News

Panasonic has announced AG-DVX200, a 4K large-sensor, 4/3” handheld camcorder. The DVX200 offers many top-end features including UHD (3840×2160) 60p recording, a 13x optical zoom and a V-Log L gamma curve (12 stops of latitude). With an integrated lens design, the DVX200 excels in independent film and documentary production, as well as event videography, sports, and visual effects productions. The AG-DVX200 will be available in Fall 2015 with a suggested list price under $5000 US.

Press Release

Introducing the world’s smallest digital film action camera with innovative remote control!

Blackmagic Design announced the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera, a miniaturized Super 16mm professional digital film camera with a revolutionary new expansion port that lets customers use PWM and S.Bus model airplane remote controls to operate the camera wirelessly for capturing action anywhere.

Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera will be available in July for 985 EUR ex. VAT.

The unique feature of this new camera is the built in expansion port that provides access to many of the camera’s unique functions via common remote control solutions such as radio model aircraft remote controls.

The expansion port features PWM and S.Bus connections that are used on model aircraft remote control gear for connecting to servos to control the aircraft. These radio control receivers are low cost because they are consumer hobby products and they feature multiple “channels” that can be connected direct to the camera itself. This means these channels can be mapped to any camera or lens setting in the camera and then remote controlled via the radio controller. Customers can then remote control features such as iris, focus, audio levels, and start and stop recording all remotely. Because a standard easy to solder DB-HD15 connector is used, even simple wire cables and switches can be created for controlling the cameras.

The expansion port also includes composite video out with overlays so the customer can use the same low cost video transmitters to get real time feedback from the camera for framing, confirming camera settings and to see the state of recording. Being able to start and stop recording and see confirmation of recording is vital in a camera that features a built in RAW recorder as then customers won’t fill the recording media with useless content and will only record the shots they need.

The expansion connector includes 4 PWM channels for using all brands of control gear, or custom wiring, as well as a single S.Bus connection which can accept up to 18 channels of control using the single cable. S.Bus is a more modern digital connection than PWM and allows more control channels. S.Bus is commonly found on Futaba and FrSky radio control equipment and S.Bus can also be used to design custom embedded controllers.

Unlike regular cameras designed for hand held shooting the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera can be mounted in cars on walls and then controlled directly from buttons positioned on the front of the camera itself. This means customers don’t need to reach around the back of the camera to start recording, and the front mounted tally LED allows easy confirmation that the camera has started recording.

The miniaturized design of the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera features a body that is not much larger than the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, making it as small as a camera with a professional lens can be. Its core is made out of a lightweight and strong magnesium alloy so it’s durable enough to use anywhere, from the ocean floor to the stratosphere or beyond.

The Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera is perfect for use on quadcopters, as a crash cam, or even hidden on set for reality TV. It’s small enough to be used anywhere, like on a skate board for spectacular extreme sports shots, mounted to a drone for recording panoramic fly overs, or even strapped to a helmet for amazing point of view shots. The Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera is the digital film camera for action shots.

The Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera has been designed to overcome the limitations normally associated with producing extreme shots on DSLR and other small consumer action cameras. Unlike these consumer cameras, the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera features a global shutter that exposes the entire image at the same time so customers get pristine, full 1080 HD images. Plus, the built in recorder saves lossless 12-bit log CinemaDNG RAW and broadcast quality Apple ProRes files, both of which can be easily edited and color corrected with the included DaVinci Resolve Lite for Mac and Windows. The Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera delivers truly professional, crystal clear digital film images that are distortion and ripple free when the camera pans, moves or vibrates.

“The Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera is the smallest and most expandable digital film camera in the world,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “For the first time, customers will be able to get incredible action and point of view shots that look better than anything they’ve ever seen before. The new expansion port allowing radio remote control is exciting because it opens up entirely new shooting possibilities that will let customers shoot things they’ve never been able to shoot before!”

Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera Key Features

High resolution 1080 HD, 13 stops of dynamic range.

Switchable 60 fps rolling shutter or 30 fps global shutter.

Features built in 12-bit RAW and ProRes recording and captures true digital film quality images.

Features an active Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Easily adaptable to other lens mounts.

Includes built in buttons along the front to quickly and easily change settings.

Includes an expansion port with a DB-HD15 connector and breakout cable.

Includes remote camera management, using the expansion port remotely start and stop recording, adjust focus, change the iris and also connect to video transmitters to monitor recording status, battery life and audio levels.

Includes a HDMI connector for monitoring video output on any monitor or TV.

Includes SD card slot for recording to high speed and low cost SD card media.

Includes 3.5mm stereo input for connecting external microphones or to other line level devices.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera will be available in July for 985 EUR ex. VAT.

Press Photography

Product photos of the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera, 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 the Blackmagic Video Assist, a portable, all in one professional monitor and video recorder that can be used with any SDI or HDMI camera. Blackmagic Video Assist adds professional recording and monitoring to any camera and features a bright, high resolution 5 inch monitor for checking focus, framing, and reviewing shots, along with a broadcast quality HD recorder for saving quality video files.

Blackmagic Video Assist will be available in July for 465 EUR.

The Blackmagic Video Assist is perfect for customers that need better monitoring and higher quality recording. Older cameras often feature custom and hard to use file or tape formats, while lower cost consumer cameras often have poor quality file formats and small screens, limiting their professional use.

Blackmagic Video Assist solves this problem because it works with every type of camera, from DSLR’s to older tape based camcorders, and even the latest digital film cameras. Blackmagic Video Assist can be mounted on cameras as a large monitor for the entire crew to see, it can be handed to the cinematographer or DOP for setting up shots, or set on a table in front of the director to review each take. The Blackmagic Video Assist lets customers see every detail on its larger screen, check composition and make sure the camera is perfectly focused while also recording the highest quality files.

Durable and lightweight, the Blackmagic Video Assist features a bright, 5 inch high resolution 1920 x 1080 HD monitor and touchscreen with a wide 135? viewing angle. Customers can record broadcast quality 10-bit 4:2:2 video onto fast, inexpensive and widely available SD cards in Apple ProRes and DNxHD file formats. The SD cards can be mounted directly on a computer for cloning and backup using the included DaVinci Resolve Lite and, because the files don’t have to be converted or transcoded, editing and color correction can begin immediately. The Blackmagic Video Assist includes 2 standard LP-E6 battery slots allowing hot swapping of batteries while in use, and it can be powered using the 12V DC input.

The built in touchscreen lets customers use simple swipe gestures to display camera information, change settings and evaluate audio and video levels. Blackmagic Video Assist features an elegant, semi-transparent heads up display overlay that let’s customers keep their eyes on the shoot while changing formats, viewing the current input frame rate, histogram, audio meters, timecode and more.

“The Blackmagic Video Assist has been designed as the perfect solution to help customers shoot better video on any type of camera. It combines the best of our monitoring and recording technologies for on set monitoring and professional recording into one easy to use very compact product,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Customers can use it to improve the quality of their DSLR shoots, to breathe new life into older camcorders that use expensive proprietary media. Blackmagic Video Assist is perfect for use on digital film projects to allow recording to HD files while the camera simultaneously records RAW. It’s an amazingly versatile product that customers can use with any camera and on any project!”

Blackmagic Video Assist Key Features

5 inch LCD touch screen with1080p high resolution monitor.

Professional 10-bit 4:2:2 HD ProRes and DNxHD recording.

Includes slots for 2 hot pluggable batteries as well as 12V DC power input.

Full compatibility with editing software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Avid and Premier Pro.

All in one design, mount to cameras, hold in your hand or set up on a table with the included kickstand.

Includes 6G-SDI input allowing its use as an Ultra HD monitor.

Idea for use as a monitor for the new Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic Video Assist will be available in July for 465 EUR ex. VAT.

Press Photography

Product photos of the Blackmagic Video Assist, 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.

Blackmagic Design announced the new Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder, a high resolution electronic viewfinder specifically designed for the Blackmagic URSA and Blackmagic URSA Mini digital film cameras.

The Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder will be available in July for 1.465 EUR.

The Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder has been designed to meet the needs of high end cinematographers and features a high resolution 1920 x 1080 color OLED display. The display has been matched with precision glass optics, has an adjustable diopter and built in digital focus chart to help cinematographers get perfect focus every time.

The high resolution screen of the Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder packs an incredible number of pixels in a very small amount of space, making it so sharp that it’s impossible to see any individual pixels. Unlike traditional electronic viewfinders, the Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder is so clear that it’s like using an optical viewfinder on a traditional film camera.

The Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder is an essential accessory for anybody doing handheld shooting, whether it’s for film, television, commercial, or news production. When a project calls for a lot of over the shoulder or handheld shooting, or when locations are too tight to open the fold out screens built into URSA and URSA Mini, the electronic viewfinder makes it possible to accurately frame shots and get perfect focus every time.

The Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder connects to the camera using standard SDI and power connections, it features a built in record indicator light, and is adjustable so it can be used with either the left or the right eye. There’s even a built in sensor that helps preserve the life of the OLED screen by only turning the viewfinder on when needed.

When used with Blackmagic URSA cameras, the electronic viewfinder can also display overlays for things like recording status, camera settings, battery life and more so customers can instantly see the critical information they need while shooting. The data for the overlays is sent to the viewfinder over SDI using Blackmagic’s unique SDI camera control protocol so no additional cables are needed.

“Professional cinematographers love the quality of our URSA digital film cameras with their large built in screens, but they’ve been asking for an EVF that they can use in a wider range of shooting situations,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “We think they’re going to love the URSA Viewfinder because its incredible optics and super high resolution screen set it apart from other, often more expensive, third party viewfinders. It’s just like using a true optical viewfinder, and best of all its been designed to perfectly match the industrial design of our URSA range of digital film cameras! Its all very exciting!”

Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder Features

High resolution 1920 x 1080 color OLED display with precision glass optics.

Adjustable diopter and built in digital focus chart for perfect focus setup for the users eye.

Built in sensor to preserve OLED screen life, activates display when the viewfinder is being used.

Adjustable for left or right eye and for above or below camera shooting positions.

Built in record “tally” indicator for allowing talent to know when recording has started.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder will be available in July for 1.465 EUR ex. VAT.

Press Photography

Product photos of the Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder, 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

New sensor upgrade dramatically improves image quality with higher resolution and 15 stops of dynamic range!

Blackmagic Design announced a new high performance 4.6K sensor for its URSA high end digital film cameras. The new Super 35 image sensor features high resolution of 4608 x 2592 at 120 frames per second and an extremely wide 15 stops of dynamic range for images that rival those shot on traditional 35mm film.

This new sensor will be available in two new models of the Blackmagic URSA camera. The Blackmagic URSA 4.6K EF model will be available for $6,995 and the Blackmagic URSA 4.6K PL will be available for $7,495. Both 4.6K models will start initial limited availability shipments in June and ramp up into full volume late July and into August.

Existing Blackmagic URSA customers can upgrade to the new 4.6K sensor for $1,995 for the EF lens mount and $2,495 for the PL lens mount. This “turret upgrade” will be available for customers to purchase and they can replace the turret on their URSA cameras to upgrade to this new higher performance image sensor.

In addition, the current shipping 4K models of Blackmagic URSA EF and PL cameras will be reduced by $1,000 allowing customers to get into Blackmagic URSA at an even more affordable price. This also means that the difference in price between the 4K and the 4.6K Blackmagic URSA cameras is the same price as the 4.6K sensor upgrade. This lets customers purchase a lower cost 4K camera initially and then upgrade later to the 4.6K image sensor without a price penalty. The new prices for the Blackmagic URSA 4K EF model will now be $4,995 and the Blackmagic URSA 4K PL will be $5,495.

The revolutionary new 4.6K image sensor captures 4608 x 2592 pixels and has an incredibly wide 15 stops of dynamic range to deliver images with higher resolution and more latitude than many traditional motion picture film stocks. The dynamic range sometimes even goes beyond what the human eye can see. That means customers can now use URSA to get the most epic cinematic shots with more detail in the shadows and highlights than ever before. Files are recorded as 12-bit lossless Cinema DNG RAW to preserve the maximum amount of image data and quality for color correction and creative grading in applications like DaVinci Resolve. Broadcast quality files can also be saved in Apple ProRes for easy post production workflows with minimum storage requirements.

“When we introduced URSA in 2014, our goal was to build a camera that had everything customers needed built right into the camera itself, but also future proofed their investment by giving them the ability to upgrade to higher resolution and higher frame rate sensors in the future,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “We’re excited to deliver on the promise of URSA’s revolutionary design and can’t wait to see what customers shoot with this incredible new sensor. It’s like getting a whole new Super 35 digital film camera just by upgrading the sensor!”

Blackmagic URSA is a high end digital film camera designed to revolutionize workflow on set for feature films, commercials, episodic television, documentaries and more. Built to handle the ergonomics of large film crews as well as single person use, URSA has multiple accessories built in, including a massive 10 inch fold out on set monitor, large user upgradable Super 35 image sensor and internal dual RAW and ProRes recorders. Because the sensor and lens mount assembly can be changed, customers can upgrade the camera in the future as new sensors become available.

Blackmagic URSA 4.6K Key Features

• Large high resolution 4.6K Super 35 mm sized sensor with superior handing of image detail.

• Professional global shutter for smooth pans and image motion.

• Up to a wide 15 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look.

• Compatible with extremely high quality PL or EF mount lenses.

• User upgradable design allows customers to upgrade and change the sensor and lens mount.

• Built in dual CFast 2.0 card recorders allow unlimited duration recording in high quality.

• Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software, such as Apple ProRes and compressed CinemaDNG 12 bit RAW. No custom file formats.

• Support for ProRes 4444 XQ, ProRes 4444, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422, ProRes 422 LT, ProRes 422 Proxy recording at resolutions up to Ultra HD.

• Features all standard connections, including dual XLR mic/line audio inputs with phantom power, 12G-SDI output for monitoring with camera status graphic overlay and separate XLR 4 pin power output for viewfinder power, 12G-SDI monitoring input, headphone jack, LANC remote control and standard 4 pin 12V DC power connection.

• Built in stereo microphones for recording sound.

• 3 separate built in LCD monitors for camera settings and metadata entry. Large 10 inch fold out screen for full resolution HD monitoring with wide viewing angle and high brightness.

• Supports Ultra HD and 1080 HD resolution capture in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 up to 60 fps. Supports 4.6K capture up to 120 fps.

• Features liquid cooling system allowing higher frame rates when future sensors support this feature.

• Supports quick release tripod mounts and adding V-Mount and Anton/Bauer mount battery plates.

• Includes full copy of DaVinci Resolve software color grading and editing software.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic URSA 4.6K will be available in limited volumes from June, and increasing to full supply in July and August from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

Press Photography

Product photos of the Blackmagic URSA, and all other Blackmagic Design products, are available at www.blackmagicdesign.com.

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.