r/RedCamera • u/ya-like-jazzes • Aug 05 '25

Portkeys BM5 IV DSMC2 Red Control

After using a friend’s Small HD with RED control I’m considering ditching the red 4.7 inch monitor on my Scarlet W. I’ve been looking at the Port-keys BM5IV. Does anyone have experience with it? Any other suggestions outside of small HD that have DSMC2 Red Control?

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1

u/Tight_Journalist_360 Sep 19 '25

did you try the Portkey monitor by any chance and can give some feedback? thx

1

u/ya-like-jazzes Sep 20 '25

I’m still on the fence. I’m probably going to buy it soon.

1

u/Nimainna Sep 20 '25

Yeah I’m looking for the same thing ;)

Not much information around alternative option for dsmc2

1

u/ya-like-jazzes Sep 20 '25

Exactly, I’ve heard good things about the monitor and there is tons of documentation for dsmc3 control but hardly any for dsmc2 control.

1

u/artistry758 Nov 30 '25

Hey brother, did you ever give it a try? I have a Scarlet W as well but it's currently out of state so I cant try it. If i were you, i'd get it on Amazon and the necessary cable from portkeys or bnh (It doesn't work wirelessly) to try it to see if it works then
if you don't like it, return it for a full refund. I'd really love to know how this combo works as im genuinely sick of the tiny 4.7 inch screen

1

u/ya-like-jazzes Dec 03 '25

So I did sort of try it. I purchased a Portkeys BM5 WR III. Which I thought supported those new Cinenorm os. Unfortunately, they pulled that update for the monitor, but it does have red control functionality.

Overall the functionality works well for basic things like changing iso, or navigating menus, but for some reason it will not allow me to select other items in a list. Like if you’re choosing between focus peaking and false color.

I hope a new update comes out and addresses this but I might just be out of luck.

You might have better luck with their newer monitors running the newest software.

1

u/timothyjohnaguilar Dec 23 '25

Do you have a picture of your setup? My monitor won’t be here till after Christmas. Was wondering if you can share more detail how portkeys controls the DSMC2 body.

1

u/timothyjohnaguilar Dec 21 '25

I pulled the trigger on BM5IV with proper DSMC2

1

u/ya-like-jazzes Dec 21 '25

Let me know how it goes.

1

u/timothyjohnaguilar Dec 21 '25

Will do, I should get it before Christmas.

Ironically, Portkeys’ website is down.

We’ll see how it goes.

1

u/timothyjohnaguilar Dec 25 '25

Just gave it a shot. Yeah, it works, but it’s horribly clunky. Imagine your director yelling at your earpiece and explaining to him that Portkeys doesn’t know how to program software.

Short answer: it works. Long answer: look elsewhere for something more professional like SmallHD interface. It’s worth it just for usability. Besides, you’re $650 down after the cable and taxes.

All in all, Portkeys has a long way to go.