News

Panasonic has announced a free firmware upgrade for the VariCam 35 and LT cinema cameras and VariCam HS high-speed 1080p camera that includes additional ProRes codecs and HD-SDI monitor output improvements. Both firmware upgrades add ProRes 4444 XQ, ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 LT codecs for 2K and HD resolutions (VariCam 35 and LT), and for HD resolution in case of the VariCam HS model. The bit depth of Pro Res 4444 has been increased to 12-bit, with 10-bit file playback only in camera. For the VariCam LT, AVC-LongG G50/G25 recording (HD only) is now supported for the majority of frame rates.

For HD-SDI monitor outputs, users can shorten the delay of the outputs to two frames, greatly enhancing onset monitoring applications. For cinema shooters, there's a new support of 23.98PsF output, which provides native frame rate support without introducing 2:3 pulldown artifacts. There's also a new support for “Letter Box” output in 4K/2K in which the image in MON OUT will be automatically set in “Letter Box” mode. For the iPad, there's a new remote control app -- VariCam ROP -- that has a user display similar to VariCam's menu display. In the app, users can select whether they want Master control in the app or camera, a lock switch to prevent accidental operation, and dial up/down operation by screen swipe on an iOS device.

For production, a 2.0:1 aspect ratio has been added to the framing marker choices. Netflix series like Frontier and A Series of Unfortunate Events have been produced recently in the 2.0:1 aspect ratio.

Additional features the firmware upgrades include:

• Focus status can be selected in “Meter” notation, even in V-Log recording (VariCam 35/LT/HS)
• Ability to assign “VFR (ON/OFF)” to USER SW (VariCam 35/LT/HS)
• MON OUT can be selected “ANAMORPHIC DESQUEEZE” in 2K/HD mode (VariCam 35/LT/HS)
• For VariCam 35 and HS, “Image Invert” and “Surround View” can be selected independently
• For VariCam 35 and HS, viewfinder display can be selected “EE (Camera through)” even in Playback
• For the VariCam LT, “Audio Level Meter” can be selected to display on SDI OUT

The firmware upgrade (Ver. 7.0) for the VariCam 35 and HS and Ver. 5.0 upgrade for VariCam LT can be downloaded here.

Chaos Group released V-Ray 3.5 for 3ds Max, a free update to its leading CPU and GPU renderer. With the addition of nine major features and a number of performance improvements, V-Ray 3.5 is the fastest and most powerful version yet. To solve the long-time challenge of rendering scenes with many lights, Chaos Group's R&D team has written a new Adaptive Lights algorithm that drastically speeds up render times. After extensive testing on architectural interiors and large environments with hundreds or even thousands of lights, benchmarking results show that Adaptive Lights can be up to seven times faster, depending on the scene. Now artists can work with a virtually unlimited amount of light sources, rendering scenes that were previously impossible.

Other Top Features Include:

• Interactive production rendering – Fully interactive production rendering with immediate feedback.
• Glossy Fresnel – New, physically-accurate reflection model adds more realism to any scene.
• Resumable rendering – Ability to stop and continue rendering at any point, preserving work and saving time. Supports both progressive and bucket rendering.
• Live VR rendering – Render directly to Oculus Rift or HTC Vive with full GPU acceleration. Visualize changes within the headset as they are made in 3ds Max.
• V-Ray Scene node – Import and render complete scene files created in any V-Ray application. V-Ray scenes are render-ready assets and contain all geometry, lights, materials and textures.
• Interactive lens effects – GPU-accelerated glare and bloom effects that can be enabled and adjusted while rendering. Compatible with V-Ray Denoiser.
• alSurface material – General-purpose shader by Anders Langlands includes built-in SSS controls; popular for skin.
• MDL materials – NVIDIA’s universal material format is now supported by V-Ray, allowing designers to apply MDL materials authored in programs like Substance Designer to their assets and scenes.

V-Ray 3.5 for 3ds Max is a free update for all V-Ray 3.x customers. Login at chaosgroup.com to download. This version also marks the debut of online licensing for V-Ray for 3ds Max users, who can now choose this option instead of the traditional dongle. A full-featured 30-day trial is also available.

Latour's Z-shape foldable head offers an innovative way to mount and position a small video camera or a DSLR/DSLM with a max. weight of approx. 2.5 kg. Made from a black-anodized aluminum, the head provides a stable support for your camera while offering portability as well as fast setup of camera angles!

New podcasts in the EDIUS Podcast series cover 5.1 audio and preview devices. Visit podcast.edius.net YouTube channel to watch the ongoing podcast series.

Press Release

Blackmagic Design announced two new Blackmagic Studio Camera models with the internal battery removed, allowing the company to reduce the retail price of the camera. The HD model has been reduced 200 EUR and is now 1,435 EUR ex. VAT. The Ultra HD Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K has been reduced 800 EUR from 2,409 to only 1,605 EUR ex. VAT. Both models are available now.

Based on user feedback, most customers doing live production use AC plug in power, so they have asked for a model without the battery. In addition to making the cameras more expensive, the large internal battery also made it difficult for customers to ship their cameras via air freight when they needed to take it on location for a shoot. With the battery now being removed from the camera, customers can ship them anywhere. The removal of the battery allows the cameras to be sold at these new lower prices.

With it’s new low price of only $1,695, the new Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K is now same price as the previous HD only model, making it easier than ever for customers to switch to Ultra HD. Both models of the Blackmagic Studio Camera give customers incredible HD or Ultra HD image quality along with talkback, tally, remote camera control, lens control, built in DaVinci Resolve primary color correction and much more.

As with the previous models, these new Blackmagic Studio Cameras can be controlled remotely from any ATEM switcher. The all new ATEM Television Studio HD features a built-in talkback converter, making it the perfect companion for the new Blackmagic Studio Cameras because customers can use them without needing a separate, expensive talkback controller.



Press Photography
Product photos of all Blackmagic Design products, are available at www.blackmagicdesign.com/press/images.

About Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the company’s Emmy™ award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com.