SmallHD has just announced the 1303 HDR BOLT Sidekick and 1703 P3X BOLT Sidekick. These new 13” and 17” Monitors feature integrated Teradek receivers and are built around the same concept of the Focus Bolt, 703 Bolt, and the Cine 7 RX. At Cine Gear Expo 2019, we were able to take a closer look at the monitors.
These new 13” and 17” Monitors feature integrated Teradek receivers and are built around the same concept of the Focus Bolt, 703 Bolt, and the Cine 7 RX. At Cine Gear Expo 2019, we were able to take a closer look at the monitors.
Both the 1303 HDR BOLT Sidekick and 1703 P3X BOLT Sidekick provide wireless reception of Full HD video from Teradek 500, 1000, or 3000 Bolt transmitters at distances up to 500 feet line-of-sight.
1303 HDR Bolt Sidekick
The 1303 HDR Bolt Sidekick has a 1500 nit daylight viewable screen with Full HD (1920×1080) resolution. SmallHD says that it delivers 10-bit color at 100% of Rec. 709 color gamut. It has a 1150:1 contrast ratio and is HDR capable.
According to SmallHD, because it has a dense 170 pixel-per-inch display, it is ideal for focus pulling. The 1303 HDR Bolt Sidekick measures 13″ (33.02cm) wide by 9″ (22.86cm) high by 2.88″ (7.32cm) thick plus antennas. It tips the scales at 9 lbs (4.1kg).
1703P3X Bolt Sidekick
The 1703P3X Bolt Sidekick delivers 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and 10-bit color depth. The screen is Full HD (1920×1080) and it has 1000 nit-brightness. It features a 1400:1 contrast ratio, and a pixel density of 133 pixels-per-inch. The monitor measures 17″ (43.18cm) wide by 11.7″ (29.72cm) high by 2.5″ (6.35cm) thick, plus antennas, and weighs 12 lbs (5.4kg).
The 17” offers hardened rubber corner bumpers and user-replaceable 3mm-thick screen protectors that drop-in and self-lock, as well as the RapidRail system that provides easy accessory mounting. The 17” also offers an ergonomic carry handle as well as multiple ¼-20 and ⅜-16 threaded mounting options around the frame, ready for whatever users need to add.
Common features
Both wireless monitors each have 2 SDI inputs, as well as 1 HDMI and 2 SDI outputs. SmallHD claims that there is zero latency when cross converting from SDI to HDMI.
The monitors provide a wide viewing angle of 178 degrees horizontally and vertically, so a number of crew members can view simultaneously.
For operating untethered, both monitors can be powered by AB Gold- or V-mount battery packs, utilizing an optional Battery Pack Adapter. AC powering is also supported.
Designed for quick deployment, SmallHD production monitors can be mounted on a table-top, C-stand or cart. The monitors feature a rugged milled aluminum chassis.
Both the 13″ and 17″ versions are equipped with SmallHD OS3 software, that allows users quick-customizable professional tools including HD Waveform, Vectorscope, False color and Focus Assist/Peaking, Anamorphic De-squeeze, Framing Guides, and unlimited 3D LUTs via SD card.
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.
Price & Availability
The new 1303HDR Bolt Sidekick and 1703P3X Bolt Sidekick are available to order now and they are expected to start shipping in the next 2-3 weeks.
You will need deep pockets though. The 1303HDR Bolt Sidekick retails for $5499 USD and the 1703P3X Bolt Sidekick is $5699 USD.
