Disclosure: the shop links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I bought this monitor for our own productions, and the opinions are mine.

We have a new production coming up, and I wanted a better way for clients to see the shot while we're filming. So I unboxed the Hollyland Pyro 5 4K and set it up live on my desk, on camera, without reading the manual first. Here's the full video, followed by what I learned and who I think it's for.

Price: about $449. Check the Hollyland Pyro 5 4K on Amazon (affiliate link)

What the Pyro 5 4K actually is

One correction from the video: I called it a receiver at one point. It's more than that. The Pyro 5 4K is a 5.5-inch monitor, a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver in one unit. You switch modes in the menu. As a transmitter it takes HDMI or SDI from your camera. As a receiver it shows the feed from another Pyro transmitter. It can also send video over Wi-Fi to the Hollyland app on a phone or iPad, so a client can watch from across the room.

The key specs, per Hollyland's launch details:

• 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 touchscreen, rated up to 1500 nits
• Sends and receives up to 4K30 over HDMI or SDI
• One transmitter can feed up to four receivers
• Up to about 1,300 ft line-of-sight range, with latency around 60 ms in Smooth mode
• Records to an SD card as a backup, and supports live streaming
• Built-in Sony L-series (NP-F style) battery plate

What's in the box

You get the monitor, two antennas, a USB-C cable, a mount for a clamp or C-stand, and a screen protector that comes pre-installed. There's no battery, so plan on buying one. I added side handles for handheld use, which I'd recommend if you'll be walking around with it.

The one thing to know before you power it on

USB-C alone didn't turn mine on. Once I slid in an NP-F battery, it powered up right away. I use the SmallRig NP-F970 battery, which also charges over USB-C, so it works as a power bank on set. Save yourself the confusion and buy a battery with the monitor.

Setup: match your channels

My first attempt said "no signal." The monitor was on channel 1 and my camera's transmitter was on channel 7. Once the channels matched, the picture came right up. Being able to run multiple channels is a real advantage when you have more than one camera on set.

There's also an SD card slot, which is handy for loading LUTs and presets so the client sees the look you're going for, not flat log footage.

Handles, build and color

The handles slide on and screw in from the back, and the unit feels solid with the battery attached. The color is the standout. Even with just a Nikon ZR and one Amaran light on my desk, the picture looked phenomenal. That's the whole point: a client should see the quality they're paying for while you're shooting.

iPad monitoring through the Hollyland app

The app connects to the monitor's own Wi-Fi network. That means the iPad leaves your normal Wi-Fi while you're monitoring, which is the one part I don't love. If you want to stay online, consider an iPad with cellular. Once it was connected, the feed came up on an 11-inch iPad Pro with a slight delay. The Pyro 5 itself shows zero lag but has a small fan you can hear. The iPad is silent but a little behind.

My plan is to use both. The Pyro 5 is the handheld monitor for me and the crew. The iPad goes on a C-stand for the client, so they see a bigger picture on the kind of Apple screen most people will actually watch the final video on.

The verdict

What I like:

• The color, and a true 4K preview for clients
• A compact 5.5-inch screen that's easy to handhold
• One unit that works as a monitor, transmitter or receiver
• Multiple channels and an SD slot for LUTs
• Internal recording as a backup on key moments

What to know:

• It needs an NP-F battery to power on
• The app takes your phone or iPad off its normal Wi-Fi
• There's a slight delay on the iPad app
• The fan is audible up close

Who it's for: small production teams and solo shooters who want a client-facing wireless monitor without a full video village. It's also great if you film yourself, since you can glance at it to check focus.

Skip it if: you only shoot solo with a flip-out screen, or you need a large director's monitor. The 5.5-inch size is a strength handheld, but it isn't a 7-inch.

The gear from this video

• Hollyland Pyro 5 4K
• Nikon ZR
• SmallRig NP-F970 battery
• Monitor handles
• Amaran light
• RØDE wireless mic

I'll keep doing simple, honest gear reviews like this one. Subscribe on YouTube to catch the next one, and see my brand deals page for other brands I've worked with. If you need video production for your own brand, that's what we do at Chasing Creative.