VILTROX DC-550 Pro Camera Monitor: Best under $200!

BONUS: Download free English DC-550 Pro manual. I just got the VILTROX DC-550 Pro Budget Field Monitor after doing a video on how I used my iPad as a camera monitor and recorder. Both are great budget solutions. I’ll cover what I love about this Viltrox monitor, and why I am keeping it. What are the two BIG problems I found and how did I solve them? If you have or are considering this monitor, watch the entire video. There are lots of useful tips here.
NOTE: This video is not sponsored and I bought this monitor with my own money.
#viltrox #cameramonitor #fieldmonitor
Link to my English PDF version of the PRO manual: drive.google.com/file/d/1pdng...
There are three versions of this monitor:
VILTROX DC-550 Lite
VILTROX DC-550
VILTROX DC-550 Pro ( Link I used: amzn.to/48aOdF1 )
Amazon Link to all three: amzn.to/49scPdI
Duttek Micro HDMI to Standard HDMI Cable | Coiled Cable geni.us/TQ8Vc
OTHER HELPFUL REVIEWS: Sharing some KZbin love with two excellent reviews for the Lite and Standard versions:
VILTROX DC-550 Lite review
Nick Kendall
• Is This The Best (Chea...
VILTROX DC-550 Review Field Monitor
Andrei Dima
• Viltrox DC-550 Review:...
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Why Did I Buy This?
01:08 The Two Problems
02:14 What is Henry Watching?
02:19 Unpacking it all
05:20 How to Set Monitor to English
07:03 English Manual Problem and the Fix
09:15 Recording Your LCD Workaround
10:45 Fan Noise
11:22 The Manual Layout Issue
12:23 Where to Buy
13:59 One more issue?? Maybe...
My Field Monitor iPad Experiment: • Turn Your iPad into a ...
NOTE: All my reviews and videos are solely my own opinion. This video was not sponsored. Some of my links have an affiliate code, if you purchase gear with these links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting this channel in this way. It really helps!

[@JackieDElia]

Back on Sale! March 22, 2024!!! Forgot to mention the battery that comes with it has a built-in USB-C charging port and a push-button display to show the amount of charge left. Very happy with this unit despite the few issues mentioned in the video.

[@Altcine]

I am very impressed with this review, you have a great way with explaining things and it was very easy to watch. Thank you

[@JackieDElia]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@tralalela46]

I am thinking of buying this product and this video helps me. Thank you!

[@JackieDElia]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching.

[@Stone1108]

Thanks Jackie, I found this video very useful as I weigh up which monitor to get as my first! Appreciated. 👍

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you for watching. 😀

[@markexploringnewstuff]

Jackie, really well done. Waiting for the PRO to arrive and this will help me on setup.

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you for watching. I really like the PRO monitor. So glad I bought it.

[@rickbiessman6084]

Thank you so much for sharing the manual in only English! Not what I came here for, but that’s really cool to have! =)

[@JackieDElia]

You are welcome!

[@JoserTheDirector]

Wow this is a great review thank you so much, even though it’s already in the mail, I’m glad I watched this

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you for watching 😀

[@JonysTravels]

Great video!! Thankyou!!! hello from Spain!!!

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you glad it was helpful

[@TwoTimesRmedia]

I've had this in my Amazon cart for months . It's got a nice set of features.

[@AndreiDimaReviews]

Nice video! It's a really good budget monitor.

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you so much for watching. I love the monitor and actually your video was the one that convinced me to get it. 😍

[@pedrosanchez4035]

good video - subbed

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you so much for watching and for subscribing.

[@carltonjones2915]

thanks for the info filled video about the monitor and ipad combo. how does this monitor perform outdoors in the sun / shade. i will def check out your other videos as well. 🎬

[@JackieDElia]

The shade hood is very good at blocking sunlight, and with the standard and pro version of the monitor you get 1200 nits of brightness which is excellent.

[@mandable]

i just bought the Atomos Shinobi, their 'budget' ($400) monitor a week ago. I wish I had seen this video before then! I would much rather have this Viltrox. Well now I know what my next monitor(s) are going to be, should I need them! thanks!

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching. I am sure the Atomos is amazing. The Viltrox I must say is really good - so bright and has everything I’ll need for a long time despite the clunky PDF manual, which I was able to solve myself.

[@cllnsnmrtn1]

Great video!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you!

[@Twenty10sMedia]

I like you, Jackie 😊 you're so honest and str8t up!!

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you for watching!

[@Twenty10sMedia]

Jackie, I can't get anyone to answer this question. Please help! how do you preview what you filmed? I hit preview on my camera, but on the monitor I can't play video! Thanks

[@JackieDElia]

What camera are you using?

[@Twenty10sMedia]

Thanks Jackie, I just figured it out. I have a s5 Panasonic. You were my good luck charm❤❤❤❤

[@JackieDElia]

Glad to hear it. Thank you again for watching.

[@josezaparoni1941]

Hey there, great video! One question: How's the input latency? It looks like it's pretty noticeable.

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching. I am not noticing much latency at all. If I sit in front of the camera with monitor is feels responsive to my movements and hand gestures. It is a budget option, but for my needs it is perfect.

[@TexpatOTG]

Was considering this monitor ... I have some other Viltrox products and have been pleased with the brand. Good Show -- Cheers

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching. I’m happy with my Viltrox 13 mm as well.

[@TexpatOTG]

@@JackieDElia I've got the 23mm -- really like it. I had just bought the Samyang 12mm about 3 weeks before the Viltrox released the 13mm. Really was disappointed. ... good shooting - Cheers

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you!

[@syncMixer]

This is a helpful review. I saw someone say this monitor doesn't display 4k 60. Have you tried that?

[@JackieDElia]

When my Fujifilm X-S20 is set to 4k 60p it is visible on the Viltrox Monitor (when recording to SD card). My camera does not have the ability to change the framerate for the HDMI output. Not sure if that answers your question. Thanks for watching.

[@TommyGKendrick]

Thanks for the PDF. Also do you know if the battery drains if plugged in when the unit is turned off?

[@JackieDElia]

I have not noticed that battery drain, but I actually haven’t tested it. I did have the battery in the unit for a few days with the unit switched off and then used it and it worked just fine. Next time I’ll double check by tapping the battery meter after a few days to see if there’s any difference. If there is I’ll post an update. Thanks so much for watching.

[@TommyGKendrick]

@@JackieDElia Thanks. I was hoping for this answer. I have a few F970 batteries and they did seem to drain badly on my old Fotga A50. Could be the batteries, though.

[@JackieDElia]

I did follow up and check. I left the battery in the unit turned off for five days, went back and checked the battery, and it still says fully charged. Hope that helps.

[@lonelyfloater]

You are amazing.

[@JackieDElia]

Wow, thank you!

[@robertgrenader858]

WHen using an external monitor on the hot shoe, it is very easy to stress and damage the socket. Look at Small Rig's cage for your Fuji body.

[@JackieDElia]

Good advice thanks. I have a small rig cage for my X-S20, but will need one for the X-T5.

[@Franksstudio]

Thank you for this video, I also bought the monitor for my camera rig and for tripod work, I am surprised by the quality of this monitor, it works great with my Sony system camera, I was wondering what firmware is on your monitor, I have now installed the upgrade that corrected some bugs.

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for watching! I will check the firmware make sure I’m on the latest version. Glad to hear that.

[@Franksstudio]

@@JackieDEliaThe latest version is 50TW.1.0.23.6.4 it correct the HDMI switch problem with blackscreens and the reboot.

[@JackieDElia]

@@Franksstudio thanks!

[@JackieDElia]

@@Franksstudio thank you. I’ll follow up with a video on this.

[@Franksstudio]

@@JackieDElia Thats a great idea Jackie, the update makes the monitor a lot stable to use I discover.

[@violasrbest4225]

Thank you so much for this video, and the English manual is great. I bought the monior for False Colour and nothing shows as red (over-exposed), not even a bright light. Do you have any ideas what I might be doing wrong?

[@JackieDElia]

You are welcome! I’ll check in the false color on my unit and let you know.

[@JackieDElia]

I checked mine today and the overexposed areas show as red on my DC-550 Pro unit. Not sure what could be your issue. I did try to underexpose and overexpose by changing shutter speed dramatically and I can see that changing as I adjusted. When you turn false color off, does your image look overexposed? What camera are you using?

[@violasrbest4225]

@@JackieDElia Yes, the image is way over-exposed. I am using a Sony ZV E10. I have sent an email to Viltrox, but I've had no reply(!), so I'll have to return it.

[@JackieDElia]

@violasrbest4225 sorry to hear that. I only have Fuji cameras, so can’t test with the Sony.

[@violasrbest4225]

@@JackieDElia OK, I've worked it out. The monitor doesn't play nice with Sony SLOG3 but if I change the camera to HLG or another picture profile, the monitor does show red for over-exposed.

[@therealtour360]

Hi, can you use touch screen for touch focus? Or just touch for navigation of menus?

[@JackieDElia]

I do not see any way to control focus on the camera via the monitor with my cameras, Fuji X-T5 or X-S20.

[@therealtour360]

@@JackieDEliathank you

[@jezmink]

Can you see any of the camera settings that are on the back of the LCD screen on the camera displayed on the Viltrox to use for taking photos, I have seen the functions from Viltrox screen only have Aperture, Shutter and ISO no Histogram, Yes there is plenty there for video recording but I was interested in using it for taking photos as I find the one on my camera too small.

[@JackieDElia]

I will double check that for you today and post a reply. Thank you so much for watching. What camera are you using? I’ll be testing mine on the Fujifilm X-T5.

[@jezmink]

@@JackieDEliaThanks Jackie, I'm using a Nikon D800e

[@JackieDElia]

I can confirm that all info displayed on my camera LCD is showing on the Viltrox DC-550 Pro. What is really nice is I can leave false color on the monitor and use the focus peaking from my camera. Note this is because I can toggle the HDMI output by pressing the DISP Back button on the back of the camera to cycle through the options when the camera is set to STILL vs VIDEO. I do not know if that is how your camera works. If you have a capture card you MAY be able to test that by sending output to a computer. Hope that helps. Cheers!

[@jezmink]

@@JackieDElia thanks Jackie.

[@jezmink]

How good is the screen to view in bright sunlight.

[@JackieDElia]

If you use the included sun hood it is bright with the 1200 nits on the regular and pro models.

[@poloo92]

Hi, does the external monitor let you change additional croping format ratios.... Like 4:3 or 5:8 format ? (as the camera only offers you 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1)

[@JackieDElia]

It does have 4:3, 14:9, 16;10, 16:9, 1.85:1, and 2.35:1 aspect ratio settings. That is what I see on my menu.

[@poloo92]

@@JackieDElia 👍 thank you very much

[@robzielinski]

One question i cannot find an answer too in any other video, can you run peaking and zebras at the same time?

[@JackieDElia]

Hi. Yes you can. Each one has an on/off - just tested it and I see red peaking and zebras on the same screen. @robzielinski

[@SeniorRock54]

How do you adjust the mount? Mine doesn't move a millimeter. I watched your video a day too late. So I stand here with my X-S10 without Micro-HDMI Cable. Cheers from Germany, Juergen Did you find a firmware update on the Viltrox page? There are only LUT Files.

[@JackieDElia]

If you’re talking about the tilting forward and backward movement, you may need to loosen it a bit with an Allen wrench. it looks like there’s a socket on each side. I can’t remember if it came with it. I’m not able to find mine. The other movements are just adjustable with those large square knobs. Hope that helps.

[@JackieDElia]

@seniorrock54 I did find an Allen wrench that fit, but it doesn’t seem to have any effect on the tension forward and backwards. Mine is tight to move for sure, but it is movable with a bit of pressure.

[@SeniorRock54]

​@@JackieDElia found one, too. No effect. But in the meantime with thumb on the front and hand on the back of the monitor it tilts.

[@JackieDElia]

@SeniorRock54 glad to hear it

[@pepebenitezruiz]

Hi. How do you see the same thing on both screens? I don't get it. I can only see everything on the viltrox monitor but the camera monitor turns off.

[@JackieDElia]

Thanks for posting your comment. What camera are you using?

[@pepebenitezruiz]

@@JackieDElia SONY FX3

[@JackieDElia]

@pepebenitezruiz I am not sure how the Sony cameras work. I was using my Fujifilm cameras. If anyone in the comments knows how to configure a Sony, please share. I do hope you find the answer.

[@hemanshupareek_1]

What was that app KMX? On ipad please send me the link of the video

[@JackieDElia]

It was an app in the Apple store. Here is the link to the one I used. apps.apple.com/us/app/camx-usb-camera/id6453639083

[@hemanshupareek_1]

@@JackieDElia thankyou so much :)

[@hemanshupareek_1]

@@JackieDElia Hello Ma’am i’m little confuse with some questions like - 1) Does it support 4k 60 to 120 because some people says and shown that it supports upto 60 and they tried 4k 120 and its works fine so idk this is true or not 2) Does it support 10bit 422? I hope you can answer my questions :)

[@JackieDElia]

I wish I could answer that one. My Fujifilm X-T5 supports 4k 10 bit 4:2:2 but not 120. The specs do not say exactly what the HDMI output is on the camera. I can confirm that when I shoot with 4k 60fps 10 bit 4:2:2 - the monitor displays the signal. Hope someone here can answer this question. Perhaps contacting Viltrox?

[@TheKodakChris]

First 10 seconds 😂 followed

[@JackieDElia]

Thank you!

[@KALINAmoto]

As I noticed from the video it starts up for ages

[@JackieDElia]

Are you saying that it takes a long time to start up?

[@KALINAmoto]

@@JackieDElia Yea. Looked like that

[@avgoustinos]

the 2 problems with this monitor is that it shows like 1,5 stop brighter image than it is being recorded on the camera and that is shows wrong colors. It might be good for youtubers, but not for professionals that use it outdoors

[@JackieDElia]

Have you tried this monitor? If I recall, there are settings to adjust the color and brightness that is displayed. Granted It’s a budget monitor.. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@avgoustinos]

Yes. I bought it, I used it in one job, tried to set the colors and the brightnes and then I sold it. It cant be fixed. I have to note that I shoot log and I had to use a preset. My opinion is that it is not for professionals. Its just for fun usage and for small audience youtubers :)

[@clutchboogie44]

@@avgoustinosthat might be user error, I haven’t had those issues & I use it professionally lol.

[@avgoustinos]

​@@clutchboogie44 I don't know my friend. I tried everything to fix it but I couldn't. I have 2 Ninja atomos V5 monitors that work perfectly and I never had issues. I tried this viltrox monitor as a cheaper solution but it didn't work for me