Choosing The Right External Monitor Cable For Your Gh5

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a powerful camera with an internal waveform, vectorscope, zebras, and focus with focus peaking. However, an external monitor can greatly enhance your filming experience. When choosing an external monitor, you should consider factors such as size, ease of use, and compatibility with the GH5. In terms of size, 5-inch monitors are commonly used by professional cinematographers due to their compactness and ease of transport. Larger 7-inch monitors provide more screen real estate but may be bulkier to carry around. When choosing an external monitor, it is important to ensure that it has the necessary connections, such as HDMI 2.0, to be compatible with the GH5. Additionally, you may want to consider monitors with features like false colour, zebra, and vectorscope to assist with framing and focus. While there are many options available, the Atomos Ninja V and SmallHD FOCUS 5 are often recommended by GH5 users.

HDMI cable for external monitor

HDMI cables are a digital standard for transmitting video and audio over a single cable. They are ideal for connecting your device to an external display, such as a monitor. When selecting an HDMI cable for an external monitor, there are a few factors to consider:

Length

The length of the HDMI cable will depend on the distance between your device and the external monitor. It is important to measure the distance and choose a cable that is long enough to reach comfortably. However, avoid cables that are too long as they can affect signal quality.

Resolution and Bandwidth

Consider the resolution and bandwidth requirements of your external monitor. If you are using a 4K monitor, ensure that the HDMI cable supports 4K resolution. For example, the CableDirect 8K & 4K HDMI Cable supports up to 4K resolution at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz. The PowerBear 4K HDMI Cable is another option that supports 4K @ 60Hz.

Flexibility

If you need an HDMI cable for a mounted monitor, flexibility is important. Thicker cables can be more rigid and difficult to work with. Look for thin, flexible cables that can be easily routed and won't put strain on the connection ports.

Compatibility

Ensure that the HDMI cable is compatible with your device and the external monitor. For example, if you are connecting a laptop to an external monitor, you may need an adapter, such as the StarTech USB 3.0 to Dual HDMI Adapter, which allows you to connect up to two HDMI monitors to your laptop using a single USB 3.0 port.

Price

HDMI cables can vary in price, from a few dollars to more expensive options. It is important to consider your budget and choose a cable that offers the best value for your needs. Keep in mind that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a good quality HDMI cable.

In summary, when choosing an HDMI cable for an external monitor, consider the length, resolution and bandwidth requirements, flexibility, compatibility, and price. By taking these factors into account, you can select an HDMI cable that meets your specific needs and provides a reliable connection to your external monitor.

Display setup

The Panasonic GH5 offers several options for displaying images and videos. The external monitor setting allows you to select whether the camera's LCD or an external monitor will display the image. This can be found in the Setup Menu under Display Setup, which is the icon that looks like a pair of glasses.

To change your external monitor settings, go to the Setup Menu and select Monitor. Press the Disp button to turn on or off each setting. The HDMI output from the GH5 does not include a live view feed, so if a monitor is connected via HDMI, you will not be able to view the image on the camera's LCD.

There are several display options for the external monitor setting:

• Display on LCD only: The image is displayed on the LCD screen only, and no external monitors are used. This option still requires an HDMI cable to be connected to one or more external monitors, but they will not display anything unless they are plugged in.
• Display on LCD + External Monitor 1: The image is displayed on both the LCD screen and an attached external monitor/TV connected through HDMI cable 1 or 2. This is the default setting when connecting an external monitor. This setting allows you to see several images at once and switch between them using the up/down or left/right buttons.
• HDMI - Rec Out: This works with an HDMI recorder and allows you to save footage directly to an external device without using the camera's internal memory cards.
• HDMI - Rec Out & Touch Screen Lock: This will lock the camera's touch screen while recording via HDMI output.

When it comes to choosing an external monitor, there are various options available, including the Atomos Ninja Inferno, SmallHD FOCUS 5", and Feelworld F6. The size of the monitor is a matter of preference, with 5" being sufficient for most professional cinematographers, while a 7" monitor may be preferred for interviews or situations where size is not a constraint.

Additionally, you can use your iPhone as an external monitor with the Panasonic GH5 by using a "hot shoe universal phone holder" and downloading the Panasonic Image App or a third-party app like FieldMonitor App.

Calibrated professional-grade monitor

A calibrated professional-grade monitor is essential for colour grading and colour correction. It ensures accurate and consistent colours, enhancing the quality of your work. Here are some key considerations when selecting or calibrating a professional-grade monitor:

Colour Accuracy and Gamut:

A wide colour gamut and high colour accuracy are crucial. This ensures that all colours in an image are displayed correctly, with no colour shifting.

Brightness and Contrast:

Brightness and contrast play a vital role in monitor calibration. A monitor with high brightness and contrast ratio improves visibility in highlights and shadows, enhancing detail recognition. When calibrating, adjust brightness using a near-black gradient test pattern. Set the brightness so that the 17th step is barely visible, then go back one step. For contrast, adjust the setting so that steps up to 234 show some detail, with the last few steps being faint.

Input Options:

Ensure the monitor has the right input options, such as HDMI, DisplayPort, or Thunderbolt, to connect to your computer or other devices.

Screen Size and Resolution:

Consider the space you have available and the suitable viewing distance. Popular sizes include 24, 27, and 32 inches. A larger screen provides more workspace, while a higher resolution offers increased detail.

Viewing Angle:

A wide viewing angle is essential for colour grading. It allows multiple people to view the screen clearly from different positions, ensuring consistent colour representation.

HDR Support:

High Dynamic Range (HDR) increases colour intensity and contrast, enhancing image quality. HDR displays offer a higher contrast ratio than SDR displays, facilitating more precise contrast adjustments during colour grading.

Calibration Tools and Consistency:

Calibrate your monitor using tools like a calibrated tristimulus colorimeter. This helps match the monitor's output to an absolute reference. Calibration software may also create an ICC profile, a reference table for accurate content display. Remember, professional-grade monitors require constant calibration to maintain accurate and consistent colours.

Monitor size

When it comes to monitor size, there are a few things to consider when choosing an external monitor for your GH5. Firstly, it is worth noting that the Panasonic GH5 does not have standard or custom frame guides, so if you require these options, an external monitor is necessary.

A larger monitor will make certain tasks easier, such as detecting flicker and motion effects, as these are harder to study on the camera's LCD screen. A monitor with a screen size of around 7 inches will make these tasks simpler.

Another factor to consider is visibility in bright light. The GH5's screen is not very visible in bright outdoor conditions, so an external monitor with a hood can be beneficial. A larger screen size will also help with visibility in these conditions.

Additionally, if you are working with a crew, an external monitor allows others to see what you are shooting. This can be advantageous for focus pullers, hair and makeup artists, directors, and anyone else who needs to view the live image.

When choosing a monitor size, it's also important to consider your setup and portability needs. While a larger monitor may offer benefits in terms of visibility and functionality, it will also add weight and bulk to your equipment setup. If you travel frequently or have a compact rig, a smaller monitor, such as a 5-inch option, might be more suitable.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that some users have suggested using an iPhone as an external monitor for the GH5. While this option may not provide the same benefits as a dedicated external monitor, it can be a viable alternative for those who want to pack light.

Monitor weight

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 camera weighs 725 g, including batteries. The weight of the camera body alone is 645 g.

The camera's dimensions are 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4 mm (5.45 x 3.86 x 3.44 inches), excluding protrusions. With the H-FS12060 lens included, the weight of the camera setup is 1030 g. With the H-HSA12035 lens, the weight is 1000 g.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S, an alternate model, has a weight of 660 g, including batteries. The dimensions of the GH5S are 139 x 98 x 87 mm (5.5 x 3.9 x 3.4 inches).

The weight and size of a camera are important factors to consider when choosing a camera setup, especially for travel or handheld use. Different lenses and accessories can also impact the overall weight and balance of the camera setup.

Frequently asked questions