You Don't Need a PYXIS Monitor, and You Can Have WiFi (Micro Studio Camera 4K G2) [REUPLOAD]
REUPLOAD - In the previous version I made the erroneous claim that the PYXIS Monitor couldn't be used with the BMMSC 4K G2 and a USB hub to allow simultaneous monitoring and recording. The issue was that the monitor uses HDMI over USB-C, not USB-C data. So it will only work with hubs that support USB-C HDMI alt mode, none of which I had. Apologies if this misled anyone; It was definitely not my intent, as I very much wanted the monitor + SSD to be usable! Though a bit embarrassed, ultimately I'm glad I was wrong about it.
Here's the USB-C hub from the intro that does work with an SSD + PYXIS: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRG9K3BJ (Not affiliated nor sponsored.)
The original video is still available in unlisted mode for posterity, to preserve the comments and etc: • You Don't Need a PYXIS Monitor, and You Ca...
The title isn't clickbait. After messing around with the monitor, the BMMSC 4K G2 and various USB accessories, I found a bog standard USB-C touchscreen monitor from Amazon that provides the same functionality as the PYXIS. To be fair, I tried two other 1080p touchscreens and neither worked, so it's not universal compatibility.
Here's the product, but it's not an affiliated link nor am I shilling for the brand (which has a silly name anyhow): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF1P542S (PeakDo 7 inch Portable Touchscreen etc..)
All that being said, the PYXIS monitor does have a much better look and feel than a cheap alternative, and advantages include a locking USB port, 1/4" mounting threads on 2 sides, a sunshade, and 3 function buttons on the back that are extremely flexible (you can assign them to do most anything).
IMO if budget isn't an option and a 5" monitor is good enough for you, go with the PYXIS. It'll probably be less pain in the log run. Then again, maybe go with an HDMI or SDI monitor, because the monitor won't work via a USB hub (I tested 3 of them and none worked, anyways), and if you occupy the BMMSC 4K G2's single USB-C port with the monitor *you can't record to external media*.
So you'd either need the PYXIS as well as an HDMI/SDI recorder, or something like a Video Assist 5 or Atomos Ninja to monitor and record.
When used in a studio, I'd think a cameraperson would prefer a monitor larger than 5".
If Blackmagic Design added another USB port to the camera, it would solve many problems. Or enable the Video Assists to work with USB for camera menus. IDK, either way it seems like a hole in BMD's product line that they probably want you to fill with a PYXIS camera (or URSA) rather than making the BMMSC capable of fully competing with those when rigged out.
Part 2 of this video shows one way to add WiFi connectivity to the camera. It's slightly convoluted in that it uses a WiFi bridge device which essentially passes networking from the wireless network to an Ethernet port. That Ethernet cable can then be connected to a USB-C Ethernet adapter attached to the camera. (There may be other WiFi bridges that have a USB Ethernet adapter built in. IDK, this is the one I found.)
The reason for using a bridge is that you can't just connect a USB WiFi adapter directly to the camera. There's no way to configure SSID and password (or etc.) in the camera's interface. However, the camera does natively recognize a USB Ethernet adapter and will (by default) use DHCP to grab an IP address.
Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 video: • Upgrading Cameras in the Studio (Blackmagi...
00:00 REUPLOAD Intro
06:00 Original Intro
07:43 Tangent - Generic USB-C Monitor Instead
10:45 Unboxing
15:13 Part 2 Summary (WiFi connectivity)
16:37 Micro Studio Cam and F/W update
19:30 PYXIS Monitor First Impressions
24:05 USB Hub Testing with PYXIS (Mistake!)
28:44 Part 1 Original Conclusion
30:10 Part 2 (WiFi Bridge)
31:58 Vonets Ethernet to WiFi Bridge
38:15 Conclusion
40:17 PYXIS/BMMSC 4K G2 Menu Walkthrough (3x Speed)
42:15 3:1 and 5:1 Recording at Same Bitrate