncating the signal produces a flat and overall uninspiring image, while modifying it through the use of LUTs or gamma curves can introduce other technical headaches. HDR essentially allows the SmallHD Production Monitors to show the full brightness range of an extended picture profile, displaying the brightest highlights and the deepest shadows so you know exactly what your video signal contains. Having HDR also future-proofs your workflow with larger color gamuts and HDR standards arriving on the consumer electronics scene.

A side-benefit of HDR is the provision of a bright panel. The 17 and 24" models have a 1,000 nit (cd/m²) output while the 32" model shines with the brightness of a 1,500-nit panel. That extra brightness gives the 32" model the edge, allowing SmallHD to implement its “True HDR Rendering” feature. The two smaller models both tout SmallHD’s “HDR Preview” feature. All Production Monitor models can be color-calibrated using a separately available calibration probe to create a custom 3D LUT, ensuring accurate color representation over the lifespan of the monitor.

As on-set workflows change, so must the hardware. Wireless monitoring is now more commonplace, so SmallHD implemented its RapidRail shoe-mount system. The rear of the monitor has cutouts that can accept standard shoe-mount accessories without resorting to the slow and clumsy screw-in method usually required. Three USB ports and a 12V LEMO output can provide power to wireless units or other mounted accessories. The Production Monitors can accept mains AC power or DC from a 4-pin XLR or via a separately available V-mount or Gold-mount battery plate.

Expanding on the user interface found in the 500- and 700-series monitors, the Production Monitors also feature the Page Builder OS. This graphical user interface provides an intuitive way to navigate the deep functionality of the monitors using a joystick. The production monitors add physical front-panel button controls for even quicker access to monitoring functions. Also like the 500- and 700-series monitors, the Production Monitors can independently downstream LUTs to outboard monitors. This allows the director or client to see a LUT-corrected image, while the DP can see a full-range image with scopes and assist functions.

With new HDR functionality and a 10-bit color engine in a professional-level chassis, SmallHD’s not-so-small monitors are definitely worth a gander. Check back later for more information, availability and pricing.