Shimbol Memory 1 Monitor Recorder Review

[@cinechimp]

After 4 Atomos Ninja V’s monitors failed, I found something better, the SHIMBOL MEMORY 1. This monitor recorder is cheaper, runs quieter, is better built, has brighter screen, longer battery life and ZERO paid upgrades. Like all products it has some downsides, but these are discussed with complete transparency in the video.

[@EmberSkyMedia]

Given the let down on the recording feature (8-bit and "flying blind") I would lean towards something like the Shimbol M5 in their line-up which doesn't record but is $169 and looks to have most if not all the pluses of this monitor (1200nits vs. 2000nits and recording is I think the only limitation). Thoughts?

[@cinechimp]

@@EmberSkyMedia Hey thats a great recommendation

[@JaymesMedia]

Dang, I was interested until you said it only record in 8-Bit.

[@cinechimp]

I know its such a shame that the SHIMBOL just fails at HALF of the selling point, but this is why I openly discuss that - everything else goes to the SHIMBOL, but if you need a recorder the Blackmagic design Video Assist is a better options without additional software fees

[@madfinntech]

Same here. No 10-bit recording makes it useless.

[@cinechimp]

@@madfinntech totally agree

[@JulienUltanur]

Call me a bit of a rookie... But I don't understand; I have a Sony ZV-E1 . If I place this monitor on my camera / plug it in, does it lower the quality of my videos / photos when I simply hit the record button on the external monitor instead of on the camera?

[@bernardocuesta4217]

@@madfinntech are u really intereseted on having 1080 10 bit footage? im wondering myself why i would need an external recorder that doesnt actually give 4k, more than make proxys and back up same time with the dual slot of sony fx30

[@JusThaxPresents]

Crazy thing is that I bought mine a week ago because I was trying to sup up my A6000. However, because the A6000 doesn't have a mic or a way to record sound, I THOUGHT that this would be a workaround...it's not. Now that you mentioned that you can't record the image in the LUT settings really blows. Ugh. Thank you for the review.

[@cinechimp]

Yes its a monitor recorder that truly has some great benefits, but some huge drawbacks…I have written to SHIMBOL with a list of recommendations - lets hope some can be fixed with firmware or they just replace it with better cheaper one, with SDI, NDI, CFExpress, proper LUT support, PRORES and a faster bootup time.

[@GZYiHao]

A recording monitor that is better than a Ninja, except it doesn't record nearly like a Ninja, and doesn't even indicate anything while recording. Guess, I just stop watching at this point!

[@cinechimp]

Can you point out exactly where I say the SHIMBOL is a better recorder than the Ninja V? No you can’t because I don't and I clearly discuss the monitors strengths and weakness. Recording is clearly not a plus, its more like a bonus on the product. KZbin is a funny place, you write and publish an honest transparent review and ….would you have preferred it if I just omitted the products weaknesses? The monitor is better in terms of build quality, battery life, screen brightness etc, not recording… ALL clearly stated. I was very critical of the SHIMBOL Memory one in that sense.

[@nightdonutstudio]

It is common practice for many people commenting. They read your title or watch 30 seconds and then form some statement and judgement based on this very limited info they gathered.

[@cinechimp]

@@nightdonutstudio I see you have a channel where you are also publishing tech reviews, I can only assume you have experienced this as well?

[@annebokma4637]

@@cinechimp just subscribed to both of you. Keep up the good work

[@cinechimp]

@@annebokma4637 oh thanks welcome aboard…both of us?

[@TheNewArtSchool]

Great video! Love your channel! Can I record to an ssd with this? So far I can only see a micro SD slot

[@cinechimp]

Unfortunately not as mentioned in the video. SD card slot, so micro SD will work in an adapter..

[@TheNewArtSchool]

@@cinechimp Thank you, but what about connecting ssd drives?

[@cinechimp]

Unfortunately not as mentioned in the video

[@hotfootrabbit]

It's okay as an inexpensive monitor. However with 8-bit only, no recording/time indicators and no 4k 60 means I can't use it for an serious production work. It's a shame the Pro version doesn't have these either because I'd gladly pay a bit more for those features.

[@cinechimp]

totally agree with you and we have written to Shimbol explaining just that - lets see if they listen to consumer feedback...

[@JezdziecBezNicka]

I just need something to conveniently record my EVF - this seems like the ideal option.

[@cinechimp]

This would be a perfect option for that.

[@WeiK0]

Great Video! new to Recording Monitor / $325 Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5" Recorder/Monitor vs this monitor $279 / which one u like better or which one u suggest to buy / thanks Black Magic has sdi port

[@cinechimp]

Very good question, BMD is the better recorder with better inputs and recording codecs. Depending on which model of the video assist you get, the Shimbol will be equal to or brighter. The Shimbol is lighter, makes no sound and runs forever on NPF batteries, where as the VA is hungrier and louder with its fan noise. Really depends on whats most important to you…budget or user experience - personally with the price drop on the video assist, I would lean towards the 12G high brightness version, but then the cost is not as close and shimbol wins out for the money. But Prores codecs in the BMDVA if you need to record externally destroy the Memory 1…. hope this all helps.

[@WeiK0]

@@cinechimp Thanks so much for the respond. BMD 12g is out of my budget. BMD 3g is only 300 nits. Shimbol is 2000 nits. Is it a huge different in Bright day ? I may try both and keep one of them:)

[@cinechimp]

@@WeiK0 yes its a big difference, but what is more important to you the recording features or the brightness ...

[@WeiK0]

@@cinechimp maybe recording feature is more important / I can learn more in a long run / I don't think I will use the monitor outdoor very often / I may pick the BMD/ lol

[@cinechimp]

@@WeiK0 go with the BMD it also has SDI so if you decide to upgrade to a cine camera - you be able to use it there as well

[@ConspiracyPundit]

does it use camera lens to record? I use a nikon D300 with 300mm zoom tamron and nikon P1000

[@cinechimp]

Yes you need a camera, its a camera monitor

[@hangtime6743]

Doss it record audio? I tried this with my sony a9 and canon r6ii and no sound.

[@alcoleman2890]

Which battery do you recommended for the memory 1

[@cinechimp]

We are using the cheapest NPF batteries from amazon or a NFP to DTAP to a block battery when used on a rig. But seriously with a NP-F970 it runs for most of a day, it's remarkable. You can pick them up for less than 20 bucks new.

[@killian2826]

Great content as I always and very interesting, I just changed my camera and upgraded to a new gimbal so i'll wait a bit before changing my atomos haha :) Thanks again for the insights!

[@cinechimp]

Oh - what camera and gimbal combo did you go with?

[@rafibenatar2519]

How much you got paid ?😜

[@cinechimp]

My channel doesn't make sponsored content. Read my BIO, the channel is completely independent and I bought the monitor out of my own money.

[@FollowTheJohn]

Atomos Software SUCKS. How can they not have point to focus?

[@cinechimp]

agreed

[@TheLinesEnd]

My feelworld f6 pro ultrabrite is AMAZING for the price

[@cinechimp]

I haven't bought a Freeworld product before, but also do use the Andy CINE C7 lite, which is great, but the build quality isn't fantastic…I’ll have to check out the F6...

[@bernardocuesta4217]

to cheap built quality in my opinion