Certainly not resting on their laurels, Blackmagic Design today announced new Micro Converter 12G models, a new URSA Broadcast G2 and a URSA Studio Viewfinder G2.
The releases are below:
Blackmagic Design Announces New Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2
Next generation broadcast camera with 6K digital film sensor featuringdual gain ISO up to +36dB, H. 265 and Blackmagic RAW file formats and more!
Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2, a next generation professional broadcast camera with 6K digital film sensor that brings digital film quality to both traditional and online broadcasters. The advanced 6144 x 3456 digital film sensor provides exceptional low light performance with dual gain ISO of up to +36dB as well as 13 stops of dynamic range. Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 also includes H.265 and Blackmagic RAW file formats, Blackmagic generation 5 color science, as well as a USB-C expansion port for external disk recording, and more.
Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for AU$6,299.
The new Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is an incredibly powerful camera designed for both traditional and online broadcasters. The 3 cameras in 1 design allows it to work as a 4K production camera, a 4K studio camera or a 6K digital film camera. It’s a perfect solution for broadcasters because it uses the lenses and batteries customers already own. Customers can record to common SD cards, UHS-II cards, CFast 2.0 cards or external USB disks, using common file formats such as H.265, Apple ProRes and Blackmagic RAW. This means it’s compatible with all video software and broadcast media management systems. Customers can even change the lens mount. No other broadcast camera is so flexible.
The large 6K sensor combined with Blackmagic generation 5 color science gives customers the same imaging technology used in digital film cameras. The 6K sensor features a resolution of 6144 x 3456 so it’s flexible enough for broadcast and digital film work. When using B4 lenses, customers get a 4K window of the sensor for Ultra HD broadcast use. Then if customers change to a PL or EF lens mount, they can use the full 6K resolution of the sensor for digital film. With 13 stops of dynamic range, customers get darker blacks and brighter whites, so it’s perfect for color correction. Using digital film in broadcast is a revolution in image quality.
The new URSA Broadcast features incredible low light performance so customers can shoot using ambient light or even under moonlight. The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 features gain from -12dB (100 ISO) up to +36dB (25,600 ISO) so it’s optimized to reduce grain and noise in images, while maintaining the full dynamic range of the sensor. The gain can be set via a camera switch, the LCD menu or remotely using the SDI remote camera control protocol.
The URSA Broadcast G2 features a B4 broadcast lens mount that includes optics specifically designed to match the camera’s sensor. The B4 lens mount lets customers use modern Ultra HD lenses or lower cost HD lenses. Older HD lenses often feature resolutions well beyond HD, so customers get great quality at low cost. B4 lenses are fantastic because they are par-focal, so the image stays in focus as customers zoom in and out, so customers don’t need to constantly chase focus as they shoot. Customers also get full electronic lens control to adjust focus, iris and zoom using the camera’s controls, or remotely. Plus if customers want to use alternative lenses, they can change the mount to PL, EF and more.
URSA Broadcast G2 features high quality neutral density (ND) filters that let customers quickly reduce the amount of light entering the camera. The 1/4, 1/16th and 1/64th stop filters have been specifically designed to match the image sensor and color science of URSA Broadcast G2, providing customers with additional latitude and better colorimetry. This lets customers use different combinations of aperture and shutter angle, in a wider range of situations. The IR filters have been designed to evenly filter both optical and IR wavelengths, eliminating IR contamination. Plus the filter status on the LCD can be displayed as a fraction, number, or stop reduction.
URSA Broadcast is designed to work with standard file formats that are used by all broadcast systems and editing software. Customers can record in ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes 422 into QuickTime files. The new Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 model can even record into H.265 for incredibly small files at 60:1 to 285:1 compression ratios, in 10-bit broadcast quality. Plus customers can record to Blackmagic RAW files, a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from the camera. That means customers get the perfect range of file formats designed for all types of workflows.
With dual CFast 2.0 recorders and dual SD/UHS-II card recorders, customers can choose the media that’s best for them. Both types of media are standard, inexpensive and readily available at computer and camera stores. Plus with dual media slots, URSA Broadcast gives customers non stop recording. When a card is full, recording automatically continues onto the next card so customers can swap a full card while recording continues. Customers get enough speed to record high quality ProRes and H.265 video file formats, even when working in Ultra HD at high frame rates. That means URSA Broadcast G2 is easy to integrate into their existing broadcast systems. Customers can even record 12-bit Blackmagic RAW cinema files.
The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 features a high speed USB-C expansion port on the rear of the camera that allows customers to record to external disks or connect to a wide range of accessories. If customers plug in a large and low cost external USB flash disk, customers can record ProRes, H.265 or even high quality 12-bit Blackmagic RAW files for later editing and color correction. That means customers can just move the disk to a computer to work, and don’t need to waste time with file copying. Plus the USB port will power the disk that’s plugged in.
The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is not just a great Ultra HD camera, but it’s also an amazing HD camera too. The high resolution sensor and generation 5 color science creates amazing images with high dynamic range and wide color fidelity. But when customers need to do HD work, the camera will scale the image sensor down to 1080HD video standards. This helps customers get stories on air fast, in HD or Ultra HD video standard, anywhere in the world. Plus when working in HD, the high resolution sensor allows sub pixel image processing for superior anti-aliasing and sharp images. Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is a future proof camera that’s perfect for both HD and Ultra HD production.
URSA Broadcast G2 features an interchangeable lens mount so customers can easily swap the included B4 lens mount for an EF, PL or even F mount. URSA Broadcast G2 comes with a B4 mount already installed, plus a spare EF mount is included. That means if users are starting out customers can change the mount and use low cost photographic lenses. Photographic lenses are incredible quality because they’re designed for high resolution photography. Customers can also purchase optional PL and F mounts separately. If users are shooting for digital film, the PL mount is best as it’s the most common lens mount for cinema lenses. With URSA Broadcast G2, customers get a single camera that works with virtually all modern lenses.
Featuring the same generation 5 color science as the high end URSA Mini Pro 12K, the new URSA Broadcast G2 delivers an even greater advancement in image quality with stunning, accurate skin tones and faithful color in every shot. Customers get a new dynamic 12-bit gamma curve designed to capture more color data in the highlights and shadows, for better looking images. The color science also handles some of the complex Blackmagic RAW image processing, so color and dynamic range data from the sensor is preserved via metadata which customers can use in post production.
The optional zoom and focus demands allow customers to use photography lenses for live production. The focus and zoom demands have USB-C connections so they control the lens via the camera’s electronic lens control. Each zoom and focus demand has 2 USB-C ports, so customers can daisy chain them then connect to the camera with a single USB connection. The design has an incredibly precise feel so customers get very fine lens control, and customers can frame and adjust the lens without taking their hands off the tripod handles.
There’s a wide range of accessories that are specifically designed to work perfectly with URSA Broadcast G2. However, a shoulder mount kit, V-Lock battery plate and top handle are included so customers don’t need to purchase anything extra. Plus customers get a spare EF lens mount if they don’t own a B4 lens and would like to start out using a photography lens. Customers can add the optional Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder, or for live production, customers can add a Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder. There’s also an optional fiber converter that can power the camera from 2 km away via the single SMPTE fiber. For long duration recording, URSA Mini Recorder gives the option to record to external SSDs.
“Customers love the flexibility of the original URSA Broadcast and have been asking for a camera that also delivered the quality of digital film quality for broadcast use,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “We’ve listened and the new URSA Broadcast G2 means that customers now don’t have to choose between a broadcast focused camera design or digital film images. With URSA Broadcast G2, they get both! URSA Broadcast G2 can be used as a production camera, a studio camera or a digital film camera, so it’s really 3 cameras in 1. We think both traditional and online broadcast customers are going to really enjoy the creativity of being able to shoot Hollywood quality digital film!”
Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 Features
- Native 6K sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range.
- Up to +36dB ISO for incredible low light performance.
- USB-C port allows recording directly to external disks.
- Includes Blackmagic generation 5 color science.
- Features incredible quality Blackmagic RAW recording.
- Optional focus and zoom demands for lens control.
- Compatible with new Blackmagic URSA Mini Recorder.
- Includes full DaVinci Resolve Studio for post production.
Availability and Price
Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is available now for AU$6,299 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Blackmagic Design Announces New Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2
New lower price and super bright 2,000 nit display make it even easier to turn URSA Broadcast G2 into the ultimate live camera!
Fremont, CA, USA – Friday, November 12, 2021 – Blackmagic Design today announced a new studio viewfinder model, Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder G2, with a super bright 2,000 nit display, ideal for use in bright sunlight. The new URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 is also available at a new lower price of AU$2,365, a reduction of AU$470 which will help to make it even more affordable for customers to combine URSA Studio Viewfinder with URSA Broadcast G2 to turn it into the ultimate live production camera!
Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 is available now from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for AU$2,365.
The Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 is based on a large 7 inch display and is perfect for tripod mounted studio camera use. It totally transforms the camera into a true studio camera. The studio viewfinder also includes a large tally light and easy to access controls. It’s even fully adjustable.
The Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 mounts using a standard V-Lock mount, so it’s easy to attach it to the top of a camera. It can mount to the top of the camera body, or the top of the SMPTE fiber converter if customers have one installed on the camera. It features a bright 7″ 2,000 nit display with grip handles so it’s very easy to position it independently of the camera, even while their camera is on air. The mount allows the viewfinder to be tilted up and down and rotated sideways. Then customers can adjust the lock knobs to vary the amount of tension on the viewfinder adjustments. There’s also a metal sunshade for use when in bright outdoor locations and the sunshade can be removed quickly when not needed.
The URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 features on screen as well as separate physical controls for adjusting framing and focus features. The menu dial allows customers to scroll through menus and change settings as needed. However the most exciting controls are the 3 knobs on the right side of the viewfinder, which give customers smooth control of the LCD brightness and contrast, as well as directly adjustable focus peaking control. The focus peaking control allows customers to constantly adjust peaking to make focus easy at the zoom setting customers are using. Plus, there are 3 customizable function buttons customers can program to control features such as zebra, false color, focus peaking, luminance waveform, LUTs and more.
The back of the Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 features a large tally light that illuminates red for on-air, green for preview, and orange for ISO recording. As the director cuts between cameras on the ATEM switcher, tally information is sent back to the camera over SDI so the light is lit when the camera is on the air. Customers only need to set the correct camera number in the URSA Broadcast G2 menus. The tally light is very large so it’s easy to see when the presenter is a long distance from the camera. Plus, the Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 also includes clip-on number decals that insert into the tally light, so each camera is clearly numbered and easy for presenters to see.
The big bright tally light on the top of the viewfinder is one of the features that can be controlled over the SDI video connection. The Blackmagic SDI Control Protocol takes advantage of blanking space in the SDI data stream to add talkback, tally and other camera control information direct to the camera via the program return feed. This also works with the viewfinder as it has the same control sent to it from the camera via its SDI input. The Blackmagic control protocol is an open standard and is documented in the URSA Broadcast and ATEM switcher manual. That means anyone can create custom solutions for Blackmagic cameras, switchers and Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder.
“Customers have enjoyed the flexibility of being able to transform their URSA Broadcast into a live production camera for studio or outdoor live events, and have been asking for a brighter display particularly for use in bright sunlight,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “We have worked very hard to build this studio viewfinder at a lower cost, and we think even more people will be able to take advantage of this price reduction to move into a more advanced and much higher quality live production workflow.”
Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 Features
- Integrated V-Lock mounting plate for quick setup.
- Super bright 2,000 nit, 7” display.
- Detachable metal sunshade.
- Large grip handles and variable tension pivot points.
- Physical dials, knobs and customizable function buttons.
- Large RGB LED tally indicator with clip on perspex camera numbers.
- Connects to SDI input and power from camera, so no extra cables or power supplies needed.
- Compatible with Blackmagic SDI Control Protocol for full control of camera functions.
Availability and Price
Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder G2 is available now for AU$2,365 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Blackmagic Design Announces New Micro Converter 12G models
New family of miniaturized and affordable broadcast converters feature a new advanced design that supports all 12G-SDI formats up to 2160p60.
Blackmagic Design today announced a new family of Micro Converter 12G models that lets customers use HDMI equipment with professional SDI systems. These new models feature custom hardware developed by Blackmagic Design and include features previously only found on high end converters. Micro Converter 12G models include features such as 3D LUTs and more SD, HD and Ultra HD video formats.
Micro Converter 12G models are available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide from AU$175.
The new Blackmagic Micro Converters are incredibly tiny broadcast video converters that let customers connect between consumer HDMI and professional SDI equipment. The rugged and miniaturized design makes them small enough to be used anywhere. Customers get professional 3G-SDI or 12G-SDI connections, depending on the models, so customers can work with SD, HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60. Micro Converters use USB for power, so they can be powered directly from televisions or laptop computers. Customers can even purchase them without power supplies. Only Blackmagic Micro Converters feature custom electronics that conform to global broadcast specifications, and can be updated to new standards in the future.
The Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 12G model is perfect for monitoring in all SD, HD, 4K and Ultra HD standards up to 2160p60. It includes a 17 point 3D LUT for color calibrating monitors. Customers can also output the 3D LUT on the 12G-SDI loop output. Plus it supports DCI film rates including 4Kp24, 4Kp47.95 and 4Kp48.
The Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 12G model is perfect for connecting HDMI cameras and computers to professional SDI equipment. Customers get two 12G-SDI outputs for connecting to SD, HD or Ultra HD equipment. When working in HD it supports 3G-SDI level A and B. This model also supports film standards including 4Kp24, 4Kp47.95 and 4Kp48.
The Micro Converter BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 12G model can convert in both directions, in different standards at the same time. Customers can convert SDI to HDMI and HDMI to SDI simultaneously. Plus it supports camera control protocol conversion, so customers can use Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras with professional SDI live production switchers.
Unlike other small SDI converters, Blackmagic Micro Converters feature the highest quality broadcast technology, miniaturized into an incredibly strong metal enclosure. Each converter has the highest quality broadcast industry standard SDI and HDMI connectors. Blackmagic Micro Converters include a USB connection for power, as well as for changing settings via the converter utility on Mac and Windows. Because the USB powers the converter, customers can even power it from televisions or laptop computers. There are even LEDs for status. Customers can also buy Blackmagic Micro Converters with an AC power supply including 4 adapters for international use.
Unlike cheap converters, Blackmagic Micro Converters include the highest quality signal processing and deep bit depth video pipeline. Micro Converters have been engineered with precision electronics so customers get very low SDI jitter, allowing customers to extend SDI cables over long distances. That’s vital for live production where equipment such as cameras can be a long distance from switchers. Blackmagic Micro Converters work with both 8 and 10-bit video formats, in RGB or YUV, and in all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats, depending on the model, up to 2160p60. They even support 1080p24, 1080p47.95, 1080p48, 4Kp24, 4Kp47.95 and 4Kp48 film rates. Plus customers get fully embedded audio and timecode support.
For color accurate monitoring, some models include a 3D LUT. Customers can apply custom looks, color and gamma changes in real time for on set monitoring. Plus LUTs can also be applied to the SDI loop output, allowing customers to use the converter as a 3D LUT processor. 3D LUTs are great for allowing a low cost computer monitor or TV to be used as a color calibrated broadcast or grading monitor. 3D LUTs are included on the SDI to HDMI 3G, SDI to HDMI 12G and BiDirectional SDI/HDMI 12G models. Customers can even use DaVinci Resolve to create custom 3D LUTs. Because DaVinci Resolve can be downloaded free, it costs nothing to start creating their own library of 3D LUTs. Imagine reproducing old film stocks.
Micro Converter 12G models have everything for the latest HDR workflows. Simply connect a HDR monitor, projector or TV and customers are ready for HDR monitoring. Static metadata PQ and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) formats in the VPID are handled according to the ST2108-1, ST2084 and the ST425 standards. Micro Converter 12G models handle ST425 which defines 2 new bits in the VPID to indicate transfer characteristic of SDR, HLG or PQ. Plus the ST2108-1 standard defines how to transport HDR static or dynamic metadata over SDI. There is also support for ST2082-10 for 12G SDI as well as ST425 for 3G-SDI sources. Both Rec.2020 and Rec.709 colorspaces are supported.
Blackmagic Micro Converter 12G models add all the SDI and HD formats of the 3G models plus powerful Ultra HD and 4K formats. 12G-SDI formats include 2160p23.98, 2160p24, 2160p25, 2160p29.97, 2160p30, 2160p47.95, 2160p48, 2160p50, 2160p59.94, 2160p60, 4Kp23.98 DCI, 4Kp24 DCI, 4Kp25 DCI, 4Kp29.97 DCI, 4Kp30 DCI, 4Kp47.95 DCI, 4Kp48 DCI, 4Kp50 DCI, 4Kp59.94 DCI and 4Kp60 DCI, 4KPsF25 DCI, 4KPsF29.97 DCI and 4KPsF30 DCI. All these formats mean the Micro Converter 12G-SDI models have the film and television standards of the future so customers can move to Ultra HD whenever they want.
“Our Micro Converters are very popular and these new models are now using a custom design that runs Blackmagic OS so we can now include many more features than the old models could support because these new models are intelligent,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “We think customers will love these new models and we look forward to releasing new software updates for them as we add even more new features!”
Micro Converter 12G Features
- Extremely small design for portable operation.
- Supports upgrading software via USB connection.
- Includes 3D LUT for monitoring on SDI to HDMI model.
- Includes support for HDR via SDI and HDMI.
- Supports 12G-SDI and HDMI timecode standards.
- Features 12G-SDI technology with built in SDI re-clocking.
- Includes camera control features for Blackmagic ATEM switchers.
- Supports all video standards in NTSC, PAL, 720 HD, 1080 HD and 2160 Ultra HD.
- Models can be purchased with or without power supply.
Availability and Price
Micro Converter 12G models are available now from AU$175 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Film, Video & Virtual reality 