Sony A7s3 HDMI out to external monitor implementation??

[Reelyreel]

Good afternoon,

The A7s3 is a huge step up from the A7s2, I love this small form film camera, always have done.

I have been working with the A7s3 for a week now and have a question regards HDMI out.

Is there a current 3rd party monitor that works with the camera so the camera can share all the lovely touch screen autofocus treats via HDMI?

Is this possible with a firmware upgrade?

Sony are you going to make one, will there be one, available, soon, ever?

If the camera goes on a shoulder rig........., you know where I'm going with this.

Please can you share any info or thoughts here?

Can it even be done?

Kind regards

[Peter_S.]

Hi Reelyreel,

In principle this would be something that could be done.

However, currently I don't know about any plans to build such a monitor (at least not from Sony).

Anyway, I'll pass your suggestion to the engineers.

Cheers

Peter

[Reelyreel]

Hi Peter,

Thank you for your swift reply.

Please share with the engineers!

I really hope HDMI feed for focus and perhaps all current touch, flip screen options pass through to external touch screen monitors.

Perhaps it could work with 3rd party Atomos or Small HD monitors?

Excited to hear the outcome with this implementation.

Thank you

[Peter_S.]

Hi Reelyreel,

our engineers informed me that such products are already available.

E.g. on our FX series range (pro cameras), which has specific control connectors to allow bi directional communication between the cam and the monitor.

However, with HDMI connectors, like on ILCE-7 series, this cannot be achieved because the HDMI only defines video and audio transfer protocols (and some control protocols such as CEC, but not touch functions).

Anyway, as an alternative, some monitor manufacturers such as “SmallHD” have a range of external touch monitors that you can connect with HDMI (for video signal) and Wi-Fi to control focus. But we cannot guarantee that these monitors will work wit A7 series - so better check with the manufacturer itself.

Cheers

Peter

[Reelyreel]

Hi Peter,

So what you're saying is there is no way to have an external monitor that relays the touch screen actions, because the A7s3 doesn't have a bi directional communication facility.

I don't see how a third party monitor company can make this happen without the facility to share this on A7s3?

This is a shame, so focus would have to be manual as I have been using and I would have to revert back to follow focus on lens set up as before, for shoulder rig shooting.

What does the FX9 use as its bi directional communication that makes this happen and how easy would this be to implement on the future A7s4 for example?

Thanks for digging and sharing!

[Peter_S.]

Hi Reelyreel,

Well, it cannot be done via HDMI but it would be possible to control the focus by using a WiFi connection for example (if a third party would develop such a screen).

Unfortunately I cannot comment on future product design. But in theory it should be possible to implement additional functions if there's enough demand from customers.

Cheers

Peter

[jopurki32]

I'd like to add to the voices asking to be able to control the Sony A7S3 touch tracking via an external device, such as an Atomos Ninja V. For example, the Ninja V now has a AtomX Sync Add-on which has bluetooth.

You mention that there a SmallHD devices which can control focus via WIFi - can you tell me which models? Because I couldn't find them from googling.

Thanks,

Jon

[SkyNet404]

Hey all, 

Hopefully this gets noticed, and maybe they implemt something soon since they've already released a new application such as Imaging Edge. 

So, finger crossed. 

Cheers. 

[BR_Freelance]

You can use a phone via USB c or wireless with a app called monitor +, works best on Android,  it allows focus and all other functions aswell as luts etc. 

Enjoy 

[Reelyreel]

Good afternoon all,

Its been almost 2 years since I asked the question about the 'touchscreen autofocus treats' that could be implemented to an external monitor, mirrored touch screen functionality from the A7s3.

Portkeys BM5 WR have come close using a wireless setup, excellent, but the full function on the Sony A7s3 touch screen where you see the tracking white box, would be a great addition to the Portkeys monitor.

Can Sony help with this or is this a Portkeys issue?

We are getting closer to an external monitor like for like operation that has the same functions as the touchscreen on A7s3.

Perhaps the A7s4 will have a more specific external monitor support or can they update the firmware in the current A7s3?

Anyway just adding to the post, the Sony A7s3 is still my main stay for gimbal and interviews, although have been moonlighting with the FX6 this year too.

Love an update for the A7s3 soon!

Kind regards