Sony A7 IV External Recorder Setup (HDMI Output Settings)

Part of: Sony A7 IV Guide

Best default pick (most A7 IV users): Atomos Ninja V

Good size, good tools, and a simple way to record from your camera over HDMI.

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Not sure what an “external monitor‑recorder” is? See the simple sitewide guide first: Best external monitor recorder (HDMI recorder).

1. Record on the camera card AND record to the HDMI recorder (recommended, safest).
2. Record ONLY to the HDMI recorder (HDMI‑only mode).
3. Start/stop the HDMI recorder from the camera (REC Control).

Sony says: “Use a Premium High Speed HDMI Cable (sold separately) to output 4K movies.” (Sony Help Guide PDF p. 476)

1. Go to MENU → Setup → External Output → HDMI Output Settings (movie) (Sony Help Guide PDF p. 476).
2. Set Rec. Media dur HDMI Output = On.
3. Why: Sony says On “Records movies on the memory card of the camera, and outputs the movies to the HDMI-connected device at the same time.” (p. 476)
4. Don’t miss this: Sony also says “The color depth for the output movie is based on [Record Setting] under [Movie Settings].” (p. 476)
   
   Simple meaning: your HDMI output quality depends on what you picked in the camera’s movie record settings.
5. If you want the camera screen to still show your settings, set HDMI Info. Display = Off (Sony Help Guide PDF p. 478).

1. Go to HDMI Output Settings (movie) (Sony Help Guide PDF p. 476).
2. Set Rec. Media dur HDMI Output = Off(HDMI Only).
3. Sony says Off(HDMI Only) “Does not record movies on the memory card of the camera, and outputs movies only to devices connected via HDMI.” (p. 476)
4. Set 4K Output Set.(HDMI Only) to the frame rate you want. Sony lists: 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, all “10bit”. (p. 476)

HDMI-only gotchas (Sony warns about these):

• “When [Rec. Media dur HDMI Output] is set to [Off(HDMI Only)], [HDMI Info. Display] becomes temporarily set to [Off].” (p. 477)
• “…the counter does not move forward (the actual recording time is not counted) while the movie is being recorded on an external recorder/player.” (p. 477)

1. In HDMI Output Settings, set Time Code Output = On if you want timecode sent to the recorder.
2. Sony explains timecode like this: “Time code information is transmitted as digital data, not as an image displayed on the screen.” (p. 476)
3. Then set REC Control = On to try to control recording on a compatible recorder. (p. 476)
4. Important: “When [Time Code Output] is set to [Off], you cannot set [REC Control].” (p. 477)

If the screen goes weird: Sony says “When [Time Code Output] is set to [On], images may not be output properly to the TV or recording device.” If that happens, set Time Code Output to Off. (p. 477)

Sony says when it is set to High, “you can continue shooting even when the temperature of the camera gets hotter than normal.” (p. 470)

Safety note from Sony: “Do not shoot while holding the camera in your hand. Use a tripod.” (p. 470)

Sony’s test numbers (High setting):

• 25°C: “Continuous recording time for movies (4K): Approx. 120 minutes” (p. 470)
• 40°C: “Continuous recording time for movies (4K): Approx. 30 minutes” (p. 470)

Big warning: Sony also says the recordable time “may not change” depending on conditions. (p. 470)

A proxy is a small video copy you can upload fast.

Sony says: “You can simultaneously record a low-bit-rate proxy movie…” (Sony Help Guide PDF p. 262)

Sony also says proxies are good for “transferring to smartphones or uploading to websites.” (p. 262)