Portkeys HS8 Introduced – An Affordable Director’s Monitor

Monitor News

by Jose PradaJuly 11^th, 2024

Portkeys has released the HS8 director monitor, featuring an 8-inch screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, and a maximum brightness of 1,100nits. The brand announces it as a versatile monitor with HDMI/SDI video input and output ports. The Portkeys HS8 sells for less than $400 and is packed with a plethora of features, so let’s check it out!

After releasing the highly affordable HD7H on-camera monitor a month ago, Chinese monitoring solutions specialist Portkeys is already back with one of their first director’s monitors: the HS8. The company continues to offer affordable monitoring solutions for filmmakers and content creators, and the HS8 is no different, as it comes packed with many exciting features for its price range, such as HDMI and SDI video input/output ports and a built-in Sony NP-F dummy battery plate with power passthrough, that can be used to power camera accessories such as a wireless video receiver.

Portkeys HS8 design and main features

The Portkeys HS8 is the first director monitor from the brand. Built of aluminum alloy, the HS8 weighs 675g/1.48 lbs and measures 208 x 133.7 x 50.5mm/8.18 x 5.26 x 0.20in. As people around the set usually touch the monitor, there is a user-replaceable protective glass that screws in front of the display, which is a nice add-on.

The 8-inch screen has a resolution of 1920 x 1200, a maximum brightness of 1,100 nits, and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. When you invest in this kind of gear, you want it to perform in as many situations as possible, and with these numbers, the monitor should perform in low-light interior scenes as well as exterior daylight shootings.

Another essential characteristic to look for in a monitor like this one, no matter its price range, is how color-accurate it is. In that regard, every HS8 unit is color-calibrated before it leaves the factory and features a 10-bit (8+2 FRC) panel.

Portkeys HS8 – a versatile director monitor 

Regarding connectivity, we can find the video and power input ports at the bottom of the monitor, which are recessed to prevent accidents. These ports include one DCI 4K60P HDMI and one 3G-SDI 1080P60 video input port, and an HDMI and one 3G-SDI video output port. Both video output ports support resolutions up to 1080P60. Furthermore, the Portkeys HS8 supports cross-conversion from HDMI input to SDI output and from SDI input to HDMI output. A 3D LUT can be output via the SDI and HDMI ports to assure consistency throughout the monitoring stages.

At the bottom, there is also a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-A port to install updates and custom LUTs. A DC 7-20V power input with a locking DC 5.5×2.1mm barrel connector powers the monitor for an extended time via a V-Mount/Gold Mount battery and the included D-TAP to screw-in DC power cable.

The HS8 features a dual Sony NP-F battery plate. Portkeys reports that two Sony NP-F970 batteries can power the monitor for around five hours. One of the most interesting characteristics is the addition of a Sony NP-F power output dummy battery with power passthrough (8V/10W) to connect and power a wireless video receiver at the back of the HS8. This plate can rotate 360° via the big yellow knob at the center.

At the back, we have VESA 100 x 100 mounting points to install the monitor on different supports by an optional monitor mount. At the top, the Portkeys HS8 has four user-assignable buttons, an On/Off switch, a button to switch from HDMI to SDI input, and a dual-function menu/scroll wheel.

For increased versatility, the unit features four 1/4″-20 mounting points with locating pins on each side of the monitor. In most scenarios where you would use this monitor, many accessories will be around, so it is always good to have the possibility to rig gear without the need for a cage. Anyway, the monitor could also be used bare without adding much weight to your monitoring setup for run-and-gun situations.

A suite of monitoring tools

The Portkeys HS8 features a bunch of tools that can be displayed simultaneously for a better and more accurate monitoring experience:

• 3D LUT monitoring with 3D LUT SDI output. Custom LUTs can be loaded via the USB-A port at the bottom of the monitor.
• RGB and Luma Waveform/Histogram exposure tools. Adjustable Zebra tool.
• Customizable False Color with 13 different colors, including ARRI False Color.
• Anamorphic image de-squeeze with all the standard ratios (1.33x, 1.5x, 2.0x) and customizable aspect ratio from 0.25 to 4.0x.
• Peaking and Zoom functions.
• 3G SDI Level A/B auto output and SDI transform from Progressive to Interlaced capabilities.
• Framing tools: crosshair, check field, guides, grids, rectangle crop.
• Audio meters.
• Monitor adjustments: black level, backlight, contrast, color temperature, sharpness, chroma, brightness, tint, HDR HLG, OSD Flip mode.

Price and availability 

The Portkeys HS8 is now available to order and retails for $399/€421.95. The monitor ships with a D-Tap to locking 5.5mm power cable, a screen cleaning wipe, a USB key, a set of M3 Allen screws, an Allen key, and replacement cup head gaskets for the protection screen.

For more information, please visit Portkeys’ website here.

What do you think of the Portkeys HS8? Have you used monitors from the brand in the past? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!