News

Panasonic announced delivery and pricing information for its new MicroP2 cards
Panasonic announced delivery and pricing information for its new microP2 series, the world’s first UHS-II compliant memory cards*, which continues the company’s evolution to higher-speed, lower-cost, more compact media. The simultaneous introduction of a microP2 Card Adapter assures that the new series of 64GB and 32GB microP2 cards will operate in current P2 hardware**. Panasonic has also announced a two-slot microP2 drive for plug-and-play offload of content.

The AJ-P2M064A 64GB and AJ-P2M032A 32 GB microP2 cards will be April 2013 with priced at 7795 a 5195 CZK, respectively. The AJ-P2AD1 microP2 adapter will likewise be available in April, with a suggested list price of 4295 CZK. The AJ-MPD1 microP2 drive will ship in April, with a suggested list price of 8320 CZK.



Panasonic has at the same time introduced two new products, the AJ-PX5000 P2 HD camcorder and AJ-PD500 half-rack recorder, both with built-in microP2 slots and AVC-ULTRA recording, which will be available in fall 2013. The microP2 cards will guarantee data writing up to the class200 mode of AVC-ULTRA, the company’s newest compression system***.

With an SD card form factor, the MicroP2 cards will ensure high-speed transfer, high reliability and the writing assurance of all P2 frame rates, formats and codecs. Furthering the versatility of the microP2 card adapter and microP2 card slots, their design allows Class 10 SDHC/SDXC cards (at bit rates only up to 50Mbps)to be used in P2 products****.

The microP2 card’s double-layered UHS-II interface facilitates transfer speeds of 2.0 Gpbs (1.7 times faster than standard P2 media, and 12x faster than ordinary SD media). Reliability is defined by Proof7 strength (resistance to water/dust, static electricity, bending and twisting, magnet, X-ray, wide temperature range, and safety built-in-fuse ); a flash memory error correction system, equivalent to a RAID system, to greatly strengthen data retention reliability; a Lifetime Counter that gives a notification when the card approaches the end of its life cycle, which is defined as reusable for up to five years when recorded on once daily, at full capacity; 100% screened flash memory; a Content Protection System (CPS) that password-protects the card; and a QR code for scanning and identification.

The microP2 drive and microP2 Adapter both feature CPS password protection. The microP2 drive has a USB 3.0 interface for transfer speeds up to 2.0 Gbps, and its two slots accommodate offloading of spanned clips. To use the microP2 card adapter, a firmware upgrade of current P2 hardware is required. P2 hardware can be upgraded to microP2 use on the following schedule: in April 2013, the AJ-HPX3100, AG-HPX250, AG-HPX255, AG-HPX600 camcorders, AG-HPD24 deck, and AJ-PCD20, AJ-PCD35, AJ-PCD30, AJ-PCD2 drives; in June 2013, the AG-HPX370 camcorder and AG-HPG20 recorder; in August 2013, the AJ-HPX2000 camcorder, and AJ-HPM200 and AJ-HPD2500 recorders. To download the free upgrade, visit http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en.

Panasonic’s microP2 solid-state UHS-II compliant memory cards ensure highly reliable video, audio, and metadata recording, especially in challenging conditions of extreme temperature range, shock, and vibration. P2 cards allow professional users to benefit from a fast, easy, file-based workflow and exceptional reliability.

* As of UHS-II compliant memory card, March 2013

** The microP2 card and microP2 card adapter will not support all P2 products.

***With the exception of 1080/60p/ 50p within class 200.

****The performance of the Class 10 SDHC/SDXC card will depend on the quality of the card being utilized.

Blackmagic Design Announces ATEM Studio Converter 2

PRESS RELEASE

April 12, 2013

Blackmagic Design announced ATEM Studio Converter 2, a new model of its popular ATEM Studio Converter product with enhanced talkback features, upgraded design and the addition of 6G-SDI support allowing support for Ultra HD video when 6G optical fiber modules become available. ATEM Studio Converter will retail for the same price as the old model, at approx. 1675 EUR.

ATEM Studio Converter is perfect for live production because it includes 4 optical fiber converters in a one rack unit size chassis, combined with built in talkback features. ATEM Studio Converter is designed to operate with ATEM Camera Converters and allows the use of low cost optical fiber to connect cameras long distances away from the live production switcher. ATEM Studio Converter supports both embedded SDI tally and also includes talkback features using the spare channels 15 and 16 in the SDI connections to the camera.



This upgraded model includes a dramatically upgraded industrial design with an elegant machined metal front panel that includes controls and connections to manage talkback, as well as built in power supply, eliminating the external power “brick” used on the older model. This new model includes common connectors such as balanced analog XLR and BNC connections, so features connections more commonly used in live production systems. There’s also a 12V DC input for redundant power supply operation.

With many new features for camera talkback, ATEM Studio Converter 2 allows easy management when multiple cameras are used in a live production. The front panel of the new model includes a built in speaker and XLR microphone input. This allows directors to monitor talkback from the front panel without using headphones, as required on the older model. The speaker on the front panel includes a mute button and volume control and the microphone input allows the use of flexible microphone “stalks” that lets the microphone be placed closer to the director without taking up desk space.

The ATEM Studio Converter 2 front panel also includes press to talk buttons and lock to talk buttons. These buttons allow the talkback to be disabled so the camera cannot hear the director and then talkback can be selectively enabled when the director needs to talk to a camera operator.

The ATEM Studio Converter 2 also includes the use of general aviation style headsets for talkback. This eliminates the high cost of talkback headsets for television production, while at the same time allows a much more robust headset than computer type headsets. Aviation headsets for general aviation are extremely common and range from a few hundred dollars and up, depending on the features required. They support extremely good quality noise cancellation and are available from multiple manufacturers and stores worldwide. Aviation headsets are extremely robust with industrial strength connections that are virtually impossible to break, so are much better suited to the often hostile environments found in live television production.

This new model of ATEM Studio Converter also features 6G-SDI to allow Ultra HD support in the future. Currently there are no optical fiber models available for 6G-SDI support, however this new model has all the technology required for Ultra HD and will be able to be upgraded by the customer when optical fiber modules are available that support 6 Gb/s speeds and Ultra HD.

ATEM Studio Converter 2 includes 6G-SDI outputs converted from the optical fiber input, so the feed from the video camera can be connected to either SDI connections on production switchers such as the ATEM range.

ATEM Studio Converter also includes a balanced analog XLR stereo audio output for each optical module, de embedded from each optical fiber input, so the embedded audio from cameras can be sent direct to audio mixers for external live audio mixing.

When running program feeds to each camera, ATEM Studio Converter also includes a global SDI input that feeds the optical fiber outputs on each converter. This global SDI input allows a single program feed from a live production switcher to feed all cameras on the live production and also allows talkback audio to be connected down to the cameras. This input is loop through so it allows program audio to be looped to more than a single ATEM Studio Converter.

“I am really excited about this product, because we built the ATEM Studio Converter to have all the conversion, talkback and tally you need for your cameras! This means it’s easy to manage getting cameras close to the action up to 25 miles away from the production switcher! Now the new ATEM Studio Converter 2 model is even nicer to use and allows much simpler management of lots of cameras and talkback on a busy production,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Not only does this new model include a dramatically nicer design, but it is also packed with the latest video technology ready for the future as well! Its fantastic!”

ATEM Studio Converter Key Features

• 4 built in optical fiber SDI converters, one for each camera feed up to 25 miles away.

• Optical fiber converters to 3G-SDI and de embedded balanced analog XLR stereo audio out.

• Global SDI input for sending program feed to all optical outputs.

• Microphone and headphone connections for commonly available general aviation style headsets.

• Built in talkback includes AES/EBU loops on rear for expanding to extra ATEM Studio Converters.

• Elegant machined metal compact 1 rack unit design allows portable use.

• Includes front panel talkback mic, speaker, headset connections and talkback buttons.

• Fully compatible with ATEM Camera Converters or other types of SDI optical fiber converters.

• Supports 6G-SDI so allows updating to Ultra HD when by swapping the SFP style optical modules.

Availability and Price
ATEM Studio Converter 2 will be available April for approx. 1675 EUR.

Press Photography
Product photos of the ATEM Studio Converter 2, 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 film restoration software for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability, 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 stereoscopic 3D and 4K workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. For more information, please check www.blackmagicdesign.com.

Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic MultiDock

PRESS RELEASE

April 12, 2013

Blackmagic Design announced Blackmagic MultiDock, a new rack-based hard disk chassis with Thunderbolt technology that allows up to 4 hard disks or solid state disks to be inserted and mounted on any Thunderbolt based Mac or Windows computer. Blackmagic MultiDock will retail for approx. 455 EUR.

The Blackmagic MultiDock is a rack mount hard disk dock that allows independent disks to be inserted and mounted on the user’s computer. It also offers the option for multiple disks to be striped together to build an inexpensive Thunderbolt-based disk array.

With the introduction of Blackmagic Design’s HyperDeck SSD recorder/players as well as the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K that all use high speed solid state disks as their media, there has been a need for a broadcast strength rack mount dock that allows multiple disks to be managed and media to be used on computers.



The new Blackmagic MultiDock features a strong metal rack mount chassis and easy to access “cartridge” style design on the front of the unit that enables customers to work with large amounts of media more efficiently.

The built in Thunderbolt connection gives the Blackmagic MultiDock massive data transfer speeds. Each disk dock features an independent SATA interface chip, providing customers extremely fast access and data transfers.

“The Blackmagic MultiDock is a fantastic solution to managing storage in a busy broadcast or post production environment. It’s fantastic when using disks independently or when striping them together as a large disk array,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “We think the Blackmagic MultiDock is going to solve the problem of managing disks and make editing even faster!”

Blackmagic MultiDock Key Features

• 4 disk docking slots with attractive illuminated disk access indicators.

• Rack mount design with built in 110V to 240V power supply. 1 RU size.

• High speed Thunderbolt connection for Mac and Windows computers.

Availability and Price
Blackmagic MultiDock will be available May for approx. 455 EUR.

Press Photography
Product photos of the Blackmagic MultiDock, 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 film restoration software for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability, 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 stereoscopic 3D and 4K workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. For more information, please check www.blackmagicdesign.com.

Blackmagic Design Announces SmartScope Duo

PRESS RELEASE

April 12, 2013

Blackmagic Design announced SmartScope Duo, a unique dual rack monitor with built in broadcast accurate waveform monitoring on large 8-inch LCD screens, allowing customers to have any combination of video and waveform monitoring, all in the single unit. SmartScope Duo is available now for approx. 755 EUR.

SmartScope Duo features two large 8 inch LCD screens in a compact rack mount design that is less than an inch thick. SmartScope Duo includes powerful image processing allowing each of the two screens to be independently selected between video monitoring and waveform monitoring. There are 7 types of waveform display that can be selected by the user, including waveform, vectorscope, RGB parade, YUV parade, histogram and an audio scope with 16 channels of SDI audio and audio phase meter.

SmartScope Duo looks identical to Blackmagic Design’s popular SmartView Duo dual video monitoring product, but includes the broadcast accurate waveform monitoring feature, so for the first time, customers can have waveform monitoring within video monitoring installations that fits perfectly into the design of the facility.



SmartScope Duo is also a good solution for general video monitoring as it handles all SD, HD and 3G-SDI video standards, and all screens can be remotely adjusted via the customers Ethernet network. SmartScope Duo can be installed into equipment racks for local monitoring in post production, or for multi monitor video walls in master control rooms or for camera monitoring for production switchers!

One of the main difficulties when installing multiple monitors is attempting to match color settings on all monitors. SmartScope Duo eliminates this problem by connecting to an Ethernet network using the included Mac and Windows software to adjust all your monitors from one central location. This utility also lets customers choose between monitoring video or the various types of scope views.

SmartScope Duo includes full tally features so it is perfect for live broadcasters. Unlike a simple tally light, SmartScope Duo includes tally borders that can be independently displayed in red, green or blue. Each screen features an independent tally in the three colors so customers can signal to the user more information than a simple on air status. Tally is connected via a standard parallel pin connector on the rear of SmartScope Duo and provides full contact closure compatibility with all switcher and automation systems.

"In the past high quality broadcast accurate waveform monitoring has always been extremely high cost and physically large and cumbersome, so its been very difficult for customers to install waveform monitoring everywhere they need it, and even harder to install it in mobile situations such as fly away kits," said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. "We think SmartScope Duo is the perfect solution, as it builds broadcast accurate scopes into the monitor itself, so customers can simply choose between monitoring video, or one of the 7 scope types built into the product! It could not be easier to use!"

SmartScope Duo Key Features

• 2 independent 8 inch LCD displays in a 3 rack unit size chassis, less than 1 inch thick.

• SD/HD-SDI/3G-SDI input for each monitor, with re clocked loop outputs.

• Ethernet input with loop output for connecting to computers for central adjustments.

• Tally input for each monitor allowing red, green or blue tally indication.

• Control software panel included free for Windows and Mac OS X.

• Full 10 bit data path and image scaling for high quality displays.

• Ideal for use in broadcast, post production and camera monitoring for switchers.

 Availability and Price
SmartScope Duo is available now for approx. 755 EUR ex. VAT.

Press Photography
Product photos of the SmartScope Duo, 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 film restoration software for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability, 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 stereoscopic 3D and 4K workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. For more information, please se check www.blackmagicdesign.com.

Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Audio Monitor

PRESS RELEASE

April 11, 2013

Blackmagic Design announced Blackmagic Audio Monitor, a new rack mount extremely high quality audio monitoring solution with advanced 6G-SDI video for Ultra HD video sources, as well as regular analog audio and SDI video inputs, integrated video monitor and integrated LED level meter for approx. 1,135 EUR. Blackmagic Audio Monitor will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2013 booth at #SL218.

Now, for the first time, customers can get incredible quality audio monitoring with Ultra HD 4K technology built in as standard. Blackmagic Audio Monitor includes extremely high quality audio sound in a small one rack unit size. With a dual subwoofer design combined with extra wide range speakers all backed by a powerful class A/B amplifier, Blackmagic Audio Monitor features an elegant design with big bright multi color audio meters and a built in LCD for monitoring video sources. Because a 6G-SDI video input is provided as standard, customers can monitor audio from SDI feeds in SD, HD and Ultra HD. The HDMI 4K output also allows the Blackmagic Audio Monitor to connect to large screen televisions for native Ultra HD monitoring!



Blackmagic Audio Monitor is perfect for monitoring audio anywhere customers need it. It can be installed into broadcast racks to keep track of audio transmissions and even monitor multiple languages by selecting between audio channels in the SDI input. With both audio and video monitoring integrated together, Blackmagic Audio Monitor is also perfect for tech monitoring in broadcast trucks, edit suites, audio post production and much more!

The Blackmagic Audio Monitor was designed using the latest advanced audio analysis technology to create a wide and smooth frequency response curve with crisp highs and powerful deep bass. Customers will get great sounding monitoring of music, extremely clear voice tracks and all the detail of effects tracks. Blackmagic Audio Monitor has the audio amplifier power to be loud enough to hear audio in noisy environments such as broadcast equipment rooms that suffer fan noise.

With two big bright audio level meters on the front panel, customers get full multi colored RGB LEDs under each segment so the meter scale is infinitely customizable. Metering can be selected between VU or PPM scale as extra scales can be added in future software updates. With a large number of meter segments monitoring can handle a very wide dynamic range, such as -45 to +3 decibels in the VU scale.

Blackmagic Audio Monitor features an elegant and super tough front panel that has been machined from a solid block of aluminum. This machined metal design is attractive and extremely strong, allowing a robust chassis that is vital for better quality sound without rattles and vibrations. For selecting audio pairs, left and right solo, selecting mute and input, there is a built in illuminated keypad. For private monitoring there is a built in headphone jack.

Blackmagic Audio Monitor supports SD, HD and the latest Ultra HD 4K video resolution via the high quality 6G-SDI input with output HDMI 4K connection for use with both HD and Ultra HD 4K displays and projectors. Customers can monitor audio from any of the 16 audio channels on the 6G-SDI input. 6G-SDI is four times faster than regular HD-SDI, so allows image resolutions four times greater than HD. This means Blackmagic Audio Monitor features the most advanced future proof technology!

Blackmagic Audio Monitor also features professional audio inputs such as balanced analog XLR audio in, balanced AES/EBU audio in and consumer level HiFi audio inputs. Customers can simply select between inputs using the input button on the front panel! When you are working with SDI video, Blackmagic Audio Monitor automatically switches between video input formats from SD to HD and Ultra HD 4K.

“We are extremely excited to finally deliver a fantastic audio monitoring solution that combines all the features people need, including extremely high quality sounds in a small 1 rack unit size, SDI, analog and AES/EBU inputs, built in video monitoring and a large attractive audio meter, all in an elegant machined metal design that looks fantastic!” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “I think Blackmagic Audio Monitor is the perfect solution as it’s extremely attractive and includes all the features I need the most when monitoring audio from both video and audio sources in the television industry!”

Blackmagic Audio Monitor Key Features

• Professional audio monitoring with amazing dual subwoofer sound in a single rack unit size.

• 6G-SDI input for Ultra HD monitoring, switches automatically between SD, HD and Ultra HD.

• Balanced analog XLR stereo audio, HiFi analog input and balanced AES/EBU audio inputs.

• Built in LCD display shows video when monitoring from SDI. Includes status and volume info.

• Bright RGB LED audio level meter allows VU level monitoring.

• Contact-less volume knob eliminates wear and annoying crackling when adjusting volume.

• High power amplifier allows audio to be monitored in noisy environments.

• Elegant machined metal design in a compact 1 rack unit size.

Availability and Price
Blackmagic Audio Monitor will be available in April for approx. 1,135 EUR.

Press Photography
Product photos of the Blackmagic Audio Monitor, 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 film restoration software for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability, 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 stereoscopic 3D and 4K workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and Australia. For more information, please check www.blackmagicdesign.com.