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Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 16.3 Beta 2, DaVinci Resolve 16.3 Studio Beta 2 and Blackmagic RAW 2.0 Beta 2. Together, these updates add support for viewing and editing Blackmagic RAW 2.0 footage on Windows computers.
Just last month, Blackmagic Design released the Blackmagic RAW 2.0 Beta 1, which added Blackmagic’s new fifth-generation color science, support for dual card recording and support for the new URSA Mini Pro 12K. In addition to general performance and stability improvements, this second beta also adds support for Blackmagic RAW 2.0 on Windows computers.
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To accompany the Blackmagic RAW 2.0 update, Blackmagic has also released the second beta of its DaVinci Resolve 16.3 and DaVinci Resolve 16.3 Studio programs. For those unfamiliar, the non-Studio version of DaVinci Resolve is free to use, but limits project mastering and output to Ultra HD (UHD 4K) resolution or lower, and doesn’t offer additional support for multiple GPUs, advanced editing tools and more.
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| The highlighted area on this page contains the download links for the latest updates. |
You can find both macOS and Windows downloads for DaVinci Resolve 16.3 Beta 2, DaVinci Resolve 16.3 Studio Beta 2 and Blackmagic RAW 2.0 Beta 2 on Blackmagic Design’s support page, halfway down on the left-hand side, under the section labeled ‘Latest Downloads.’
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Editor’s note: Skip to just under 30 minutes again to avoid the static intro image.
Blackmagic Design has taken the wraps off its new Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K digital film camera with support for recording video at up to 12K/60fps with 80MP per frame. The model is joined by a pair of new off-camera monitors from the company, the Blackmagic Video Assist 3G in 5″ and 7″ sizes.
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The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K is a digital film camera offering advanced options combined with a 12288 x 6480 Super 35 image sensor. This is the company’s third-generation model, one offering 14 stops of dynamic range, 4K/220fps Super 16 and 8K/110fps options in addition to 12K, an interchangeable lens mount and a SuperSpeed USB-C expansion port.
Blackmagic Design has packed a number of other notable features into its new pro-grade digital film camera, including built-in ND filters, an interchangeable PL mount and UHS-II SD and CFast card recorders. The company says that the Super 35 sensor found in this model is ‘optimized for images at multiple resolutions’ and that it features a unique (non-bayer) design with an equal number of RGB pixels. We’ve contact Blackmagic Design for further information on the sensor and will update with additional information when it becomes available.
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Blackmagic Design has also streamlined its entire workflow to be more efficient, going so far as to demo that with the help of Apple’s Metal graphics architecture, it’s possible to edit 12K Blackmagic Raw footage directly on a MacBook Pro.
The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K is aimed at professional productions, including use with television and movies. Videos shot in 12K Blackmagic RAW can be tweaked with multiple constant bitrate encoding and quality options. The 12K sensor enables oversampling so that users get sharp, highly detailed 4K and 8K images, giving creators a bit more freedom during post-production.
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This is joined by a new film curve feature for Blackmagic Generation 5 Color Science that takes advantage of the 12K sensor color data. According to Blackmagic, this will ensure that highly saturated colors are better rendered and that skin tones are particularly ‘pleasing.’ The camera is compatible with PL cinema lenses, as well as EF and F mount lenses.
Talking about the new model is Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty, who said:
With Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K we have advanced imaging technology into a new generation where new styles of shooting will be possible. It’s not just the 12K sensor, but there is so many other innovations in this camera. From the Generation 5 Color Science, the in sensor scaling, new symmetrical color pattern, full RGB quality and of course the 12K resolution, it’s going to be exciting to see what DOPs do creatively with this technology!
Blackmagic Design is launching the URSA Mini Pro 12K this month at $ 9,995.
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Joining the new digital film camera is the Blackmagic Video Assist 3G, an off-camera monitor offered in 5in and 7in sizes. According to the company, Video Assist 3G is a touchscreen model offered at a lower price point than the company’s other options; it features HDMI and 3G-SDI with support for all Standard and High Definition video formats.
Likewise, Video Assist 3G has upgraded batteries compared to past models, as well as built-in scopes, a rear tally light, headphone jack and front panel speaker. Both size options feature standard SD and UHS-II SD card support — the larger model has two SD card slots so that a full card can be swapped out while recording to the second card continues.
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As well, the Video Assist 3G utilizes Sony L-Series batteries and features two battery slots so that one can be swapped out with a charged battery while recording. The obvious benefit to the Video Assist 3G is that it offers a larger display than the often small screens built into cameras, giving users considerably more control over their work.
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Likewise, the Video Assist has an integrated pro-grade audio recorder, exceeding the quality of many cameras while eliminating the need to tote around audio gear, though it is also possible to attach microphones to the 7-inch model via a pair of XLR inputs. In addition to the monitor’s many other features, Blackmagic has included support for several languages, including English, Spanish, German, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and more.
Blackmagic Design is now offering the Video Assist 3G monitors starting at $ 495.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Blackmagic Design has announced it will be hosting a ‘Camera Update’ livestream on YouTube at 12pm EDT (UTC -4) on July 29 (roughly 27 hours after this article is published).
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No additional information about the event has been shared at this time, but if past Blackmagic Design ‘Update’ livestreams are anything to go by, there will likely be new and/or improved hardware on display. Click through to YouTube using the above video embed and sign up to be notified so you don’t miss the announcement.
What would you like to see from Blackmagic Design, tomorrow?
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Sigma has released a major 2.0 firmware update for its fp camera that adds, amongst numerous other new features, the ability to record Apple ProRes Raw over HDMI when paired with an Atomos Ninja V monitor/recorder and Blackmagic Raw over HDMI with a Blackmagic Video Assist 12G.
When paired with an Atomos Ninja V updated with the latest firmware, the fp is able to record Apple ProRes RAW at up to DCI 4Kp24 or UHD 4Kp30 directly from the camera’s full-frame sensor. Additionally, this update will make the fp the first mirrorless camera in the world capable of recording Raw Full HD (1080p) video at 120 fps. Sigma doesn’t specify the exact framerates or resolutions that are possible when capturing Blackmagic Raw on Blackmagic’s Video Assist 12G recorder, but like the Atomos, it will require a firmware update.
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Other new and improved features include cinemagraph creation and playblack, CinemaDNG footage playback, still capture during live view and movie shooting, still image capture from recorded footage, support for camera movement control with Zhiyun’s Weebill S gimbal and camera control support while in USB mode. Sigma also says the update adds ‘HDR in movie shooting,’ but it doesn’t divulge any specifications. We have contacted Sigma to request additional information on this front.
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Sigma has also updated and improved upon existing functionality, including explicit stating of dual base ISOs (100 and 3200), improved autofocus performance, improved exposure metering accuracy and support for multiple CinemaDNG capture modes. An issue where flickering could appear in dark footage has also been corrected in the firmware update.
You can download firmware version 2.0 (previously version 1.02) from the Sigma fp support page.
Press release:
Expanded functionality for SIGMA’s full-frame mirrorless digital camera includes cinemagraph creation and playback, CinemaDNG footage playback, improved autofocus and more
Ronkonkoma, NY – June 25, 2020 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading camera, photography lens, cine lens, flash and accessories manufacturer, today announced that SIGMA fpfirmware ver. 2.00, the first major update that widely expands the functionality of the camera, is now available to SIGMA fp users on the SIGMA Global Site. Download SIGMA fp Version 2.0 here.
WATCH NOW: Sin-Sin, the latest SIGMA film shot with SIGMA fp
New Functions and Capabilities in SIGMA fp Firmware Ver. 2.00:
*A free AtomOS firmware update for Ninja V is required
*Requires firmware update of Video Assist 12G models using Video Assist Update 3.3.
*Firmware update of the corresponding device is required. Please refer to ZHIYUN firmware release information about functions supported. Since not all functions will be supported in this firmware update, both SIGMA and ZHIYUN will need to continue working on this to make more and more functions to be compatible in future firmware updates
*The SDK (Software Development Kit) for controlling the camera is scheduled to be available by early July
Function Updates and Enhancements In fp Ver. 2.00:
Bug Corrections in fp Ver. 2.00:
For more information on the SIGMA fp, please visit https://www.sigmaphoto.com/sigma-fp.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Blackmagic Design has announced it’s dropping the price of its Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC6K) by $ 500, bringing the retail price down to $ 1,995.
Although Blackmagic Design doesn’t explicitly say the price drop is due to the current COVID-19 pandemic in the press release, it does suggest the decision was made alongside the release of its ATEM Mini switchers to help the current demand for at-home livestreaming efforts, saying ‘With the current demand for multi camera live streaming from home broadcast studios, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K makes a perfect studio camera when combined with the recent studio camera software update!’
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The BMPCC6K offers 6K30p recording on its Super 35 sensor (6144 x 3456 pixels), up to 13 stops of dynamic range, built-in SD UHS-II and CFast card slots, HDMI output, an expandable USB-C port, a built-in 5” touchscreen and Blackmagic OS to run it all. All of that is packed inside the carbon fiber polycarbonate composite frame, which comes with a built-in Canon EF mount.
You can find the new price live at retailers around the globe, including Adorama and B&H.
Press release:
Fremont, CA, USA – Friday, 24 April 2020 – Blackmagic Design today announced a new lower price for the popular Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K of US$ 1,995. This is a reduction of $ 500 which will help make this camera more affordable for users working on digital film as well as live production with the new ATEM Mini switchers. With the current demand for multi camera live streaming from home broadcast studios, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K makes a perfect studio camera when combined with the recent studio camera software update!
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for US$ 1,995.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera now works as a studio camera for live production when used with ATEM Mini. Video and control is via the HDMI connection, which is available as soon as customers plug the cameras in. The record light becomes a tally light so customers can see which camera is on air. The ATEM Software Control camera page has a camera control unit (CCU) style interface for adjusting and matching their cameras. Move the CCU control vertically for iris and left to right to adjust black level. It’s the same as a broadcast CCU. There are also controls for color tint to balance camera as well as focus, gain and shutter speed. Customers can even ISO record Blackmagic RAW in the camera for editing later.
The elegant design of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera packs an incredible number of high end digital film features into a miniaturized, handheld design. Made from lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite, the camera features a multifunction handgrip with all controls for recording, ISO, WB and shutter angle right at their fingertips.
Featuring a larger 6144 x 3456 Super 35 sensor and EF lens mount, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K model lets customers use larger EF photographic lenses to create cinematic images with shallower depth of field, allowing creative defocussed backgrounds and gorgeous bokeh effects.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras have an incredible 13 stops of dynamic range which means they preserve more detail in the lightest and darkest areas of an image than simple video cameras can. This allows customers to set exposure for an indoor scene and still retain the details of bright outdoor light coming through a window.
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features built in CFast and SD UHS-II card recorders, and a USB-C expansion port for recording direct to an external media disk. Customers can use regular SD cards for HD or higher performance UHS-II and CFast cards for native 4K or 6K when using Blackmagic RAW. Imagine capturing over an hour of full resolution 6K images on a single 256GB SD UHS-II card. The ProRes and Blackmagic RAW files work with all video software.
Blackmagic RAW is a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from their camera. Video formats such as H.264 are highly compressed, plus add noise and artifacts, causing original sensor detail to be lost forever. Blackmagic RAW eliminates this problem and gives customers stunning images with incredible detail and color throughout the production pipeline from camera to edit, color and mastering. It also saves camera settings as metadata so customers can set ISO, white balance and exposure in camera or override them later while editing, all without any loss of quality. Blackmagic RAW files are also small and fast to use making them easy to work with.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features a large, bright 5 inch touchscreen that makes it easy for customers to frame shots and accurately focus. The touchscreen displays critical information while users are shooting, menus for setting up the camera and intuitive touch to focus controls. On screen overlays show status, a histogram, focus and peaking indicators, levels, frame guides, playback controls and more.
With the advanced Blackmagic OS, customers get an intuitive and user friendly camera operating system based on the latest technology. The interface uses simple tap and swipe gestures to adjust settings, add metadata and view recording status. Customers also get full control over advanced camera features such as on screen focus and exposure tools, 3D LUTs, HDR, metadata entry, timecode, Blackmagic RAW settings and more.
Both Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera models feature a mini XLR input with 48 volts of phantom power for connecting professional microphones such as lapel mics and booms. The four built in microphones have an extremely low noise floor and are shock and wind resistant, allowing customers to capture great sound in any location. There’s also a 3.5mm audio input for connecting video camera style microphones, along with a built in speaker for playback and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
“We have worked very hard to build this camera at lower cost, and we think even more people will be able to take advantage of this price reduction to move into a more advanced and much higher quality digital film workflow,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “This has become more important with COVID-19. Many broadcasters have been setting up home studios for presenters, which have used ATEM Mini switchers and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras. We think with the recent software updates for switcher control of the Pocket Cinema Cameras from the ATEM Mini switchers, combined with this more affordable price it will greatly help this workflow.”
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is available now for US$ 1,995, excluding local duties and taxes, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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| Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K |
Blackmagic has released an update for its Blackmagic Camera models that adds a number of new features, bug fixes and other improvements to the systems.
On both the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K) and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC6K), Blackmagic Camera Setup 6.8 improves startup time, improves the USB PTP control performance and fixes an issue with ‘slow mounting of media containing a large number of clips.’
The update also increases 4K 2.40:1 recording pixel height from 1712 to 1720 pixels on the BMPCC4K and fixes an ‘issue where EF lens stabilization cannot be turned on if the camera is started with lens IS turned off’ on the BMPCC6K.
The update also includes Blackmagic RAW 1.6.1, which adds support for Blackmagic’s URSA Broadcast. Other ‘general performance and stability improvements have been made for Blackmagic’s RAW plugin for Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro.
You can download the latest update through Blackmagic’s support page.
Update details:
This software package allows you to update your Blackmagic Camera to the latest software release for new features, bug fixes and other enhancements.
The software installer no longer installs the Desktop Video or UltraScope applications and they will need to be downloaded separately from the Blackmagic Design website: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support
To use UltraScope via Thunderbolt with Blackmagic Cinema Camera or Production Camera 4K, download and install the Blackmagic UltraScope software. If you want to use Media Express with the supported cameras, download and install the Blackmagic Desktop Video software.
Please ensure that your device is plugged into mains power before running the software update. To update Blackmagic Camera Fiber Converter you will need to ensure that the unit is powered from the camera using the URSA 12V power supply rather than SMPTE fiber during the update.
Please update your camera before attaching the Blackmagic Camera Battery Grip.
For updating Blackmagic Cameras from Camera 4.0 or above it is advisable to export your presets and LUTs onto a card as they will be removed during this update.
New features for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
New features for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
No new features in 6.8 for other camera models.
What’s new in Blackmagic RAW 1.6.1
Before installing the software, we recommend that you run “Uninstall Blackmagic Camera Setup” first.
While installing Camera Update on URSA Mini and URSA Mini Pro you may notice a pause around the 10% mark in the install process, this is normal and will continue installing after around 20 seconds.
While installing Camera Update on Pocket Cinema Camera 4K you may notice a pause around the 70% mark in the install process, this is normal. Please do not power off the camera as it may still be in the middle of the update process. When the update is completed, the camera will restart into its normal operating state.
After loading the software on the Blackmagic Cinema Camera PL, EF or MFT, you may notice a slight flickering on the built-in LCD screen. This is normal and expected behavior. The flickering will go away after a few minutes of operation.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Blackmagic Design has announced a new firmware update for its Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K systems. that brings new features and functionality. Blackmagic Camera 6.6 mainly focuses on the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K), but also adds a few features to the newer Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC6K) camera as well.
New Blackmagic Camera 6.6 Update! Get anamorphic de-squeeze options, on-screen horizon tool, custom frame guides and support for the Blackmagic Pocket Battery Grip on all Pocket Cinema Camera models, along with Super 16mm and anamorphic Blackmagic RAW recording on the 4K model. pic.twitter.com/019E7FUyFG
— Blackmagic Design (@Blackmagic_News) October 24, 2019
For the BMPCC6K, the Blackmagic Camera 6.6 update adds support for the Blackmagic Pocket Battery Grip, language localization, a built-in camera horizon tool, ‘pinch-to-zoom’ magnification up to 8x, USB PTP control support, the ability to type in customized frame guide ratio and improved autofocus performance.
The BMPCC4K receives all of the above features the BMPCC6K received with the Blackmagic Camera 6.6 update, as well as a slew of other new features. Below is a full list of the new features in the update for the BMPCC4K:
• Added support for 4K 2.4:1 4096 x 1712 recording in Blackmagic RAW up to 75 fps.
• Added support for 2.6K 2688 x 1512 up to 120 fps recording in Blackmagic RAW suitable for Super16mm lenses.
• Added support for 2.8K 4:3 2880 x 2160 recording in Blackmagic RAW up to 80 fps for anamorphic lenses.
• Added support for 2x desqueeze preview when recording 4K 4:3.
• Added support for 1.33x desqueeze preview.
• Added support for pinch to zoom up to 8x magnification.
• Added USB PTP control support.
• Added ability to embed custom 3D LUTs in Blackmagic RAW clips as metadata.
• Added common off-speed frame rate options above slider when changing frames.
• Added common ISO options above slider when changing ISO settings.
• Added 1:1 and 4:5 frame guide options.
• Added ability to monitor voltage level when powering via 12V DC connector.
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The Blackmagic Camera 6.6 update is available to download for free through Blackmagic’s support page. You can find the links about half-way down the page under the far-left section that reads ‘Latest Downloads.’
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Blackmagic has announced a number of new products and updates at IBC 2019, but two particular announcements stand out: the introduction of Blackmagic RAW 1.5 and the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G.
Blackmagic RAW 1.5 is a new software update that adds support, via plug-ins, for working with Blackmagic RAW video files directly inside Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer, negating the need to transcode files and rely on proxies to edit footage. The update also includes a new version of Blackmagic RAW Speed test that’s compatible with Linux and Windows computer; until now, it was only available for macOS.
The Blackmagic RAW 1.5 update is currently available to download from Blackmagic’s website (under the ‘Latest Downloads’ section halfway down on the page)
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Blackmagic also announced the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G, an update to its Video Assist 4K monitor-recorder that includes a brighter HDR screen, built-in scopes, 12G-SDI connectivity and support for recording to external disks over USB-C.
The Blackmagic Video Assist 12G is offered in 5in and 7in models, both of which feature 2500 nit touchscreen LCD displays with wide color gamuts to show Rec. 2020 and Rec 709 colorspaces. Both models include 12G-SDI connections, analog inputs for audio, USB-C external disk recording, dual battery slots for Sony L-Series batteries and headphone output for monitoring audio. Other features include four built-in scopes, tally indicators, enhanced focus assist features and 3D LUTS.
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The only difference between the units, aside from size, is the 7in model features dual UHS-II SD card slots, compared to the single SD card slot on the 5in model. These SD card slots are hot-swappable, meaning you can remove and add storage even while recording, making it possible to shoot longer videos without the need to stop and start.
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| Connections on the device include two S12G-SDI ports, two HDMI ports, two Mini XLR inputs, a USB-C port on the base and a locking 12V DC power connection. |
The 5in and 7in Blackmagic Video Assist 12G units will be available in September 2019 for $ 495 and $ 795, respectively, from authorized resellers.
Press releases:
IBC 2019, Amsterdam, Netherlands – September 13, 2019 – Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic RAW 1.5 a new software update with support for Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer, plus Blackmagic RAW Speed test for Mac, PC and Linux, so customers can work on a wider range of platforms and editing software with their Blackmagic RAW files. Blackmagic RAW 1.5 is available for download now from the Blackmagic Design web site.
Blackmagic RAW 1.5 will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design IBC 2019 booth #7.B45.
The new Blackmagic RAW 1.5 update includes Blackmagic RAW Speed Test which is now available on Windows and Linux for the first time. Blackmagic RAW Speed Test is a CPU and GPU benchmarking tool for testing the speed of decoding full resolution Blackmagic RAW frames on their system. Multiple CPU cores and GPUs are automatically detected and used during the test so that customers get accurate and realistic results. Simply select Blackmagic RAW constant bitrate 3:1, 5:1, 8:1 or 12:1 and the desired resolution to perform the test. Results are displayed in an easy to read table that shows how many frames per second the computer can decode for all supported resolutions.
Editors working in Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer can now work with Blackmagic RAW files using the free plug-ins found in Blackmagic RAW 1.5. These new plug-ins enable editors to work with Blackmagic RAW directly, so they no longer have to transcode files. That means camera original Blackmagic RAW files can be used throughout the entire workflow. There is no longer a need to create proxy files and conform edits for finishing. These plug-ins bring the quality of RAW in small, modern, GPU and CPU accelerated files that are faster and easier to work with than any other video format.
Best of all, when projects are moved from Premiere Pro or Media Composer into DaVinci Resolve for color correction and finishing, all of the camera RAW metadata and image quality is still there.
“Blackmagic RAW is now available for editors working on all major professional NLEs,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “It’s exciting because you can now edit native Blackmagic RAW files in Premiere Pro and Media Composer and then finish them in DaVinci Resolve without needing to create proxy files, all without ever losing quality!”
Blackmagic RAW 1.5 is available now for download from the Blackmagic Design web site.
IBC 2019, Amsterdam, Netherlands – Friday, 13 September 2019 – Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic Video Assist 12G which are new models of the company’s popular combined monitoring and recording solutions. These new models feature brighter HDR screens, built-in scopes, upgraded batteries, 12G-SDI and much more. Blackmagic Video Assist 12G will be available in September 2019 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide from US$ 795.
The new Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR adds professional monitoring and recording to any SDI or HDMI camera in all HD, Ultra HD, 2K and 4K DCI formats. The new improved design includes innovations such as brighter screens for HDR work, tally indicator, 4 built-in scopes, enhanced focus assist features, 3D LUTs and native Blackmagic RAW recording from supported cameras. With 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 on both 5″ and 7″ models, customers get support for recording from virtually any device in all formats up to 2160p60. A brighter touch screen ensures a better view of their recording when shooting HDR digital film, or when shooting outdoors in sunlight. The new design also features upgraded batteries and supports two standard Sony L-Series batteries. This means Blackmagic Video Assist 12G is incredibly versatile and is the perfect solution for the next generation of digital cinema shoots, live production mastering, broadcast testing and measurement.
There are two models of Blackmagic Video Assist 12G, with each model including an innovative touch screen user interface with deck controls, as well as a large screen to view recordings. The Blackmagic Video Assist 7″ 12G model also includes 2 media slots, while both the 5″ and 7″ models include 12G-SDI for high frame rate Ultra HD, analog inputs for audio, USB-C external disk recording, plus a front panel speaker and side-mounted headphone jack. Customers also get 2 rear battery slots for mounting Sony L-Series batteries, so customers have enough power for the brighter HDR screens and higher speed Ultra HD electronics. A 12v universal power supply is included for studio or on-location use.
Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR is an ideal upgrade for cameras, as it’s super bright 2500nit display is bigger than the tiny displays found on consumer cameras, plus users are also adding professional focus assist features and better quality file formats. Video Assist is also a great solution for professional cameras because customers can use it to upgrade older broadcast cameras to modern file formats used on the latest editing software. No matter what editing software customers use, Video Assist lets customers support them all, as customers can record in Apple ProRes, Avid DNx and Blackmagic RAW. With both HDMI and 12G-SDI inputs customers can connect it to any consumer camera, broadcast camera or even DSLR cameras. Then, on supported cameras, customers can even upgrade to RAW style workflows with Blackmagic RAW.
The innovative touchscreen LCD user interface provides incredible control. On-screen, there are dedicated buttons for play, stop and record, plus a mini timeline for scrolling through their recordings. Customers can even image swipe to jog. The LCD includes a heads up display of timecode, video standard, media status as well as audio meters. Scopes can be enabled via the touch screen as well as focus and exposure assist. Plus customers can load and save 3D LUTs.
Video Assist uses commonly available SD card media, so customers can record to flash memory cards that are easy to obtain. The files are small enough to allow long recordings on standard SD cards or the faster UHS-II cards. The larger Video Assist 12G 7″ model even includes 2 SD card slots so customers can swap out any full cards even during recording, allowing infinite length recording. Standard SD cards or the faster UHS-II cards are perfect for broadcast because they are small, high speed and affordable.
If recording to other media types is required, then the USB-C Expansion port lets customers plug in an external flash disk for recording. Imagine adding a Blackmagic MultiDock 10G for easy SSD compatibility with other recorders such as Blackmagic HyperDeck models. Customers even get on-screen menus for managing external disks using the touch screen.
Video Assist features a wide range of video and audio connections such as multi-rate 12G-SDI for SD, HD, and Ultra HD SDI devices. HDMI is included for HDMI cameras and monitoring to consumer televisions and video projectors. The 7-inch model features Mini XLR inputs which are provided for audio input from microphones and external audio mixers. Video Assist even includes a 12V DC power connection with locking power connector.
Customers will be ready for the latest HDR workflows with support for the latest HDR standards and an extremely bright screen with a wide color gamut. Plus the high brightness screen makes outdoor shooting in bright sunlight possible. The built-in scopes even change to HDR scopes when working in HDR formats. Files are tagged with the correct HDR information then SDI and HDMI inputs will also automatically detect HDR video standards. Static metadata PQ and HLG formats are handled according to the ST2084 standard. The bright LCD has a wider color gamut so it can handle both Rec. 2020 and Rec. 709 colorspaces. The built-in Video Assist LCD color gamut can even handle 100% of the DCI-P3 format.
Video Assist features full internal waveform monitoring so customers can ensure compliance to broadcast standards and it also works great as a portable waveform monitoring solution. The waveform display provides a traditional luminance (brightness) levels view of the video inputs or the playback signal. The vectorscope display allows customers to see the intensity of color at 100% SDI reference levels. Customers also get an RGB parade display which is ideal for color correction and checking for illegal levels. Histogram shows the distribution of white to black detail in their images and highlights or shadows clipping. The built in scopes can even be overlaid on live video, or as a small picture in picture view at the top right of the scope.
The SDI and HDMI connections are multi-rate, so handle SD, HD, and Ultra HD. SD formats include NTSC and PAL. 720p HD standards include 720p50 and 59.94p. 1080i HD interlaced formats include 1080i50 and 59.94. 1080p HD formats include 1080p23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60p. Customers can even do 1080 PsF formats. Ultra HD is supported up to 2160p59.94. Customers can even record 2K and 4K DCI rates up to 25p for digital film work.
Video Assist works with industry-standard 17 and 33 point 3D LUT files, or customers can work with the built-in LUTs such as Extended Video, Film to Video, Film to Rec.2020 and more.
Video Assist records using standard open file formats so customers don’t have to waste time transcoding media. Recording works in industry-standard 10-bit ProRes or DNx files in all formats and from all HDMI or SDI cameras, as well as 12-bit Blackmagic RAW when connected to supported cameras. Best of all media files work on all operating systems.
Blackmagic RAW is a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from cameras. Video Assist supports Blackmagic RAW recording from popular cameras such as Panasonic EVA1 and Canon C300 MK II. This eliminates the problems with popular camera formats such as H.264, which are highly compressed resulting in noise and processing artifacts. It also saves camera settings as metadata so customers can set ISO, white balance and exposure, then override them later while editing, all without any loss of quality. Blackmagic RAW files are also small and fast to use making them easy to work with.
Blackmagic Video Assist 12G includes a built-in professional audio recorder that’s much better quality than the audio quality found in most cameras, eliminating the need to carry around extra audio equipment. When working in SDI formats, customers can record 2, 4, 8 or 16 channels of audio in real-time. For connecting microphones the Video Assist 7″ model has two XLR analog audio inputs with phantom power that support the high definition audio sample rate of 192 kHz at uncompressed 16 and 24 bit per sample. Customers can monitor using on-screen audio meters with user-selectable VU or PPM ballistics.
Multiple languages are fully supported so customers don’t need to learn another language to use it. Support is included for English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, German, French, Russian, Italian, Portuguese and Turkish.
The files from Blackmagic Video Assist 12G are common and are compatible with all operating systems or in most video software. Media can be formatted using ExFAT or HFS+ so customers can easily access the media on computers and access the files like regular disks. DaVinci Resolve is perfect for use with Video Assist because it features editing, color correction, audio post-production and visual effects all in one software application.
“The original Blackmagic Video Assist monitors and recorders were very popular and a fantastic way to upgrade older cameras, as well as for use in general broadcast areas of the television industry,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “These new models are an incredible improvement and incorporate all the lessons we have learnt from our customers in Hollywood. They have brighter LCD screens, 12G-SDI, Blackmagic RAW, better focus assist tools, presets, 3D LUTS and much more! They are so nice and it’s very exciting!”
Blackmagic Video Assist 12G will be available in September 2019 from US$ 795, excluding duties, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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LucAdapters has launched a crowd funding campaign to develop a focal reducer for the newly announced Super 35mm 6K cinema camera from Blackmagic Design. The reducer will allow users to mount full frame lenses on the camera with only a slight crop, thus emulating the look of a camera with a full frame sensor.
The company has history with this kind of adapter and currently makes a reducer for the Ursa Mini called Magicbooster Pro, and has in the past made a full-frame adapter for the Samsung NX1. This new model will be called Magicbooster Pocket 6K and will combine the benefits of a 1 stop increase in effective aperture as well as decreasing the crop factor of the 6K area of the camera’s Super 35mm sensor from 1.5x to 1.1x. This allows full frame lenses to practically maintain their intended angle of view when recording 6K footage, with a 50mm lens acting like a 55mm with the reducer instead of like a 75mm without it.
Here’s a video made with the current Magicbooster, shot on Blackmagic Ursa mini 4.6K by PILOTMOVIES.
The Magicbooster Pocket 6K will be fully compatible with all of Canon’s EF lenses according to LucAdapters, but not EF-S models. The Magicbooster fits inside the camera’s throat leaving the mount untouched, and replaces some internal parts of the camera itself in doing so. The unit comprises a small barrel with lens elements at the end. It screws into the camera with the magnifying lens sitting directly in front of the camera’s sensor and behind the IR filter.
Buyers will receive a replacement UV-IR cut filter that the company claims is better than that which is shipped with the camera. Such a degree of installation is required that it isn’t the sort of adapter that can be attached and unattached in a couple of seconds, but it also means there’s no need to add and remove the adapter every time you have to change a lens.
LucAdapter says the Magicbooster Pocket 6K will ship in November this year, and will cost from €499 (approx. $ 550). For more information see the LucAdapters Magicbooster Pocket 6K Kickstarter campaign.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
