The world of external recording monitors doesn't all revolve around Atomos or Convergent Design. Blackmagic has some very capable video assist monitors including its Video Assist 12G HDR series which received a welcomed software update. 

For those unfamiliar, the Video Assist 12G HDR series can monitor and record any SDI or HMDI capable camera in HD, 2K, 4K UHD or 4K DCI. It comes in 5" and 7" models, and as the name suggests, includes 12G-SDI for high frame rate capture and HDR support. The main difference between the two sizes is the available media card slots. The 7" version includes dual UHS-II SD slots while the 5" has one. The 7" also includes remote control functionality via LANC, but other than that, they're nearly identical. 

Both offer 2500 nit brightness supporting 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut as well as the Rec. 2020 and Rec. 709 color spaces. Files can currently be recorded in all formats of 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes or DNx via SDI or HDMI. It also supports 12-bit Blackmagic RAW. You get two mini XLR connections with 48V phantom power and a very quiet noise floor of -128dBV. It's 12G-SDI connections offers 16 channels of embedded audio while HDMI offers 8. 

The Video Assist 12G HDR series is loaded with other features like built-in scopes, the ability to import 3D LUTS, a USB‑C expansion slot for external drives and power options that includes a 12v power supply and mounting options for two standard Sony L-Series batteries. It's everything you'd expect in a recording monitor for $795 and $995 respectively. We're only now waiting for ProRes RAW support.  

Video Assist 3.0.3 

Video Assist 3.0.3 update improves the screen colorimetry on both the Video Assist 5” 12G HDR and the Video Assist 7” 12G HDR. You can download it here. 

Minimum system requirements for macOS

  • macOS 10.15 Catalina
  • macOS 10.14 Mojave
  • USB 2.0 port for software updates

Minimum system requirements for Windows

  • Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit
  • USB 2.0 port for software updates
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