Blackmagic surprises again with the originality and focus of its proposals

A viewfinder for the Ursa Studio, a powerful update to the Ursa Mini that features a new operating system, a complete video assist system and a duplicator for 25 SD cards are Blackmagic's main assets in Las Vegas.

Blackmagic A new year has come to NAB with important news. These include the new Blackmagic Duplicator 4K and several important updates to its Ursa Mini line of cameras.

It has also added its first monitor for Video Assist with a larger screen to its portfolio.
In Las Vegas it also debuts a new range of converters, as well as a new version of DaVinci Resolve, and even a card for Arduino boards that makes it easier to create custom control systems.

Blackmagic Duplicator 4K

The new Blackmagic Duplicator 4K has been designed to solve one of the great challenges facing the television industry today. The problem is how to distribute UHD content so that users can truly take advantage of the televisions available with this definition. How is it possible to achieve this goal?

This device provides an ideal solution that allows you to use memory cards to instantly record files in H.265 format and then sell them to the public.

Being able to record images in real time also offers another advantage when it comes to financing production work. Recorded material can be marketed immediately after an event, thus taking advantage of the enthusiasm of attendees.

The new Blackmagic Duplicator 4K has 25 memory card slots located on the front panel and recording controls to the right of them. Likewise, it has an LCD screen that allows you to monitor the received signal and the audio intensity. The rear includes a 12G SDI input and a branch output, as well as connections for power supplies and remote control. The branch output provides the ability to connect multiple drives in series, to increase the capacity for storage drives, and start recording simultaneously on all of them.

On the other hand, this device offers exceptional features that include the possibility of encoding content in H.265 format. UHD resolution is four times that of a high definition image, so when using the H.264 compression standard, the files generated would be four times larger, and storing them would be much more expensive. The H.265 standard was developed specifically to enable the processing of UHD material.

This means that it is possible to save content in this definition and even with a high frame rate in files whose size is barely larger than that of the H.264 format. On the other hand, the SDI connections of the device have 12G technology that allows recording in any definition with a maximum resolution of 2160p60. However, to provide greater compatibility, we are developing an H.264 codec for HD content that will be available through a future update.

Another advantage that the new Blackmagic Duplicator 4K offers is the possibility of adding one recording to the end of another, so as to obtain a single file. This feature is extremely useful to avoid ending up with numerous separate clips and allows content to be delivered in a single media file.

Thanks to the thin thickness of the memory cards, it was possible to include more slots along the front panel. Additionally, these can be delivered in printed cases for a more professional look. For their part, these recording media are compatible with all computer equipment that has readers for said units. Additionally, those that are not sold can be formatted on the device to be used again.

Without a doubt, Blackmagic opens with this proposal the possibility of generating greater income from live production.

Visor falls at Ursa Studio

Blackmagic has developed a new professional viewfinder and released an update for the already popular URSA Mini, providing all the features needed to turn it into a studio camera.

Since the Blackmagic Studio Camera came onto the market, users had been demanding an additional mount for B4 lenses and a connector to control them. In response to this, the
new Blackmagic Studio Viewfinder capable of transforming the Ursa Mini into a professional studio camera. Attachable from the front of the camera, its ergonomics have been designed to provide maximum comfort, which is essential when working during extended shoots where the film crew must remain on their feet for hours.

The Australian manufacturer has taken maximum care of its articulated mount since adjustable tension pivots allow the resistance to be adjusted according to the user's needs. In this way, it is possible to move the viewfinder to obtain different angles. This is essential when the camera is placed at a certain height and needs to focus downwards.

On the other hand, this accessory has a modern design with a large pilot light that allows you to clearly identify the camera that is on air. In turn, numbered plates can be placed on the front to facilitate recognition. It's also worth mentioning that the viewfinder is easily detachable if you need to remove the camera from the tripod quickly.

The device also has controls that allow you to modify the brightness and contrast, as well as a special control to regulate the intensity of the focus indicator. In addition, it has a dial to access different settings and three buttons to which different functions can be assigned.

Update for Ursa Mini

The new update for the Ursa Mini model allows it to be converted into a studio camera with all the functions specific to this application. These include grading tools, lens control, intercom system and pilot lights, plus the ability to modify settings via an external SDI connection.

This update also allows you to transmit images in HD 1080i format through the SDI output and apply conversion tables (LUT), so it is possible to use the camera with any professional switcher. Most of the features it offers remain inactive until connected to a mixer compatible with the SDI control protocol. All models in the ATEM line offer the possibility of using this protocol, even the ATEM Television Studio version, which only costs $995.

On the other hand, the headphone connection allows communication with the director to be established. The recording indicator on the device also lights up to show that the camera is on air. Any necessary changes can be made by the switcher operator remotely, so the videographer can concentrate on capturing images of what is happening.

Since the URSA Mini model is a digital cinema version with a Super 35mm sensor, the recorded material is exceptionally sharp. It is even possible to use PL or B4 type lenses by adding the corresponding mounts and plugging them into the control connection. If you want to obtain the same quality but your budget is limited, the Ursa Mini EF model offers the same features.

This update also includes new colorimetry for both Ursa Mini models, so that the content obtained through the version with the 4K sensor looks similar to that captured with the 4.6K sensor. This provides the ability to achieve greater consistency when using both models in the same shot or during live productions. The DaVinci Resolve program is capable of automatically reading the metadata recorded by the URSA Mini 4K camera and selecting the most appropriate colorimetry.

New operating system

Regarding the new operating system for the Ursa Mini, what is most striking is its interface, which has been completely redesigned and provides greater speed when using the camera. By touching any of the settings on the screen, it is possible to make changes directly, without having to access different menus.

An example of this is target control. You can now select the f-stop or change the aperture by sliding your finger on the LCD screen. Likewise, to change the volume intensity, simply press the digital VU meter and make the necessary adjustments. These are also displayed on the screen automatically when you turn the audio knob.

This new operating system transforms the camera into a more intelligent device. Take shutter angle as an example. Adjusting this parameter to try to eliminate light flicker can be difficult. The user can modify the angle on their own, although the camera performs the necessary calculations and recommends the most appropriate values to alter the frame rate.

On the other hand, the metadata has been significantly improved and the corresponding panel has a more organized layout. Camera settings are more accessible, and this update also offers an unprecedented variety of options. It also provides the ability to see how much space is available on the memory cards. It should be noted that camera settings can be saved and applied at any time.

Blackmagic Video Assist 4K

Another interesting proposal from Blackmagic at this NAB is its new Video Assist 4K. This new model offers the possibility of adding a 7-inch monitor and recording functions to any camera that has SDI or HDMI technology.

By connecting the device to a DLSR version, it is possible to achieve perfect focus every time. It also has built-in focus indicators and focal length regulators for better results. The histogram of the images can also be consulted to adjust the exposure. Since this equipment has a built-in recording function, it allows you to do without low-resolution files and even replace cameras that record content on tape.

On the other hand, it is compatible with high-quality ProRes and DNx formats, so it supports the use of any editing program. At the same time, it offers the option of recording content for longer, thanks to the two memory card slots that allow recording media to be exchanged during filming.

This new version offers two inputs for analog audio with phantom power mode, connected to a special circuit that reduces noise to a minimum. Now you can use professional microphones and mixers using the mini XLR connectors for balanced signals and completely bypass the audio coming from the camera, for extraordinary results. This feature mimics a professional audio recorder with a minimum noise threshold of 128 dB, making the device a favorite among sound engineers.

The equipment also includes inputs and outputs with the latest 6G SDI and HDMI 2.0 technology, a LANC connector for control options and functions to start recording automatically when detecting SDI and HDMI signals. On the other hand, it has an encoder for ProRes Proxy, ProRes LT, ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ formats, a 3.5 mm audio input that allows monitoring and a built-in speaker.

For its part, the recording function is compatible with UHS-2 memory cards, which are ideal for recording UHD content. Additionally, they are exceptionally fast and can be inserted into conventional SD drive slots built into computing equipment.