SmallHD DP4 Owners - Epic Functionality

[Kyle Wullschleger]

I just received a DP4 from SmallHD today, and I hooked it up to my Epic to be used as an EVF. First - amazing build quality, fantastic product! However, once plugged into my Epic's HDMI, an image would flash on screen for a second, and then go blue for 5-10 seconds, and then flash back the image. The screen would read 1080 60P before going back to blue. I tried both 1080 and 720 output individually as well as the auto output feature on the Epic. No changes, still the same behavior.

I've been using my DP6 through HDMI with no problems, and plugged it in now to be sure and it worked just fine. I then plugged in the DP4 to a 7D and it worked without issue.

My epic is running firmware 2.02, and the DP4 monitor is running their latest version 1.1.

Has anyone else had problems, or if you haven't tried, can you take a look and see if this problem occurs with your Epic and the HDMI with a DP4? I've contacted SmallHD and they responded saying they have had no other reports of this issue, so I wanted to come check here first from other owners before I claim this monitor to be a lemon.

Thanks in advance for taking the time. I will be uploading Epic firmware 2.05 later today when I have a chance to see if this remains an issue - if you have already uploaded that version, please let me know as well.

[Steve Sherrick]

Was the DP4 turned on first?

[Kyle Wullschleger]

I honestly don't remember what order I turned things on by the time I realized I was having the issue. I tried powering off both the camera and the monitor and starting again with no luck. Have you had this specific problem before? Anything specific you've done to correct it? I'm going to be updating the firmware on my Epic now, and will report back after I've updated.

This time I'll be sure to turn on the camera before the monitor is powered on.

[Steve Sherrick]

I have found that I need to turn the DP4 on first, then the camera. This is with GH2 and RED One.

[Kyle Wullschleger]

Thanks for the heads up Steve. Additionally, it seems I'm having no issues with it on initial tests using Beta firmware 2.0.5 - so it may have had something to do with that, but we should be past it. Something to watch for on future firmware releases I suppose, knowing that it is not an issue with the DP4 in general, or my particular monitor is comforting.

[Steve Sherrick]

Cool, glad it's working. Are you using the DP4 with the EVF attachment?

[Kyle Wullschleger]

Yes, I do have the EVF attachment. Obviously haven't put it through a day of production yet, but I've had a very good first impression as far as build quality and functionality just getting my hands on it today. Your thoughts?

Also, for the record, I believe the order of what gets turned on when, does not seem to matter with the Epic and the SmallHD gear. Like you mentioned, I did notice this problem on a shoot with the Red One's HDMI signal and the DP6 last year, but that was the only time I used the DP6 with the Red One.

Be well,
-Kyle

[Steve Sherrick]

Just be careful about the EVF and the sun. I was meticulous about keeping the sun out of it, but a mere 20-30 seconds to look up and respond to director led to a sunspot on the monitor. Got it fixed and my wife made a sun blocker for it for those time I don't want to flip up the EVF. Also, you can get a 46mm screw-in ND 6 filter for the eyepiece and then turn up brightness to 100% on DP4. That would help quite a bit.

[Timur Civan]

FWIW , I'm reviewing the dp4, and the new prototype rubber eye cup is worlds better than the old one.

Makes it a pleasure to use.

[Steve Sherrick]

FWIW , I'm reviewing the dp4, and the new prototype rubber eye cup is worlds better than the old one.

Makes it a pleasure to use.

Hehe. Yeah, I took mine off almost immediately and replaced it with a soft foam version. Curious what the new one is like. Look forward to your review.