News

Sony is announcing a range of updates to its professional digital imaging camera line, delivering new features and more flexible production capabilities. The new updates will be available as software upgrades and continue Sony's approach of offering customers a steady stream of upgrades without having to buy a new camera body, protecting their original technology investment and helping them keep pace with changing production requirements.

New upgrades include:

PXW-X180 Firmware 2.0 (Available Now)

System software V2.0 and Network software V1.3. Upgrade is free and available now:

– Network Function software adds a transmitting streaming functionality for video and audio content. With the optional CBK-NA1 kit, the PXW-X180 is compatible with 3G/4G/LTE modems and wired LAN.
– Software V2.0 activates the Picture Cache Rec function and the white balance memory according to the ND filter position.

PXW-X70 Firmware V2.0 (Summer 2015)

Upgrade includes a fee and will be available Summer 2015. New Features & Improvements:

– Support for 4K (QFHD) Recording (optional). This 4K recording update provides support for QFHD shooting at 30p/25p/24p. For projects finalized in HD, 4K recording expands the creative possibilities by enabling digital panning, camera-shake correction and other post-production effects. 4K recording requires purchase of the 4K Upgrade License (CBKZ-X70FX). The XAVC-L mode will encode 3840x 2160 data into MXF files with 4:2:0 sampling and approx. 60Mbps data rate. Sony is also exploring support of a higher bit-rate recording mode than 60 Mbps for 3840×2160 XAVC-L in the future.

– Proxy Recording. Proxy recording supports the use of a low-bit-rate video file in place of an XAVC-format, high-bit-rate file with the same timecode. The low-bit-rate proxy file, being smaller in size, can be used in many ways to increase efficiency. The smaller file can be more easily transmitted to remote locations, while editing is greatly facilitated by the use of the smaller file, which is replaced at the completion of editing with the high-bit-rate file.

– FTP Transfer. This feature supports FTP file transfers on the PXW-X70, allowing content files recorded with the XAVC Proxy Recording feature, and other content files shot in XAVC (4K/HD) and AVCHD formats, to be sent via the Internet for remote storage on an FTP server.

– Streaming. This feature allows images to be streamed live from the PXW-X70 for viewing at a remote location. Data transfer rate, specified by three image quality menu settings (6, 3, and 1Mbps), can be selected to suit the network environment used.

– Wired LAN Connection. When a wireless LAN is unavailable, this feature allows the PXW-X70 to be connected to the Internet over a wired connection via a separately available USB adapter cable VMC-UAM2 and Network adaptor CBK-NA1R, which is included in CBK-NA1 Network Adaptor Kit, allowing files to be streamed or transferred by FTP.

– 4K Upgrade License CBKZ-X70FX. The CBKZ-X70FX Upgrade License enables 4K recording on the PXW-X70 camcorder. The CBKZ-X70FX is an optional item that will be available for purchase in the near future. Firmware version 2.0 is also required to use the Upgrade License.

PXW-X200 Firmware V1.2 (Spring 2015)

Upgrade is free and will be available Spring 2015. New Features & Improvements:

-- Streaming via wired/wireless LAN or 3G/4G mobile network is activated.

-- MI Shoe is activated to support the HVL-LBPC battery video light and UWP-D11/D12 wireless microphone system.

-- GPS data can be recorded as metadata in XAVC-I and XAVC-L format.

-- Simultaneous Recording feature is activated. Camcorder can record simultaneously on two media, for example creating one version for editing and one for archiving at the same time to enhance workflow.

PXW-Z100 Firmware V4.0 (Available Now)

Upgrade is free and available now. New Features & Improvements:

-- AVCHD Recording Mode.

-- Formatting SDXC/SDHC/SD memory card Class 10 or faster and “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” media.

-- Seamless playback for multiple clips from camcorder when the clips have the same or compatible format.

If you are a film production professional or a fan of film technology, we would like to invite you to a unique presentation event. We will be showcasing, among others, the high-end cameras RED Epic Dragon, Panasonic VariCam 35, Blackmagic URSA, Blackmagic Production Camera 4K, Blackmagic Studio Camera, Sony PXW-FS7 or Panasonic DMC-GH4! Of course, there will be no shortage of top-of-the-line Angenieux Optimo Style 16-40, Optimo Style 30-76, Optimo 19.5-94 or Optimo 24-290 film glass, or the best camera monitors, including smallHD DP7-PRO OLED, smallHD AC7, Blackmagic SmartView 4K, or BON models BSM-093N3G, BEM-242, BSM-182i and FM-073SCH. Among the tripods, the Cartoni MAXIMA fluid head film model will be represented. See the world through professional film lenses and experience the best of modern camera technology!

When: 20 March 2015

Where: Panavision Prague
Kříženeckého nám. 322/5
Barrandov Studio (premises)
152 00 - Prague 5

Number of participants is limited, please book your participation at: zbynek.louda@syntex.cz

Press Release

Blackmagic Design announced that Venezuela based Promar TV is using ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K, Universal Videohub and Teranex 2D Processors, as well as a number of other Blackmagic Design products, as the backbone of its new OB truck. Promar TV is using the truck to broadcast every single game of the Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional (LVBP), South America’s largest professional baseball league.

Promar TV is Venezuela’s largest production company and television station. It recently became the official production company for the LVBP, managing the production of all games for national and foreign networks and channels, including Fox Sports, ESPN and every major television station in Venezuela. Each game is captured in HD, and stations are offered up to four format options for their individual broadcasts. Promar TV also works with each station and network to customize broadcasts to match each individual on air brand.

To support this, Promar TV built a 23 foot tactical OB truck equipped with a Blackmagic Design ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K switcher, Universal Videohub 72x144 router, four Teranex 2D Processors, seven HyperDeck Studios to record games, several UltraStudio 3D I/O devices to help with editing and monitoring and numerous UltraScopes and Mini Converters.

Jorge Santiago Kossowski, engineering manager at Promar TV, explained: “We need to manage up to four TV stations and networks broadcasting the same game, and of course, each of them wants their own commercial inserts and branding. They also want to have their own commentators report on the game from the stadium press boxes as well as from the field. Each commentator setup requires its own camera feed on game day.”

In addition to taking care of the individual station and network needs, Promar TV provides in game support with individual feeds to press boxes and game umpires. “This year we had a new rule in baseball: a manager can challenge the umpire’s decision. For this, the umpire needs to review the play from multiple angles, and it’s Promar’s responsibility to capture and provide the instant replay just for the umpires.”

In order to manage the multitude of deliverables, Promar TV relies on the ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K, which sits at the heart of the OB truck.

“The ATEM was the first choice for us. Its versatility provides exactly what we require. The aux busses allow us to easily separate the broadcasts for different stations, and the ease of changes between different transitions, like stingers, DVE wipes and so on, give each station control over the look they want for their broadcast,” explained Jorge. “This season, we expect to work with eight directors, all with their own style and all who like to arrange the cameras, VTRs, Multiviewer and such, to fit that style. The ATEM gives us the flexibility to do this without compromising the workflow or the quality of the broadcast.”

To accommodate the number of feeds coming in and out of the new truck, Promar TV uses the Universal Videohub. “It’s very compact, which makes it ergonomically ideal for our new OB truck. But the main reason for purchasing the Videohub was that we were able to put all 216 cables through one piece of equipment, making cabling a lot easier. Before, we had cables running everywhere. When there was a hiccup and we didn’t know what caused it, we’d have to troubleshoot 144 cables. That’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. With the Universal Videohub, everything is centralized, and if we need to find something, we know it’s going to be there,” said Jorge.

Promar captures the games in HD, offering each station and network up to four format options for their broadcasts thanks to the powerful conversion capabilities of the Teranex. “In Venezuela not all broadcasts are in high definition (HD). We still have 4:3 broadcasts, which is standard definition, and 16:9, which is the wide angle screen. To manage all of the conversions, we use Teranex. It’s so simple. One push of a button and you have the change. And in live event production where time is money, this type of fast transaction is critical.”

To ensure content meets various broadcast standards, Promar TV uses Blackmagic’s UltraScope. “It’s a very simple video output controlled by a computer, so we can easily send it through a dedicated satellite feed for the stations and networks to monitor directly. Each station can see the levels for video, audio and more, so they’re confident that what we are outputting is top notch. Since we implemented this, I’ve had a 100 percent success rate. UltraScope has saved me a lot of hassle and a lot of phone calls with technicians,” concluded Jorge.

Press Photography

Product photos of ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K, Universal Videohub, Teranex 2D Processor, HyperDeck Studio, 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.

Traditional animation's a discipline devoted to the illusion of movement, but for many, trying to dig into digital animation software out of the box can stop them in their tracks. Capilano University animation department founder and instructor Don Perro proves that the process doesn't have to be daunting, however, with five simple tips on getting started in an industry standard: TVPaint. In this tutorial, Don covers setting up a Cintiq tablet for natural and intuitive animating, plus gives insights into how you can customize your TVPaint interface to get animating as quickly as you can say "digital art." Get started using TVPaint with five pro tips, in this video:

Press Release

Blackmagic Design announced that the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera was used to shoot “Watches & Wonders” promotional videos for Swiss luxury watch maker Vacheron Constantin. These promos were produced by Verawom, a leading social creative company based in Shanghai and part of digital media and communications firm Dentsu Aegis Network.

The four promos produced for Vacheron Constantin feature special guest interviews and product displays at Watches & Wonders 2014, the second edition of the Asia Haute Horlogerie (Fine Watchmaking) Exhibition in Hong Kong. The exhibition provides the latest information on the luxury watch maker and showcase its exceptional new models that combine technical mastery and aesthetic elegance. The four promos were completed within three days by a one man crew consisting of director Yu Gang.

This was the third time that Yu Gang shot exhibition promos for Vacheron Constantin. Based on his experience filming the previous two projects, he was well prepared for his third opportunity. “All of the equipment for the promos were taken from the Jiangsu province to Hong Kong, so every piece of equipment had to be perfect,” Yu said. “For the previous two exhibitions, I shot with a DSLR camera, which was portable but the image quality was not good enough. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features both a compact design and excellent image quality, so I decided to use it this time.”

Yu assembled a dual camera rig for filming with two Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras at the same time. On the rig, there was a Pocket Cinema Camera equipped with a Metabones Speed Booster and a Canon 24-70mm f2.8 lens and a Pocket Cinema Camera with a Panasonic 7-14mm f4 MFT lens. Also added to the rig was a common 12V 9800mAh polymer battery, which could support ten hour non stop operation of the two cameras.

“The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras were so light that it was very easy for me to carry two cameras and all the gear around the exhibition hall for two straight days,” said Yu. “We need to analyze the characteristics of the project and keep the tools as simple as possible accordingly to ensure our mobility. The more mobile you are, the more chances you will capture good shots.”

Yu got started on post production at night after he was done with shoots during the day. The following morning, the finished promo would be taken to the exhibition hall where it would be reviewed, revised if needed, and put on the Internet once the client approved. With a fast paced workflow, Yu finished the first overview promo on the first night and three more on the second night.

All footage was shot in film mode to take advantage of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera’s 13 stops of dynamic range and recorded to 1080HD 25p in Apple ProRes LT.

When grading the flat footage shot in film mode, Yu used the LUT he created in DaVinci Resolve to color the film efficiently. “I imported a shot that could represent most of the scenes into DaVinci Resolve, made adjustments until the footage had the same tone as Vacheron Constantin’s logo and then exported a 3D LUT. When finished with editing, I applied the LUT to the timeline and did some tweaks when necessary to produce the look that matched Vacheron Constantin.”

“The client was happy with the promos and we will continue our cooperation for Geneva Time Exhibition 2015,” Yu concluded.

Press Photography

Product photos of Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and DaVinci Resolve 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.