Caring for your AC7 Monitor ..............4 What should be in the box: ............... 5 Powering the AC7 ..................6 Locking Connectors for AC7-OLED Models only........9 Additional Power Options ................. 9 Using the AC7 ..................10 Operating the Menus ................10 The Preset Menu: ................
Page 3
Changing inputs: ................30 System Menu ..................31 PIP Menu ..................... 32 Updating Firmware ................. 33 Specifications ..................34 Specifications ..................35 Warranty ....................36 Thank You! ....................37 P a g e...
Shooting in HD and monitoring in SD is, we feel, a step in the wrong direction. That’s why even with a 7 inch screen, the AC7 delivers HD a 1280x800 resolution. Simply put – this means that you truly see what you get, so there are no surprises in the editing room.
Caring for your AC7 Monitor * The AC7’s max input voltage is 18vDC. Over powering can result in damage to your AC7. SmallHD is not liable for any damage due to overpowering the unit. * Not all power sources are created equal. Using off-brand batteries can result in undesired performance and longevity issues.
What should be in the box: 1. AC7 Field Monitor 2. Mini to standard USB cable 3. US Power Supply 4. SmallHD Cleaning Cloth 5. Quick-Start Guide P a g e...
Powering the AC7 With an amazing DC input voltage range of 7 to 18v, the AC7 can be used with nearly any battery on the production market. Battery Plates The portable powering solution. We offer several portable powering options to help our customers reduce the amount of charging equipment that is plugged in around the set.
Page 8
Holds 2 batteries but will run on just one – Hot-Swap for endless power Will run a AC7 for over 12 hours straight when using high- capacity Panasonic batteries Also maintains a low profile when mounted snugly against the back of the AC7 ...
Page 9
Output Plug Style: Male Barrel – 2.1mm ID/5.5mm OD Input: 110-240c AC Wall Plug Style: 2-Pin (no ground) The AC7 has a barrel power input for powering from a wall plug using the included power supply, or from other sources such as Anton Bauer batteries.
Locking Connectors for AC7-OLED Models only. The AC7-OLED has a locking 4 pin Hirose connector on it, we sell multiple different power cable’s including a Hirose to XLR 4 pin, Hirose to D-tap, and Hirose to Flying leads (which you can use to make your own custom cable.)
Using the AC7 Operating the Menus 1 – Navigation Scroll Wheel * Click to activate Main Menu * Click to select items in menu * Scroll right and left to adjust values *(From no menu) Scroll any direction to access the Preset menu 2 –...
Generic presets (with the name "Preset" followed by a number) will store menu adjustments made to the AC7 in real time. The selected preset can be seen in the bottom right corner of the Main menu.
The DSLR Scale presets are factory defined presets that enable the input signal from a variety of DSLR cameras to fill the screen of the AC7. Most monitors are unable to achieve this function. Special logic is in play when these presets are activated that keeps...
Page 14
ACTIVE Most Canon and Nikon DSLR’s output signals do not fill a monitor’s screen completely. The AC7’s “DSLR Scale” function enables the operator to quickly and easily fill the full screen with the incoming signal, removing those useless black bars, giving you a larger, more detailed look at the scene.
Assigning Function Buttons The AC7 has two buttons that can be assigned to custom functions for a convenient one-press ON/OFF of your favorite features. While not in any menus: 1 – Press and hold either of the two buttons (1 or 2) for 3 seconds and release 2 –...
Image Menu The image menu controls Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Saturation, Sharpness and Gamma. Below is a description of each. Function Range Description Contrast (LCD ONLY) 0-100 Controls the maximum white point of the signal. Brightness (LCD 0-100 Controls the maximum ONLY) black point of the signal.
Tools Menu The Tools menu provides access to the many software tools of the AC7 to, among other things, aid in focus and exposure. Some of the functions are explained in greater detail in later pages, marked by the asterisk (*).
Page 18
Stretch, shrink and move the CustomScale 0-1000(x4) image on screen pixel-by- pixel. Use this setting to help get a full screen image on your Canon, monitor. Even if your camera DSLR Scale Nikon, Off output’s image in strange format or aspect ratio like the 5DmkII (Cont pg12) Desqueeze the image when using a 2x anamorphic lens.
IRE levels are. This is a quick way to gauge the exposure levels within an image in a very clear way. The AC7 currently has two different types of False Color. False Color HML (High / Mid / Low) Meaning High, Medium, Low, has colors for over-exposed, under- exposed and mid-range.
Increasing resolution is step number 1, as it adds detail to a scene that you wouldn’t otherwise see. In addition, the AC7 now offers one of the most accurate in-monitor focus assist filters on the market: “Focus Assist Plus”.
FOCUS IN COLOR INACTIVE ACTIVE Via a recent firmware update we now have “Focus in Color”, improving even further on our already extremely accurate focus tool: “Focus Assist Plus” 22 | P a g e...
FOCUS ASSIST MAX INACTIVE ACTIVE Due to demand, we’ve added an even more intense version of Focus Assist Plus called “Focus Assist Max” for those situations where you might otherwise be struggling to see details. 23 | P a g e...
2X ZOOM INACTIVE ACTIVE “2X Zoom” , or 1:2 pixel mapping simply zooms into the image past its native resolution allowing for a very fine look at the details of your image. 24 | P a g e...
ANAMORPHIC DESQUEEZE INACTIVE ACTIVE Anamorphic lenses are often both beautiful and strange. Make them look less strange by using our “Anamorphic Desqueeze” filter. Even works on 2X anamorphics, stretching and cropping to a 2:35 aspect ratio for a 16:9 input (pictured).
Page 27
FRAMING GUIDES INACTIVE ACTIVE The AC7 comes equipped with several “Framing Guides” to help you line up your shot. The options available are Crosshair, Crosshatch, Aspect, and Title guides. 26 | P a g e...
MONOCHROME INACTIVE ACTIVE Have the choice to monitor in black and white with “Monochrome”. Some prefer monochrome while pulling focus because it can be easier on the eyes not having chrominance interfering with the focal plane. Another simple benefit is when shooting in color, but plan to deliver the final product in monochrome, you can avoid surprises in the edit bay.
Page 29
This is also called “Pixel to Pixel”. When viewing HD signals (720p and up), only a portion of the image will be displayed on the AC7 as 1:1 Mapping essentially performs a "zooming" effect on the native HD image...
1:1 PIXEL MAPPING INACTIVE ACTIVE If you need to double check focus, or need a slightly closer look at an element of your scene, “1:1 Pixel Mapping” does the trick when it comes to 1080i/1080p signals, showing you a bit more detail than when the image is scaled to fit the screen 29 | P a g e...
Input Menu The AC7 has 4 inputs to choose from: 1 – SDI 2 – HDMI 3 – YPbPr (SD/HD Component) 4 – Composite (SD Only) Changing inputs: 1 – Navigate to the “Input” sub menu with the scroll wheel 2 –...
Flip setting. Turns on Input format Off, 10s, 5s, 2s, Display display for a set amount of seconds. Reverts the AC7 back Factory Reset to factory defaults Toggles power to the USB Power Off, 5V USB port, on or off.
PIP Menu The AC7 allows two signals (1 HD and 1 SD) to be displayed simultaneously using the PIP or POP function, located in this menu. Function Range Description PIP, POP (Full, Determines the type Multi Window 4:3) of windowed view.
4 – Insert the thumb drive into the USB to mini-USB cable, then attach to usb port of the AC7. 5 – Hold down the scroll wheel and then turn the AC7 on. 6 – On screen instructions will inform when the process is complete.
Warranty The AC7 comes with a one year limited hardware warranty. The limited hardware warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship of our products. Warranty specifics: Warranty period begins on date of shipment Warranty is non-transferable; products not purchased directly from SmallHD or SmallHD approved affiliates and distributors do not qualify for warranty coverage.
Thank You! Most importantly, we value your patronage. If you have any questions about general or extreme use, or want access to the latest documentation, videos, firmware and general information, please visit www.smallhd.com. 37 | P a g e...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the AC7 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers