Author | Erik Naso (Erik Naso)
PortKeys is a startup company, and I have only heard of it recently. They contacted me and said that their BM5 monitor is more powerful than ordinary monitors. In addition to displaying the picture, they can also map the camera's menus and functions. It seems to be interesting.
Figure | The monitor is equipped with a data cable that communicates with the camera.
The above table lists the body and control functions supported by BM5. Z Cam, Sony, BMD, Canon and Panasonic. From the first look, there are not many functions that can be controlled. PortKeys says they are still in development and will continue to increase later. At present, the BM5 can only control some of the most basic body parameters, such as focus, recording, amplification, ISO and autofocus. I am not sure how to operate it, because the BM5 does not seem to be a touch screen, and it does seem to have a glass panel. In addition, it is not clear which interface the data cable needs to be connected to the camera. Many photo/video hybrid bodies provide multi-functional interfaces for this type of control.
For those cameras that support touch focus, PortKeys BM5 can let you say goodbye to the bloated original monitors - such as the C200, but it can still use touch focus. If I can freely arrange the position instead of forcibly install it on the front of the handle, I would rather try it with this 5" monitor.
Figure | Similar to SmallHD Focus, PortKeys BM5 also uses an L-shaped bracket and provides two cold boots
BM5 some parameters are quite good. The best one is the screen brightness 2000 nits, which is really available in the sun. Screen resolution 1920 x 1080, 8-bit color depth, contrast ratio 1000:1, panel is WLED.
body shell is aluminum alloy, which looks very tough. The screen is tempered glass.
Figure | SDI and HDMI input/output
BM5 provides both HDMI and SDI input and output. The parameter table does not list 4K and UHD, so there is probably no hope. There is a LEMO interface on the back to connect to the NUCLEUS wireless controller . As for how to use wireless control method, I don’t know. The development work is not over yet, everything is possible.
BM5 can be powered by a single Sony NPF battery, or an external power supply through the LEMO interface, and the power consumption is 13W. In addition, the monitor itself is not heavy, only 350 grams.
Figure | PortKeys BM7
PortKeys The BM5 looks like the BM7, which has a smaller size and added camera control function. The screen brightness, resolution and software functions of both are the same.
Figure | PortKeys LH5
is different from many touch screen monitors already available on the market (such as Atomos Shinobi). For some reason, the BM5 looks like it does not use a touch screen, but PortKeys's own 5" 1500 nit monitor LH5 has touch function.
software functions
• 3D LUT
• Waveform oscilloscope
• Guide
• Zebra pattern
• Check area
• Grid
• Audio level meter
• Tone
• Image flip
• Backlight
• Color temperature
• Peak focus
• Amplification
• Cross cursor
• SDI output waveform
• Camera control
• SDI TALLY
• HLG (mixed logarithmic gamma)
• Display flip
• OSD flip
• Fake color
• H/V delay
• Aspect and height ratio
• Custom RGB
• Sharpness
• Color
• Brightness
• Contrast
• Underscan
• SDI output 3D LUT
HDMI signal
• 1920x1080p @23.97Hz, 24Hz, 25Hz, 29.97Hz, 30Hz, 50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz
• 1920x1080psf @23.97Hz, 24Hz, 25Hz, 29.97Hz, 30Hz
• 1920x1080i @50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz
• 1280x720p @50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz
• 720x576p and 720x576i @50Hz
• 720x480p and 720x480i @50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz
SDI signal
• 1920x1080p @50fps, 59.94fps, 60fps
• 1920x1080p @50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz YUV422
• 1920x1080p @23.98Hz, 24Hz, 25Hz, 29.94Hz, 30Hz YUV444/YUV422/RGB444
• 1920x1080psf @23.98Hz, 24Hz, 25Hz, 29.97Hz, 30Hz YUV444/YUV422/RGB444
• 1920x1080i @50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz YUV444/YUV422/RGB444
• 1280x720p @50Hz, 59.94Hz, 60Hz YUV444/YUV422/RGB444
• 720x480i @59.94Hz YUV422
• 720x576i @50Hz YUV422
PortKeys BM5 is priced unexpectedly at a parity of just $399 and is expected to be available at the end of April. The paper parameters of affordable equipment all look good, and it remains to be seen how much difference is with brands such as Atomos and SmallHD.
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