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SmallHD DP-6 Review

Jon Chema

Jon Chema

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Just wrote a review for SmallHD for my personal website for the DP-6. Great little monitor and works equally as well on the RED One as my DSLRs. Heres a bit of the review if anyone is interested...

"I recently purchased a SmallHD DP6 LCD Monitor, and have been very impressed so far! I shoot footage primarily with a Canon 7D DSLR, and my biggest critique is its immovable LCD. The small LCD makes hitting critical focus points and exposure a nightmare. An external monitor solves these short comings. DSLR’s have taken the industry by storm over the last year and their advantages, in my opinion, are far worth their negative points. A decent monitor solves these problems.
However, when it comes to external LCD’s there are many to choose from. It took me a few weeks of research before I settled on the SmallHD DP-6. Marshall makes a great 7″ monitor (V-LCD70XP-HDMI) with HDMI input along with the ability touse just about any battery mount. Ikan makes a great budget monitor as well. For me, the two factors that were most important were resolution, and build quality. I needed high enough resolution in my monitor to “spot check” that my focus was on. The Marshall just didn’t have the resolution, however it did have false color and the build quality. I did like the idea of false color, but it was not a game changer. Honestly, the final straw came down to price and belief...."

Click here for the rest

What do you all think about the monitor? I'd love to hear everyones thoughts!
 
Last edited:
Great Write up

Did you purchase the HDSI HDMI combo one? I heard there where a few issues with the HDSDI on the R1

Care to comment?

Thanks
 
HDSDI is working great from our R1s to the DP6SDI. Having trouble getting an image to match the image on the RED LCD exactly, but thats not unexpected.
 
I continue to read good things about the DP6 from Small HD. If it weren't just out of my price range, I'd purchase a unit. However, I have decided on a Manhattan 8'' LCD. Has anyone used both models or the Manhattan units that could offer some comparison and insight?
 
Andrew clemson said:
HDSDI is working great from our R1s to the DP6SDI. Having trouble getting an image to match the image on the RED LCD exactly, but thats not unexpected.
Click to expand...

I did not order the HD-SDI version, but have rented it when using it on the RED ONE we use. It worked fine. Theres actually a preset that SmallHD created for RED and it works wonders. Mainly the only issue i've heard of is the menu being cut off...thats where the SmallHD preset comes into play.
 
David Lagos said:
I continue to read good things about the DP6 from Small HD. If it weren't just out of my price range, I'd purchase a unit. However, I have decided on a Manhattan 8'' LCD. Has anyone used both models or the Manhattan units that could offer some comparison and insight?
Click to expand...

Manhattans are decent. I've only used one once, but I still feel the build quality of the DP-6 is pretty darn good. Also, keep in mind its got a firmware update option via USB stick. Since the initial release, they've already released 2 useful firmware updates- one bringing a false color to the monitor.
 
David Lagos said:
I continue to read good things about the DP6 from Small HD. If it weren't just out of my price range, I'd purchase a unit. However, I have decided on a Manhattan 8'' LCD. Has anyone used both models or the Manhattan units that could offer some comparison and insight?
Click to expand...

Does this unit have both HDMI and HDSDI?

Or just one, how much did you pay?
 
Aaron Bernakevitch said:
Does this unit have both HDMI and HDSDI?

Or just one, how much did you pay?
Click to expand...

SmallHD can have HD-SDI for a couple hundred more...not sure about Manhattan and by my research I'm not sure how he touched an 8" for under the price of the SmallHD. Cheapest 8" i see is $800 bucks...right about the same as the SmallHD
 
Considering I'll be using it on a DSLR rig from RedRock, I'm glad I asked for some more insight, I may eventually go for the SmallHD model since I haven't made the purchase yet.

Price difference comes down to the resolution difference between both units. I found a Manhattan 8.9" through the BH Photo website for around $625. Has HDMI but no HD-SDI and the resolution is at 1024 x 600. The DP6 from Small HD has a resolution of 1280 x 800.

Another reason to love Reduser, great consumer reports and research

Thanks for the info, good sirs!

EDIT:

Just read Jon's review. The firmware update to have the DP6 include False Color has put this little product at the top of my list.
 
@ Jon.

Battery life? I'm using a Canon 5d mk.II on my rig.

I'd love to know how much time you got out of your monitor and what type of batteries you used.
 
David Lagos said:
Considering I'll be using it on a DSLR rig from RedRock, I'm glad I asked for some more insight, I may eventually go for the SmallHD model since I haven't made the purchase yet.

Price difference comes down to the resolution difference between both units. I found a Manhattan 8.9" through the BH Photo website for around $625. Has HDMI but no HD-SDI and the resolution is at 1024 x 600. The DP6 from Small HD has a resolution of 1280 x 800.

Another reason to love Reduser, great consumer reports and research

Thanks for the info, good sirs!

EDIT:

Just read Jon's review. The firmware update to have the DP6 include False Color has put this little product at the top of my list.
Click to expand...

Great to help. Thats what forums are for! You will not be disappointed with the SmallHD. They are a great company too that will answer any question you have. I literally was able to talk to one of their product engineers when I had a tech question. My other option was the Marshall but it was more and had lower resolution- plus i think the milled aluminum of the DP-6 makes it more durable. Another thing I might point out is the ability to use Canon DSLR batteries...this keeps the weight down when using a lightweight rig like the redrock micro.
 
David Lagos said:
@ Jon.

Battery life? I'm using a Canon 5d mk.II on my rig.

I'd love to know how much time you got out of your monitor and what type of batteries you used.
Click to expand...

Using the inexpensive onboard batteries that SmallHD sells, we get at least 4 hours per battery and they charge in about 2. This is a great setup for DSLR shooting because the batteries are quite compact and mount on the back of the monitor.

SmallHD also makes a battery plate that allows you to use the 5D batteries you already own.
 
David Lagos said:
@ Jon.

Battery life? I'm using a Canon 5d mk.II on my rig.

I'd love to know how much time you got out of your monitor and what type of batteries you used.
Click to expand...

If possible, get a Switronix Powerbase 70. Its essentially a V-mount battery that will power your DSLR. It also has 2 D-taps that you can use to power accessories such as the monitor and a remote follow focus motor. I used it on my 7D rig on a recent music video shoot and the battery powered everything all day. In fact I had 2 bars of battery left at the end of the 8 hour shoot. Its also nice to mount the pack on the shouldermount as it doubles as a nice counterbalance. However, if you don't wanna go this route- get the Canon DSLR battery bracket for the SmallHD- by far best bang for your buck. Two of the 5Dmii batteries power the monitor for around 3-4 hours.

Best,

Jon
 
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