SWIT FM-215HDR 21.5″ HDMI and 12G-SDI Field Monitor Released

March 27^th, 2024

SWIT FM-215HDR 21.5" HDMI and 12G-SDI Field Monitor Released

by Jeff LochMarch 27^th, 2024

SWIT released the FM-215HDR, a 21.5″ field monitor with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits and 97% DCI-P3 coverage. This monitor has one 12G-SDI and three 3G-SDI video input ports, one HDMI 2.0 input port, and two SDI output ports: one 12G-SDI and one 3G-SDI. So, let’s take a closer look at it!

SWIT is well-known for their lineup of compact on-camera monitors, such as the CM-S75F we reviewed here. The company also makes production monitors, and they recently released the stellar BM-U325 and BM-U326MD 4K/8K monitors. However, with respective price tags of $19,000 and $26,000, these high-end monitors are not aimed at everybody.

SWIT has released an updated version of their FM-21HDR, which was released in 2021: the FM-215HDR. The FM-21HDR looks quite similar to the OSEE LCM215-HDR+ (my review here), which isn’t surprising as SWIT is the parent company of OSEE.

SWIT FM-215HDR – features

The SWIT FM-215HDR is a 21.5-inch production monitor with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080. The monitor has a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and a large viewing angle of 178°, so you should be able to use it outside without any problems.

The monitor has an 8-bit panel but uses the 8+2 FRC technology to emulate 10-bit. This is a widespread “trick” amongst all manufacturers, as genuine 10-bit panels are expensive. According to SWIT, the FM-215HDR covers 97% of the DCI-P3 color space. SWIT also mentions that the monitor supports PQ/HLG/S-Log3 HDR monitoring.

Also, the FM-215HDR can be color-calibrated using the “Atheros X-rite I1 Pro OEM and JETI Specobos1211 color probes directly connected to the monitor via USB.”

As you can tell, the monitor comes with an aluminum flight case, which is handy for transporting and protecting it, something essential for a production monitor. However, please keep in mind that the unit measures 57 x 26 × 40.5cm/22.4 x 10.2 x 15.9in and weighs 7.28kg/16 lbs, so it’s not the kind of monitor that you always bring with you as a one-man-band filmmaker, for example.

Input and output ports

At the back of the SWIT FM-215HDR, you’ll find:

Three 3G-SDI and one 12G-SDI video input ports.
One 3G-SDI and one 12G-SDI video output port.
One HDMI 2.0 input port.
There are three RS-485 ports: one is a GPI (tally) input, and two are for TSL3.1/4.0 UMD dynamic source name input/output.
There is a built-in speaker and a 3.5mm audio output.
A 4-pin XLR 12V power input and a regular mains power input.
A USB port at the front for firmware update and load custom LUTs.

Even if the FM-215HDR has a 1080p display, it supports 4K input/output signals at up to DCI 4K60p.

The FM-215HDR can also be powered via V-Mount batteries and has a built-in battery plate. If you want to mount this production monitor to a light stand, there are VESA 100×100 mounting points at the back. However, the FM-215HDR doesn’t come with a light stand bracket, so you’ll have to buy it separately.

Monitoring tools

The SWIT FM-215HDR has multiple function buttons at the front, so you can quickly adjust your brightness/contrast/source/saturation settings. It also has five user-assignable function buttons and four user profiles.

The monitor has multiple video inputs, so it supports quadview monitoring, two picture-in-picture, and two picture-by-picture monitoring. You can also view two inputs vertically (9:16) in a direct crop mode for social media shootings.

Monitoring tools of the FM-215HDR. Image credit: SWIT

The FM-215HDR also has built-in monitoring tools, including waveform tools, peaking, R/G/B mono, histogram, zebra, false color, marker, and audio signal.