SWIT FM-215HDR 21.5″ Field Monitor – First Look

by Jeff LochJune 9^th, 2024

During Cine Gear 2024, we stopped by the SWIT booth to discuss with Johnny Wang the company’s latest field monitor, the FM-215HDR. This monitor features a 21.5″ display, can be powered with a single V-Mount battery, and has two 12G-SDI input and output ports, three 3G-SDI video input and one 3G-SDI output port, and an HDMI 2.0 input port. So, let’s take a closer look at it!

For decades, Chinese manufacturer SWIT has built a solid reputation for making high-quality camera batteries. During NAB 2024, the company showed us their latest OMNI-50S and OMNI-99S compact V-Mount batteries with an affordable retail price of $129 and $199, respectively.

Nonetheless, the company also makes other kinds of products, including wireless video systems, LED lights, on-camera monitors, and high-end studio/field monitors such as the BM-U325MD and BM-U326MD 4K/8K studio monitors. Back in March this year, SWIT introduced a smaller and more affordable model, the FM-215HDR, that packs all the features you can expect from a professional field monitor.

SWIT FM-215HDR – display

As mentioned, the SWIT FM-215HDR is a 21.5″ field monitor. It has a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080, a contrast ratio of 1000:1, a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, and a viewing angle of 178°. Similar to most field monitors designed to be carried with you on set, the FM-215HDR comes in an aluminum flight case to protect it. The top of the flight case features two cheese plates with 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 mounting points, which is handy for attaching a wireless video receiver.

The entire unit, flight case included, measures 57×26×40.5cm / 22.4×10.2×15.9in and weighs 14kg/30.8 lbs. Also, the SWIT FM-215HDR has a screen protector because we know clients never point at things directly with their fingers on the screen.

The FM-215HDR covers 97% of the DCI-P3 color space and supports various gamma profiles, including PQ, HLG, and S-Log3 HDR monitoring. However, this monitor has an 8-bit panel but uses the 8+2 FRC technology to simulate 10-bit. Regarding color accuracy, the FM-215HDR can be color-calibrated using an Atheros X-rite I1 Pro OEM or JETI Specobos1211 color probes connected to the monitor’s USB port.

Input and output ports

At the back of the unit, you’ll find all of your input and output ports, including:

• 12G-SDI video input and output ports.
• Three 3G-SDI video input ports for Quadlink 4K or multiview display mode.
• One HDMI 2.0 4K input port.
• One 3G-SDI output 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.
• A 4-pin XLR 12V power input and a regular mains power input.

The 12G-SDI input/output and HDMI input support a maximum resolution of DCI 4K at up to 60P, while the 3G-SDI ports can handle a DCI 2K signal at up to 60P.

At the back of the monitor, you’ll also find a V-Mount battery plate that allows you to power the monitor on location easily. Lastly, the SWIT FM-215HDR has VESA 100 x 100 mounting points. You can get a C-Stand/light stand adaptor bracket as an option.

The front panel of the FM-215HDR features a built-in speaker, a 3.5mm audio output, and a USB port for firmware update and loading custom LUTs. Also, the front panel is where you’ll find the navigation rotary knob, four user buttons, five function buttons, and quick access buttons to adjust your brightness, volume, contrast, saturation, and source settings.

SWIT FM-215HDR multiview and monitoring tools

Since the FM-215HDR has many video input ports, SWIT added support for quadview monitoring. It means that you can view four different video signals simultaneously. Also, if you’re shooting with two cameras, you can view the two signals picture-by-picture (side by side), but you can also view two video inputs vertically (9:16) in a direct crop mode, which is handy for social media shoots. Lastly, you can view one regular/full-size video signal and simultaneously see a vertical 9:16 crop version next to it.

Regarding monitoring tools, the SWIT FM-215HDR has everything you can hope for from a professional field monitor, including multiple waveform tools, vectorscope, false color, histogram, zebra, peaking, and R/G/B mono modes. Please note that multiple monitoring tools can be turned on simultaneously, which is handy.

Price and availability

The SWIT FM-215HDR is available now for $1,999/€1,999.

For more information, please visit SWIT’s website here.

Have you already shot using SWIT field monitors? What is your favorite size for a field monitor? What do you think about the FM-215HDR? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!