SmallHD announces 13″ & 17″ Wireless Production Monitors

SmallHD has just announced new 13″ & 17″ monitors with built-in Teradek Sidekick receivers in the 1303HDR SK RX & 1703P3X SK RX.

This is a continuation of the recent introductions from SmallHD monitors with integrated Teradek wireless receivers & transmitters.

Both the 1303HDR SK RX & 1703P3X SK RX have built-in Teradek Sidekick II receivers which are compatible with the SmallHD TX monitors, Teradek Bolt 500, 100 & 3000 transmitters.

The 1303RX has a 13.3″ diagonal 1,500 nit LCD screen where the 1703P3X has a 17″ diagonal 1,000 nit LCD screen but claims 100% DCI-P3 coverage compared to the 93% NTSC coverage on the 13RX. They are both IPS panels.

Interestingly, SmallHD claims that the 1303RX is 10bit, most likely 8+2 FRC but with the 1703RX, they state that it is “True 10-bit”. We’ll be sure to confirm these details at Cine Gear this weekend.

Both models use five antennas on the top and a while they are touch screens, using SmallHD’s intuitive and simple OS3 software, they do feature hardware buttons on the front for quick access to scopes, waveforms and other tools & presets.

Inputs & Outputs

Both units have 2x 3G-SDI in addition to the ability to receive a wireless video signal. As well as the inputs, both monitors also have 2x 3G-SDI loop thru, HDMI output & a stereo headphone jack.

Singe they are 3G-SDI, they will be able to receive & output up to 1920x1080p60

The monitors can be powered via a single XLR 4-pin 12-34V DC, 12V Lemo-2pin or Gold-mount/V-mount batteries using optional plates.

A front USB port can be used to connect a USB 2.0 to 5-pin cable for Teradek RT overlays.

Is having an integrated receiver in a production monitor a good idea?

This is a question a lot of people are bound to ask, so I’ll address it from my perspective. No, I don’t think it is a disadvantage having it built-in, and here is why. The Bolt Sidekick wireless receiver doesn’t make the 1303HDR Bolt Sidekick or the 1703P3X Bolt Sidekick much bigger than any other 13″ 0r 17″ monitor, and even if you don’t want to use the wireless capabilities it’s not going to get in the way. The majority of production monitor this size are going to have wireless video RX units attached anyway, so in a lot of ways, it makes perfect sense to just integrate them into a monitor.

Could Teradek and SmallHD just have made a detachable or slot in a wireless receiver? Probably. Would it have been a better solution? Maybe.

Pricing & Availability

The 1303 HDR Bolt Sidekick will retail for $5,499 USD & the 1703 P3X Bolt Sidekick for $5,699 USD. Both models are expected to ship in 2-3 weeks.