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Anglerfish announces HD57 monitor

by adamhanlon

Anglerfish Creative Lighting has announced its AFCL-HD57 monitor. Designed specifically for underwater image-makers, the 5.7” IPS screen with full 4K resolution. Integrated into a waterproof housing, it has a separate battery compartment that uses a Sony F970 battery. It is shipping with a shade, ball mount, cable, bulkhead, and bulkhead adaptor.

The AFCL-HD57 monitor is available to pre-order now, priced at $1,350.

Press release

AFCL-HD57, 4K Underwater HDMI Field Monitor

Introduction

Anglerfish Creative Lighting is announcing a new product line. AFCL-HD57 is a 4K resolution 5.7-inch field monitor designed specifically for underwater videographers and photographers in mind. Anglerfish Creative Lighting is committed to providing the most comprehensive monitor and solutions for both the professional filmmakers and the recreational videographers. We have been testing this product for a while and are ready to launch it into the market. Our aim is to open the accessibility of an external monitor to everyone while solving some of the deficiencies associated with other monitors available on the market. For that reason, we have priced the monitor at a very aggressive price of only $1350 USD this price includes the monitor, the shade, ball mount, cable, bulkhead and bulkhead adaptors for the 5 major bands (Aquatica, Nauticam, Sea & Sea, Subal, and ISOTTA). Adapters to retrofit the existing bulkhead to work with other housing will be available for an additional cost and is made to order. Pre-order your monitor now by contacting us at our website.

Main Features

Housing Design

The monitors electronic is integral to the housing which allows for low profile and overall weight reduction. The monitor uses a standard Sony F970 rechargeable battery. The battery compartment is completely sealed from the rest of the monitor which protects the electronics from flood due to user error. The battery compartment can be accessed using four thumbscrews. Housing has a ball and 1/4”-20 mounting options for upright and upside-down orientation. The shade can easily be removed and mounted reverse. The large staggered buttons allow for easy operation in cold water using gloves.

The material of Construction: Aluminum Gr. 6061-T6 / Delrin
Surface Treatment: Type III Hard Anodizing
Pressure Rating: 200m Depth & Special 400m Version
Operating Temperature: -3ºC to +50ºC

Bulkhead Design

The custom bulkhead and the cable connectors are engineered for maximum signal attenuation by minimizing the connector’s differential impedance mismatch and reduce noise and cross talk. This connector is able to transmit 4K signal. Other monitor brands use the continuous cable for 4K transmission because they are not able to impedance match connector to the cable. The use of continuous cable is not recommended because a failure in the cable can result in a housing flood. Moreover, it’s difficult to pull a vacuum as the air can travel from the monitor housing to the main camera housing. This problem is solved by using proper connectors that are vacuum-tight.

The connectors are designed for fatigue and cyclic use without failure. The unique design allows the user to remove the connector without removing the bulkhead from the housing. Moreover, the bulkhead is designed such that while wet removal of the connector will deflect water droplets away from the signal contacts. The bulkhead is supplied with a watertight cap as well.

The material of Construction: Marine Brass
Surface Treatment: Chrome/Nickel Plated
Pressure Rating: 200m Depth

Cable Design

All monitor manufacturers typically use a land base HDMI cable with a thin outer jacket. A proper HDMI underwater cable does not exist until now. Anglerfish Creative Lighting has custom-designed their own cable capable of transmitting signals up to 8K. The solid core cable can withstand subsea pressures. It is fully shielded and armored with a layer of Kevlar along with 2mm thick TPU plastic doped with UV stabilizers to protect it from direct sunlight and exposure to the harsh subsea environment. The cable can withstand a pull force of 1,000kg and is cut resistance. You can literally hold your camera rig from our HDMI cable!

Software Features

The monitor electronics is loaded with features that allow the operator to capture images at ease. These software feature are: