The GH2 doesn't output composite video in standard-def when recording, so it's rather useless to monitor that way. An HDMI splitter is the way to go.

For cameras other than the GH2, I'd say the H056 is fine for framing in standard-def on the composite video in, but peaking doesn't work with that input, so it's virtually impossible to use it for focusing.

In HD, however, the H056 has fantastic resolution, and with peaking it makes focusing a breeze. I could easily focus the 20mm f/1.7 wide open with great precision and confidence of where it was focused, something I could never do before without using the zoom-in function on the camera that only works when not recording.

@Jon2323

If it is glossy, just buy matte antiglare film. Plenty are available.

I managed to borrow a battery and it ran just fine on that, and following starting up with battery, it now starts up just fine with AC. Strange. In all cases, the AC adapter was plugged into an uninterruptable power supply with excellent power conditioning, so I have no idea what happened.

First impressions: The peaking is not SmallHD quality, but it's similar to the white sharpening type peaking on Panasonic video cameras that I'm familiar with. I fed it colour bars over the video input and with the blue only mode I was able to get a pretty good colour calibration. Tomorrow I'll check it with colour bars over HDMI and see if my calibration (and therefore the video processing) matches.

Feeding the monitor a 4:3 composite video signal works perfectly well, and if that's a squeezed 16:9 image, setting the monitor to 16:9 stretches it out to 16:10.

Video out looks to be a straight pass-through of video in, as no menus appear on the output, and in case anyone had unrealistic expectations, no it does not downconvert the HDMI output to the video output.

@Strangways

Try to use battery first. May be you have issues with your power.

@Jon2323

It is task for manufacturer.
Do not worry, we'll be talking to them about it.

Monitor doesn't do 16/9 only 16/10, cant imagine its too hard to alter with firmware? I love the resolution, weight, battery option, included extras & price of this monitor. Would be amazing if someone could play with the firmware and add 16/9 and a few more guildline options, it would make this a perfect match for the gh2.

but can anyone tell me if any of the image is cut off?

No, it does not cut anything.

Mine arrived yesterday, really happy with the monitor especially the resolution. Much easier to see the focus. A solution for the letterboxing would be very much appreciated, also for 2.35:1 if possible :)

If the "H005" is indeed an H056 with just a firmware update to allow peaking, it would be interesting if we could track the company down to see if

1. an H056 to H005 firmware update could be made available, and
2. a firmware update for both to letterbox 16:9 images to the proper aspect ration rather than stretching could be made available. Or perhaps the extra 80 pixels could all be placed at the bottom, and used for some sort of status display or histogram? Maybe audio meters if audio is passed through HDMI? That would be really nifty.

Cool, thanks for the feedback guys.

I didn't even realise that you could adjust the focus assist. What I tried is doing a few direct focus pulls with the monitor and compared with the focus assist ad hunt a bit on the gh2 to confirm, it seemed as good to me. Surely zooming has to be more accurate but it's so unpractical and monitor plus peaking works very well.

Yeah no zoom, but between the resolution and the peaking, there's not that much need for it. I mean it's still better on its own than the gh2 screen+zoom.

It does stretch the image, I hardly noticed it quite frankly although when I did, I did have a "oh f*" moment, then realized it really isn't a problem. At least not for me.

but it takes an age to engage and disengage the mode, which makes me almost not bother using it.

Best one here is Ruige with their clicky remote button.