News

Now customers with ATEM production switchers can control their cameras via the SDI connection!

Press Release

April 14, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced ATEM Camera Control, a new update that adds support for controlling cameras from their ATEM production switcher via the program feed to the camera. This update will be free of charge to ATEM customers when available in May 2014.

Until now the ability to control cameras from the live production switcher was only available to extremely high end broadcasters who had the costly infrastructure that allowed this feature. With the new ATEM Camera Control software update, ATEM live production switchers can now control cameras via a new open standard protocol sent to the camera via the return program feed.

This new ATEM Camera Control is currently compatible with a software updated version of the new Blackmagic Studio Camera. The Blackmagic Studio camera features both optical fiber and regular SDI program return feeds to the camera and the commands from the switcher are broadcast to all cameras via this program return feed.

The Blackmagic Studio Camera can be controlled via a regular CCU style of control, however to allow even greater creativity, the Blackmagic Studio Camera has a fully featured DaVinci Resolve primary color corrector built in featuring the same YRGB style grading that is found on DaVinci Resolve.

This means the switcher operator has incredible control over the cameras and not only can settings like focus and iris be remotely set with extreme accuracy, but the operator has full lift, gamma and gain controls in full YRGB colorspace just like a full color corrector. Now any colorist that are familiar with DaVinci Resolve color grading can use their creative skills on live production work.

This new ATEM Camera Control with color correction will allow customers to not only get perfect matching between cameras on live production, but operators can also take into account changing light conditions, which is common on outdoor events. Then when customers need to generate creative looks, such as for music videos, they can push the correction further for exciting looks all in real time.

The stylish control panel in the ATEM Software Control allows normal operation of the ATEM live production switcher, but then at any time the user can select the camera tab and then see the controls for each camera. They get a familiar CCU style of interface with easy control of black and iris settings on the camera as well as focus. When controlling a camera, this camera is automatically output using one of the switchers aux. outputs so the operator can use this aux. output to local monitoring.

When more refined and creative looks are desired, the user can then push a button and the CCU style interface will expand out to a fully featured primary color corrector interface, that allows color grading using an interface very familiar to any DaVinci Resolve colorist. Every setting creatively is the same as DaVinci Resolve as the processing is the same. With the color corrector built into the camera, customers get much greater creative control because the color corrector gets full bit depth and colorspace direct from the cameras sensor.

“When we designed the Blackmagic Studio Camera we really wanted to take advantage of the design and allow amazing features like camera control from the ATEM switcher and we wanted to build in an amazing color corrector, right inside the camera itself!”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “This new SDI based protocol allows full control without any need to run additional cables. Just a single thin optical fiber or SDI cable is required and we think some amazing creative styles will now be possible for live production, where in the past this kind of color grading was only possible during post production. Its very exciting, and of course we are developing this as an open standard with details in the ATEM switcher instruction manual”

ATEM Camera Control Key Features

– Color control for up to 20 cameras.

– Familiar Da Vinci YRGB style live color grading including lift, gamma and gain control.

– CCU style operation for the most commonly used operations of iris and pedestal levels.

– Remote gain settings.

– Remote shutter speed settings.

– Coarse setting for iris.

– Remote white balance selection.

– Remote focus.

– Remote iris.

– Aux switching for camera preview allowing automatic local monitoring for grading.

– Clear "On Air" indication in user interface reduces the possibility of mistakes

– Lock function stops accidental changes.

Availability and Price

ATEM Camera Control will be available May for all ATEM live production switcher customers free of charge for download from the Blackmagic Design web site. To use this software with the new Blackmagic Studio Camera, the Blackmagic Studio Camera will also require a software update that will be available free of charge.

Press Photography

Product photos of the ATEM Camera Control, and all other Blackmagic Design products, are available at www.blackmagic-design.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.

Major update dramatically improves online editing features, adds new photographer friendly color correction tools, on set media management and much more!

Press Release

April 11, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced DaVinci Resolve 11, a major upgrade with over 100 new editing and color grading features. This new update includes major improvements in online editing plus context sensitive trimming, onset file cloning, photographer style color grading tools and an amazing new collaborative workflow that allows multiple users to work simultaneously on the same timeline.

The new DaVinci Resolve 11 has over 70 new editing features based on feedback from professional editors. With DaVinci Resolve 11, editors now have dual monitor support and familiar professional tools like dynamic JKL trimming, audio crossfades and fully customizable keyboard shortcuts for faster editing. Trimming tools are context sensitive, which means DaVinci Resolve automatically knows whether editors want to ripple, roll, slip, slide, extend or shorten edits, based on the position of the mouse. This makes editing super fast because time is not wasted switching tools and clips can be trimmed on multiple tracks simultaneously in the same direction, or asymmetrically.

DaVinci Resolve 11 features a new spline curve keyframe editor integrated into the edit timeline that positions keyframes directly under each clip and in context with the clip. Editors can now also add and animate open FX plugins directly in the timeline as well as use plug-ins for transitions.

The new collaborative workflow tools in DaVinci Resolve 11 allows an editor and multiple colorists to work on different workstations, sharing the same timeline and working in tandem as they complete shots. An example is a colorist could be color grading or tracking windows while another colorist fine tunes grades that are all immediately updated as the editor edits. Each user can see the timeline update so they are all working on the same job at the same time. Sharing the same timeline makes it much easier for creative teams to stay in sync and work faster on large complex jobs such as feature films and television programming.

One of the most exciting advantages of the enhanced editing features in DaVinci Resolve 11 is the dramatically better round trip collaboration with Apple Final Cut Pro X. This is possible because more of the features in each application are compatible so projects can be moved back and forward easily. A powerful example of this integration is when a Final Cut Pro X customer might be shooting an independent film but then wants to move their edit to a large Hollywood post production facility for color grading and finishing. This is an exciting workflow that makes it possible to allow independent filmmakers to integrate with the largest post production facilities.

Color correction features have also been upgraded in DaVinci Resolve 11, including all new RAW image and color grading controls that are designed for photographers who are moving into cinematography. The new camera RAW palette features highlight and shadow recovery, mid tone detail, color boost, saturation, lift, gain and contrast. DaVinci Resolve 11 solves the single frame limitations of photo enhancement systems and gives photographers advanced control over RAW images so they can pull the maximum detail from high dynamic range footage in real time.

Adding to DaVinci Resolve’s powerful on set tools, DaVinci Resolve 11 can now securely back up and save digital camera files. The new DaVinci Resolve clone tool copies media drives, memory cards and camera packs to multiple destinations simultaneously. All copies are checksum verified, that means users get exact bit for bit digital copies of their source media. The new clone tool is included in the free DaVinci Resolve Lite and can be installed on a laptop for on set use.

DaVinci Resolve 11 also features a unique and powerful automatic color chart color balancing tool that works on all types of footage including video, RAW and even film. The new color match tool automatically gives a primary base grade by analyzing shots containing standard color chip charts even if they were shot in different lighting conditions with different exposure and color temperatures.

DaVinci Resolve 11 also adds optimizations to OpenCL image processing which allows improved rendering speeds on the new Apple MacPro systems. The MacPro features dual GPU’s so is the ideal solution for customers looking for an “off the shelf” solution that easily handles the high processing speeds when working on Ultra HD work in the deepest YRGB 32 bit float processing quality.

“This is a massive update and we are really excited about DaVinci Resolve 11”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “Since we added the new editing tools into DaVinci Resolve we have had some great feedback from editors working on high end feature film and television programming jobs. We have rolled this great advice into DaVinci Resolve and now it’s a fantastic full featured online editor. Of course we continue to add wonderful color correction and on set tools into this release as well. This is the best version of DaVinci Resolve we have ever released and we are going to provide this update to all DaVinci Resolve customers free of charge. This means the cost of switching to the worlds most exciting online editor will be zero!”

Availability and Price

The update to DaVinci Resolve 11 will be available in June for download from the Blackmagic Design web site free of charge for all current DaVinci Resolve customers.

Press Photography

Product photos of DaVinci Resolve 11, 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.

New Cintel film scanner features an innovative new wall mount and desktop design with Thunderbolt 2 for real-time scanning of 35mm and 16mm film up to 30fps in Ultra HD resolution!

Press Release

April 11, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced a new model of Cintel Film Scanner designed with an architectural aesthetic that's so thin it can even be wall mounted!

With consumers purchasing large Ultra HD televisions in massive quantities right now, the demand for great Ultra HD content has never been greater and will become a boom market in the next few years. Ultra HD is incredible quality and there are millions of hours of Ultra HD content that’s been generated over the last 100 years locked up in 35mm film that is stored in vaults worldwide.

The new Cintel scanner will scan negative and positive 35mm film into amazing quality Ultra HD so customers can unlock the extra resolution from 35mm film that no one has been able to see until now. 35mm film is natively 4K so the extra quality is already in the film. This means there is no easier way to generate Ultra HD feature films and television programming for customers to view on their new large screen televisions than scanning filmed entertainment thats already been produced, including classic hits.

Designed to hang beautifully on your wall, the Cintel film scanner is constructed using aircraft design techniques for a stiff and vibration free main deck to ensure smooth film handling. The core chassis has been designed as a super rigid structural space frame, which results in a design that’s dramatically lighter allowing it to be wall mounted in a facility, making it part of the environment of a color correction suite. Whether wall or desk mounted the innovative design includes sliding doors, built in cleaning rollers and new digital servos to keep your film clean and ensure handling of valuable negative remains gentle.

The new Cintel film scanner is an innovation in technology. Film traditionally has been a mechanical technology and film products have suffered from poor quality electronics that required experienced engineers to keep them working. The Cintel scanner has been designed with the latest Blackmagic Design image processing technology and features a Thunderbolt 2 connection. The high-speed Thunderbolt 2 port provides massive bandwidth for transferring 4K video in real time, so you can connect the device to your Mac and scan the film directly into your color correction system. That makes setup and use extremely fast plus eliminates slow file copying after scanning. Because Cintel is an OS X Thunderbolt 2 peripheral, you get easy to install software updates that add new features and it also means customers have the freedom to upgrade their computer whenever they choose.

In the past when film was the main way to get high quality images for post production, Cintel telecine’s and DaVinci color correction was the standard combination used worldwide. Now these two wonderful brands are back together again because the Cintel film scanner includes a full copy of DaVinci Resolve software. Now customers will get full color correction features included so they can take advantage of the Cintel scanner’s amazing image quality. Customers will never be limited creatively by their equipment because you’ll have incredible film looks combined with the same powerful color correction toolset used by the world’s leading cinematographers!

The Cintel film scanner will include everything customers need for a complete solution to film scanning and grading. The Cintel scanner includes powerful built in Image Mill stabilization and grain reduction, a 35mm film gate (16mm purchased separately), two film spools, a set of four cleaning rollers, DaVinci Resolve 11 software and desk mount feet included. Unlike many film products, there are no fees for installation, no software update fees, no license transfer fees if a customer ever should want to sell their Cintel scanner in the future.

“Everyone purchasing these wonderful new large screen Ultra HD televisions are desperate for content. The amazing thing is there are millions of hours of Ultra HD content already in existence and it’s just sitting there on rolls and rolls of 35mm motion picture film!”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “The new Cintel scanner is the perfect way to give this film new life and to get all those old classics into a new age. It’s very exciting and is why we acquired Cintel, as we believed in the brand and what we could do with it. The new Cintel scanner is the result and it’s been exciting to combine all this amazing cutting edge technology with the elegance and timeless image quality of film!”

Availability and Price

The Cintel film scanner is being previewed at NAB 2014 for customer comment and will retail for US$29,995 later in 2014 once all the NAB customer feedback has been included into the product.

Press Photography

Product photos of the Cintel Film Scanner, 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.

New DeckLink SDI 4K and DeckLink Studio 4K capture and playback cards now include 6G-SDI and HDMI 4K connections for capture and playback in SD, HD and Ultra HD video formats!

Press Release

April 10, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced 2 new PCI Express capture cards, DeckLink SDI 4K and the DeckLink Studio 4K models, that now includes all the features of the previous models, but now with faster 4 lane PCIe connections and 6G-SDI and HDMI 4K connections to allow SD, HD and Ultra HD capture and playback.

These new cards also support capture and playback at the same time when used with software that supports this feature such as DaVinci Resolve. The new models replace the older DeckLink SDI and DeckLink Studio models, however are lower cost. DeckLink SDI 4K will retail for 219 EUR ex. VAT and DeckLink Studio 4K will retail for 445 EUR ex. VAT.

DeckLink SDI and DeckLink Studio 4K will be shown on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2014 booth at #SL219.

The new DeckLink cards break new ground in offering Ultra HD, 6G-SDI and HDMI 4K connections at such affordable price points. These new models will be welcomed by customers performing post production work on Mac, Windows and Linux, as well as OEM customers.

DaVinci Resolve 11 customers will benefit from the capture and playback support as this lets them capture direct from cameras on set, grade the live video with multiple nodes of correction and then to output to an on set monitor all live. This makes lighting a film set easy and allows DOP’s, directors and colorists to work together to optimize the film’s look on set. Other features included in these new models that benefit DaVinci Resolve customers include new frame buffer formats supporting R10K RGB, higher frame rates and much more.

OEM developers will also like the multiple new features in these models as they greatly benefit customized system development. These new features include full frame genlock timing, closed caption in all bit rates, automatic input detection support, better CRC input checking, extremely low latency and Direct GPU support, plus the ability to write pixels directly into the cards frame buffers and the ability to write their own custom drivers.

The DeckLink SDI 4K model includes 6G-SDI input and output, reference input and RS422 deck control ports for capture and playback all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats. This model is perfect for when people are using SDI based routing and only need SDI connections to their computer.

The larger DeckLink Studio 4K model is the perfect capture card for when you’re in a complex environment where you need to capture and playback with a mix of SDI, HDMI and analog devices. This can be common in post production facilities where customers never know what kind of format a client might need to use on a session. This model includes 6G-SDI, HDMI 4K and analog component, s-video and composite inputs and outputs all on separate connections, so multiple external devices can be connected all at once. This model also includes 2 channel AES/EBU and 4 channels of balanced professional analog audio inputs and outputs all on separate audio connections.

The DeckLink Studio 4K card includes all connections, apart from the SDI and HDMI connections via a 4 pin break out cable. An optional longer 2 meter break out cable can be purchased. DeckLink SDI 4K and DeckLink Studio 4K are the perfect solutions that can be installed inside high performance workstations for broadcast design, editing, paint, color correction, visual effects and more.

“These new models are a fantastic upgrade for customers as they include many new features, better quality, Ultra HD and capture and playback at the same time. They are affordable and a fantastic solution for all high end post production work”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “This new design is a complete reinvention of the these models and we are sure they will be perfect for creative professionals as well as OEM customers.”

DeckLink SDI 4K Key Features

– 6G-SDI in and out, supports SD, HD up to 1080p60, 2K and Ultra HD capture and playback.

– Genlock/tri-sync input.

– Sony™ compatible RS-422 deck control.

– Supports uncompressed 8, 10 and 12 bit and compressed video capture and playback.

– Plugs into older model MacPro, Windows and Linux computers.

– Supports DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro™, Adobe Premiere Pro™, Photoshop™, After Effects™ and more.

– Includes free developer SDK for Windows, Mac and Linux.

– Includes free Media Express capture and playback software for Windows, Mac and Linux.

DeckLink Studio 4K Key Features

– 6G-SDI in and out, supports SD, HD up to 1080p60, 2K and Ultra HD capture and playback.

– HDMI 4K in and out, supports SD and HD formats up to 1080p60.

– Component analog in and out, supports SD and HD formats up to 1080p60, s-video and composite.

– 4 channels of balanced analog audio in and out on jack connectors.

– 2 channel AES/EBU balanced audio in and out on jack connectors.

vGenlock/tri-sync input.

– Sony™ compatible RS-422 deck control.

– Supports uncompressed 8, 10 and 12 bit and compressed video capture and playback.

– Plugs into older model MacPro, Windows and Linux computers.

– Supports DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro™, Adobe Premiere Pro™, Photoshop™, After Effects™ and more.

– Includes free developer SDK for Windows, Mac and Linux.

– Includes free Media Express capture and playback software for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Availability and Price

DeckLink SDI 4K is available now for 219 EUR and DeckLink Studio 4K is available now for 445 EUR ex. VAT.

Press Photography

Product photos of DeckLink SDI 4K and DeckLink Studio 4K 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.

The world’s most advanced Mini Converters now support 6G-SDI and Ultra HD!

Press Release

April 10, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced a new range of Ultra HD Mini Converters that feature new 6G-SDI technology allowing customers to use a single type of Mini Converter for all conversion needs in SD, HD and Ultra HD television formats. All these new models replace the previous model for each conversion type and all models retail at 219 EUR ex. VAT.

The new 4K Mini Converters will be shown on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2014 booth at #SL219.

These new models are designed for high end broadcasters who need a range of affordable converters with reliable broadcast grade electronics and high end features such as independent analog and digital audio embedding and de embedding, redundant inputs, plus the latest 6G-SDI technology.

New 4K Mini Converters are the perfect solution for broadcast and post production engineers who need to install equipment that’s Ultra HD ready, as each converter operates as a normal SD or HD converter and then will automatically switch to Ultra HD when a 6G-SDI input is connected. Live production customers will love the ability to use these new Mini Converters in all kinds situations when doing Ultra HD live production work. Even connecting to old SD televisions from an Ultra HD program feed is possible, so customers don’t have to worry about what kind of equipment they might find at a venue they are integrating with.

With premium 6G-SDI connections built in, these converters feature advanced high speed design so perform extremely well in regular SD and HD installations.

New 4K Mini Converter Model Summary

Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 4K converts from SDI to HDMI. Includes 6G-SDI inputs allowing for SD, HD and Ultra HD automatic switching, redundant SDI inputs, loop through 6G-SDI output, built in down converter and analog or AES/EBU audio outputs de embedded from the SDI video input. This model will automatically detect a HD HDMI device and down convert when an Ultra HD input is connected. Only 219 EUR.

Mini Converter HDMI to SDI 4K converts HDMI to SDI. Includes 6G-SDI outputs allowing for SD, HD and Ultra HD automatic switching, two 6G-SDI outputs, HD to SD down conversion, plus analog or AES/EBU audio inputs for embedding into SDI output when audio from HDMI input not being used. This model features an override switch to allow it to tell a HDMI 4K device to output regular HD when HD operation only is required. Only 219 EUR.

Mini Converter SDI to Analog 4K converts from SDI to analog component, S-Video or composite. Includes SD/HD auto switching, redundant SDI input, down conversion, plus analog or AES/EBU audio outputs de embedded from the SDI video input. This model will automatically down convert an Ultra HD SDI input when detected to regular HD on the component outputs or standard definition when s-video or composite is output. Only 219 EUR.

Mini Converter SDI Distribution 4K converts from a single SDI input to 8 different SDI outputs. Automatically switches between all SD, HD and Ultra HD video formats. Only 219 EUR.

“We have been rolling out 6G-SDI products for a long time now and we are happy to have almost all our Mini Converter range changed over to more advanced 6G-SDI based designs with the ability to support Ultra HD”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “These Mini Converters show that there is still a lot of innovation that can happen even in product lines that normally we don’t think much about! We are glad we can build solutions like these converters that are packed with the latest video technology so customers can migrate to Ultra HD without giving it much thought and without any trouble at all!”

Availability and Price

All models of 4K Mini Converters are available now for 219 EUR.

Press Photography

Product photos of the new 4K Mini Converters, and all other Blackmagic Design products, are available at www.blackmagicdesing.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.