The Best Video Recording Monitors (2022)
Last updatedThis is a list of the best video recording monitors I recommend and use.
Unfortunately, this is a tiny product category. With Convergent Design and Video Devices leaving the category in the last couple of years, there are essentially only 2 other brands left - Atomos and Blackmagic Design.
I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for new options, and don't hesitate to let me know of any I should look at.
Let's get started...
Atomos Ninja V
Get Latest Price on AmazonSmall, but mighty!
Record up to 4K at 60 fps in ProRes, DNxHR, or DNxHD, and up to 5.9K at 29.97 fps in ProRes RAW (with supported cameras) - simply unbelievable at this price point.
Screen brightness of 1000 nits (brighter than nearly all current smartphones) looks great and makes it usable in direct sunlight.
Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0 (Type A)
Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps (higher formats available in ProRes RAW with supported cameras)
Supported Codecs: ProRes 422, ProRes RAW (with supported cameras), DNxHR, and DNxHD
Media: 2.5” SSD/HDD - (Supported Drives)
My Favorite Feature: ProRes RAW
Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5" 3G
Get Latest Price on AmazonWhile this is not nearly as bright (300 nits) as the Atomos Ninja V (1000 nits), it does offer some nice features like 3G-SDI input and looped output and USB webcam output.
If you need a cost-effective SDI monitor and/or don't need the ability to record to SSDs, then this is a decent option to save you a few bucks.
Inputs: 1 x 3G-SDI and 1 x HDMI (Type A)
Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps
Supported Codecs: ProRes 422 and DNxHD
Media: SDXC/SDHC Card - (Supported Cards)
My Favorite Feature: Price
Atomos Ninja V+
Get Latest Price on AmazonStill small, but even mightier!
Record up to 8K at 30 fps or 4K up to 120 fps in ProRes RAW
Record up to 4K at 60 fps or 1080p up to 120 fps in ProRes, DnXHD/DnXHR, or H.265
Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0 (Type A)
Supported Formats: RAW formats up to 8192 x 4320 at 30 fps or 4096 x 2160 at 120 fps & Broadcast or DCI formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps or 1920 x 1080 at 120 fps (See list of supported cameras)
Supported Codecs: ProRes 422, ProRes RAW (with supported cameras), DNxHR, DNxHD, and H.265
Media: 2.5” SSD/HDD - (Supported Drives)
My Favorite Feature: 8K RAW recording at an incredibly low price
Atomos Shogun 7
Get Latest Price on AmazonA slightly larger alternative to the Ninja series with some extra special features...
- A larger, brighter monitor with 15+ stops of dynamic range (3000 nits peak brightness - wow!)
- 12G-SDI input capable of up to 4K60
- Switch and record up to 4 x 1080p60 inputs (record ISOs of each input along with a program feed - all in ProRes)
Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0 (Type A), 4 x 3G-SDI or 2 x 12G-SDI, 1 x Sync
Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps (higher formats available in ProRes RAW)
Supported Codecs: ProRes 422, ProRes RAW (with supported cameras), CinemaDNG (up to 30p only), DNxHR, and DNxHD
Media: 2.5” SSD/HDD - (Supported Drives)
My Favorite Feature: 4 x 1080p60 multi-cam
Blackmagic Design Video Assist 7" 3G
Get Latest Price on AmazonEssentially the same specs as the Video Assist 5" 3G above with an additional SD card slot.
Inputs: 1 x 3G-SDI and 1 x HDMI (Type A)
Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps
Supported Codecs: ProRes 422 and DNxHD
Media: 2 x SDXC/SDHC Cards - (Supported Cards)
My Favorite Feature: Dual SD card slots
Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5" 12G HDR
Get Latest Price on AmazonA great small HDR option.
With a 2500 nit brightness and 12G-SDI input, this is like an Atomos Ninja V on steroids.
This also adds the ability to record Blackmagic RAW (with supported cameras) and the ability to record to USB-C drives when compared to the Video Assist 3G models.
Inputs: 1 x 12G-SDI and 1 x HDMI (Type A)
Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 3840 x 2160 at 60 fps or 4096 x 2160 at 25 fps
Supported Codecs: ProRes 422, DNxHR, and Blackmagic RAW (with supported cameras)
Media: SDXC/SDHC Card or USB-C Drive - (Supported Cards & Drives)
My Favorite Feature: 2500 nits and P3 wide gamut in a 5" monitor
Blackmagic Design Video Assist 7" 12G HDR
Get Latest Price on AmazonEssentially the same specs as the Video Assist 7" 12G HDR above with an additional SD card slot.
Inputs: 1 x 12G-SDI and 1 x HDMI (Type A)
Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 3840 x 2160 at 60 fps or 4096 x 2160 at 25 fps
Supported Codecs: ProRes 422, DNxHR, and Blackmagic RAW (with supported cameras)
Media: 2 x SDXC/SDHC Cards or USB-C Drive - (Supported Cards & Drives)
My Favorite Feature: Blackmagic RAW recording
Atomos Sumo19
Get Latest Price on AmazonThis 19" monitor will feel at home on set, in the studio, in a live production, or in post production.
Just a few of the bells and whistles:
- 1200 nits HDR monitoring
- ProRes RAW recording in 5.7K up to 30 fps, 4K up to 120 fps, and 2K up to 240 fps
- ProRes 422 or DNxHR recording up to 4K at 60 fps
- Quad channel 1080p switching and/or recording
- Quad SDI and HDMI in/out with cross conversion
- 2x XLR audio inputs and 2x XLR audio outputs
Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0 (Type A), 4 x 12G-SDI (single 4K or quad 1080p inputs)
Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps (higher formats available in ProRes RAW)
Supported Codecs: ProRes 422, ProRes RAW (with supported cameras), CinemaDNG (up to 4K30 only), DNxHR, and DNxHD
Media: 2.5” SSD/HDD - (Supported Drives)
My Favorite Feature: 19" screen makes it versatile for more applications compared to smaller screens