Now that monitors have gone HDR and high-brightness (for the most part) it only seems natural for the next step in the evolution chain to be – “cutting the cord” between video village and the camera crew. On large-scale, big budget productions, this is hardly a problem, but when it comes to smaller productions one has to resort to pairing a monitor with a wireless receiver, all mounted in a directors cage, where things can easily get messy.
Teradek are famous for pioneering wireless video transmission and now they have teamed up with SmallHD, who know a thing or two about high-brightness monitors to give “birth” to a new breed of monitors. The new SmallHD 703 Bolt is a match made in heaven between the two companies, which were able to create a 3,000 nit, super-bright, daylight viewable, 7-inch beast of a monitor that has a built-in wireless receiver.
The SmallHD 703 Bolt also features 2 x SDI inputs and an SDI output. This gives you an option to connect a 2nd receiver and view 2 wireless sources simultaneously – a major plus for bigger productions with A/B cams. The 7-inch display has ample 1920 x 1080 resolution and the unit itself is packed with just about any pro monitoring tools you’d need including:
- Pixel Zoom
- Frame Guides
- Waveform
- Zebra
- False Colour
- Vectorscope
- RGB Parade
- Histogram
- Audio Meters
- LUT Downstream
- Custom 3D LUTs via SD card and much more.
5Ghz wireless networks are supported and as long as you are within a 300 feet line-of-sight range you’ll get an uninterrupted wireless feed. Out of the box, the 703 Bolt is compatible with the Teradek Bolt 500, 1000, and 3000 transmitters. The unit also features a rugged antenna guard to protect your receiver as director’s monitors often get banged up on set, however the milled aluminium frame and bonded glass screen should be able to do a good job of minimizing such damage.
Available power options include Anton Bauer or V-mount, via battery plates; the 703 Bolt will also ship with a D-Tap to LEMO power cable and a couple of screen protectors.
703 Bolt Display Specs
| Panel Type | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 323 ppi |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Active Area | 7.02 |
| Brightness | 3000 |
| Contrast | 1150:1 |
| Color Gamut | 70% NTSC |
| Color Depth | 10-bit |
| Viewing Angle | 178 Degrees (CR<10) |
| Backlight Type | White LED |
Due to its high-resolution display and the ultra high-brightness, the 703 Bolt can easily double as a focus puller monitor. The SmallHD 703 Bolt also benefits from SmallHD’s new monitor handles, which can be purchased as a separate accessory for $150 or included in the Director’s Bundle.
For a limited time only, until the end of January, the SmallHD 703 Bolt is available for early adopters at a discounted price of $3,499 ($3,999 regular) as a monitor only, or alternatively for $3,699 as a Director’s Bundle including either a V-mount or AB battery plate and monitor handles.
You can order either direct from SmallHD or via authorised dealers such as B&H via this link here.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
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