SmallHD Smart 5 Series Released – 5” On-Camera Monitors with PageOS 5

by Francesco AndreolaSeptember 14^th, 2022

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SmallHD has just updated its 5-inch professional monitor lineup with 3 models belonging to the new Smart 5 series: Ultra 5, Cine 5, and Indie 5. All three monitors feature a 1080p display, dual SDI/HDMI connectors, and cross-conversion capabilities. The Ultra 5 can reach up to 3000 nits of brightness. Pricing starts at $1,299.

It’s been a long time since SmallHD last released a 5” on-camera monitor designed for professional workflows. The company has recently launched an affordable HDMI-only model, the Action 5 (review here). This device offers great value for money but lacks some of the essential features demanded by high-end users, starting from SDI input/output.

Now, the wait is finally over. Indeed, the company has just unveiled no more than three 5” monitors for any budget and need. During IBC 2022, Greg Smokler from Creative Solutions took some time to introduce us to this new family of products. Let’s take a closer look.

SmallHD Smart 5 Series: Overview

The new SmallHD Smart 5 series consists of three 5-inch LCD touchscreen displays, all sharing the same 1080p resolution and 4:2:2 10-bit color depth. These common features are packed into an anodized aluminum chassis, which also offers a few mounting points for accessories. Moreover, all monitors are equipped with dual 3G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 (4K UHD 30p) input/outputs, and support signal cross-conversion.

Here’s where the similarities end. The biggest differences between the three models reside in their maximum brightness, power options, connectivity, and button layouts. Their specs differ as follows:

• Ultra 5 –  3000 nits, interchangeable mini V-mount/Gold mount battery plates, 2-pin locking power connector (10-30V), Ethernet control port, 5-pin USB control port, physical custom function buttons
• Cine 5 – 2000 nits, dual built-in NP-F battery plate, 2-pin locking power connector (10-30V), 5-pin USB control port, joystick, and back button
• Indie 5 – 1000 nits, dual built-in NP-F battery plate, simple barrel power input, micro USB, touchscreen-only interface

The Ultra 5 model also comes in two wireless variants, called Ultra 5 Bolt RX 750 and Ultra 5 Bolt TX 750. These units include the new Teradek Bolt 6 technology, and allow the monitor to act as a wireless video transmitter or receiver.

Finally, all three monitors are compatible with the company’s proprietary operating system, PageOS 5, which was officially launched last week. You can read all about its new functions in this article here.

Price and availability

The new SmallHD Smart 5 series monitors are available to pre-order now. Pricing is as follows:

• Indie 5 – $1,299
• Cine 5 – $1,599
• Ultra 5 – $2,199
• Ultra 5 TX 750 – $3,299
• Ultra 5 RX 750 (V-mount / Gold mount) – $3,499

The Ultra 5 and Cine 5 models should start shipping in fall, while the Indie 5 is expected to ship during winter. Lastly, the Ultra 5 RX 750 and TX 750 wireless variants should be delivered in January 2023.

For more information, please visit the company’s website here.

How do you like the features of the new SmallHD Smart 5 monitor series? Which model better suits your needs? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!