SCENE 01 / FIELD MONITORS
Field Monitors
Professional monitoring solutions for your Australian production.
Field monitors are portable, high-resolution displays used by camera operators and directors to evaluate focus, exposure, and composition on location. Professional field monitors offer accurate color reproduction, waveform tools, and bright screens visible in outdoor conditions, making them essential for location work.
We provide field monitors with the screen sizes, resolution, and feature sets your camera department requires. Our team sources locally available units compatible with your camera's output signals and coordinates delivery with your wider equipment package for a streamlined prep process.
Capabilities
Monitoring Equipment
Complete monitoring solutions from on-camera displays to wireless video village.
Professional Monitoring
Capabilities
Our Process
Monitor Requirements
Understanding your monitoring needs for camera, video village, and wireless distribution.
System Design
Designing a complete monitoring solution matched to your camera system and workflow.
Calibration & Prep
Professional calibration and testing of all monitors before delivery.
Production Support
Technical support and backup equipment available throughout your shoot.
On Location
Field Monitors and On-Camera Displays
Here is how this works in practice. Field monitor inventory across Australian rental houses follows three primary vendors: SmallHD (502 Bright, 702 Touch, 1303 HDR, Cine 13 / Cine 18), TVLogic (LVM-075A, LVM-095W, LVM-171, F-7H), and the Auckland-Australian Black Magic Design SmartView and Video Help 7 series.
Here is the short of it. On-camera ops-position monitors lean SmallHD 502 Bright (2,200 nits) or the Atomos Ninja V for run-and-gun documentary; cart-position director monitors split between TVLogic LVM-171A 17-inch and Sony PVM-A170 17-inch OLED for calibrated reference. Convergent Design Odyssey 7Q+ sits on top VENICE 2 and ALEXA 35 builds. Cameraquip, Lemac, Panavision Australia, Filmplus, and Light & Sound Industries Brisbane all stock matched calibration sets, with Klein K-10A or X-Rite i1Display Pro calibration runs before depot release.
Here is the breakdown. Australian shooting conditions impose specific monitor needs. Outback Pilbara and Red Centre exterior work needs 2,200+ nit on-camera units to remain readable under midday sun reaching 100,000+ lux; we ship sunshade kits and Hoodman magnifier hoods with every monitor on outback builds. Saltwater coastal corrosion on Sydney Harbour, Bondi, and the Gold Coast demands sealed BNC connectors and silica-gel cases.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Indoor stages at Disney Studios Australia and Village Roadshow Gold Coast use calibrated TVLogic and Sony OLED reference monitors for HDR-grading-accurate look running on VENICE 2 X-OCN and Alexa 35 ARRIRAW workflows. Heritage features Matrix, Star Wars II + III, Aquaman, Thor: Ragnarok, Elvis (Mandy Walker ACS ASC), and Furiosa all ran calibrated SmallHD / TVLogic / Sony monitor chains. Cross-border NZ specialty kit ships in three Qantas hours from Auckland-based depots.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What on-camera monitors do you recommend?
For most productions, we recommend SmallHD 702 Touch or the Atomos Ninja series for their combination of image quality, brightness, and versatility. They offer excellent daylight visibility and useful tools like waveforms and LUTs.
What size director's monitor is standard?
17-inch monitors are common for video village, though we also provide 24-inch and 32-inch options for larger setups. The choice depends on viewing distance, number of people monitoring, and space constraints.
Can you provide wireless video?
Yes, we supply Teradek Bolt and Vaxis wireless systems for reliable, zero-latency video transmission. These allow directors and clients to monitor without being tethered to the camera.
Do monitors come calibrated?
Yes, we calibrate all monitors before delivery using professional calibration equipment. This ensures accurate color representation across your monitoring chain.
What about HDR monitoring?
We offer HDR-capable monitors for productions requiring high dynamic range monitoring. This includes Sony OLED monitors and SmallHD Cine series with appropriate brightness and color gamut.
Can you set up complete video villages?
Yes, we provide complete video village solutions including multiple director's monitors, client monitors, wireless receivers, and all necessary distribution and cabling.
Related Services
Productions in Australia that need this often pair it with Wireless Video Systems and Monitor & Video Village for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Audio Monitoring Equipment and Lens Filters.
On Set
Need Field Monitors?
Tell us about your monitoring requirements and we'll provide the right solution.