Using the External monitor app in the Monitor mode

By connecting to an external camera such as a Sony Alpha camera, the Monitor mode of the External monitor app can help you in the following situations:

  • Take advantage of the high-definition display of your Xperia by using it as a camera monitor.
  • Ensure your subject is in focus by pinching in or out on the smartphone screen to zoom in or out.
  • Find the best lighting for monitoring in various shooting environments using the Brightness adjustment function.
  • You can check the exposure and focus of the input video by displaying waveform, false color, zebra, and peaking info.
  • You can record the video that you monitor on Xperia and use it as a backup if needed.


When using the External monitor app, connect a video device that supports USB Video Class (UVC) output to your Xperia device.

Note

  • Settings in the Monitor mode such as the brightness level and the orientation of the screen are only for monitoring videos being shot and are not reflected in the live-streamed and recorded video.
  • Videos will be displayed in a limited range on your Xperia device regardless of the input range from the connected video device. The luminance and color of the video displayed on your Xperia device may be different from the original video depending on the input video and its video format.

Hint

  • When 4K video is input from the connected video device, the frame rate is limited to 30 fps.
  • If the connection with the connected video device is unstable, try using a frame rate of 30 fps. Tap (Settings icon) > [Monitor settings] > [Frame rate].

Image of connecting your Xperia to an external camera

  1. Find and tap (External monitor icon) to launch the External monitor app.
    If (External monitor icon) is not in the app drawer, find and tap [Settings] > [Device connection] > [Connection preferences] > [External monitor], and then tap the [Show External monitor app] switch.
  2. Connect a video device.
    • Connect a video device that supports USB Video Class (UVC) output to your Xperia via a USB Type-C cable.
    • Connect a video device that supports HDMI output to your Xperia using an HDMI cable together with an HDMI-UVC conversion adapter.

    Hint

    • For more information about connecting a video device, refer to the Xperia support website.
  3. Tap [Mode], and then select [Monitor mode] or [Streaming mode].
    If no menus or icons are displayed, tap anywhere on the screen.

Overview of the Monitor mode in the External monitor app

Image showing where each parameter is located on the Monitor mode screen in the External monitor app. Right area from top to bottom, 2 to 9. Left area from bottom to top, 10 to 14 and 1.

  1. Battery status

  2. Tap to switch to the mirror mode.

    Videos are streamed and recorded in the normal view even in the mirror mode.

  3. Tap to lock the screen and prevent accidental operations.

  4. Tap to adjust the brightness level with the slider.

  5. Tap to select the shooting assist option display from among DISP1, DISP2, and OFF.

    You can set often-used combinations of shooting assist options as DISP1 or DISP2 by tapping (Display shooting assist options icon).

  6. Tap to set the shooting assist options for DISP1 and DISP2, respectively.

    Tap the DISP1 or DISP2 tab in the menu that opens, and then tap each switch to show or hide options.

    To set details, tap (Edit icon).

    • [Grid lines]: Select a type of grid line.
    • [Frame lines]: Select from various aspect ratios.
    • [Waveform]: Select from among various styles of waveform.
    • [False color]: Customize false colors and their ranges by tapping (Settings icon). You can customize up to 3 settings.
    • [Zebra]: Change the zebra level with the zebra brightness slider.
    • [Peaking]: Select a peaking color and level.

  7. Tap to rotate the screen 180 degrees.

  8. Tap to adjust more detailed settings.

  9. Tap to start or stop recording.

  10. Tap to select [Monitor mode] or [Streaming mode].

  11. Tap the thumbnail to view, share, or edit the recorded videos.

  12. Audio input/output status

    [Audio output] is set to off by default. To monitor the audio from an external video device, set [Audio output] to [Headphones only] or [Speaker or headphones] in [Monitor settings]. Then, tap (Audio output from headphones icon) or (Audio output from speakers icon) when it appears to mute or unmute the sound from the video device.

  13. Video format/Frame rate/Remaining recordable time

  14. Selected mode


To zoom in or out on the screen

Pinch in or out on the screen.

You can customize the zoom function. Tap (Settings icon) > [Monitor settings], and then adjust settings in the [Zoom] category.

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