Blackmagic URSA Broadcast: extremely affordable 4K 2/3" camera
[00:22 Fri,2.February 2018 by Thomas Richter]
Blackmagic Design has just launched a new professional broadcast camera for studio and live production (HD and Ultra HD): the Blackmagic URSA Broadcast. As the biggest difference to the normal URSA, the broadcast-typical B4 mount and the 2/3" size of the 4K sensor immediately catch the eye, while the price is again extremely low compared to the broadcast competition -- 3,695 Euro. Once again a sensation for the range of functions offered. The URSA Broadcast also records 1080i and 2160p video as popular. mov files on inexpensive, regular SD, UHS II and CFast cards - optionally also on SSD.
The industry-standard controls include an external on/off switch; an ND filter wheel; ISO, shutter, white balance, and audio gain controls; lens control and transport buttons; a high frame rate button; and more. Each individual control element of the camera is duplicated for redundancy purposes, including power supply. In the event of a breakdown, the camera can still be used.
Blackmagic URSA Broadcast
Equipped with an aluminum alloy housing, the URSA Broadcast has a new Extended Video mode that produces broadcast-ready colors and skin tones without post-processing (for news, live sports, studio talk shows, etc.) as well as true ND filters with IR compensation (1/4,1/16 and 1/64) inside the camera.
The codecs DNx145, DNx220X or ProRes are recorded in 10 bit incl. metadata, so that video does not have to be copied or transcoded. Alternatively, the recording of CinemaDNG-RAW files in 12 bits is possible. The following codecs are also supported: DNxHD 220X, DNxHD 145, Apple ProRes 4444 XQ QuickTime, ProRes 4444 QuickTime, ProRes 422 HQ QuickTime, ProRes 422 QuickTime, ProRes 422 LT QuickTime and ProRes 422 Proxy QuickTime, CinemaDNG RAW, CinemaDNG RAW 3:1 and CinemaDNG RAW 4:1. A future update will also allow the recording of. mxf files. The video is recorded using the integrated dual CFast-2.0 and dual SD/UHS-II card recorders.
Using the electronic B4 lens control, you can adjust focus, aperture and zoom using the camera's control elements. If necessary, the B4 mount can be exchanged for an EF, F or PL mount.
An LCD status display shows relevant rotation information (time code, shutter and lens settings, battery and recording status, and audio level) plus a 4" fold-out touch screen to assess settings without the need for an extra on-set monitor.
Blackmagic URSA Broadcast
The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast provides multi-rate 12G SDI connections for video output and program feed return inputs. Both connectors automatically change their speed to work with all HD and Ultra-HD formats up to 2160p/60 over a single cable. In addition, URSA Broadcast features HD-SDI monitoring outputs, two LANC inputs, balanced phantom-powered XLR audio connectors, and a timecode and reference input. A 12-pin Hirose connector allows analogue and digital control of broadcast lenses as well as power supply and control of SD, HD and Ultra-HD lenses. The also available 4-pin XLR 12 V DC XLR connector and HD-SDI monitor output can be used for Blackmagic viewfinders or third-party viewfinders. Sound can also be recorded over the camera's stereo microphone.
The new URSA can be configured as a broadcast camera (using the Shoulder Mount Kits, the URSA Viewfinder, the URSA Mini Mic Mounts or the URSA VLock Battery Plate) or as a studio camera (URSA Stiudio 7" Viewfinder) via the accessories offered by Blackmagic. For the latter purpose, special accessories such as the Blackmagic Camera Fiber Converter and the Blackmagic Studio Fiber Converter, which can be docked to the camera, were also presented. The Blackmagic Camera Fiber Converter and the Blackmagic Studio Fiber Converter can be used to connect cameras up to 2km away. Using the new ATEM Camera Control Panel, customers can put together a complete network of cameras for broadcasting purposes.
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