News

Latest software development kit for ATEM production switchers is available now. This is a beta release, and some interfaces could possible change based on developer feedback.

This software update for Teranex 2D provides enhanced support for RGB on HDMI devices, improved embedded audio support and other minor improvements.

Press Release

Blackmagic Design announced the immediate availability of ATEM Switchers Update 6.0 which adds support for controlling cameras from ATEM production switchers via the program feed to the camera. ATEM Switchers Update 6.0 is available now free of charge from the Blackmagic Design website.

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.

ATEM Camera Control is compatible with the new Blackmagic Studio Camera when running software update v1.8.2 or later. The Blackmagic Studio Camera HD and Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K models feature 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 is 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 camera’s sensor.

“Since we first demonstrated the ATEM camera control, the response has been amazing, and broadcasters have quickly recognized the advantage of the Blackmagic Studio Camera’s design and interoperability with ATEM switchers as well as the incredible color corrector built right inside the camera itself!”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “Now they can have full control without running any extra cables using the new SDI based protocol. All that is required is a single thin SDI optical fiber or SDI cable. This is not just a simple CCU style of color adjustment but a full featured DaVinci primary color corrector built right into the camera itself. The benefit to the customer is that exciting creative looks can be achieved in live production, that previously were only possible in post production. I’m very excited to release this software and cannot wait to see what people do with it creatively!”

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 Switchers Update 6.0 with the new camera control features is available now 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 the latest software update 1.8.2 or later that is also available free of charge.

Press Photography

Product photos of the ATEM production switchers, the ATEM camera control software user interface, Blackmagic Studio Cameras as well as 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.

Press Release

Blackmagic Design announced that two Blackmagic Production Camera 4Ks and a Pocket Cinema Camera were used to shoot the upcoming action/thriller “Checkmate.” Produced by LA’s Status Media & Entertainment, the film chronicles how the actions of individuals affect us all, as six people are thrown together during an elaborate bank heist where any move can alter the outcome.

Director Timothy Woodward Jr. led a stellar ensemble cast, including Danny Glover, Sean Astin, Vinnie Jones, Mischa Barton, Michael Pare, Johnny Messner, Katrina Law, Willa Ford, Antwon Tanner and David Chisum, as they constructed six different story lines, each depicting the heist from a different point of view. As the entire film was shot over three weeks, with almost half of the footage made up of action sequences and almost 50 speaking roles, Timothy chose the Blackmagic Production Camera 4Ks for the affordable access to 4K and to save time on technical setups, allowing him to focus on creativity and performance.

“Because of the affordability of the cameras, we were able to use multiple cameras while staying in budget, which allowed for more coverage and faster shooting,” said Timothy. “This film contains a lot of action and having the ability to shoot in 4K was a must. The camera provided a very rich look with more dynamic range, and it allowed us to punch in and manipulate the frame after the fact without losing any quality. During one scene, our second unit director, Josh Tessier, orchestrated the explosion of a van. The explosion was over 30 feet high and was incredibly wide. With several stunt actor surrounding the van, we only had one take to get it perfect.””

“Our output goal was 1080HD, so shooting 4K on action sequences gave us the opportunity to crop in and find moments that might not have been predictable, which is important when you only have one take. I've seen it happen again and again, the ability to punch in on a scene has become the saving grace for a lot of takes. The information is there in the Blackmagic cameras, and it's affordable. Utilize it,” said Director of Photography Jonathan Mariande.

He continued: “When it came time to shoot a big scene between Danny Glover and Vinny Jones, having two of the 4K cameras allowed us to use an unconventional approach. We shot both sides at the same time and then flipped cameras, which not only cut down on time, but allowed the actors to act together and give a much stronger performance. Had we only had one camera, the actors would have been acting opposite stand ins, which is less than desirable for them and the project as a whole.”

With the majority of the film shot in 4K, one Blackmagic Production Camera 4K was used as the A camera hooked up to a Blackmagic Design SmartView HD monitor. A second Production Camera 4K was used as a B camera, with a Pocket Cinema Camera used as a C camera for POV and insert shots. Jonathan noted that the Blackmagic cameras’ flexibility let them go from complicated dolly setups to handheld in a matter of moments, another asset when shooting against the clock, while Timothy commented that the cameras’ built in on screen labeling system allowed them to skip several steps in post production, including transcoding of media, making the process more efficient.

“It’s even the little things that make a big difference. For example, each story was a little different. With Danny Glover’s scenes, we were going for a look that was cool in temperature with contrasting skin tones to make the audience feel more comfortable, as opposed to Vinnie Jones’ scenes where we wanted to the audience to feel more uncomfortable, so we went opposite with a warm look,” noted Timothy. “The cameras’ onscreen menu allowed us to quickly change color temperature and the shutter angle, which helped dramatically with lighting. More creative control meant less time needed for setups.”

“I think the color and the way the Blackmagic cameras shoot highlights and the dark shadows are high quality,” said Jonathan. “As a DP, I like to shoot in as soft a light as possible, and the cameras’ color and curves are just beautiful. And for the price point it's hard to beat for that cinematic look. I'm thankful we were able to use Blackmagic for this film.”

“I highly recommend the cameras to anyone in the entertainment industry looking to get a blockbuster look on an indie budget,” concluded Timothy.

Currently in post production, Josh Tessier of Rocket Panda Post will use Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve to grade the film. “Checkmate” is slated for release in 2015.

Press Photography

Product photos of Blackmagic Production Camera 4K, 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.

Livestream Studio 2.0
Livestream announced the latest update to their flagship live production software, Livestream Studio 2.0. Available to all Studio owners now as a free download, Studio 2 brings many new features and enhancements, including a major overhaul of the graphics compositing system to add data driven graphics from Twitter, Google Docs and other sources, as well a Graphic Store where Livestream will be publishing templates from the community. Studio 2 solidifies its position as the most flexible live switcher by supporting a broad and truly unique range of wired and wireless cameras, including iOS, Android, Google Glass, Windows, Broadcaster, USB and of course SDI, HDMI and much more. Livestream is also making a free version available for download with a slightly reduced feature set.

New Features:

– Upgraded graphics engine, with
– Graphics Store enabling to submit and download graphics from Livestream.
– 3 independent graphics tracks.

– Unlimited graphics layers in each track, each with independent visibility.

– Connect layers to external data sources, including Twitter, Google Spreadsheets, RSS,
Excel and CSV.
– Flexible options to update and cycle through external data sources.

– “Push” & “Pull” graphics track to intuitively work with data updates.

– “Tie” graphics tracks to the transition & T-Bar.

– Independent transition styles for each graphics track.

– Extended timer and clock functionality.

– Text field word wrap.

– Upgraded Remote Cameras engine:
– Time synchronization to combine wired and wireless cameras - a world first!

– Google Glass Remote Camera.

– iOS (iPhone/iPod/iPad) Remote Camera.

– Android Remote Camera.

– Livestream Broadcaster (HDMI) Remote Camera.

– Blackmagic DeckLink® and web-cam sources for Windows Remote Camera.

– RMTP and Zixi Remote Cameras (Pull from URL).

– Livestream Event Remote Camera (ie. use another Livestream event as a source).

– Basic replay.

– Webcam input support.

– Audio/video follow by default.

– User interface improvements.

– Stability and reliability improvements.

– Internet connection bonding (Beta feature).

– Updated hotkeys for 2.0 Studio Keyboard.

– Many smaller bug fixes and updates.