By Brady Betzel

Editors and post pros are notoriously hard to shop for. Some don’t have the patience to wait, so they buy everything they want themselves. Others are so introverted that it’s hard to get ideas out of them. I fit firmly into the latter group, but thanks to the reviews I do for postPerspective, products that help improve workflow and efficiency pass my desk all the time. So now it’s a little easier for me to come up with a wish list than it used to be.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of products I have been using this year that really improved my efficiency and health while working a hybrid of 80% at home and 20% in an office. They might not seem like the sexiest of products, but they are integral to professional workflows. If you’re like me and have a hard time knowing what gifts to ask for, then pass this list on.

1. Upgraded HDMI Cables

If you’ve been working from home as some sort of multimedia creator, you might be working with old HDMI cables. And while things might be going “fine,” you might not be hearing or seeing the best output. There are multiple versions of HDMI cables, from standard HDMI, which will transmit 1080i/720p effectively, to the latest Ultra High Speed HDMI, which transmits up to 8K at 60Hz with bandwidth support of up to 48Gbps.

If you aren’t planning on going up to 8K signal transmission, most certified Premium or higher cables support all signals, including Dolby Vision. So go ahead and upgrade the HDMI cables for the editor or post pro in your life!

Monoprice is one of the most economical sources to find pro-level equipment and accessories, including certified HDMI cables. The Monoprice 8K Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, measuring 10 feet with a bandwidth of up to 48Gbps, retails for just $12.99 but is on sale now for $10.99.

There are many other options, including active HDMI cables starting at $23.99. Active HDMI cables are typically used for cable runs of longer than 10 feet, when signals can degrade. Active HDMI cables amplify the signal using an internal processor that is powered by the HDMI source, while passive HDMI cables typically work well under 10 feet and do not amplify signal.

2. USB-C Multiport Adapters (aka USB-C-Powered Hubs)

Monoprice not only sells affordable cables, but they also sell affordable USB-C multi-port adapters — a fancy way of saying a USB-C-powered dock (no external power). With USB-C finally feeling like a standard that will be around for years, it’s a solid assumption that a USB-C multi-port adapter is a great gift. And if you’re not sure you need the speed increase from USB-A to USB-C, consider this: USB-A can transfer at around 480Mbps if USB 2.0 and 600MBps if USB 3.0. USB-C can not only carry 100W of power but also transfer at a rate up to 10Gbps. The main difference between multi-port adapters is the inclusion of memory card readers. (I will talk about an externally powered dock next that adds charging capabilities and multiple-monitor support.)

If you just want expanded USB-A selections with a single HDMI port that supports up to 4K/UHD at 60Hz, then you can purchase a multi-port adapter for $24.99. Or if you want an upgraded six-in-one USB-C multiport adapter with a MicroSD and a standard SD card reader, you can purchase this one for $29.99 (on sale now for $23.99). Funnily enough, the six-in-one is currently cheaper, so it might be a worthwhile upgrade. You never know when someone will run in the room with an SD card full of footage to copy.

3. IOGear Dock Pro Universal 4K Quad Docking Station

If a bus-powered USB-C multiport adapter doesn’t have enough juice, then an externally powered docking station will do the trick. IOGear sells the Dock Pro Universal 4K Quad Docking Station with plenty of ports and multiple power options for $399.99. The style of the Dock Pro is very reminiscent of the older cheese grater style of the Mac Pro, but miniaturized. It has tons of ports:

• Four dual HDMI/DisplayPort outputs
• One USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
• Three USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
• One USB-A smart charging port (QC 3.0)
• One Gigabit Ethernet port
• One 3.5mm combo audio port
• One SD/MicroSD slot

Power Options:

• DisplayLink chip allows for Windows and macOS compatibility
• Power button
• Fast role swap of PD3.0
• Dynamic power distribution
• Dual power options include DC jack — max 120W (60-100W for host) — or Type-C PD charging — max 100W (20V/5A)

The Dock Pro has a solid construction with a space-gray, solid aluminum exterior. The power brick is large, almost as large as the Dock Pro itself, which is kind of ridiculous. One of a couple of amazing features on the IOGear Dock Pro is the ability to power the dock with either the DC jack or a USB-C high-powered cable. Unfortunately, charging with Type-C PD only slows the charges (at least on the laptop I was using), but it still works as a great dock.

Another interesting feature is the ability to take the display signal from the computer plugged into the Dock Pro via USB-C and expand the output to four 4K at 60Hz displays via HDMI and/or full-sized DisplayPort connections. The DisplayLink uses the built-in CPU/GPU to compress the signal to transfer over USB and is compatible with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android and Linux.

4. IOGear KVM Switches

Since I’ve been working from home, I’ve come to realize that a KVM switch is a necessity when moving between multiple computers many times a day. Trying to push and pull mice and keyboard cables can get old and potentially leave room for damaged connections. To fix this, a KVM switch will allow the user to plug in one monitor, one mouse and one keyboard and use them on two computer systems. You can switch between the two connected systems with either a keyboard shortcut (i.e., hitting the control button twice) or an external button.

IOGear offers multiple KVM solutions from 1920×1200 HD resolution to 4096×2160 DCI 4K resolution, depending on the monitor you have. The two-port, full-HD KVM switch with HDMI and USB connections retails for $59.95. The two-port 4K KVM switch with HDMI, USB and audio connections costs $99.95. Both models run at their respective resolutions at 60Hz.

The HD KVM switch from IOGear is a very basic model; it will allow you to run one keyboard, one mouse and one HD monitor between two USB-A connected systems with HDMI video outputs. It is PC- and Mac-compatible.

The 4K KVM Switch from IOGear has a little more to it than its HD sibling. In addition to using one keyboard, one mouse, and up to 4K DCI (4096×2160) at 60Hz, you can also use USB devices like a Dock Pro or multi-port adapter through the USB-A ports to expand your peripherals. It is Windows-, Mac- and Linux-compatible. It is powered through a USB connection, but you can also power it via a USB Micro-B cable if you need a little more power (or you can add a multi-port adapter). There is also a 2.1-compatible audio port as well as a mic input that can be shared between computers.

In my opinion, you should probably go with the 4K version regardless of the resolution you are using. Both versions come with a three-year warranty.

5. FluidStance Level Balance Board

One of the most interesting items I found this year for is the FluidStance Level Balance Board. I work from home about 80% of the time and use an electric standing desk. Once I began alternating between standing and sitting, I could immediately feel my legs and hips adjusting to standing more. Supporting muscles started to strengthen, and the overall soreness, joint aches and muscle soreness started to diminish. Then I found FluidStance, a Santa Barbara-based manufacturer of balance boards made for people who enjoy stand-up desks.

Over the last four months, I have been using the Level balance board when I am stand-up editing. The FluidStance Level retails for $249 and comes in multiple color/wood variations. I am using the light natural finish, but there is a limited-edition black that looks really classy.

The Level is 26.5 inches long by 12.2 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall. It weighs 7lbs, 12oz and has a lifetime warranty. There are a few different models, but the Level seems to hit the sweet spot for me. After just the first day of use, I could tell my muscles were working differently. After a month, I was definitely stronger, and my hips began to ache less. Now the lower half of my body feels much stronger.

It’s actually remarkable how after working for over 15 years at a sitting desk my hips and knees had definitely weakened…  this after being a baseball catcher for 16 years. Now I feel much stronger when walking or exercising. FluidStance backs its claims with research, including from the Mayo Clinic. The FluidStance Level is not cheap, but if you are looking for a great gift for the stand-up editor, this is it.

FluidStance makes a few other products that are very helpful including the Slope, which is a whiteboard that also holds your phone and has room to put your keyboard under it so as not to take up too much desk space. It retails for $69. I’m a Post-it guy, so I had my wife use the Slope and she loved it. At first, we thought it would take up too much desk space but being able to store the keyboard (or even a Wacom tablet) underneath makes the Slope really useful.

In addition to offering great and unique products, FluidStance prides itself on sourcing local materials, being carbon-neutral and planting 10 trees per day through its partners. The company also donates 1% of its profits to the charity First Descents, which “provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18-39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions,” according to the website. It’s an amazing-looking organization.

Bonus Suggestion
If those ideas weren’t enough, and you have $1,699 burning a hole in your pocket, make sure to check out my recent review of the Audeze MM-500 professional headphones. They are expensive but whenever I put them on, I want to spread the word about them. That’s how much I love them.

Combine those with a Tidal subscription that streams MQA (Master Quality Audio), and you will be the hit of the holidays!

Brady Betzel is an Emmy-nominated online editor at Margarita Mix in Hollywood, working on shows like Life Below Zero and Uninterrupted: The Shop . He is also a member of the Producers Guild of America. You can email Brady at bradybetzel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @allbetzroff.