News

New advanced Ultra HD live production switcher allows live production in SD, HD and Ultra HD, with 20 6G-SDI sources, SuperSource, DVE, motion graphics and much more!

Press Release

April 9, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K, a new extremely powerful 2 M/E based Ultra HD live production switcher with 20 6G-SDI inputs, SuperSource layering engine and much more for 2.945 EUR.

ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K will be shown on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2014 booth at #SL219.

The new ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K includes 20 independent SD, HD or Ultra HD 4K video inputs with each input featuring a full frame synchronizer. ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K also includes all the features expected from a professional switcher, including chroma key, transitions, DVE, media pool, downstream keyers, audio mixer, two multi view outputs and 6G-SDI and HDMI 4K video connections.

This new high end model of the ATEM Production Studio family includes all the powerful features of the other models as well as the exciting SuperSource multi layer processor. SuperSource provides customers with a completely separate 5 layer switcher with the power of 4 picture in picture DVEs and 4 keyers assigned to any ATEM video input. SuperSource allows for multi camera interviews or picture in picture production while leaving all M/Es, keyers and the DVE completely free for other tasks.

ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K supports 6G-SDI so it can be switched between most SD, HD and Ultra HD video formats instantly. Ultra HD is four times the resolution of regular high definition video for a massive 3840 x 2160 frame size. The new 6G-SDI and HDMI 4K video connections effortlessly handle Ultra HD and customers can connect all cameras using a single cable. There is also a high definition down converted HD-SDI program output for when the switcher is operating in Ultra HD formats, but a regular HD program feed is required.

The ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K features a strong and elegant 2 rack unit machined aluminum front panel based design. The front panel keypad lets customers select between each of the 6 independent auxiliary output sources and the 5 inch LCD screen provides instant feedback on the status of the auxiliary output. The aux switching is also a valuable tech monitoring tool for setting up and for live aux switching during production.

The ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K includes the ATEM Software Control Panel for both Mac and Windows that provides complete control of the switcher from a laptop or desktop computer. This software provides full control of transitions, keyers, built in audio mixer and switcher settings. If customers prefer working with a traditional hardware control panel they can add either a ATEM 1 M/E Broadcast Panel or ATEM 2 M/E Broadcast Panel.

ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K features two built in multi view monitoring outputs so customers can view all sources on a single SDI monitor or HDMI TV. Because the multi view outputs are down converted to HD, even when operating in Ultra HD, customers can still use commonly available HD monitors or televisions. Each of the two multi view outputs includes independent views for program, preview and 8 switcher sources.

ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K includes the same high quality transitions found on regular high definition professional switchers, but now all these transitions operate in native Ultra HD. Customers get the choice of mix, dip and wipe effects with full control of the transition type, pattern, length and other attributes. ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K includes 2 built in media players that can store up to 32 full resolution Ultra HD still frames with key and fill. Media players are ideal for lower third name straps, logos and more. ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K also includes a Photoshop™ plug in that allows direct download of graphics and titles from Photoshop to the switcher.

For seamless multi layering, ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K includes 4 upstream keyers and 2 downstream keyers. The upstream keyers includes independent chroma, pattern, shaped and linear keying. These keyers are independent of the SuperSource processor which adds another 5 layers to the massive number of layers available in this switcher.

A built in audio mixer is also included that allows any switcher to use embedded HDMI and SDI audio from cameras as well as external audio from the analog XLR and HiFi audio inputs. Customers can use the mixer in direct input mixing or in audio follow video where the audio from each camera will automatically be cross faded while switching. The analog audio inputs are great for microphones, audio mixers or music players.

ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K uses an aviation grade operating system that ensures mission critical reliability, unlike cheap computer based switchers that interrupt video if the computer crashes.

“With a flood of Ultra HD televisions hitting the market, consumers are gearing up for an amazing transition into a cinema viewing experience in the home! This new ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K is a massive switcher that’s $1000 less than the model it replaces, but features a better design, better technology and many more inputs, plus of course the ability to operate in Ultra HD!” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Live production is the fastest way to generate massive amounts of Ultra HD content quickly and live events offer some of the most exciting sources for entertainment. We think even the largest broadcaster will find the new ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K has all the features and inputs they require for large complex live production jobs!”

ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K Key Features

– Full 2 M/E switcher with each M/E featuring media players, chroma key, transitions and more.

– Switcher can be switched between SD, HD and Ultra HD video formats instantly.

– 2 x built in multi view allows 16 sources, 2 x previews and program on HD-SDI and HDMI outputs.

– 20 x inputs for a total of 20 x 6G-SDI and 1 x HDMI input. All inputs feature auto re-sync.

– 2 x 6G-SDI program outputs, 1 HDMI 4K program out and 1 down converted HD-SDI program out.

– Built in media pool graphics storage for 32 RGBA Ultra HD stills and 180 frame Ultra HD clips.

– Built in full motion 2D DVE with position, scale, resize and rotate features.

– Built in SuperSource allows 4 DVE’s and 4 keys layered as an independent video source.

– 2 media players allow graphics to be connected to keyers for fill and key layering.

– Transitions include cut, mix, dip to color, SMPTE wipes and more.

– 4 upstream keyers include chroma keyer and 2 downstream keyers are included.

– 6 auxiliary outputs include front panel aux switching buttons and LCD screen for viewing.

– Built in audio mixer live mixes embedded audio from all video inputs and independent audio inputs.

– Balanced XLR stereo analog audio inputs and 1 HiFi RCA stereo audio inputs into built in audio mixer.

– Audio mixer main and preview outputs onto balanced XLR audio outputs and on all video outputs.

– Internal sources include black, color bars, two color generators and media pool.

– Ethernet connection for control panel connection. Mac and Windows control panel software included.

– Compatible with all ATEM Broadcast Panel control panels when hardware panel is required.

– Black Burst and HD-Tri-Sync genlock input for integration into large systems.

– Compact 2 rack unit size is perfect for when a lot of power is required in a portable solution.

Availability and Price

The ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K is available now for 2.945 EUR.

Press Photography

Product photos of the ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K, 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.

Introducing the world’s smallest live broadcast camera with the world’s largest viewfinder!

Press Release

April 8, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced Blackmagic Studio Camera, a new camera specifically designed for live production and available in 1080 HD and Ultra HD models starting from only $1,995 US.

Blackmagic Studio Camera will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2014 booth at #SL219.

Blackmagic Studio Camera is one of the most advanced broadcast cameras for live production because it includes features specifically targeted at the requirements of live production! Currently customers often need to use cameras designed for general video production for live work and this means they don’t get features that live production demands, such as large viewfinder, talkback, tally, optical fiber and a super strong metal design.

Inside the incredibly tough and lightweight magnesium alloy body, the Blackmagic Studio Camera features a very large 10” viewfinder, long duration 4 hour battery, talkback, tally indicators, phantom powered microphone connections and built in optical fiber and SDI connections that let you connect to a live production switcher with a single cable!

One of the problems of cameras used in live production is small viewfinders and the Blackmagic Studio Camera includes a massive 10 inch screen that allows incredible creativity when framing and accurately focussing. The viewfinder’s LCD is extremely bright and has a very wide viewing angle so it is perfect for use even in direct sunlight. The camera also includes a large fold up sun shield making it perfect for outdoor use and the sun shade also acts as a privacy shield when in use.

The Blackmagic Studio Camera features an active Micro Four Thirds lens mount that is compatible with an incredibly wide range of lenses and adapters. This allows customers to use high quality photo lenses for smaller setups or fixed camera use, and then use high end broadcast ENG lenses for large live broadcasts using an MFT to B4 lens mount adapter. This means customers can start out with a more affordable setup based on photo lenses and then move to larger but more expensive ENG lenses as they grow their business.

The Blackmagic Studio Camera includes a built in fiber optic connection, allowing customers to get the many advantages of long lengths and small size and weight of optical fiber for a single thin tether cable to connect cameras to your live production switchers. The optical fiber connection is bi-directional and carries HD or Ultra HD video with embedded audio, talkback, tally and even camera remote control. The built in talkback allows the camera operator and crew to communicate at all times during production using commonly available and very robust general aviation headsets for better quality talkback with better noise canceling at a much lower cost.

The Blackmagic Studio Camera supports the tally SDI standard used on the ATEM range of live production switchers and tally lights illuminate automatically with a light on the front for talent, and a light above the viewfinder for the operator, making it easy for the cast and crew to see which cameras are on air. To allow independent operation with only a single optical fiber cable, the Blackmagic Studio Camera also includes a massive 4 hour battery that means the camera has enough power for use on long live productions as well as setup time before the event starts. The operator side control panel allows instant access to focus, iris and on screen menu settings. On screen menus are overlaid on the viewfinder and slide on and off as needed.

“I have dreamed of a camera perfectly designed for live production for a long time”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “When we looked at how we would design a camera for live production what really surprised us was how small we could make it, but then the viewfinder would also become small. We did not want a small viewfinder, we wanted a very large viewfinder and so we ended up with this amazing camera that’s incredibly tiny, but then the viewfinder is incredibly large. It’s really a dream to operate a camera with such a large viewfinder and it’s amazing the detail in focus and framing that’s available to the operator! I totally love this camera and it’s my dream product!”

Blackmagic Studio Camera Key Features

– High resolution 1080HD in HD model and Ultra HD sized sensor in 4K model.

– Built in large 10 inch super bright wide viewing angle LCD viewfinder with sun shade.

– Built in optical fiber and regular SDI connections for camera output and monitoring input.

– Compatible with high quality Micro Four Thirds lenses. Compatible with other mounts via common third party adapters such as B4 broadcast lens mount.

– Built in, two way digital quality talkback using high quality affordable general aviation headsets.

– Includes front and rear tally indicators using tally over SDI protocol.

– Features all standard connections, including dual XLR balanced mic/line audio in with switchable phantom power, headphone and microphone jack for talkback, LANC remote control and standard 4 pin XLR broadcast standard DC 12V power connection.

– On screen menus for all camera settings.

– Supports 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 and up to 60 fps in HD model, up to 30 fps in 4K model.

– Compatible with ATEM range of live production switchers.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic Studio Camera HD is available now for 1539 EUR and the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K will be available in June for 2309 EUR.

Press Photography

Product photos of the Blackmagic Studio Camera, 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.

Press Release

Introducing the world’s first digital film camera designed to revolutionize on set workflow while featuring a user upgradable sensor and lens mount, large 10-inch fold out monitor and more!

April 8, 2014

Blackmagic Design announced Blackmagic URSA, a new high end digital film camera designed to revolutionize workflow on set. 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 global shutter 4K image sensor and internal dual RAW and Apple ProRes recorders.

Because the sensor and lens mount assembly can be changed, customers can choose EF or PL lens mounts, or even a broadcast video sensor with B4 mount, then upgrade the camera in the future. The Blackmagic URSA EF model will retail for 4.589 EUR.

Blackmagic URSA will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2014 booth at #SL219.

Blackmagic URSA is designed to be used on high end feature films, commercials, episodic television production, documentaries, electronic news gathering, music videos and more. When used on jobs with a large crew, customers can easily dress the camera with high quality cinema lenses, rails, follow focus, matte boxes and more. With built in scopes for exposure, focus and audio levels, built in dual recorders and the large 10 inch fold out on set monitor, customers can dramatically reduce on set equipment because it’s all built into the camera.

The Blackmagic URSA features a larger professional size that has the space for powerful cooling that allows higher frame rates while keeping the chassis cool and the fan quiet. The sleek futuristic machined aluminum design is incredibly strong and has been designed for large film crews while being able to be field upgraded to new sensors by the user. Each area of the camera has been divided into separate DOP, camera assistant and audio engineer work stations. The DOP station features a large 10 inch fold out on set monitor and separate 5 inch screen for settings, camera status and scopes. The camera assist station features a separate screen for camera settings, status and scopes and an audio station features audio meters, controls and audio connections.

Blackmagic URSA is a true professional digital film camera with a 4K sensor, global shutter and a wide 12 stops of dynamic range. The wide dynamic range is superior to regular video cameras or even high end broadcast cameras and results in dramatically better images that look like true digital film. The large Super 35 size sensor allows for creative shallow depth of field shooting and high resolution Ultra HD, 12 bit lossless compressed Cinema DNG RAW and Apple ProRes™ allow for easy post production workflow with minimum storage requirements.

The Blackmagic URSA features a modular camera turret that can be simply replaced by removing 4 simple bolts! The camera turret includes the sensor, lens mount and lens control connections and can be upgraded in the future when new types of sensors are developed. There are currently 4 models to choose from, URSA PL supports PL mount lenses and URSA EF supports EF mount lenses from Canon, Zeiss and more. Both of these models include the large Super 35 sized global shutter digital film sensor. The URSA Broadcast B4 model, available late 2014, features a broadcast video Ultra HD sensor and B4 lens mount used in broadcast. The URSA HDMI model has no sensor and its lens mount is replaced by a “cheese plate” of mounting points and a HDMI input, allowing any third party camera to get the benefit of the URSA camera body features.

“Our goal when developing the URSA was to build a camera that had all the cooling capacity for higher frame rates, and a large on set monitor as well as built in scopes so you had everything you need built into the camera itself. The problem with spending so much money building in such incredible accessories is that they become outdated as sensor technology moves on. So we designed the ability to upgrade the sensor so customers can simply bolt on a new sensor and turret assembly in the future!”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “We think this is a revolution and this upgradable design means we have been able to put a lot more effort into the design of the camera body itself and the quality of the screens, recorders, cooling system and processing power than would normally be offered. The result is one of the most amazing television products I have ever seen!”

Blackmagic URSA PL and URSA EF Key Features

– Large high resolution 4K Super 35 mm sized sensor with superior handing of image detail.

– Professional global shutter for smooth pans and image motion.

– Wide 12 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 HQ, ProRes 422, ProRes LT, ProRes Proxy recording at resolutions up to Ultra HD.

– Features all standard connections, including dual XLR mic/line audio inputs with phantom power, 6G-SDI output for monitoring with camera status graphic overlay and separate XLR 4 pin power output for viewfinder power, 6G-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 screen folds out 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.

– 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 will be available in June/July from 4.589 EUR.

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.

Adobe announced plans to significantly update all the video apps in Adobe Creative Cloud and will showcase these innovations at the NAB 2014 show in Las Vegas next week. Milestone feature additions, expected to ship in the next coming months, include major updates to Adobe Premiere Pro CC and Adobe After Effects CC, designed to make everyday tasks easier and faster, enabling video professionals to create stunning videos, TV shows, films and commercials more efficiently. Key updates include: Timesaving editorial features in Premiere Pro CC. New features include Live Text Templates that let users edit text in After Effects CC compositions directly in Premiere Pro CC; Autosave to Creative Cloud for automated backup of projects; and a new Masking and Tracking feature that provides accurate masks that follow subjects and blur out faces and logos, crucial for newsroom editing. In addition, the new Master Clip effect in Premiere Pro and SpeedGrade changes the effects applied to original clips and ripples down through all instances of the clip. Powerful new updates to After Effects CC include Keying effects to provide better keying results with compressed footage; and Typekit integration with Premiere Pro CC and After Effects CC provides users with access to a growing library of fonts worth $30,000 US, that can be used on the desktop. Underscoring the rapid adoption of Adobe Creative Cloud tools in the broadcast and film industries, Adobe is also proud to announce that two-time Academy Award-winning editor Kirk Baxter A.C.E. is cutting David Fincher's upcoming feature film “Gone Girl” exclusively with Adobe Premiere Pro CC!

Eyeon will introduce a new version of Fusion, and new version of Connection at the upcoming NAB 2014 exhibition, booth SU621P. Fusion 7 will feature new hybrid GUI with tear-off architecture, enhanced effects and motion graphics toolset, GPU optimizations, and 4K+ HFR functionality. Eyeon will also showcase Generation able to handle 4K uncompressed stereo HFR playback, 120 fps or higher frame rates, and extended support for 3rd party software. More information can be found on eyeonline.com.