The Blackmagic Camera app arrives on Android

After its debut in the iOS ecosystem, the app Blackmagic Camera comes to select phones from Samsung and Google Pixel to provide cinematic controls and features for smartphone cameras running the Android operating system.

Blackmagic Camera It allows you to take advantage of the potential of a phone's built-in camera through an app with various digital cinema camera controls. The system integrates the same interface as the Blackmagic Design professional models, so that the user, by pressing the screen, can modify parameters such as the frame rate, shutter angle, white balance and ISO sensitivity, or burn files ProRes 10 bit resolution 4K and share them through the platform Blackmagic Cloud.

The Blackmagic Camera interface is interactive and allows you to modify the parameters with agility, without having to access confusing menus. Shows the status of the unit and the recording, histogram, focus indicators, audio level, framing guides y other overlapping data to the image. To view or hide this information, simply slide your finger up or down on the screen. The system also allows auto focus by tapping the screen over the desired area, as well as filming with aspect ratios vertical or in 16:9 format.

The Blackmagic solution settings tab allows you to make the most of your phone's camera and quickly access different advanced settings for recording, audio and monitoring, among others. In this sense, the recording options provide absolute control over the resolution and facilitate the processing of files in format H.264 y H.265, which take up less storage space. Blackmagic Camera also includes professional monitoring tools, such as the Zebra.

Cloud and DaVinci integration

The file organization in the application is simple, since there are three options depending on location and mobile data coverage. It is possible record in phone memory and transfer the clips to a computer, freeing up storage space and later sharing the files with other users around the world. On the other hand, you can also access the platform Blackmagic Cloud and select a DaVinci Resolve project before you start recording. The recorded material will be uploaded automatically and will be available to all project participants. In turn, Blackmagic Camera also offers a manual option that provides the opportunity to store the recorded material in the phone's memory and select clips that will then be uploaded to Blackmagic Cloud by having a network connection. To further streamline processes, it is possible link DCIM folder and select sequences to upload to Blackmagic Cloud.

Another possibility when recording with Blackmagic Camera is the proxy file upload, followed by the originals from the camera, to store them using Blackmagic Cloud Storage. In addition, all people participating in the same project will have access to the recorded material automatically. It is also possible to add sequences captured with various cameras in different places, which will be available to other users automatically through Blackmagic Cloud.

Additionally, Blackmagic Camera includes a communication system which allows members of a shared project in Blackmagic Cloud quickly exchange creative ideas about different shots without leaving the application. Simply access the platform, select the project and write a message. This provides the opportunity to instantly communicate with other editors, assistants, colorists or VFX specialists.