NAB is in full swing and today we saw a massive amount of new products announced from Blackmagic Design, including a 4.6K Image Sensor for the URSA, DaVinci Resolve 12, a Micro Cinema camera and the URSA Mini.
BM has introduced 38 new products, with the announcement made earlier today by BM CEO Grant Petty, who said,
“Each of these products has been a major engineering development and we feel we have really innovated in technology, industrial design and the user experience in every single one!”
So without further ado, here’s a quick rundown on the new products.
NEW PRODUCTS LIST
- – Blackmagic URSA 4.6K Models
- – Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder
- – Blackmagic URSA Mini
- – Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera
- – Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera
- – DaVinci Resolve 12
- – Fusion 8 Studio
- – Blackmagic Video Assist
- – Teranex Mini 12G-SDI Converters
- – ATEM Broadcast Studio 4K
- – HyperDeck Studio 12G
- – Smart Videohub 12G 40×40
- – Smart Videohub CleanSwitch 12×12
- – ATEM Talkback Converter 4K
- – UltraStudio 4K Extreme
- – DeckLink 4K Pro
URSA 4.6K CAMERAS
The upgradable URSA’s new 4.6K sensor is set to rival 35mm film stock with its 15 stops of dynamic range and Super 35 resolution of 4608 x 2592 @120 fps.
Those who already own an URSA can upgrade to the 4.6K sensor by purchasing a ‘4.6K turret upgrade’ which will cost US$1,995 for the EF lens mount and US$2,495 for the PL lens mount.
Two new URSA models have been announced, the URSA 4.6K EF model with a pricetag of AU$9845 and the URSA 4.6K PL which will set you back AU$10555. BM says the cameras will begin shipping in June, with the majority of units shipping in July – August.
Also, BM has reduced the price of the original URSA EF & PL cameras by US$1000, and currently the URSA 4.6K EF is priced the same as the original URSA with the added turret upgrade, meaning if you can’t afford to buy it right now, you can purchase the original at the reduced price, then purchase the upgrade at a later date and you’ll have only spent the same amount of dosh as if you’d just bought the brand new model. As Petty said, “get started at 4K and then upgrade later if you need the extra dynamic range.”
Lastly, BM has released a new update for the URSA 4K models that adds new features and frame rates. You can download that, HERE.
URSA VIEWFINDER
The new VF has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 in a colour OLED display and has been custom designed from precision glass optics, with an adjustable diopter and built in digital focus chart.
It simply bolts onto the front of the URSA camera and then the SDI and power plug into the sockets on the side. It’s adjustable for left and right eye use and there are built in overlays, focus zooming, focus peaking and a tally record light on the viewfinder as well.
The URSA Viewfinder will be available in July for AU$2119
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.coms/blackmagicursa
URSA MINI
The original URSA is a beast, and quite a lot to hold for a smaller crew, which is part of the reason BM has design a much more portable version in the Mini. It doesn’t have all the features of ts bigger brother but it does contain the same 4K and 4.6K sensors and the core processing of the original. It’s made from magnesium alloy and its compact design is light enough to used as a hand-held camera, much like the way a DSLR is used.
Its also compatible with the new URSA Viewfinder and features frame rates up to 60 fps, with a 5 inch full HD touch screen (that folds out and angles), it records to dual CFast cards and has a side handle that has a LANC based record, focus and iris buttons. The Mini has multiple mounting points for accessories such as lenses, rails, matte boxes and more. There’s also optional URSA Mini Shoulder Kit, featuring a shoulder pad with a built-in quick release mount.
There are 4 models of URSA Mini as there is two lens mounts and two sensor options. URSA Mini 4K EF is AU$4235, URSA Mini 4K PL is AU$4925, URSA Mini 4.6K EF is AU$7035 and URSA Mini 4.6K PL is AU$7755.
URSA Mini will be available late July, for more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/blackmagicursamini
MICRO CINEMA CAMERA
The new Micro Cinema Camera, is a miniaturised Super 16mm professional digital film camera with a new expansion port that lets you use PWM and S.Bus model airplane remote controls to operate the camera wirelessly for capturing action anywhere.
As Petty explains:
“What this means is you can use the same low cost radio control gear that hobbyists use for model aircraft and quadcopters. Normally these receivers plug into “servos” which generate movement when the user adjusts a knob on the hand held transmitter. These connections use a voltage called PVM and we have the same connection on the Micro Cinema Camera. So this means you can plug into the camera and control the camera remotely. You can even map what camera feature you want on what channel. So you could map the lens to adjust iris or focus. You could use a channel to start and stop recording, so you don’t fill the SD Card with RAW or ProRes files before you are ready for your shot!”
It features an MFT mount, 13 stops of dynamic range, front facing controls, a tally light (to show its recording), HDMI and composite NTSC/PAL outs.
The Micro Cinema Camera will be available in July for AU$1405
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/blackmagicmicrocinemacamera
MICRO STUDIO CAMERA 4K
The Micro Studio Camera 4K may look the same as the new Micro Cinema Camera but it’s a broadcast quality UHD studio camera and can be used with an external recorder as a production camera, but really comes into its own when used in live production with a live production switcher.
It’s features are almost identical to its bigger brother, the full sized Studio Camera 4K, with SDI in and out (6G-SDI) featuring the same SDI control protocol as the ATEM switches (and other BM studio cameras), it also has a built in color corrector and supports UHD frame rates up to 30 fps, and 1080 HD frame rates up to 60 fps.
It also features a PTZ serial connection out (which can be used for controlling a remote head) and B4 lens control connection (for broadcast lenses). Any pan, tilt and zoom commands sent to the camera via SDI from the switcher will be output on this PTZ connection and if you have a zoomable MFT lens, it will adjust the zoom on the lens as well.
“We have been asked for this a lot by high end broadcasters and now with this camera and the B4 lens connection you can use add accessories to turn this camera into a fully featured studio camera. Imagine using it as a full sized studio camera with external monitor and broadcast lens. Or using it on set concealed so you can get all kinds of exciting and interesting camera angles!” – Grant Petty, BM CEO.
The Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K will be available in July for AU$1845.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/blackmagicmicrostudiocamera4k
DaVinci Resolve 12
DAVINCI RESOLVE 12
DaVinci Resolve 12 has over 80 new features including a new modern interface, multi-cam editing, powerful new media management tools, an entirely new audio engine, automatic shot matching, 3D keyer, new 3D perspective tracker, enhanced curve editing and more.
The new UI has an overall lighter colour scheme, with new top down navigation and a new multi-camera editing feature, which allows editors to cut programs from multiple sources in real time.
Improvements have been added to editing tool, including all trim modes, multi-slip, slide, ripple and roll have been extended and editors can now select multiple points for dynamic trimming and asymmetric trimming of clips (even when on the same track). Timelines can now be nested, edited together and expanded or collapsed in place, and new transition curves allow editors to customise curves for transition parameters, with on-screen controls so you can adjust motion paths directly in the timeline viewer.
The new audio engine features editable automation, a full curve editor, scrubbing and reverse scrubbing, dynamic JKL trimming and support for VST/AU plug-ins. Also you can export projects directly to ProTools via AAF for mastering.
Media Management has also had an overhaul, users can now manage projects and media using new copy, move, transcode, relink and consolidate tools, you can also import now by just dragging footage directly into bins. Archiving has been added and so have smart bins that display footage based on metadata tags.
ACES 1.0 transforms have been added and a new curves interface, automatic color analysis and matching, a 3D perspective tracker, and a new 3D keyer with improved matte finesse options. Colorists can now define their own smart filters, convert any window to a bezier, collapse multiple nodes into compound nodes to simplify their view, ripple grades across multiple clips, and flatten pre and post-group grades into a clip’s individual grade.
Remote rendering is also now supported, to allow distribution of rendering jobs to other Resolve systems that are on the same shared database and shared storage.
“This is a really huge update and I feel like we have added more into this release than we have in the last 5 years. A team of almost 100 people have been working on this release and we think it’s the most exciting ever! DaVinci Resolve 12 will be a free upgrade for existing DaVinci Resolve customers.” – Grant Petty, BM CEO.
You can download the update now, HERE.
FUSION 8 STUDIO
Finally, Fusion 8 is coming to Mac OSX and Linux systems, with the new update being released sometime in Q3 later this year, with a public beta becoming available beforehand (possibly).
Fusion has been used as a tool in VFX and motion graphics for over 25 years, and has been used on thousands of feature film and television projects, including blockbusters like Maleficent, Edge of Tomorrow, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and The Hunger Games, as well as hit television shows like Battlestar Galactica, Orphan Black.
The Windows based Fusion 8 is free of charge and available now for download: www.blackmagicdesign.com/au/products/fusion
VIDEO ASSIST
An all in one professional monitor and video recorder, with ProRes recording and Full HD monitoring, to any camera or DSLR with SDI or HDMI outputs. It can be mounted on cameras as a large monitor, 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.
It is a 5-inch 1920 x 1080 HD monitor and touchscreen with a wide 135º viewing angle and it records broadcast quality 10-bit 4:2:2 video onto SD cards in ProRes file formats. The touch screen uses swipe gestures for changing settings and displaying video and audio levels on its “heads up” on screen displays. It also has a 6G-SDI input so it can be also used as a UHD monitor
BM Video Assist will be available in July for AU$699.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/blackmagicvideoassist
TERANEX MINI
The new Teranex Minis are a range of 12G-SDI mini converters, which are slightly different to normal converters.
As Petty explains, “Regular Mini converters cannot dissipate the heat generated from 12G-SDI, they have cumbersome power supplies, they cannot use standard XLR connectors and they only have switches for control. Teranex Mini’s solve all these problems and easily handle the speeds of 12G-SDI without overheating for all video formats from SD to HD, and Ultra HD. 12G-SDI allows Teranex Mini’s to operate in all video standards up to 2160p60 on a single BNC cable.”
There’s also an optional “smart” front panel with spin knob, color LCD and multiple buttons, which allows users see the video being converted, monitor audio levels, verify timecode and the video standard being converted. They can also be rack mounted when using the optional rack tray.
Teranex Minis feature a built in power supply and Ethernet connection that can also power the converter. With XLR connectors, AES/EBU and timecode connections and completely redesigned audio electronics with a low noise floor of more than -115dBFS.
There are 6 models of Teranex Minis, including SDI to HDMI, HDMI to SDI, SDI to Analog, Analog to SDI, SDI to Audio and Audio to SDI. Along with 6 optical fiber models that include a single SDI connection and a 12G-SDI SMPTE compatible optical SDI module. These optical fiber models include Optical to HDMI, HDMI to Optical, Optical to Analog, Analog to Optical, Optical to Audio and Audio to Optical.
Teranex Mini’s start at AU$699 and will be available in May.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/teranexmini
ATEM 2 M/E BROADCAST STUDIO 4K
The new ATEM 2 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K is a fully 12G-SDI based switcher with 20 inputs, with built-in features, including DVE, SuperSource, 6 keyers, transitions, all in Ultra HD up to 2160p60. All inputs still include full re-sync.
The new model has double the size media pool and the 2 built in multi viewers are HD or UHD, along with 4 built in media players.
The ATEM 2 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K will start shipping June for AU$8445
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/atem
HYPERDECK STUDIO 12G
The new HyperDeck Studio 12G, that supports all video formats from SD, HD and UHD up to 2160p @60fps.
Featuring the same VTR style controls as the other HyperDeck models and includes advanced 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connections for recording and playback of high frame rate Ultra HD over a single BNC cable.
HyperDeck Studio 12G will be available in May for AU$3515.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/hyperdeckstudio
SMART VIDEOHUB 12G 40×40
The new Smart Videohub 12G 40×40 is a native 12G-SDI router with 40 inputs and 40 outputs, it’s multi rate so it automatically works with all your SD, HD or UHD equipment, and can route multiple different video formants on the same router at the same time.
Smart Videohub 12G 40×40 will be available in May for AU$7035.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/smartvideohub
SMART VIDEOHUB CLEANSWITCH 12×12
Part of the regular 6G-SDI router range so it can work with all video standards including SD, HD and UHD up to 2160p @30fps, but in the new version every single input has a full re-sync.
As Petty explains, “What this means is that if you have multiple untimed video sources of the same video standard, this router will re-sync those sources and then you change the route to a router video output, the switch over will be perfectly clean without any glitches or slow monitor re-locking. That’s important when routing to a big display or projector at a public venue where you want the route changes to be clean cuts.”
Smart Videohub CleanSwitch 12×12 will be available in May for AU$2119.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/smartvideohub
ATEM TALKBACK CONVERTER 4K
The new ATEM Talkback Converter now has BNC 12G-SDI connections so you can run simple BNC SDI cables to the cameras. It supports up to 8 cameras so you can double the number of cameras you can talk with on the single unit.
ATEM Talkback Converter 4K will be available in May for AU$3515.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/atemconverters
ULTRASTUDIO 4K EXTREME
BM has said this is world’s most advanced Thunderbolt and PCIe video capture and playback solution. Featuring a quad link 12G-SDI, HDMI 2.0 and a built in multi format hardware codec encoder that includes encoding to H.265 compressed streams.
It can work with super high resolution and framerates, up to 3D stereoscopic 4K at 2160p60. It comes in a rack mount design, and includes a full copy of DaVinci Resolve 12.
UltraStudio 4K Extreme will be available in June for AU$4235, the H.265 encoding will be a free update that should be available in July.
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/ultrastudiothunderbolt
DECKLINK 4K PRO
DeckLink 4K Pro is a new lower cost 12G-SDI solution for capture and playback. Featuring dual link 12G-SDI in and out, supporting realtime capture and playback of fill and key channels even when operating up to 2160p @60fps. It includes video reference input and supports Mac, Windows and Linux and it also supports the Blackmagic Design DeckLink SDK. AU$845
For more info, check: www.blackmagicdesign.com/decklink
Excerpts from BM announcement
