When it comes to choosing a high quality professional EVF that will last you for many years regardless of what camera you are using many shooters look towards Zacuto as one of their first choices. The American company has three different models within their latest Gratical EVF range to suit a wide variety of needs for the ever-increasing requirements for high resolution video productions. As a long time user of the original Zacuto EVF, I can attest to the quality and durability of their products, and while their price points can be beyond the reach for some, investing in a high quality EVF is one of the most important things those of use shooting video should consider. I equate choosing a high quality EVF or monitor as important as choosing a high quality rugged tripod that will last you many years. Since you rely on the image your camera is producing, having the confidence in your images is extremely important and well worth the price tag. In any case, Zacuto are also well known for continuously updating their products and their Gratical range is no different.
The company just released a couple of new firmware updates – firmware version 3.3 for their Gratical HD and X models, a firmware version 1.1 for the newer Gratical Eye EVF. Check out the details of the newest feature additions below.
Zacuto Gratical HD/X Firmware 3.3
- Battery meter can be turned off when it is blinking red
- Pixel to pixel indicator in the info area will turn red when active
- Turning colour bars or Macbeth chart off no longer activates peaking
- All four joystick directions correctly flip when image flip is active
Gratical Firmware Update 3.00 from Zacuto on Vimeo.
Click here to download Firmware Update 3.3 (for HD and X models only) to a FAT32 formatted USB drive. Note that this firmware is only for the above models. The Gratical Eye gets its own firmware, which isn’t compatible with the HD and X models.
Zacuto Gratical EYE Firmware 1.1 Details
- Display’s screen saver will immediately transition to black instead of fading out slowly
- Gratical Eye’s no longer accept Gratical HD firmware
- Battery meter can be turned off when it is blinking red
- Pixel to pixel indicator in the info area will turn red when active
- Turning color bars or Macbeth chart off no longer activates peaking
- All four joystick directions correctly flip when image flip is active
- Tally light is now set to ‘off’ by default
Click here to download Firmware Update 1.1 (for Eye models only) to a FAT32 USB drive.
Gratical EVFs FAQs
Q: What is the difference between Full Display and 16×9?
A: The full screen display is 1280×1024, which is 4×3. To see a 16×9 image it has to cut off some of the vertical of the full screen which results in a 1280×720 (HD). The space that was cut off to show a 16×9 image is replaced by default with the threes scopes, histogram, waveform, and vectorscope. The screen can also be centered and scopes can be removed
Q: Does the Gratical HD display 4k?
A: If you’re shooting in 4k you won’t be able to send the raw 4K signal to the Gratical HD, but it will be able to read a scaled down signal like 1080 60p. You will be able to download custom LUTs to the Gratical so that you control exactly what you’re seeing, whether you want to see the image as you are shooting or as it would look after editing.
Q: What is the size and weight of the Gratical?
A:1.5 lbs, 5.5″ x 3″ x 3.8″ (L x W x H)
Q: What happens when you need 4K out of your camera to a recorder and want to use the Gratical HD? Can it handle downscaling to HD of the signal?
A: The downscaling would need to occur before it reaches the Gratical and so in-camera. The highest quality signal that the Gratical can take in and display is 1080 60p. Reading a 4K signal that is not downscaled is something we are working on for the 4k and 2k signal capability.
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: About 3 hours, it depends on the features turned on and loop throughs.
Q: Does the Gratical take in a 3D LUTS?
A: No, not at this time. We are working on it in a firmware update. We recommended converting it to a 1D LUT in your computer and then importing in. Here are some software options for converting LUTs: BrizSoftware and Lattice. Generate LUTs for the Gratical HD with this LUTCalc.
Q: How do I convert my USB drive to a FAT32 compatibility?
A: Once you download the firmware the next thing you need to do is have a USB Thumb Drive formatted to FAT32. Please note this is not the default file system used for either Mac or PC and by formatting your thumb drive in this way it will erase all data that is currently on the thumb drive. You must also use a thumb drive and NOT a USB cable from your computer.
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