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Press Release

Blackmagic Design announced the immediate availability of the new Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield which lets customers build their own custom controllers for cameras and other SDI devices. The Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield is available now for 89 EUR ex. VAT.

Building custom solutions for controlling cameras via SDI connections is difficult and requires high speed digital design skills. This means it’s quite difficult for broadcast engineers who want to integrate Blackmagic Design’s cameras into their own custom systems because they would need to build SDI based hardware to do remote control of those cameras using the Blackmagic Camera SDI Control Protocol. To solve this problem Blackmagic Design has created a new SDI expansion board for Arduino micro controllers called the Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield to make it easier for broadcast engineers and technicians to create custom control solutions for Blackmagic Design cameras.

Arduino is a popular open-source electronics prototyping platform based on easy to use hardware and software. Similar to Raspberry Pi, which is more targeted at software engineers, Arduino is often the choice for hardware developers and is designed as a simpler, more flexible and lower cost way to build all kinds of custom projects.

Expansion boards are called “shields” in the Arduino world and Blackmagic Design decided to take advantage of this standardized expansion capability to build its Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield interface card. Blackmagic Design has also written some sample code that shows how the Arduino communicates with the Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield, and how the shield will then send the camera control commands to the camera.

The Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield is a simple expansion board or “shield” that includes 1 SDI input and 1 SDI output. The SDI input allows any video source to be connected, and the SDI output is connected to the camera and has camera control protocol commands embedded into it. The Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield is very easy to use by a software developer, as they just look up the camera control commands they want to use in the instruction manual and then add them to Arduino software code that sends them to the Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield to be inserted into the SDI link.

The Blackmagic SDI Control Protocol uses the blanking space in an SDI data stream to send commands for things such as camera and lens control, color correction, program return, tally, talkback and more over SDI cables so customers don't have to deploy additional, expensive equipment and run extra cables. The protocol is well documented by Blackmagic Design in product manuals and is now also being supported by third party manufacturers. The Blackmagic SDI Control Protocol is built into Blackmagic cameras, ATEM switchers, DeckLink cards, Video Assist, and viewfinder products.

For example, customers could build a simple controller with a joystick on top of the SDI shield that sends camera control commands to adjust things like focus or iris. The possibilities are endless and customers now have an easy way to create completely customized solutions for use with Blackmagic cameras, switchers, cards and more.

The Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield comes as a simple double sided SDI board, which also provides power to the Arduino. It also features a USB connector for updating the software as Blackmagic Design releases new features in the future. It uses the I2C bus, which means you can even connect it via a cable to the shield if you need to fit into a custom enclosure.

Availability and Price

The Blackmagic 3G-SDI Arduino Shield is available now for 89 EUR ex. VAT.

Press Photography

Product photos 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.

The HitFilm Ignite contains over 140 visual effects plug-ins for editing and compositing packages, including Grass Valley EDIUS 8, Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere and After Effects, Apple Final Cut Pro X and Motion, Sony Catalyst Edit, Sony Vegas Pro, and The Foundy NUKE. Runs on Mac OS X and Windows machines, on up to 3 computers per license. Special price of 139 EUR ex. VAT (regular 185 EUR) is valid until August 31, 2016.

All purchases of an AG-DVX200EJ between 01 June 2016 and 31 December 2016 will be rewarded by Panasonic with an immediate offer of accessories valued up to 300 EUR (incl. VAT) for the main unit. The accessories need to be suitable for the AG-DVX200EJ camcorder (non-Panasonic accessories are also acceptable) and are subject to our accessory range and immediate availability. If the accessory chosen is above the amount of 300 EUR, this 300 EUR will be deducted from the total selling price of the accessory.

Press Release

Blackmagic Design announced the immediate availability of Camera 3.4 update for the original Blackmagic Production Camera 4K. This new update adds SDI record trigger, RP-188 timecode output and improved 6G-SDI output compatibility. Camera 3.4 update is available for download now from the Blackmagic Design website and is free of charge for all Blackmagic Production Camera 4K customers.

Customers using the original Blackmagic Production Camera 4K can now download the update and get features that were previously only available on newer cameras like Blackmagic URSA and URSA Mini, making it more compatible with external monitors and recorders.

Camera 3.4 update adds support for SDI start/stop record trigger which allows external video recorders, such as Blackmagic Video Assist, to start and stop recording in tandem with the camera automatically. This makes operating both the camera and an external recorder even easier than before.

Customers also get SDI RP-188 timecode output support which allows output of camera timecode via SDI so customers can now record files with the same exact timecode on both their camera and an external recorder. For example, customers can record RAW files on their camera while also using a Blackmagic Video Assist to record ProRes or DNxHD files with matching timecode at the same time. This makes it possible to use the ProRes or DNxHD files for editing, and automatically re-link the camera original wide dynamic range RAW files with matching timecode for grading and finishing in software such as DaVinci Resolve.

“Camera 3.4 update gives customers that bought the original Blackmagic Production Camera 4K incredible new features that were previously available only on newer models,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “This is exciting because now customers can record RAW on their cameras while also recording ProRes on a Blackmagic Video Assist at the same time and with matching timecode. It’s a huge addition that dramatically improves the workflow for customers using the original Blackmagic Production Camera 4K and, best of all, it’s free!”

About the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K

Blackmagic Production Camera 4K is a super high resolution 4K digital production camera for Ultra HD television production. Featuring a large Super 35 sensor, professional global shutter as well as EF and PL compatible lens mount models, the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K captures RAW or high quality ProRes files, giving customers a complete solution to shoot amazing high resolution music videos, episodic television productions, television commercials, sport and documentaries.

The Blackmagic Production Camera 4K has everything customers need right out of the box including a built in SSD recorder, rechargeable battery and a large 5” LCD touchscreen. In addition to focusing and monitoring shots, the touchscreen also lets customers enter metadata and change camera settings all on a single easy to use interface. Customers also get a full copy of DaVinci Resolve for amazing quality color grading and finishing for Mac OS X and Windows computers.

Blackmagic Production Camera 4K Key Features

Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution

CinemaDNG RAW and Apple ProRes recording

Super 35 sensor

Global shutter

EF and PL compatible lens mount models

Built-in SSD recorder

5” LCD touchscreen

Metadata entry

6G-SDI output for 10-bit HD and Ultra HD

Availability and Price

Camera 3.4 update is available now from the Blackmagic Design website free of charge for all current Blackmagic Production Camera 4K customers.

Press Photography

Product photos of Blackmagic cameras, and all other 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.

Press Release

Blackmagic Design announced that PEUGEOT’s new commercial, “MOTION & EMOTION Taikan Shijou Campaign,” was shot using Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera and URSA Mini 4.6K EF. The spot was also graded with DaVinci Resolve Studio.

Assemblage K.K., a Japanese-based production company that provides production and post production services for ads, music videos, corporate videos and films, created the commercial. Alexandre Bartholo, the founder of Assemblage K.K., is involved in many creative roles such as producing, directing, shooting and post production, and headed up the production on the new Peugeot spot.

”In this commercial, we used a POV shot for most of the scene to be able to deliver the actual experience of a test drive to the viewers. That’s why we needed a small camera,” said Alexandre. “We attached the Micro Cinema Camera to a helmet. It was very important to control the camera position since we wanted the camera to be as close to human eye level as much as possible. The camera body is so small it fell like a small extension of the lens profile. The small footprint also allowed for better and more accurate positioning. The Micro Cinema Camera was stuck to the side of the helmet to shoot realistic POV footage, which worked perfectly. We also added a plate to the helmet so that we could move the camera back and forth slightly and change its angle.”

“When test shooting, the DoP and I tried shooting with the helmet on. It was very difficult to check what we are shooting. It is almost impossible to do framing and monitor check while driving! So, I gave some responsibility to the actor. I checked the monitor and told the actor where and how much he should turn his head. Focusing and other technical controls were done remotely,” he continued.

Footage was shot in RAW 3:1, as well as recording ProRes via an external recorder as backup. “Blackmagic cameras are able to output a Log image even from SDI and HDMI out, so it gives me peace of mind knowing I can still get backup footage which has enough quality for color grading even if something happened to my RAW footage.”

The commercial also includes night shots. Alexandre set high valuation on the Micro Cinema Camera’s ability to shoot under low light conditions. “Some shots were set to ISO 1600. Even with the low light condition, I did not feel there was much grain or damage to the detail of the image!”

Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K was also used for non POV shots. Even though most of shots are POV, they needed to show the whole image of Peugeot car. The URSA Mini 4.6K was used to capture the beauty of the car on the road.

“Luckily, my DoP just purchased a URSA Mini 4.6K, so I could use it for my shooting. I like its filmic image. For the post production process, I used DaVinci Resolve Studio to apply a LUT and export ProRes Proxy for offline editing. And then I conformed the timeline with the original RAW footage for grading,” he said.

“The one thing I really like about Blackmagic cameras is the simplicity of the settings. There are so many settings on other cameras and I get worried that am I using the right setting for the shooting? But as for Blackmagic, there are a very few settings to choose, so there is no need for me to worry.”

Alexandre concluded; “Micro Cinema Camera is presented as a simple camera that is robust and gives you good images. The features inside are simple, and out of the package it does exactly what it is supposed to do.”

Press Photography

Product photos of Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera, Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K, DaVinci Resolve and all other 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.