The new FOCUS 7 Bolt 500 RX from SmallHD is as a wireless, affordable director’s monitor as well as a bright on-camera monitor to view live takes, preview and review scenes, untethered.

Early March SmallHD introduced the FOCUS 7 a bigger FOCUS 5 touch-screen monitor for under $700. It was not difficult to see what was going to happen next, so now the company has a new 7-inch solution, which will be showcased at NAB 2019: the first 7” touchscreen wireless monitor/receiver, the FOCUS 7 Bolt 500 RX, which can be seen at NAB Booth C5725 during the event.

The specifications are similar to those from the FOCUS 7, and this is a monitor also designed with independent filmmakers and small crews in mind. The FOCUS 7 Bolt 500 RX seven-inch HD touchscreen wireless monitor comes with a Teradek receiver built right in. Featuring a 1000-nit daylight viewable display, Full HD resolution, leading industry software tools, and ergonomic lightweight handles, this versatile tool functions both as a wireless, affordable director’s monitor as well as a bright on-camera monitor.

A monitor with a receiver inside

Built on, as mentioned, the FOCUS 7 touchscreen monitor platform, the FOCUS 7 Bolt 500 RX features the industry standard Teradek Bolt receiver. This essential tool is designed to receive wireless video from Teradek Bolt 500 transmitters and SmallHD transmitter/monitors at distances up to 500- feet line-of-sight. The FOCUS 7 Bolt 500 RX (and all SmallHD wireless monitors) effortlessly pair when both the RX and TX are set to Pairing Mode in the Wireless Settings menus.

Transmission from a SmallHD TX monitor/transmitter or Teradek transmitter can multicast to up to four FOCUS Bolt 500 RX’s simultaneously. This allows a combination of crew members including directors, DPs, DITs First AC’s, LDs or others to view live takes, preview and review scenes, untethered.

The system conveniently streamlines wireless workflow. On a typical shoot, a FOCUS Bolt TX transmitting monitor or Teradek transmitter is positioned at the camera, connected via HDMI or SDI cable. The FOCUS 7 Bolt 500 RX can either receive a transmitted signal or perform as an on-camera monitor when connected to a video source through an HDMI cable.

A screen for focus pullers

The FOCUS 7 Bolt monitor provides a daylight-viewable, 1920 x 1200 high definition screen, featuring 323 pixel-per-inch density. With 10-bit color processing, it displays a color gamut of 75% DCI-P3. For convenient viewing by multiple crewmembers, the monitors provide a wide, 160° viewing angle, horizontally and vertically.

SmallHD touchscreen monitors utilize SmallHD’s OS3 software and PageBuilder user interface, providing quick-customizable professional tools including HD Waveform, Vectorscope, False Color and Focus Assist/Peaking, Anamorphic De-squeeze, Framing Guides, and storage of unlimited 3D LUTs via SD card. A built-in full-size SD card slot provides even more utility, allowing the application of real-time 3D LUTs, monitor profiles, and Image Overlays for shot matching. For focus pullers, Teradek RT Screen Overlay can be enabled on the monitor, which allows distance markings to appear on-screen in real-time, eliminating the need to glance at the hand unit to double-check distance estimations.

Hot swapping and power for cameras

The FOCUS 7 Bolt 500 RX is easy to handle. A set of easy-grip handles comes standard so the unit easily balances between the hands. To mount on a camera or other equipment, the unit is equipped with four 1⁄4”-20 threads and an optional 7-inch Tilt Arm mounting accessory. The versatile Tilt Arm employs the camera’s cold shoe to provide friction-based tilt for easy monitor adjustment.

Two integrated Sony L battery slots offer power to the system. It also accommodates hot swapping, so batteries can be exchanged without powering down. To power small mirrorless and DSLR cameras with the FOCUS monitor, a 7.2V Power Output is supplied. Individual SmallHD battery adapter cables that correspond to the camera’s battery type can be purchased separately.

The FOCUS 7 Bolt 500 RX measures 6.9”/17.5cm wide, 4.7”/11.9cm high, 1”/2.5cm deep, and weighs 17.20-oz/0.48kg. It is available immediately from the global network of SmallHD resellers and partners, with a recommended price of $1699.