News

NewTek, Inc. announced a free 30-day full feature trial version of ChronoSculpt software. It is now available for download at www.chronosculpt.com. Chronosculpt offers an intuitive way for artists using any professional 3D modeling and animation software on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems to create content with custom morph targets or fluidly sculpt animation performances over time. ChronoSculpt can also be used to review and correct cache animation and dynamic simulation errors using timeline-based sculpting tools. The software’s flexible interface supports leading file formats for all professional 3D software programs, including LightWave 3D, Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya and Softimage, The Foundry’s Modo, Maxon Cinema 4D, and more.

Blackmagic Design plans to release updates for Blackmagic Cinema Camera, Production Camera 4K and Pocket Cinema Camera with new and updated features, including:

1. New debayering for shooting directly to ProRes or DNxHD on the Blackmagic Cinema Camera EF and MFT.

2. Improved MFT lens support on the Pocket Cinema Camera.

3. Compressed RAW support on the Production Camera 4K.

4. Autofocus support for EF lenses on Blackmagic Cinema Camera EF and Production Camera 4K.

For future updates, Blackmagic Design also plans to add audio level metering and histogram display, formatting of media, and Time Remaining indicator.

The new Sony PXW-X180 camcorder, successor to the popular HVR-Z7E, HXR-NX5E and PMW-150 models, features three 1/3-inch type Exmor CMOS sensors, records HD videos into the XAVC format, as well as AVCHD and DV, features dual SxS memory card slots and an SD slot for proxy recording, and is fitted with a G-Series fixed 25x zoom lens with 26mm wide angle and variable 4-position ND filter. To be available in August 2014.

New 12x12 and 20x20 size SDI routers include 6G-SDI technology for SD, HD and Ultra HD mixed format routing plus built in control panel with LCD for monitoring and new visual routing!

Press Release

April 14, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced Smart Videohub, a family of new mixed format routers with new and unique visual routing user interface and 6G-SDI technology allowing SD, HD and Ultra HD routing all on the same router at the same time. Smart Videohub will be priced at 1045 EUR for the 12 x 12 sized mode and 1475 EUR for the larger 20 x 20-sized model.

The new Smart Videohub family of professional SDI video routers are the world’s first Ultra HD mixed format routers to include built in video monitoring and spin knob router control panel. The Smart Videohub family also include the latest 6G-SDI technology so customers can simultaneously connect and route any combination of SD, HD and Ultra HD video all on the same router at the same time. Even if a customer had 20 different television formats connected to the router inputs, Smart Videohub would route any of these inputs to any combination of the outputs all simultaneously.

Smart Videohub also includes elegant machined metal front panels with full router control as well as built in LCD monitoring. Using the front panel customers can perform direct entry of router crosspoint using buttons, or they can use the spin knob control.

The new visual routing combines the spin knob or button entry with large easy to read custom router labels, or the customer can select to display live video from the video inputs onto the LCD. When any input or output is selected, the video is displayed live on the LCD. This allows customers to see their router connections as video on the LCD as they scroll the knob to select routing. This unique feature means customers can route video simply by looking at the video!

Smart Videohub features advanced 6G-SDI connections that allow high resolution Ultra HD video using a single SDI connection, while retaining full compatibility with all SD and HD-SDI equipment. This means customers get the industrial strength of stable and reliable SDI video connections with the flexibility to work in any television format they like. Even if customers not running in Ultra HD now, they can still take advantage of the innovative design and lower cost of these new models, while working in regular SD or HD today, then know they are ready for Ultra HD the moment they need it.

These new models replace the previous Micro Videohub and Smart Videohub SD/HD routers from Blackmagic Design. These new models have the benefit of being lower cost, feature new 6G-SDI and Ultra HD support and include a built in power supply. Because small routers are often used for local routing, these new models also include the benefit of a built in front control panel so no external control panels are required as all routing can be completed from the front panel itself.

“We really wanted to revamp our compact router family and we are extremely excited to release these new Smart Videohub models”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “There is so much that’s new in these models, including the latest 6G-SDI technology for SD, HD and Ultra HD mixed format routing, a new design with a beautiful front panel design with built in control panel and a new lower price point. They are so much better than the models they replace and we hope customers love them as much as we do!”

Smart Videohub Key Features

–Available as two models: Smart Videohub 12x12 and Smart Videohub 20x20.
– Features multi rate 6G-SDI that supports auto switching SD, HD and Ultra HD formats.
– Built in control panel allows direct entry and spin knob control.
– Built in LCD monitor allows large labels or for display of live video for visual routing.
– Built in crosspoint buttons on front panel allows direct selection of crosspoint.

– Take and clear buttons allow conformation of selected crosspoint before going live.
– Includes Ethernet port for external router control plus RS422 port for controlling router via serial link.
– Built in menus available from the front panel LCD for selecting Ethernet IP settings for remote control.
– Supports Blackmagic Design router control software for Mac OS X and Windows.
– Supports Blackmagic Smart Control and Master Control hardware router control panels.
– Built in power supply operates from 110V to 240V.
– Compact 1 rack unit design, ideal for large systems as well as mobile use.

Availability and Price

Smart Videohub 12x12 is available now for 1045 EUR and Smart Videohub 20x20 is available now for 1475 EUR.

Press Photography

Product photos of the Smart Videohub, 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.

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.