Just came across this Viltrox X3 review…damn Thomas your product reviews are so well shot and produced. You have really become a serious professional, my compliments to you!
Since it's just released today - the only place to find it at the moment is in Viltrox online store which I've linked in the description of this video.
Thanks for another great monitor video Thomas. I’m wondering if the lut can be looped out. I’ve heard from another video that the 550 pro can’t do it through its hdmi loop out. Thanks!
I can't remember for sure, but I think the loop through signal is straight in and out in order to feed a directors monitor with a usable image even if the on camera monitor is using false colors or any other overlays/features. It's usually the case.
@@thomasfranssonDifferences in size, HDMI ports, UI, heating, battery life, touch functionality. Overall if the X2/X3 is the better option which I feel it is. Just mentioned the aspects I figured would be helpful, not demanding them in any way. As you can. Cheers! If you could mention at what percentage of brightness the screen is viewable outdoors without the sun hood in sunny conditions, that would be helpful. 😊
Not sure I'll be able to get my hands on the Shinobi II But they both offer some features that will suit different people and use cases. If you don't see yourself using SDI the X2 is going to be just over $100 less than the Shinobi if price is a factor. The display on the Shinobi is slightly better but smaller (5.2" vs 6") and not as bright. But with a higher pixel density. And 8bit + FRC vs pure 8bit on the Viltrox. That would matter if you're looking for a HDR workflow. If you deliver and monitor in rec709 you won't utilize that extra emulated bit depth though. For manual focus and anamorphic i would recommend the 6" The Shinobi II also has dc out which is neat if you have more things on your rig powered over DC (out might be limited to 8V though) The Viltrox might survive a bit longer due to the aluminum housing, bit the Shinobi will be lighter... As for the Ninja V I wouldn't go for the Ninja unless you need the external recording feature.
@@thomasfransson This was such a helpful reply, I have pretty much settled on buying the Viltrox DC-X2 to pair with my Sony A7RV, great review! It would be great if you included comment comparisons like in this reply in your future reviews, cheers!
It offers image freeze but not the proprietary onion skin feature you see on smallhd monitors. So a whiteboard marker is probably the fastest workaround.
Quick usability question, I attach the monitor to a side arm on my gimbal which requires it to be mounted at the top. Here the 1/4 thread is at the bottom. Is it possible to rotate it, activate auto-image flip, and still use the sun hood in an "upside down" position? Asked in another way, can you attach the sun hood to the bottom part of the monitor identically as to the upper part? Thanks!
So if I wanted to shoot a video in 4k 60fps, I wouldn’t get an image on this? I would have to downgrade to 1080p? Or do I just set the external monitoring settings to 1080p 60fps and the footage I record would still be 4k?
Most cameras that can shoot 4K will let you set HDMI output to 1920x1080 while recording 4K internally. 1920x1080 is also the standard screen resolution for there types of monitors, be it the $5540 Arri CCM-1 monitor or an affordable $250 monitor and 99% of them only supports 4K 30fps. Even that CCM-1 for over $5000.
Wouldn’t it be great if it took its video feed via the USBC port? AND have the battery pass through the power through said port? Pretty obvious don’t you think?
I think that would drain the battery pretty fast given the fact that most monitors have an 8-10W draw and the video options over USB-C varies quite a bit
@@thomasfransson bigger battery. This feature is already available in portable 15 inch monitors. I run my iPad through it and 2nd port provides power input. BM run their new viewfinder signal and power through USBC. USBC can pass 100 watts can deliver 10GBs. It’s only a matter of time. HDMI is so old school.
I'm aware that it's available for monitors. But I struggle to see a wider use for this on on-camera monitors, especially as the majority of shooters seems to prefer lighter setups without external batteries and the rigging that comes along whenever needed. And the fact that not all cameras support video through usb-c and some that do have some quirks which may not be ideal for monitoring. And the whole power over USB-C vs dummy battery. That said, I'm not against this feature being implemented on monitors in the future. But I would also understand why manufacturers may not prioritize this feature atm.
I'm having problems with my monitor. I have the dx3 version, everything works normally, the problem is that I can't turn it off. That's right! I have to remove the battery or the power supply to turn it off. It's the second viltrox monitor I buy that has problems
You know that you have to turn it off by confirming on the screen, not just by using the power button? I made this mistake a few times myself in the beginning. I was done shooting, closed the hood and pressed the power button.
Have you found any bugs? In that case you should report them to Viltrox and not me 😉 I don't think there's a new firmware available. But the option is down at the bottom of the menu.
Does it allow for custom frame guides? Most of the standard frame guides aren’t correct when you go into the hdmi info out from Sony, since it adds all the dead space.
Ah see, yeah that's the one annoying thing with Sony cameras. I rarely have the info display turned on. But if I do, I normally just pinch zoom past the "junk" to fill the screen ;) And pinch zoom out or just swipe up or down to glance setting and info. The frame guide options available is 80, 85, 90, 93 and 96% so no free form for that tiny little image patch.
Ah bummer. Yeah I hate the way Sony does their info out, but I still need it in some cases. This seems to be the only feature this monitor is missing. If it had that I would buy it no doubt.
No they can't be movedor scaled. If that's a feature you prioritize I can recommend checking out the Lilmon 5 which lets you adjust scale, position and transparency. ruclips.net/video/_Vcw33O_KdU/видео.htmlsi=GuzfBuEMCwteTLZW
Hi, thank you for a great review. Can I ask what camera is attached to the monitor during your demonstration? I am using the a7s3 and when the display info is on I get 4:3 display on the monitor. So I guess you are using the FX6?
Hmm, I think it might be the battery indicator on the monitor and the fact that the image falls off into black at the sides. But I will double check when I get home. That or maybe it's de-squeezed. But if you're right, that would be a huge plus for all sony shooters. The camera in the demo is the FX30 btw.
I'm using the anamorphic mode with this monitor on my S1H and I'm getting a pixelated image on the monitor but when I punch in 5x to focus it's sharp. Have you run into this issue and have a solution?
Interesting, hmm, I can't say that I've noticed that. But my eyes are kinda crappy so maybe it's that. Is it the same if you use pixel 2 pixel? Also are you sending 1080 or 4k to the monitor?
That's a good point, thank you for bringing it up. Start up time isn't bad. I haven't compared it, but feels shorter than the Shinobi II which I'm testing at the moment. A tip, when there’s a bit of wait I dim the screen (swipe down) instead of power off to still have everything at stand-by but conserve battery.
They're all great options and there's only small differences that would cater to very specific needs and/or preferences at this point. But in general, 2000 nits and a 6" display is not a bad thing to have. Also, I'm in the middle of planning a monitor comparison video, so let me know what specific features that's most important to you. It would greatly help me deciding on what information to focus on for that video.
@@thomasfransson to be honest, only thing I see Osee Lilmon having "better" is supposed 10 bit screen, everything else seems to be equal or better on the Viltrox
Yes, that's one of the things that could be a deciding factor for people shooting HDR footage. But as most people don't and still monitor in rec709 it's probably just a perk for a handful of people. But it is a nice looking display for sure. The swift OS on the Lilmon is another thing I mentioned in my comparison video that could be a plus for some users. But as with cameras these days, it's hard to find a bad one ;)
@@watzmaaname Shinobi II doesn't have SDI, the Pyxis doesn't have HDMI, and lastly Atomos doesn't support Blackmagic products due to their history & feud.
The easy answer would be because of some of the features which are typically not seen on most budget friendly options. Whether these features resonates with an individuals need and workflow is another question as there's so many different types of shooters, ideals and priorities.
Well, yes I guess. You have vertical 9x16 guides and if you shoot vertical then most likely would like to mount the monitor in a vertical orientation to maximize the screen size instead of working with a small strip in the middle. There's also image flip in horizontal and vertical mode as well as auto rotation
Thanks for the nice review. I find it a bit frustrating that all reviewers go so fast and superficial when it comes to UI / usability of the monitor. Mentioning the list of available features is one thing, but see how to access and configure them is another. When you’re on a shoot you need to be super fast to access the different options and it’s a very important buying criteria. I would never buy an Átomos because of their horrible UI design. Maybe for another video? Thanks!
Thank you and I appreciate the feedback. It's always difficult to balance videolenght vs the amount of information. In this case I can say with certainty that it's very easy to set up the features and tools. As it's most often just on or off in terms of options. I can see how the Atomos would be a more complex piece of gear.
I'm considering this for my GH5 but I mainly shoot in HLG (to have the option to export in REC709 or HDR). How would this be for that scenario compared to the new Atomos Shinobi II which has 10bit? (and is much more expensive)
I think you could get by with the X2 or X3. But you could take a look at the Osee Lilmon 5 If you want a more reliable HDR workflow for less money than the shinobi II - Here's https my video on the Lilmon5: ruclips.net/video/_Vcw33O_KdU/видео.htmlsi=VpXjQO9ZIRGNVPsU
@@thomasfransson Thanks for your response. I went ahead and ordered the X3 a few days ago. I guess my GH5 can/will downconvert the HLG to REC709 for the external HDMI to the monitor. But don't know if I can trust false color/zebra's that way for HDR recordings.
That's a valid point. It might take some trials to figure out how much you can push your levels on the waveforms or other exposure tools. Unless you can feed your on camera waveforms over HDMI too? Anyway, hope you'll enjoy your monitor
I have no idea what the issue could be. Or if it/how it could be fixed. But yes, try a few of their platforms and if you didn't order it directly from Viltrox obviously contact the seller. Meanwhile you could try resetting and all those things if you haven’t already ;)
I'm not really that happy with my DC-550 it has a weird green tint and I can't get around, with Custome LUTs it especially annoying using right now my phone wich has a bigger and brighter screen with sony remote app
@@thomasfransson yea I find it hard to tweak the Green - Magenta tint and the RGB values are weird off after factory reset. Also the color temperature has huge impact. I'm using my camera display as reference point but wasn't able to reproduce the same colors 😔
Just came across this Viltrox X3 review…damn Thomas your product reviews are so well shot and produced. You have really become a serious professional, my compliments to you!
Thank you Gregory!
And so nice to hear from you, I hope all is well on your end!
Nice review!!
Where can I buy this in South Africa?
Since it's just released today - the only place to find it at the moment is in Viltrox online store which I've linked in the description of this video.
Thank you! Cheers!
Mr. Thomas Fransson, this is was a refreshing and to the point review, Thank you Sir and keep it up with the great work !
Thank you!
I just picked up a DCX3 on flash sale for 150 usd! Can't wait for it to arrive
That's a great bargain
Thanks for another great monitor video Thomas. I’m wondering if the lut can be looped out. I’ve heard from another video that the 550 pro can’t do it through its hdmi loop out. Thanks!
I can't remember for sure, but I think the loop through signal is straight in and out in order to feed a directors monitor with a usable image even if the on camera monitor is using false colors or any other overlays/features. It's usually the case.
Thanks, Do you know if it will work with Olympus OM-1 Camera.
Yes it does, I believe it’s micro HDMI out on the om-1? In that case grab a micro/type D to type A HDMI cable and you're good to go.
thank you for confirming that there is a 9:16 guide. 👏most reviewers ignore this. i can confidently buy it now.
Glad I was able to provide the information you were looking for.
Thank you.
Very nice review
Please make a video between 550pro and this one
And if you can ..calibrate the monitor exactly with the camera’s
Working on it, anything specific you want to see covered in that video?
@@thomasfranssonDifferences in size, HDMI ports, UI, heating, battery life, touch functionality. Overall if the X2/X3 is the better option which I feel it is.
Just mentioned the aspects I figured would be helpful, not demanding them in any way. As you can. Cheers!
If you could mention at what percentage of brightness the screen is viewable outdoors without the sun hood in sunny conditions, that would be helpful. 😊
a cable clamp away form being really great!
That would have been nice
Can that monitor convert the HDMI signal to SDI or vice versa like a Blackmagic converter?
Not at the moment was the answer I got from Viltrox. So maybe in the future.
Can you input in HDMI and output in SDI?
Not currently according to Viltrox
Again.....another fantastic review!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for taking the time to comment
I would like a comparison between this monitor, the new shinobi II and the Atomos Ninja V
Not sure I'll be able to get my hands on the Shinobi II
But they both offer some features that will suit different people and use cases.
If you don't see yourself using SDI the X2 is going to be just over $100 less than the Shinobi if price is a factor.
The display on the Shinobi is slightly better but smaller (5.2" vs 6") and not as bright. But with a higher pixel density. And 8bit + FRC vs pure 8bit on the Viltrox. That would matter if you're looking for a HDR workflow. If you deliver and monitor in rec709 you won't utilize that extra emulated bit depth though.
For manual focus and anamorphic i would recommend the 6"
The Shinobi II also has dc out which is neat if you have more things on your rig powered over DC (out might be limited to 8V though)
The Viltrox might survive a bit longer due to the aluminum housing, bit the Shinobi will be lighter...
As for the Ninja V I wouldn't go for the Ninja unless you need the external recording feature.
@@thomasfransson Thank you for the reply Thomas
Happy if I'm able to help
@@thomasfransson This was such a helpful reply, I have pretty much settled on buying the Viltrox DC-X2 to pair with my Sony A7RV, great review! It would be great if you included comment comparisons like in this reply in your future reviews, cheers!
Does it have the ability to overlay a still while shooting a scene to perform match cuts? Thank you
It offers image freeze but not the proprietary onion skin feature you see on smallhd monitors.
So a whiteboard marker is probably the fastest workaround.
@@thomasfransson I see, first of all, thanks for the reply. So, the image freeze function, does it have transparency? I assume not.
Quick usability question, I attach the monitor to a side arm on my gimbal which requires it to be mounted at the top. Here the 1/4 thread is at the bottom. Is it possible to rotate it, activate auto-image flip, and still use the sun hood in an "upside down" position? Asked in another way, can you attach the sun hood to the bottom part of the monitor identically as to the upper part? Thanks!
Sorry for the late reply, yes you can rotate the image and flip it horizontally.
Does this monitor support 1080p at 60fps?
Yes it does
Nice video. Good review 👍🏻.
Thank you
So if I wanted to shoot a video in 4k 60fps, I wouldn’t get an image on this? I would have to downgrade to 1080p? Or do I just set the external monitoring settings to 1080p 60fps and the footage I record would still be 4k?
Most cameras that can shoot 4K will let you set HDMI output to 1920x1080 while recording 4K internally.
1920x1080 is also the standard screen resolution for there types of monitors, be it the $5540 Arri CCM-1 monitor or an affordable $250 monitor and 99% of them only supports 4K 30fps. Even that CCM-1 for over $5000.
Wouldn’t it be great if it took its video feed via the USBC port? AND have the battery pass through the power through said port?
Pretty obvious don’t you think?
I think that would drain the battery pretty fast given the fact that most monitors have an 8-10W draw and the video options over USB-C varies quite a bit
@@thomasfransson bigger battery.
This feature is already available in portable 15 inch monitors. I run my iPad through it and 2nd port provides power input.
BM run their new viewfinder signal and power through USBC.
USBC can pass 100 watts can deliver 10GBs.
It’s only a matter of time.
HDMI is so old school.
I'm aware that it's available for monitors. But I struggle to see a wider use for this on on-camera monitors, especially as the majority of shooters seems to prefer lighter setups without external batteries and the rigging that comes along whenever needed.
And the fact that not all cameras support video through usb-c and some that do have some quirks which may not be ideal for monitoring. And the whole power over USB-C vs dummy battery.
That said, I'm not against this feature being implemented on monitors in the future. But I would also understand why manufacturers may not prioritize this feature atm.
I'm having problems with my monitor. I have the dx3 version, everything works normally, the problem is that I can't turn it off. That's right! I have to remove the battery or the power supply to turn it off. It's the second viltrox monitor I buy that has problems
You know that you have to turn it off by confirming on the screen, not just by using the power button?
I made this mistake a few times myself in the beginning. I was done shooting, closed the hood and pressed the power button.
yes, i know that. The question appears on the screen, I press to turn off the screen disappears and it doesn't turn off. @@thomasfransson
What did Viltrox say about it?
I can’t power mine on 😂, the battery they provided seems defective, or the battery rails don’t read the battery, what a disappointment.
How do you update the monitor? I have it new and I'm sure I need to
Have you found any bugs? In that case you should report them to Viltrox and not me 😉
I don't think there's a new firmware available. But the option is down at the bottom of the menu.
Does it allow for custom frame guides?
Most of the standard frame guides aren’t correct when you go into the hdmi info out from Sony, since it adds all the dead space.
Ah see, yeah that's the one annoying thing with Sony cameras. I rarely have the info display turned on. But if I do, I normally just pinch zoom past the "junk" to fill the screen ;) And pinch zoom out or just swipe up or down to glance setting and info.
The frame guide options available is 80, 85, 90, 93 and 96% so no free form for that tiny little image patch.
Ah bummer. Yeah I hate the way Sony does their info out, but I still need it in some cases. This seems to be the only feature this monitor is missing. If it had that I would buy it no doubt.
Yeah, I don't know why they can't add that as an option. It blows when shooting anamorphic if you want the on screen values and counter...
Great video and review. Thanks
Thank you, and thanks for watching!
could the waveform or other scope's position be adjusted?Wonder if I could customize the assist tools
No they can't be movedor scaled. If that's a feature you prioritize I can recommend checking out the Lilmon 5 which lets you adjust scale, position and transparency. ruclips.net/video/_Vcw33O_KdU/видео.htmlsi=GuzfBuEMCwteTLZW
Hi, thank you for a great review. Can I ask what camera is attached to the monitor during your demonstration? I am using the a7s3 and when the display info is on I get 4:3 display on the monitor. So I guess you are using the FX6?
Yep, that's Sony’s hdmi quirk. All Sony cameras displays it like that.
@@thomasfransson yes I know , so it’s the fx6 that’s got a 16:9 display?
Hmm, I think it might be the battery indicator on the monitor and the fact that the image falls off into black at the sides. But I will double check when I get home. That or maybe it's de-squeezed.
But if you're right, that would be a huge plus for all sony shooters.
The camera in the demo is the FX30 btw.
I'm using the anamorphic mode with this monitor on my S1H and I'm getting a pixelated image on the monitor but when I punch in 5x to focus it's sharp. Have you run into this issue and have a solution?
Interesting, hmm, I can't say that I've noticed that. But my eyes are kinda crappy so maybe it's that. Is it the same if you use pixel 2 pixel?
Also are you sending 1080 or 4k to the monitor?
@ solved it! Had to change downsample to 1080 instead of auto. Thanks!
Amazing, always a relief when it's that easy 🥳
Already commented about your great review :)
That's a good point, thank you for bringing it up. Start up time isn't bad. I haven't compared it, but feels shorter than the Shinobi II which I'm testing at the moment.
A tip, when there’s a bit of wait I dim the screen (swipe down) instead of power off to still have everything at stand-by but conserve battery.
great video! So tell us, what do you recommend, Viltrox DC-X2/3 or Osee Lilmon 5? Price is pretty much the same where I'm at.
They're all great options and there's only small differences that would cater to very specific needs and/or preferences at this point.
But in general, 2000 nits and a 6" display is not a bad thing to have.
Also, I'm in the middle of planning a monitor comparison video, so let me know what specific features that's most important to you. It would greatly help me deciding on what information to focus on for that video.
@@thomasfransson to be honest, only thing I see Osee Lilmon having "better" is supposed 10 bit screen, everything else seems to be equal or better on the Viltrox
Yes, that's one of the things that could be a deciding factor for people shooting HDR footage. But as most people don't and still monitor in rec709 it's probably just a perk for a handful of people. But it is a nice looking display for sure. The swift OS on the Lilmon is another thing I mentioned in my comparison video that could be a plus for some users.
But as with cameras these days, it's hard to find a bad one ;)
This is an almost perfect budget Pyxis Monitor at only $270. The only thing really missing is camera control.
Yeah that would have been pretty sweet for sure!
The Shinobi II should fill that spot.
@@watzmaaname Shinobi II doesn't have SDI, the Pyxis doesn't have HDMI, and lastly Atomos doesn't support Blackmagic products due to their history & feud.
@@billyoung9538 Wasn't aware of that. Both being Australian companies, it's too bad.
Does this monitor support 4K 60/120fps? What about touch focus?
03:40
Touch focus is a super rare feature. I think there’s a 3 on the market.
Why is this a prosumer monitor?
The easy answer would be because of some of the features which are typically not seen on most budget friendly options.
Whether these features resonates with an individuals need and workflow is another question as there's so many different types of shooters, ideals and priorities.
Vertical mode?
Well, yes I guess. You have vertical 9x16 guides and if you shoot vertical then most likely would like to mount the monitor in a vertical orientation to maximize the screen size instead of working with a small strip in the middle.
There's also image flip in horizontal and vertical mode as well as auto rotation
Thanks for the nice review. I find it a bit frustrating that all reviewers go so fast and superficial when it comes to UI / usability of the monitor. Mentioning the list of available features is one thing, but see how to access and configure them is another.
When you’re on a shoot you need to be super fast to access the different options and it’s a very important buying criteria. I would never buy an Átomos because of their horrible UI design.
Maybe for another video?
Thanks!
Thank you and I appreciate the feedback. It's always difficult to balance videolenght vs the amount of information.
In this case I can say with certainty that it's very easy to set up the features and tools. As it's most often just on or off in terms of options. I can see how the Atomos would be a more complex piece of gear.
I'm considering this for my GH5 but I mainly shoot in HLG (to have the option to export in REC709 or HDR). How would this be for that scenario compared to the new Atomos Shinobi II which has 10bit? (and is much more expensive)
I think you could get by with the X2 or X3. But you could take a look at the Osee Lilmon 5 If you want a more reliable HDR workflow for less money than the shinobi II - Here's https my video on the Lilmon5:
ruclips.net/video/_Vcw33O_KdU/видео.htmlsi=VpXjQO9ZIRGNVPsU
@@thomasfransson Thanks for your response. I went ahead and ordered the X3 a few days ago. I guess my GH5 can/will downconvert the HLG to REC709 for the external HDMI to the monitor. But don't know if I can trust false color/zebra's that way for HDR recordings.
That's a valid point. It might take some trials to figure out how much you can push your levels on the waveforms or other exposure tools. Unless you can feed your on camera waveforms over HDMI too?
Anyway, hope you'll enjoy your monitor
i just bought viltrox dc 550pro
That's a great monitor, I've shot a lot with it. Works great
On my first day receivingy viltrox x2 monitor, i am already experiencing, screen flickering and not responding to my touch at all.
Why me 😢
That's a shame, have you contacted Viltrox?
Could be the monitor, or could also be cable or hdmi settings, port or cable.
@@thomasfransson Yes I have contacted, no response as yet... And this is happening even without the cables plugged in
I have no idea what the issue could be. Or if it/how it could be fixed. But yes, try a few of their platforms and if you didn't order it directly from Viltrox obviously contact the seller.
Meanwhile you could try resetting and all those things if you haven’t already ;)
@@thomasfransson Thank you.
I was able to get in contact with support, a return was done and awaiting a replacement
I'm not really that happy with my DC-550 it has a weird green tint and I can't get around, with Custome LUTs it especially annoying using right now my phone wich has a bigger and brighter screen with sony remote app
That sounds odd since you can adjust the tint and other aspects of the image on the monitor.
@@thomasfransson yea I find it hard to tweak the Green - Magenta tint and the RGB values are weird off after factory reset.
Also the color temperature has huge impact. I'm using my camera display as reference point but wasn't able to reproduce the same colors 😔
Hard to say what the problem might be. But I guess you could correct for it on your monitor LUT.