SmallHD and Teradek Offer the 703 Bolt Director’s Monitor

Teaming up on a wireless monitor; plus, an OS3 update to the SmallHD lines adds customizable false color and more.

Marking the first collaboration between SmallHD and Teradek, the 703 Bolt Wireless Director’s Monitor provides live review of full 1920 x 1080p at up to 300' when used with compatible Teradek Bolt 500, 1000 or 3000 transmitters. With previews and playback as well as stereo audio headphone output, the 3,000-nit, daylight-viewable display is the brightest SmallHD has made.

“Our clients have long been requesting a monitor of SmallHD’s caliber that’s cable-free, so it made perfect sense to partner with Teradek, the industry leader in wireless technology” explains Wes Phillips, SmallHD CEO and co-founder via the press release. “And so far, we are getting great feedback from our test units in the field.”

Powered through single Gold or V-mount pack, a 90 Wh battery will provide more than four hours of viewing and signal reception. Built from milled-aluminum frame with durable Gorilla Glass screen, the 703 Bolt system measures at 8.4" (21cm) x 4.8" (12cm) x 1.21" (3cm) without antennas at a weight of 4.35 lbs (2 kg) with battery and handles. Capable of two input sources for simultaneous A/B camera monitoring, when wired, the monitor will run the two SDI inputs together, or as SDI in/out.

The handles are contoured with an ergonomic rubberized coating. The 703 Bolt Wireless Director’s Monitor is also delivered with SmallHD’s latest OS3 operating system, announced this past November. SmallHD updated their families of on-camera and off-camera production monitors to OS3 with several features for color synchronization, spot metering and auto-calibration, including custom false color, improved battery meter and computer-free integration with the optional $299 SmallHD Color Probe.

“With OS3, for the first time users can calibrate their on-camera and production monitors without using a computer,” continues Phillips. “We’ve added the capability to create up to 10 customizable IRE ranges and assign specific colors to the ranges. It allows the user to choose what’s important in the exposure, and identify problem areas faster than ever.”

When placed in front of any SmallHD display running OS3, the SmallHD Color Probe will read test output via USB to check and correct for camera calibrations. The system is engineered to work with SmallHD’s 500, 700 and UltraBright and Focus series on-camera monitors, as well as the 1300, 1700, 2400 and 3200 Series SmallHD Production Monitors.

In OS3, customizable waveforms now include spot metering as a selection, as well, to indicate best exposure level for faces or particular areas of a scene. Lastly, a gallery with thumbnail previews has been installed for faster access to files and images. For current owners, the SmallHD OS3 Operating System upgrade can be downloaded for free.

Building on a base monitor price of $3,499, in the Director’s Kit at $3,699, the SmallHD 703 Bolt comes with monitor, handles, neck strap, battery bracket and both matte and transparent screen protectors. 

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