NAB Breaking News from Blackmagic Design
The annual National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention is the hottest ticket in the world for video-production announcements, gear reveals, and networking. If you were at NAB 2024, you may have even spotted the Connect2 team out spreading the word about our university gear-lending systems and getting a firsthand look at this year’s new and upcoming products.
Personally, I was especially thrilled to hear breaking news from one of my industry favorites—Blackmagic Design. Here’s a quick look at the key BMD updates and gear news from NAB 2024 with some special tips for university rental programs.
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New cameras
The PYXIS 6K
With the Pocket Cinema series too large for most gimbals, awkward on tripods, and lacking in customization, Blackmagic fans have long desired a “box” form-factor camera that aligns with other professional options on the market. Great news—the new PYXIS 6K is here.
The PYXIS has a 36x24mm full-frame sensor and thirteen steps of dynamic range that allow for shooting in all kinds of different lighting scenarios. It’s being offered in three different versions with L Mount, EF, and PL lens mounts.
It can utilize the handy Blackmagic Cloud via your phone, allowing you to send H.264 footage proxies anywhere in the world while you work.
Something to take into account if choosing this option as a rental—the PYXIS requires a lot of attachments that include small pieces. This fact might make the recently released 6k Full Frame Cinema Camera (that still uses the old Pocket-style body) a better option for you. Regardless, priced at only $3000, this camera is absolutely worth adding to inventory. I see the potential for students to gain real experience with building rigs off of box-style cameras, which they will most certainly need to learn later in their professional careers.
URSA Cine 12K
The newest addition to Blackmagic’s highest-tier Cinema Camera line, the URSA Cine 12K boasts sixteen stops of dynamic range, interchangeable lens mounts, a full-frame sensor, built-in ND filters, and industry-standard Lemo/Fischer connections.
This device is a phenomenal option for Advanced Film courses and students working on their Masters and beyond. Here’s what Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty had to say about the URSA Cine:
“We wanted to build our dream high-end camera that had everything we had ever wanted. Blackmagic URSA Cine is the realization of that dream with a completely new generation of image sensor, a body with industry standard features and connections, and seamless integration into high end workflows. There’s been no expense spared in designing this camera and we think it will truly revolutionize all stages of production from capture to post!”
Phrases like “dream high-end camera” and “no expense spared” might make you think this camera is going to break the bank, but at $15,000 it actually seems like a solid deal.
Worth highlighting while we’re discussing Petty, he also announced that a 17K URSA with a massive 65mm sensor is currently in production that will be able to shoot video for IMAX.
Fix it in post
DaVinci Resolve—the NLE of choice for a lot of editors and the go-to for colorists everywhere—has received a substantial update. Some of the most noteworthy new features include a defocus background blur that mimics the depth of field achieved by high-end lenses, a film look creator, IntelliTrack AI assisted stabilization, and tons of audio panning/mixing tools.
Relive the moment
Another new feature that I’m particularly interested in—instant-replay. This one might not be all that exciting for the film crowd, but it could be a gamechanger for live-production students. The company also announced a $500 replay controller that lets you cut highlights and transform them into social media posts on the fly.
Make the grade
BMD also worked with the world’s leading film colorists to create the new Micro Color Panel, a $500 piece of hardware designed specifically for the task of color grading footage in DaVinci Resolve. The device features an internal battery, “high quality trackballs and precision machined track knobs,” and a mounting slot that holds an Apple iPad (connectable via USB-C or Bluetooth).
Switch it up
4K Atem Constellation Switchers
Blackmagic Design also showcased new 1 M/E and 2 M/E Constellation switchers—basically 4K versions of the company’s previous models. While this may not be the most exciting update, I absolutely love the new ATEM Micro Panel switcher controller announced alongside these upgraded tools.
The control panel is a compact solution with a small fader (instead of a T-Bar) for manual transitions, a space-saving shift button to control a second M/E, and a large internal battery so it can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth if needed.
I plan to purchase one of these switchers and a controller so I can pair them with the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR monitor (which recently saw a $200 price cut). This will work great for backup recording—and so I can have a professional switching solution that fits inside a carry-on bag. This setup would be a great option for universities wanting to create a “switcher kit” that students can easily checkout for their live productions.
Finally, the company also announced a new version of their popular rack-mountable audio monitoring device, some converters for its 2110 IP video system, an ethernet switch suited for video production, and a new 4K studio video monitor—all of which you can check out on their website. They also announced new firmware updates for their ATEM switchers and Hyperdecks, so make sure your gear is up to date!
Get more info and support from Blackmagic on their website and if you really wanna take a deep dive, here is the link to Grant Petty’s two hour livestream showing off all the new goods himself.
About the author
Chuck Crosswhite is a graduate of The University of North Texas’s Radio, Television, and Film Program. A camera-operator at heart with over twelve years of freelance experience behind the lens, Chuck has now set his sights on covering industry issues and providing production equipment reviews. He has love for his family, well-constructed fluid head tripods, quick render times, set life, and the cinematic stylings of Roger Deakins.
