News

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES REVOLUTIONARY NEW BLACKMAGIC DUPLICATOR 4K

Now it’s possible to distribute and sell Ultra HD content direct to customers at live events!

Blackmagic Design today announced the new Blackmagic Duplicator 4K, which allows delivery of Ultra HD content to consumers by recording files onto inexpensive SD cards that can be distributed to customers the moment an event is finished. Featuring 25 built in SD card recorders, multi rate 12G-SDI connections and a realtime H.265 encoder, Blackmagic Duplicator 4K is the best way to deliver Ultra HD content that customers can actually view on their 4K televisions and Windows 10 computers today.

Blackmagic Duplicator 4K is available now for US$1,995 and will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2016 booth at #SL217.

The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K lets content creators dramatically increase revenue because it gives them a way to sell content right after a live event, while attendees are still excited about the performance before, and before they walk out the door. Now customers can sell concert videos to fans as they leave the venue, to parents after their children’s latest performance or recital, after sporting events, conferences, sales seminars and more.

The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K encodes video using H.265, which is the new standard for Ultra HD delivery, and saves files in an open file format on to standard SD cards. The built in realtime H.265 hardware encoder gives customers incredible looking Ultra HD video, even at high frame rates up to 2160p60. The H.265 video looks better than the older H.264 standard, and the files are small with data rates low so content can play back from standard SD card media. With H.265, Ultra HD content is not much larger in file size than a HD file would be in the older H.264 standard.

Featuring 25 SD card recorders miniaturized into a single rack unit, the Blackmagic Duplicator 4K uses standard, common SD cards that are readily available, super thin, inexpensive and very fast. Cards can be used for SD, HD and Ultra HD video up to 2160p60 and are compatible with Windows 10 computers. With the addition of a USB adapter, SD cards can even be plugged directly into most consumer Ultra HD televisions for immediate playback of the video.

The built in H.265 encoder is so efficient that a one hour Ultra HD program can easily fit onto a very inexpensive 8GB SD card. SD cards are also easy to label and completely re-usable so customers can reformat unsold cards and record over them again at their next event. Unlike proprietary disc based formats like Blu-Ray, customers don’t have to buy a slow and expensive player. Blackmagic Duplicator 4K is the easiest, most compatible and cost effective way to distribute Ultra HD content to consumers today.

The front panel controls are designed to make duplicating content as easy as possible and feature 6 large illuminated buttons for record, stop, lock, append, menu and remote. The lock button prevents accidental interruption of recording during an event, and the append record button seamlessly combines recordings from different parts of an event into a single file.

This revolutionary new append recording feature is perfect for events that have natural breaks, like weddings with a ceremony and reception in different locations. Append recording makes it easier for consumers to watch the final program because they only have to play back a single movie file.

The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K features advanced, multi rate 12G-SDI connections that can record all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60. For larger events, multiple duplicators can be stacked using the SDI loop thru and RS-422 deck control. This lets customers encode and duplicate to an unlimited number of SD cards in realtime. When recording is started or stopped on the first duplicator, the others automatically follow. There is also an optical fiber SFP socket for adding an optional SMPTE compatible optical fiber SDI module when working in larger venues with long distances between equipment. Adding optical fiber SDI directly into the duplicators could be very useful when duplicators are set up close to the merchandising stands away from the production area so that cards can be handed to customers for quick sale.

“Virtually all televisions sold are now Ultra HD models,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Manufacturers have moved away from regular HD and customers are buying new larger high resolution TV’s. But the problem for consumers is that there’s very little content available so they can’t take advantage of the resolution, color and detail that their new Ultra HD televisions can display. The Blackmagic Duplicator 4K is the solution to the Ultra HD delivery problem because it is an extremely affordable and convenient way to deliver Ultra HD content directly to consumers that they can play on their Ultra HD televisions today!”

BLACKMAGIC DUPLICATOR 4K KEY FEATURES

• 25 SD card recorders for simultaneously recording onto multiple cards at once.
• Realtime H.265 encoding technology which is the standard for Ultra HD.
• 12G-SDI input and loop thru output, along with RS-422 control.
• Uses open standard file formats that are compatible with computers and Ultra HD televisions.
• Records all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60.
• Record unlimited cards by daisy chaining multiple duplicators together.
• Easy to use front panel controls with lock, record, append, stop and remote buttons.
• Built in universal 110V - 240V AC power supply.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

Blackmagic Duplicator 4K is available now for US$1,995 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES BLACKMAGIC VIDEO ASSIST 4K

Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic Video Assist 4K, a portable all in one professional monitor and video recorder that can be used to add professional recording and monitoring to any SDI or HDMI camera. Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features a bright, high resolution 7 inch monitor for checking focus and framing, two high speed recorders for non-stop HD and Ultra HD recording, two extremely high quality XLR microphone inputs for professional audio recording, a built in speaker and more.

Blackmagic Video Assist 4K is available now for US$895 and will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2016 booth at #SL217.

The Blackmagic Video Assist 4K is perfect for customers that need better monitoring and higher quality recording. Older cameras often feature custom and hard to use file or tape formats, while lower cost consumer cameras often have poor quality file formats and small screens, limiting their professional use. Blackmagic Video Assist 4K solves this problem because it works with every type of camera from DSLRs to older tape based camcorders, and even the latest digital film cameras.

Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features two built in high speed UHS-II recorders that work with the latest high performance SD cards, making them fast enough to record Ultra HD video up to 2160p30 on widely available, inexpensive SD cards. Files are saved as broadcast quality 10-bit 4:2:2 video in either ProRes or DNxHD formats, making them compatible with all popular editing software, like DaVinci Resolve, so you can start editing immediately without having to transcode or convert files. Recording can be triggered to start and stop using LANC or over HDMI or SDI from the camera. With two built in recorders, customers get non-stop recording because when one card is full it automatically continues onto the next. The new high speed SD cards are compatible with existing SD card readers so they can be mounted directly on a computer for cloning and backup using the included DaVinci Resolve software.

Blackmagic Video Assist 4K is also an extremely high quality audio recorder that features two mini XLR inputs with 48V of phantom power so customers can attach external microphones. This totally eliminates the problems with auto gain controls on DLSR cameras and, with an amazing low electrical noise floor of -128dBV, the recordings are incredibly high quality and sound dramatically better than camera audio. Sound is recorded into the same file as the video, so customers don’t have to worry about AV sync between separate audio and video files!

Durable and lightweight, the Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features a bright, 7 inch high resolution 1920 x 1200 monitor and touchscreen with a wide 135º viewing angle. The extra resolution of the screen lets customers view 16:9 sources and see critical status information without covering the image. The display is also a touchscreen that lets customers use simple tap and swipe gestures to display camera information, change settings and evaluate audio and video levels. Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features an elegant heads up display overlay that lets customers keep their eyes on the shot while viewing the current input frame rate, histogram, audio meters, timecode and more.

For power, Blackmagic Video Assist 4K features two standard LP-E6 battery slots that allow hot swapping of batteries while in use, and it can be powered using the 12V DC input. The batteries are discharged serially, so only 1 is used at a time. When there’s power, the batteries are charged in parallel, which saves time when recharging.

“We’re really excited to announce Blackmagic Video Assist 4K with even more powerful features such as Ultra HD and professional audio recording,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Customers with DSLRs can use it to frame shots and record higher quality images and superior audio than ever before. Broadcasters can use it to add modern, file based recording to older cameras, and high-end filmmakers can record files for editorial while simultaneously recording RAW files on their camera. The Blackmagic Video Assist 4K is the ultimate all in one monitoring and recording solution for customers that want to shoot better video with any type of camera!”

BLACKMAGIC VIDEO ASSIST 4K KEY FEATURES

• 7 inch LCD touch screen with 1920 x 1200 high resolution monitor.
• Professional 10-bit 4:2:2 HD ProRes or DNxHD recording.
• Dual high speed UHS-II SDHC card recorders use readily available, inexpensive SD card media.
• Dual recorders allow non-stop recording and provide a backup if one fails.
• 2 mini XLR connectors with 48V phantom power for connecting microphones.
• -128dBV electrical noise floor for high quality audio recording.
• LANC connection for remote control.
• Auto start/stop recording using HDMI or SDI triggers.
• Includes slots for 2 hot pluggable batteries as well as 12V DC power input.
• Full compatibility with editing software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Avid and Premier Pro.
• All in one design, mount to cameras, hold in your hand or set up on a table with the included kickstand.
• Includes 6G-SDI input allowing it to be used as an Ultra HD monitor.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

Blackmagic Video Assist 4K is available now for US$895 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES NEW BLACKMAGIC MULTIVIEW 4

Monitor 4 completely independent SD, HD or Ultra HD SDI video sources on a single display!

Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic MultiView 4, a new multi viewer that lets customers monitor 4 completely independent SDI video sources on a single display. Customers can monitor any combination of SD, HD and Ultra HD formats and frame rates all at the same time. Blackmagic MultiView 4 can output to regular HD monitors, however when customers plug in an Ultra HD display, they will get four times the resolution of a simple HD only multi viewer.

Blackmagic MultiView 4 is now available for US$495 and will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2016 booth at #SL217.

Blackmagic MultiView 4 includes four completely independent multi rate 6G-SDI inputs with separate loop through outputs that are compatible with existing SD, HD and Ultra HD equipment up to 2160p30. All inputs feature automatic frame re-synchronization, so customers can mix and match any combination of video standards and frame rates, including referenced or non-referenced NTSC, PAL, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and Ultra HD up to 2160p30, all on the same display all at the same time.

Customers can output to either regular 1080 HD or high resolution 2160p Ultra HD screens. Because Ultra HD runs at 3840 x 2160, which is four times the resolution of regular 1080 HD, the images are extremely sharp. This means when customers use it with an Ultra HD monitor, they get 4 full resolution 1080 HD views all at the same time on the same monitor, with each view being full resolution HD with no scaling. When this feature is used with very large screen consumer televisions, extremely high quality master control monitoring systems can be built at very low cost.

Blackmagic MultiView 4 is the perfect solution for live production, on set, in control rooms, or any place where space is tight and customers don’t have room for extra monitors. Customers no longer have to connect multiple monitors, dozens of cables or run extra power. They simply plug in cameras, decks, switchers, routers and feeds into the SDI connections on Blackmagic MultiView 4 and can see everything with amazing clarity and detail on a single HD or Ultra HD display.

Designed to be plug and play, customers can simply connect sources and instantly see a standard 2x2 layout on an HD or Ultra HD television. Using the included Ethernet remote control software, customers can turn on audio meters, choose which audio to output, as well as create custom labels, and more. Blackmagic MultiView 4 is also compatible with the optional Teranex Mini Smart Panel for customers that need to add front panel controls. For the ultimate in broadcast reliability and redundancy, you can even power MultiView 4 via the AC connection as well as power over Ethernet.

Blackmagic MultiView 4 is designed using the same compact, elegant enclosure as Blackmagic Design’s Teranex Mini converters so they are small enough to be used in fly away cases, outside broadcast vehicles, housed in equipment racks or even sitting on a desktop. They are only one third of a single rack space wide, so customers can mount them on the optional Teranex Mini Rack Shelf side by side with additional MultiView 4 or Teranex Mini products.

“The new Blackmagic MultiView 4 is exciting because it’s like having 4 completely independent HD broadcast monitors on a single display,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Even facilities that aren’t working in Ultra HD yet can take advantage of the increased resolution and clarity when using an Ultra HD display to monitor regular HD sources. They get four times the resolution and four times the clarity of an older style HD only multi viewer! The extra resolution is really important on live productions where you’re monitoring camera feeds and need to check focus. Customers also get the ability to view mixed video formats with different frame rates at the same time on a single screen, and the quality is amazing!”

BLACKMAGIC MULTIVIEW 4 KEY FEATURES

• Advanced multi view allows the use of Ultra HD television for twice the image sharpness.
• Display up to 4 SDI sources on a single HD or Ultra HD display via SDI or HDMI.
• 4 multi rate 6G-SDI inputs with loop through outputs.
• Compatible with all SD, HD and Ultra HD equipment and formats up to 2160p30.
• Automatic frame re-sync allows simultaneous display of mixed SD, HD and Ultra HD formats.
• Standard quad split view.
• Supported output resolutions: 1920 x 1080 and 3840 x 2160.
• Compact portable ⅓ width 1RU design with professional connections for easy installation.
• Built in 90V - 240V AC international power supply for use anywhere in the world.
• Remote control via Ethernet using the included Mac and Windows software.
• Supports power over Ethernet (PoE+) which can also be used as a backup power source.
• Blackmagic MultiView 4 can be looped for customized display arrangements.
• Supports optional Teranex Smart Panel that adds push buttons and built in LCD monitor.
• Supports optional Teranex Mini Rack Shelf for installation into equipment racks.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

MultiView 4 is available now from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for US$495.

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES MAJOR NEW OPERATING SYSTEM AND USER INTERFACE FOR URSA MINI

New URSA Mini camera OS adds new UI, dozens of features and improves camera performance!

Blackmagic Design today announced a major new camera operating system for its URSA Mini cameras. This new camera OS features an incredible new user interface along with dozens of new features and will be available later this year free of charge for all URSA Mini customers.

The new Blackmagic URSA Mini camera OS beta will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2016 booth at #SL217.

The new URSA Mini camera OS is not just an upgrade, it’s a total rewrite from the ground up. The new OS has been specifically designed for the high performance processing architecture of URSA Mini and delivers a much more responsive experience, along with an entirely new user interface that makes using URSA Mini faster and more intuitive than ever before.

The first things customers will notice is the incredible new user interface and heads up display which dramatically reduces the number of menus and submenus needed to find specific settings and commands. Customers can now quickly change settings such as ISO, white balance, shutter angle, iris, frame rate, frame guides and more without ever having to navigate through any menus.

In addition, there are now custom white balance and white balance presets, along with tint control settings. Customers also get more accurate shutter angle selection, including a large easy to use on screen keyboard for easy entry of settings. When entering the shutter angle, the new URSA Mini camera OS will even offer smart flicker free shutter angle suggestions to assist the camera operator.

Entering metadata on cameras has always been tedious. The new URSA Mini camera OS solves the problem of tedious metadata entry by giving customers an entirely new metadata entry page with predictive entry suggestions and a preloaded dictionary of commonly used terms that can be applied as metadata tags with a simple tap. For example, if you stop and start the camera, the take will automatically increment. If you increase the scene number, shot and take, it will automatically reset to 1.

The new URSA Mini camera OS adds 1.33x and 2x anamorphic de-squeeze previews, along with the ability to double tap so customers can pan and zoom around the preview on the built in display. Customers can now import and store external 3D LUTs and apply the LUT to the LCD, front and main SDI outputs independently. They can also load and save their own presets for different shooting setups or different operators.

In addition, customers can now assign shortcuts to camera function keys, toggle between peaking and color focus assist, see new percentage based safe area guides and have the ability to toggle SDI overlays with information specifically geared toward either the cinematographer or the director viewing at video village.

“Customers love their URSA Mini cameras and are shooting some incredible footage with them,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “The new Blackmagic URSA Mini camera OS is so exciting because it gives us a platform to build on for the future. There is a lot of extra power in the URSA Mini design that we have only just started to unlock, and until now this power has been hidden. The new URSA Mini operating system is going to let us build more of the features customers need even faster than before. Once you use it, it’s like getting a whole new camera for free!”

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

The Blackmagic URSA Mini camera OS will be available later this year as a free update for all Blackmagic URSA Mini customers.

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES NEW BLACKMAGIC URSA STUDIO VIEWFINDER

Turn URSA Mini into the ultimate professional studio camera with a 7 inch studio viewfinder!

Blackmagic Design today announced the new Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder, a high resolution 7” studio viewfinder with variable tension mounting points, tally, external controls and more that turns Blackmagic URSA Mini into a true professional studio camera.

Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2016 booth at #SL217.

The Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder features a large 7” high resolution screen and is perfect for camera operators working on live events at which they need to stand behind the camera and capture the action for hours on end. The all metal design is durable and features the highest quality variable tension mounting points available, as well as an articulated arm so the viewfinder can be raised, lowered, moved forward and backward. These mounting points can be set for the perfect amount of resistance so that customers can pan and tilt the viewfinder to whatever position they need.

This means camera operators can use the large viewfinder handles to move the camera completely independently of the viewfinder itself. This gives camera operators the ability to look directly into the viewfinder while the camera moves to follow the action.

The large RGB tally light on the rear of the monitor lights up red when the camera is on-air and orange for ISO recording. In addition, it includes customizable clip-on numbers that can be inserted for easy camera identification from up to 20 feet away.

When shooting a live event, it’s important to have physical buttons to quickly adjust settings on the fly. The Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder features a physical dial, knobs and three customizable function buttons that let camera operators quickly adjust brightness, contrast, and peaking without having to hunt through menus while live on air. The customizable function buttons can be used for zoom, false color, edge focus detection, loading 3D LUTs and more.

The Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder displays frame guides that can show the location of a lower third, graphic, logo or ticker so camera operators can accurately compose and frame shots. In addition to viewing the built in camera HDTV, 4:3, 2.4:1, 2.39:1, 1.85:1 and thirds frame guides, customers can also create up to three black or white custom cursors that can have variable height, width and position, making it easy to match the location for all the graphics that will be added live or during later broadcast. Frame guides are an essential function for every viewfinder, especially during live production where graphics and other elements are going to be keyed downstream.

When attached to URSA Mini, the camera sends information via the SDI connection to the viewfinder so customers can see the critical information they need such as recording status, camera settings, battery life and more while shooting.

The design of the Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder makes it familiar and easy to use for anyone that’s worked with other traditional studio cameras before, as the layout of the controls follows a familiar industry layout. The base of the viewfinder also features a standard V-lock bracket for mounting and detaching the monitor to the URSA Mini handle so it can be quickly set up and repositioned in seconds. This is especially important for camera operators at live events where they might need to set up the camera quickly or when they might want to quickly remove the viewfinder because the camera is going to be used with a shoulder mount.

Also available today is Camera Update 3.2, which is a free software update for URSA Mini that turns it into a true professional studio camera. The update enables features such as talkback, tally, camera control, color balancing, lens control and more from ATEM switchers. The update also lets customers set the camera ID, reference timing, and SDI output options that also make URSA Mini compatible with any live production switcher. In addition, customers can also use the headphone connection on URSA Mini for talkback communication with the director.

When combined with the URSA Studio Viewfinder, URSA Mini becomes the world's most advanced Ultra HD live production camera. Unlike traditional studio cameras, which use older video technology, URSA Mini is a true digital film camera combined with a DaVinci Resolve YRGB primary color corrector and full broadcast studio camera features. That means customers get a new generation in image quality with incredible texture, detail, color and dynamic range that are far superior to standard broadcast cameras. There's also a B4 lens mount available that lets customers use their existing broadcast HD lenses with full lens control on URSA Mini PL.

“The new Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder and the new Camera Update 3.2 software update turns Blackmagic Design’s URSA Mini cameras into a fully professional studio cameras that are better quality than traditional video based studio cameras but are also fully designed for an Ultra HD future,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “The URSA Studio Viewfinder is designed to make it comfortable for camera operators to work on long events. Now broadcasters can get the same kind of amazing digital film quality that they can now use on live events that previously only Hollywood feature films has had access to!”

BLACKMAGIC URSA STUDIO VIEWFINDER FEATURES

• Super bright 7” high resolution viewfinder with detachable sunshade.
• Large handles and variable tension articulated pivot points to adjust viewfinder position.
• Tactile physical dials, knobs and customizable function buttons for quickly adjusting settings.
• Large RGB LED tally indicator with clip on perspex camera numbers for easy camera identification.
• Integrated V-Lock mounting plate for quick setup and attaching to the URSA Mini top handle.
• Connects to SDI input and power from camera, so no extra cables or power supplies needed.
• Compatible with Blackmagic Video Device Embedded Control Protocol for full control of camera functions such as talkback, tally, color correction, image detail, gains, all lens functions and much more.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

Blackmagic URSA Studio Viewfinder will be available in Q3 for US$1,795, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN INTRODUCES NEW BLACKMAGIC MICRO CONVERTERS

Introducing the world’s smallest broadcast quality video converters!

Blackmagic Design today introduced Blackmagic Micro Converter SDI to HDMI and Blackmagic Micro Converter HDMI to SDI, two new super small, pocket size broadcast quality video converters. Both models are available immediately for only US$85 each.

Blackmagic Micro Converters are available now and will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2016 booth at #SL217.

The Blackmagic Micro Converter SDI to HDMI converts signals from professional broadcast equipment such as cameras, decks, switchers and routers, and converts it into HDMI so customers can monitor video using big screen televisions and projectors. The Blackmagic Micro Converter HDMI to SDI model lets customers connect their HDMI equipment, such as laptop computers, gaming consoles and consumer video cameras, to professional broadcast equipment.

Both models feature full size HDMI and professional 3G-SDI connections for working with all SD and HD formats up to 1080p60. Unlike other small video converters, Blackmagic Micro Converters feature the highest quality broadcast technology, miniaturized into a proper metal enclosure. Customers get the same broadcast quality 10-bit video processing found in full size converters. In addition, Blackmagic Micro Converters also have SDI re-clocking on the 3G-SDI input which regenerates the SDI video input, reduces SDI jitter and improves SDI eye pattern before the signal is processed. This allows longer cable lengths and makes them incredibly reliable for use in professional broadcast.

Blackmagic Micro Converters are powered via the same micro USB connection that’s used on smartphones so customers can use the included DC plug pack, any USB device, or even a smartphone charger to power the converters. The included external power supply supports 110 to 240V AC and comes with 4 different AC socket adapters so customers can plug them into outlets anywhere in the world. That means they can be run from the external power supply, or even over USB from things such as big screen televisions or laptop computers if there are no AC wall outlets available.

“The new Blackmagic Micro Converters are exciting because they give customers full 10-bit broadcast quality video processing in an incredibly small design they can take anywhere,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “There’s never been a converter this good, this small and this affordable! Customers are going to use them in studios on broadcast news, at live events, hidden on set, with digital signs, in corporate or hotel AV setups and everywhere in between!”

Blackmagic Micro Converters are part of a large family of professional broadcast converters that include even more advanced models with a massively increased range of features. This range includes 3G, 6G and 12G-SDI models that are compatible with SD, HD and Ultra HD all the way up to high frame rate 2160p60. Blackmagic Mini Converters and Teranex Mini converters feature support for a wide range of connections such as balanced analog and AES/EBU audio, redundant inputs, analog video, optical fiber and more.

BLACKMAGIC MICRO CONVERTER KEY FEATURES

• Available in SDI to HDMI model or HDMI to SDI model.
• Full size HDMI and 3G-SDI connections for working with all SD and HD formats up to 1080p60.
• Durable metal enclosure designed to be rugged enough to use anywhere.
• Professional Blackmagic Design broadcast quality 10-bit video processing.
• SDI re-clocking on 3G-SDI input to reduce SDI jitter and improve SDI eye pattern.
• Power via micro USB connection from devices such as laptop computers, phone chargers, and televisions, or via the included DC plug pack with external 110V - 240V AC power supply.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

Blackmagic Micro Converters are available now for US$85 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES ULTRASTUDIO 4K EXTREME 3

The world’s most advanced capture and playback solution now with 40Gb/s Thunderbolt 3 technology.

Blackmagic Design today announced UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3, the world’s most advanced Thunderbolt video capture and playback solution.

Featuring the latest 40Gb/s Thunderbolt 3 technology, UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 has a wide range of digital and analog connections and is designed to work with virtually all formats ranging from SD and HD all the way up to Ultra HD and digital cinema. Thunderbolt 3 performance allows customers to work with the highest quality 12-bit RGB and highest frame rate video, including stereoscopic 3D and DCI 4K, making it perfect for high end feature film, television and commercial work. UltraStudio 4K Extreme features a hardware codec that can encode in real time into the new H.265 format.

UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 will be available in May for US$2,995 and will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2016 booth at #SL217.

UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 uses the new Thunderbolt 3 connection for transferring data to the host computer at up to 40Gb/s. That means customers using the latest desktop workstations and laptop computers can now work with extremely high end video from anywhere using a single, thin Thunderbolt 3 cable.

Featuring advanced 12G-SDI technology, UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 can capture and playback video from the latest high frame rate Ultra HD and 4K devices up to 2160p60 over a single, standard BNC cable. UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 supports virtually every SD, HD, Ultra HD and 4K format and frame rate, in both YUV and RGB color, making it the ultimate capture and playback device for editing and color correction.

UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 also includes a built in multi format hardware codec that allows capturing video directly to H.265 files, which is the new compression standard for distributing Ultra HD content online. The demand for content encoded in the H.265 format will become higher as customers demand high quality Ultra HD content for the latest televisions they are purchasing today. This means UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 is the perfect solution for real time encoding of Ultra HD for online distribution of content.

Designed to be used on a desktop, or installed into equipment racks, UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 features an attractive, machined aluminum front panel with an integrated color display and buttons for quickly selecting input sources for video, audio, timecode and deck control. The rear panel includes virtually every type of video and audio connection that exists, including 12G-SDI, HDMI 2.0, analog component and composite video, balanced XLR and AES/EBU digital audio, as well as expansion cages for optical fiber SDI connections, RS-422 deck control inputs, dual power supplies and more.

Customers will be able to capture and playback Ultra HD in YUV at 60 frames per second as well as Ultra HD and 4K RGB video at 60 frames per second via the advanced 12G-SDI video connections. The Thunderbolt loop thru allows connection of up to 6 devices, so customers can connect fast disk arrays for massive amounts of video storage with a single Thunderbolt connection to their computer.

UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 handles virtually every television format, making it the ideal solution for all post production and broadcast users working on high end design, editing, paint, color correction and visual effects projects. UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 is also perfect for 3D workflows because it features both interleaved/side by side and dual stream capture and playback. Interleaved 3D allows the left and right eye to be interleaved as fields into a single video connection and file, so customers can use edit and finishing software such as DaVinci Resolve.

“The addition of Thunderbolt 3 with its amazing 40Gb/s speed makes it possible for customers to edit and color correct with higher end, higher quality video formats than ever before,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “This is the most powerful and versatile capture and playback device we’ve ever made because it connects to virtually all analog or SDI equipment, is incredibly fast, has a built-in hardware codec, and lets customers work at higher resolutions and frame rates with popular editing and color correction software like DaVinci Resolve 12.5!”

ULTRASTUDIO 4K EXTREME 3 KEY FEATURES

• Supports 4K 60p capture and playback using 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connections.
• Built in high performance hardware codec for H.265 encoding.
• Supports 12-bit 4:4:4 RGB 4K for high end color correction and VFX.
• 3D capture and playback via SDI and HDMI.
• Analog Component and dedicated NTSC/PAL in and out.
• 4 channel balanced analog audio in and out. Additional RCA HiFi audio in.
• 2 channel AES/EBU unbalanced audio in and out.
• Professional Mic input with phantom power selector and full input gain control.
• Timecode in and out on XLR connectors.
• Genlock/tri-sync input & output.
• 2 x Sony compatible RS-422 deck control.
• Includes hardware down conversion of Ultra HD to HD on playback.
• Includes hardware SD and HD keying.
• Connects with both Thunderbolt 3 and PCIe
• Includes free DaVinci Resolve software.
• Includes free developer SDK
• Elegant 2 rack unit design, with removable ears so it can be used in a rack or sit on a desk.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

UltraStudio 4K Extreme Thunderbolt 3 will be available in May for US$2,995 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES NEW DECKLINK DUO 2 PCIE CAPTURE AND PLAYBACK CARD

Blackmagic Design today announced DeckLink Duo 2, a new high performance capture and playback solution with 4 independent channels that can be assigned to either record or playback in any combination, all on a single plug in PCI Express card. Designed for developers and OEMs, DeckLink Duo 2 is the ideal solution for media play-out servers, multi screen digital signage servers, real time processors and more. DeckLink Duo 2 is available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for US$495.

DeckLink Duo 2 is available now and will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2016 booth at #SL217.

This new model of DeckLink Duo 2 features 4 independent 3G-SDI connections so it can now work in high HD frame rates and it supports SDI formats in SD and HD up to 1080p60. Each SDI connection is completely independent, meaning that each of the 4 connections can input or output entirely different video standards and content streams, all at the same time. DeckLink Duo 2 can also capture and playback at the same time, and also includes a reference connection for black burst/tri-sync. Developers can use the SDK to configure the four SDI connections to be any combination of inputs and outputs.

Featuring high performance 4 lane Generation 2 PCI Express, DeckLink Duo 2 takes up only one single PCI slot in the computer, which makes it the perfect solution for system integrators and developers that need completely customizable, flexible I/O configurations on a single card. DeckLink Duo 2 appears as 4 independent SDI cards to the host computer, even though it only uses a single PCI Express slot and is ideal for use in servers that need to handle multiple video streams for both simultaneous capture and playback.

“Developers building playback servers have been asking us for ways to reduce equipment size,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “The new DeckLink Duo 2 is exciting because it’s like getting 4 independent SDI capture and playback cards in one! Best of all, the new SDK lets OEMs and developers control each SDI connection independently for incredible flexibility. This means customers can have any combination of inputs or outputs and for example they could have 4 inputs or 4 outputs or 1 input with 3 outputs or simply 2 inputs and 2 outputs. It’s really their choice and they can use the one card even when the systems they are building could vary from customer to customer.”

AVAILABILITY AND PRICE

The new DeckLink Duo 2 is available now for US$495 from all Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.