Hollyland Cosmo C1 Wireless Video Transmitter Review

Let’s talk about the Cosmo C1 from Hollyland. This is a wireless transmitter setup that allows you to wirelessly transmit video signal from a camera to another device like a monitor. This article will discuss how I utilize this system, my thoughts and experiences using it and how it compares to other systems. There are a lot of wireless systems out there. Some are very expensive and some are very cheap. This system provides fantastic functionality without costing tens of thousands of dollars. If you’d prefer to watch the video version of this article, check it out on the Gear and Light YouTube channel here: 

My Setup

For the fantastic level of distance and latency performance, this Cosmo setup is actually pretty compact. I currently have it attached to my a7 IV rig here:

I’ve attached the transmitter and the antennas of the Cosmo to the front of the handle. The reason I went with this option is so that the whole setup would be out of the way and directly attached to the camera for easy access. 

On the other side, I’ve got a battery powered monitor that is receiving the signal from the camera. I love this monitor setup because it allows me to have something for the client to hold so they can preview what I’m doing without being in the way of the shoot. 

Another use I have for this setup is when I’m filming live performances. In this instance, I’ll leave the transmitter on the a7 IV rig, but plug the Cosmo receiver into whatever switching board I’m using off camera to be able to change angles and cameras in realtime.

Latency and Distance

One of the most impressive parts of this setup is how low the latency is, even at far distances. I’ve used this system in auditoriums for school performances where there is a room full of parents that are all using their phones to take pictures while the Cosmo transmits across the entire room. Even in that scenario, this system has no issues with connectivity, delay, or dropped frames. The Cosmo C1 stays perfectly locked in and provides fantastic results. 

Features and Setup

The unit itself that attaches to the camera has an HDMI and an SDI. This is great because it gives multiple options for you to utilize to connect to the camera. With the Sony a7 IV, I use HDMI because it doesn’t have an SDI. Now, I have my Cosmo setup to be powered by the V-mount battery that’s attached to my camera rig. This is an Indy Pro 98 watt hour battery that powers my monitor, my camera, and the Cosmo. With this battery, I can usually run my full setup non-stop for a few hours, easily. There is, of course, an option to mount a battery directly to the back of the cosmo, but I prefer everything to run on a single power source, if I can help it. There’s also an option to plug the cosmo into an AC adapter and run it directly into wall power. I utilize this option occasionally when I’m live streaming and have access to power.

The side of the receiver has a very small display. This allows you to go in to its simple menu and do things like scan for devices, check the firmware, and display your frame rate and resolution. The side also has a power switch, a USB connection, and a D-tap out.

The Cosmo also comes with a few different types of antennas. The ones I use are the omni antennas because they receive signal from every direction. There are also straight directional antennas that are great for more stationary setups where you can point them directly towards the receiver. Lastly, the whole system comes with a fantastic little protective case that’s perfect for storing everything in one safe location. 

My Overall Thoughts

This setup is incredibly impressive to me. Typically, to get this level of performance and latency, you’ll need to spend a minimum of $5,000 for a different wireless setup. For someone like me, the Cosmo C1 is actually affordable and obtainable, while still offering the pro level features I need. This is a great setup for people working with small to medium sized budgets. If you’re not working with massive motion picture level budgets, you need equipment that provides great quality without breaking the bank. The Cosmo C1 fits within that bracket perfectly. Overall, I highly recommend this setup. It’s high quality, inexpensive, and will boost the value of your productions significantly. You can check it out here, if you’d like: 

https://jerad.link/hollylandcosmo

For more content on my camera setups, check out these videos on the Gear and Light YouTube channel: