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When you’re just dipping your toes into video, the last thing you want is gear that holds you back or drains your wallet. I needed a monitor that was powerful enough to handle bright outdoor shoots but still stayed firmly in the affordable range (since professional video isn’t my main gig). That’s why the Viltrox DC-A1, a 7-inch on-camera unit, caught my eye. At $278 with a truly stacked accessory kit, it looked like a steal. But does this budget-friendly monitor live up to the hype?
What’s in the Box: More Than You’d Expect
Right off the bat, Viltrox over-delivers on accessories. You get a hard-shell case, which is big enough to house the monitor and all the accessories. And while this case is nice, it’s bigger than needed, and I’d have preferred something smaller to just hold the monitor and maybe the sunshade. Because yes, it also comes with a nice sunshade that doubles as a screen protector when folded down. And if that’s not enough, Viltrox also threw in a set of actual screen protectors and a metallic mounting arm. This mounting arm gives you the ability to mount to a hot shoe as well as to any 1/4-20 type mounting options. The mounting arm also has a little pin where the monitor mounts in order to prevent the monitor from twisting during use. The monitor also has a mounting point on the bottom and side, so you have the option to mount it in a horizontal or vertical format. You also get a nice yet small 2,200 mAh battery that has a built-in USB-C port for charging, though don’t rely on it for a full day. In my use, it lasted for about an hour, but I wouldn’t rely on it to last much longer. Add in that the kit also includes a set of HDMI cables, including an HDMI to HDMI cable that is rated for 8K use, and this accessory lineup is just showing off at this price point.
Overall Build
The monitor is well-equipped on the bottom with an HDMI In and Out, allowing you to loop the signal to another monitor or recorder. It can also handle 4K at 60p in and out, something many competitors cap at 30p. You have three power options: USB-C, DC-in, or an NP-F battery slot. And while the monitor has some amazing touchscreen functionality, there is also a clicking-type wheel on the side that lets you fully navigate the menus and options, which is great for those cold-weather days when you might need gloves, as well as for those users who don’t enjoy the use of touchscreens.
Along the top of the device, there is also a back button and a set of customizable buttons. I have read some user complaints that these buttons did not offer enough options to program them to, but in my use, I found everything I deemed useful or needed. Near these buttons is also a door that holds the USB-A port, which is used for any future firmware updates. But this port seems like a waste since the monitor also has a USB-C port on the bottom that I feel could have been used for this functionality in addition to its USB-C power option.
2,800 Nits: Goodbye, Squinting
The real game-changer here is the 2,800 nits of brightness. I’ve used 1,000-nit monitors before, and trying to see a picture outdoors felt like a fight. With the DC-A1, that squinting and eye strain is gone. Paired with that sun hood, I could actually compose my shots clearly in direct sunlight. It’s a massive upgrade from what I have used in the past.
Menus and Features
This is where a budget monitor often falls short when compared to higher-end options. But the Viltrox DC-A1 doesn’t seem to hold anything back. You get vectorscopes, multiple RGB parades, and a full waveform mode. The best part? You can drag and drop these tools around the screen. There is also focus peaking (color and sensitivity adjustable), two types of false color, zebra, safety markers, a ton of anamorphic de-squeeze ratios (even custom ones!), and 3D LUTs.
What’s the Catch?
If you are like me, you might be asking yourself, “What’s the catch?” Because at this point, the low price point doesn’t really match up to the high feature list and accessories. And honestly, the only real downside I could come up with is that in order to keep those 2,800 nits cool, there’s a fan. And this fan noise could interfere with your onboard audio recording. On the low setting, it’s whisper-quiet—I can’t really hear it even when it was right next to a directional mic. On high, it gets noticeably loud. You absolutely cannot use a camera-mounted shotgun mic if you’re running it hot, but if you’re using a lavalier mic on your subject, you’ll be totally fine. And if you don’t need onboard audio recording, then this isn’t even an issue you need to concern yourself with. The monitor also has the ability to force the fan to be off, but you would obviously risk damaging the monitor if things get too hot, though it’s nice to know this is an option if you are in a pinch.
What I Liked
- The price-to-feature set is absolutely amazing
- Large and bright screen with lots of options and features
- Amazing set of included accessories
What I Didn’t Like
- The included battery doesn’t have enough power for a lot of shooting requirements
- Some say the custom buttons lack enough programming options (though I feel they were good for my needs)
Final Thoughts for a Beginner
The Viltrox DC-A1 isn’t just a “good enough” budget monitor. It’s a genuinely powerful tool that happens to be priced incredibly well. The combination of extreme brightness and a comprehensive set of professional features—all accessible via an intuitive touchscreen and a physical wheel—is fantastic. For a new videographer wanting to step up from the tiny camera screen without making a major financial commitment, this is easily one of the best deals out there right now.