Blackmagic Design PYXIS Monitor – First Look

by Mascha DeikovaSeptember 28^th, 2024

At IBC 2024, Nino took a closer look at the newly announced Blackmagic Design PYXIS monitor. In case you missed it, it is a native 5-inch HDR touchscreen display for the Blackmagic PYXIS 6K camera that connects via USB-C and provides full access to camera settings and menus.

Bright, lightweight, small, and handy – these are the properties of the new monitor that Craig Heffernan from Blackmagic Design highlights. He explains that after they announced PYXIS at NAB in April, there were ongoing conversations about its fixed monitor to the side of the camera. For some operators, it seemed a perfect solution, whereas others wished for some form of a top monitor. So, here we go!

PYXIS monitor – Main features

The new PYXIS monitor features an HDR 1080p touchscreen display with 1500 nits of brightness and a compact size of 5”. It can be attached on and around PYXIS using various mounting points. To connect the monitor to the camera, you will need a single USB-C cable, which is used both for powering the device and for data transfer.

Apart from that, the touchscreen display offers users the same output from the camera as you see on the side monitor, including all the overlays, settings, and menu functionalities. In other words, through the same USB-C connection, you get full camera control.

Full camera control via USB-C

Craig Heffernan from Blackmagic Design suggests thinking of the new monitor as an extension of the built-in side screen. It has the same controls and gives users access to the same fully featured camera menu simply through a separate monitor.

Naturally, the camera control feature only works with PYXIS 6K, as well as with Blackmagic URSA Cine cameras. Potentially, you could also use this product with cameras from other manufacturers if they output the image through USB-C, but only as your preview monitor with no interactivity.

PYXIS monitor – Function buttons

Just like the camera itself, the PYXIS monitor also has three function buttons (on the back), which can be customized to your liking. For instance, if want to quickly throw on a false color or enable a higher frame rate recording, you can assign it to the monitor buttons. You don’t have to physically touch the camera to enable the settings.

Price and availability

Craig assured us that the long-awaited preordered cameras are shipping right now, in stages, depending on the chosen mount. The PYXIS monitors are already available for pre-order and are going to start shipping later this year.

Every monitor comes with a clip-on sunshade for better visibility in bright conditions. Apart from that, customers can pick one of the three packages with different mounting options. (Note that the prices Craig gives in the video interview are approximate).

• For around €322 ($295 at B&H), you get the monitor only – this is for when you have your own mounting solution and know how you want to place the monitor on the camera.
• For €477 ($445.00), you can buy a monitor kit that includes a PYXIS mount – a dovetail slide plate that lets you adjust the monitor without unbolting the mount. 
• At the price of approx. €619 ($645), customers will be able to order the entire package, which, among other things, includes the full URSA Cine EVF mounting hardware with rotatable mount and carbon fiber rods. Visit the Blackmagic Design web page for additional information.

Now, after taking a closer look at the new PYXIS monitor in action, what do you think? How do you feel about the one-cable solution that allows full camera control? Let us know in the comments below!