Blackmagic Design just announced a new ATEM Mini Pro and new firmware updates for both Hyperdeck Studio Mini and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema cameras. The new ATEM Mini Pro adds a new hardware streaming engine via Ethernet, recording to USB flash disks and new multiview for monitoring all cameras. Hyperdeck Studio Mini gets a new v7.1 free software update which adds new H.264 codec, new AAC audio, codec, longer single file record durations and faster file transfers using Ethernet. Blackmagic Camera 6.9 update adds studio camera features such as remote control, tally and DaVinci color corrector to Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. New ATEM Mini Pro. Source: Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro ATEM Mini made it easy to create multi-camera productions for live streaming to YouTube and innovative business presentations using Skype or Zoom. It offers up to 4 video camera inputs for dramatically better quality images. ATEM Mini also has a USB port that works like a webcam so customers can use any streaming software. Blackmagic Design today announced new ATEM Mini Pro, which should be a new affordable live production switcher with all the features of ATEM Mini but now with extra features for recording, streaming and monitoring. ATEM Mini Pro includes a new hardware streaming engine to allow direct streaming via its Ethernet connection to YouTube Live, Facebook and Twitch. New ATEM Mini Pro versus ATEM Mini. Source: Blackmagic Design There is also support for recording the stream direct to USB flash disks in H.264 with AAC audio, plus support for recording to multiple disks for continuous recording. The new model also includes a multiview on the HDMI video output that allows all inputs to be monitored on a single monitor, as well as the live status of recording, streaming and the audio mixer. Each of the 4 HDMI inputs features their own dedicated standards converter. That means ATEM Mini will automatically convert 1080p, 1080i and 720p sources to the video standard of the switcher. The HDMI output is a true “aux” output so customers can clean switch each HDMI input or program to this output. If users are using program/preview switching, the HDMI out can be selected to preview, or on the ATEM Mini Pro model, it can be selected to display a full multiview. New ATEM Mini Pro. Source: Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K models can work as studio cameras with control sent via the HDMI connection to ATEM Mini. That means customers can control the camera settings as well as the camera’s color corrector from ATEM Software Control. There are two types of control interface, CCU layout for traditional tint color control and a DaVinci color corrector interface allowing the camera’s built-in DaVinci color corrector to add “looks” to their live production. New BMPCC Update for live productions. Source: Blackmagic Design The most important features of the ATEM Mini Pro: Features miniaturized control panel based design. Supports connecting up to 4 cameras or computers. USB output operates as a webcam and supports all video software. Live streaming via Ethernet supported on ATEM Mini Pro. Recording to USB flash disks in H.264 supported on ATEM Mini Pro. Two stereo audio inputs for connecting desktop or lapel microphones. Automatically standards converts and re-syncs all HDMI inputs. Includes free ATEM Software Control for Mac and Windows. Internal media for 20 RGBA graphics for titles, opening plates and logos. Includes ATEM Advanced Chroma Key for green/blue screen work. Multiview allows monitoring of all cameras on ATEM Mini Pro. Audio mixer supports limiter, compressor, 6 bands EQ and more. Supports remote HDMI control with Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras. HyperDeck Studio Mini – Update V7.1 HyperDeck Studio Mini is a compact broadcast deck that is capable of H.264, ProRes or DNx codecs recorded to SD or UHS-II card media in either QuickTime or MXF file formats. HyperDeck Studio Mini has features such as 6G-SDI for all formats up to 2160p30, HDMI for monitoring, dual SD card slots for non-stop recording and built-in sync generator that lets customers daisy chain and synchronize multiple decks together. New Hyperdeck Studio Mini Update. Source: Blackmagic Design The Hyperdeck Studio Mini now gets a new free firmware update version 7.1. It adds multiple new features to HyperDeck Studio Mini broadcast recorders. The new updates include a new H.264 codec that supports true interlaced HD formats, a new AAC audio codec allowing uploading files direct to YouTube, much faster Ethernet transfers of 110 MB/s and support for longer duration in a single file of at least 3 hours. HyperDeck Studio Mini V7.1 Features: Longer single file record times of at least 3 hours. New H.264 codec with interlaced video support. New AAC audio codec allows H.264 file uploads direct to YouTube. Dramatically faster Ethernet file transfers up to 110 MB/s. Supports QuickTime and MXF file wrappers. Blackmagic Camera Update 6.9 New software update 6.9 for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K models includes studio camera features. Now customers can connect to an ATEM Mini switcher and get control of the camera parameters, lens, and tally light. ATEM Mini can control up to 4 cameras via the HDMI video connection and ensure all cameras are matched for a professional live studio workflow. New BMPCC Update. Source: Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Camera Update 6.9 features: Works as a studio camera when connected to ATEM Mini. Designed from carbon fiber polycarbonate composite. Wide 13 stops of dynamic range for the film looks. Up to 25600 ISO for incredible low light performance. Features high-quality Blackmagic RAW recording. Built-in 5″ touchscreen allows accurate focus when shooting 6K. Blackmagic OS as used in URSA Mini and URSA Broadcast cameras. Supports remote tally, lens and color corrector with ATEM Mini. Pricing and Availability ATEM Mini Pro is available now for $595. Both HyperDeck Studio Mini v7.1 and Blackmagic Camera Update 6.9 are free updates and they are available now for download from the Blackmagic Design website. What do you think of the new Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro and the new software updates? Are you doing live productions often? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

SIGMA has just announced its 2020 firmware update schedule for the tiny full-frame mirrorless camera: the SIGMA fp. Firmware update Ver.2.00 will be released this summer with the addition of CinemaDNG playback, cinemagraph functionality, and movie recording with the Director’s Viewfinder. Let’s take a closer look! Image credit: SIGMA SIGMA fp – A Continuous Improvement The SIGMA fp is out in the field for nearly six months now. The least we can say is that the compact and lightweight full-frame mirrorless camera from SIGMA offers an incredible amount of features for the price. For example, you can shoot in CinemaDNG RAW internally onto SD cards, and the low-light performances of the fp are outstanding. If you have not seen it already, you can take a look at our in-depth review here, and the video is just below. During Inter BEE 2019, we’ve been told by SIGMA that a couple of firmware updates were coming in 2020. These firmware updates should bring new video features, such as in-camera playback of cinemaDNG footage, and something that a lot of shooters are waiting for: a LOG picture profile and RAW output video recording via HDMI. Now, fast forward to today, SIGMA has announced its SIGMA fp 2020 firmware update schedule. SIGMA fp 2020 Firmware Update Schedule First, SIGMA will release a new firmware update Ver.1.02 on Wednesday, 18th of March 2020. This update corrects memory card errors when using certain SD cards, and introduces added lens aberration correction processing. During summer 2020, firmware update Ver.2.00 will come out. Here is a shortlist of all the features it will bring to the SIGMA fp: Supports CinemaDNG 120/100fps (FHD 8bit) shooting. Supports cinemagraph functionality. Cinemagraphs are still photographs in which a minor and repeated movement occurs, forming a video clip. Supports still image shooting during live view and movie shooting in Cine mode. Addition of HDR shooting capabilities. Supports Director’s Viewfinder recording function. Supports SDK (Software Development Kit). While these new features are much welcome, it’s surprising that there is no mention of the promised LOG picture profile and RAW output video recording via HDMI. We hope that these two missing features – or at least the LOG picture profile – will come soon. Indeed, a LOG picture profile can transform the fp from a great camera to a more flexible film-making tool for independent filmmakers. What do you think of this 2020 firmware update schedule for the SIGMA fp? What feature are you eagerly waiting for? Are you using the fp camera for your projects? Let us know in the comments below!

Canon has released a firmware update for their new EOS C500 Mark II. Firmware Version v1.0.1.1 – nothing fancy, just a couple of bug fixes.   Below are the listed revisions for firmware update v1.0.1.1: Remote A terminal and Remote B terminal can be used simultaneously Sensor mode information can be displayed Fixes a phenomenon in which, under specific conditions, high-brightness areas may appear tinted Fixes a phenomenon where the [C. Temp. Increment] setting cannot be changed Fixes a phenomenon where the SSID (stealth) setting cannot be made in a Wi-Fi connection Fixes the metadata to be recognized color profile correctly in some editing software. The update can be done by the user via the cameras SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot. Details and download available on the Canon website here. We currently have the Canon C500 Mark II in our Test Lab and will release the results of our dynamic range and rolling shutter tests of the camera as soon as possible. Here’s our a preliminary C500 Mark II low-light test and 6K RAW clip for download, in case you missed it. We also hosted a panel discussion with Philip Bloom and Hans von Sonntag about “Canon C500 Mark II vs. Sony FX9” in November, you can watch it here. Are you in the market for a Canon C500 Mark II? The camera has created quite a stir … in case you missed it, watch our first impressions on the day of the announcement a few months ago here.

Blackmagic Design just released the new Camera V6.8 firmware update for both Pocket 4K and 6K cameras. The new firmware improves camera stratup times and USB PTP control performance, and it fixes the issue with slow mounting of media containing large number of clips. Further, it fixes the issue with EF lens stabilization for the Pocket 6K camera. Blackmagic Design Camera v6.8 for BMPCC 4K and 6K released. Image credit: cinema5D Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K both offer very nice image quality for the price. Although the cameras do have some shortcommings, which often need to be adressed by third party solutions (powering, media, etc.), they have gotten quite popular among filmmakers. To know more about these cameras, or to refresh some features and specs, make sure to check one of our older articles: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Hands-On Review BMPCC 6K Review & Footage – Five Reasons to Like the Pocket 6K Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Lab Test – Dynamic Range, Latitude, Rolling Shutter & More BMPCC 6K vs. BMPCC 4K – Which one is for you? Back in October 2019, Blackmagic Design has released Camera V6.6 firmware update, which brought some new recording modes, improved autofocus, and brought some more fixes. Now, they release the next update Camera V6.8. Blackmagic Design Camera V6.8 Firmware Update As Blackmagic Design published in their post today, the Camera V6.8 update is now live on their Support Center Website. Blackmagic Design Camera v6.8 for BMPCC 4K and 6K released. Image credit: BMD/cinema5D New features for Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: Improved camera startup time. Improved USB PTP control performance. Increased 4K 2.40:1 recording height from 1712 to 1720. Fixed issue with slow mounting of media containing large number of clips. New features for Pocket Cinema Camera 6K: Improved camera startup time. Improved USB PTP control performance. Fixed issue with slow mounting of media containing large number of clips. Fixed issue where EF lens stabilization cannot be turned on if camera is started with lens stablization turned off. The new Camera V6.8 firmware update is available as a free download through Blackmagic Design Support Center Website. Do you use one of the Blackmagic Pocket cameras for your video work? Did you have any of the issues listed above? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

FUJIFILM just pushed a new firmware update ver. 3.20 for the X-T3 that improves the autofocus capabilities and stability of the APS-C mirrorless camera. Also, a new firmware update for the FUJIFILM X-Pro3 is available that corrects freezing issues. Let’s take a closer look at it! Image credit: Zack Dowdy FUJIFILM X-T3 Firmware Update Ver. 3.20 FUJIFILM continues to improve its best-seller mirrorless camera, the X-T3, with a new firmware update version 3.20. The overall autofocus performance of the camera should significantly improve with this firmware. Here is the complete changelog: Improving the tracking performance of the eye AF frame, making it easier to attain accurate autofocus on the eyes. Better face-detection performance when there are faces of different sizes within the same frame, making it easier to attain accurate autofocus. Improving autofocus capability on a foreground subject even when there is a mixture of foreground and background subjects within an AF frame, causing the foreground subject to go out of focus, e.g., when shooting flowers against a busy background. You can now save up to 9,999 pictures in each folder. The number of images that can be saved in a folder on an SD card was limited to 999. In movie recording mode, this firmware fixes bugs, including focus hunting at the minimum aperture and a black line that can sometimes appear on the bottom of the center. Fix of minor bugs. This FUJIFILM X-T3 firmware update is free for all users, and you can download it directly on FUJIFILM’s website. Image credit: FUJIFILM FUJIFILM X-Pro3 Firmware Update Ver. 1.03 Also, FUJIFILM pushed a new firmware update version 1.03 for the X-Pro3, a camera mainly designed for photographers. If you are an X-Pro3 shooter, this update fixes a phenomenon that, in rare cases, could freeze the camera. FUJIFILM also fixed a bug that could occur in AF-C mode and continuous shooting that caused color tone incorrect recording issues. You can download this firmware update version 1.03 for the FUJIFILM X-Pro3 for free on FUJIFILM’s website. What do you think of these FUJIFILM firmware updates? Did you notice an improvement in the autofocus capabilities of the X-T3 with the recent firmware updates? Let us know in the comments below!

Sound Devices keeps adding features to its products by launching new firmware, and they just released a new MixPre v6.00 firmware that allows you to record in 32-bit float mode via USB. This update makes them the only USB audio interfaces capable of 32-bit float recording/playback on Mac OS. Let’s take a closer look at it! Image credit: Sound Devices Sound Devices MixPre v6.00 Firmware Update Sound Devices just released a firmware update – MixPre v6.00 – that significantly improves its line of MixPre II series of recorders. Indeed, with the MixPre v6.00 update, all MixPre II recorders are now capable of USB audio streaming in 32-bit float mode, which is a world’s first for a field recorder. Of course, you could already record in 32-bit float mode with the MixPre II recorders, but “only” internally to the SD card. Now with the MixPre v6.00 update, you can record directly to your favorite DAW. However, there is one caveat, it is compatible with Mac OS Catalina (10.15) only, at least at the moment. Also, not all DAW support this extremely demanding recording mode: you can take a look at all the compatible applications here. If you are not familiar with 32-bit float recording, Paul Isaacs of Sound Devices claims that “you no longer need to worry about clipping during your best vocal takes or instrument solos. Any recorded moments exceeding 0 dBFS can be reduced to an acceptable level after recording in your DAW.” For filmmakers, it’s like RAW recording, but for audio. Pricing and Availability The MixPre v6.00 update is free for all MixPre II series owners. You can download it directly on Sound Device’s website here. For all “original” MixPre and MixPre-M series owners, you can also do this update and receive performance improvements, but no 32-bit float recording/streaming, unfortunately. Check out this video (and article here) which we shot at IBC 2019 on the MixPre II series and their 32-bit capabilities: Are you a Sound Devices MixPre/MixPre II series owner? Do you think this update can be useful for you? Did you already record in 32-bit float mode? Let us know in the comments below!

Besides DaVinci Resolve 16.1.2 update, Blackmagic also announced new firmware update for the URSA Broadcast camera. The new version 6.7 brings Blackmagic RAW recording format and many more improvements. The company also updates their viewfinders. The update can now be downloaded for free from Blackmagic Design support center. URSA Broadcast camera. Image credit: Blackmagic Design Blackmagic Design announced new DaVinci Resolve 16.1.2 update, which brought support for Blackmagic RAW format from the URSA Broadcast camera. Naturally, they also announced new firmware for this camera to support BRAW recording. Furthermore, they announced updates for URSA Viewfinder and URSA Studio Viewfinder. What exactly is included with these free firmware updates? Blackmagic Design URSA Broadcast Update 6.7 Apart from adding support for Blackmagic RAW recording, there are many new improvements and features. Please note, that the update will also remove Cinema DNG format recording – we have seen this recording option also removed from other Blackmagic cameras (like the Pocket series) in the past. Rumor has it (and Blackmagic CEO Grant Petty hinted at it) that this has to do with RED’s patent for camera-internal RAW compression and recording. Yet, Cinema DNG is considered old and storage inefficient for many purposes, which is why Blackmagic RAW seems like the better option in most cases anyway. URSA Broadcast camera. Image credit: Blackmagic Design This is a complete list of new features for URSA Broadcast: Add language localization support. Add new demosaic algorithm for improved sensor response. Add extra level of gain control up to +18dB. Add gain slider and 1/3 stop gain adjustment. Add lens correction for B4 lenses. Add ability to remap buttons on broadcast lenses. Add Blackmagic RAW recording format. Add LUT embedding in Blackmagic RAW clips. Add 720p SDI output on main SDI and 720p SDI input. Add sensor pixel recalibration in camera. Add ability to adjust line level audio. Add sidetone level adjustment. Add improved ballistics and scaling of audio meters. Add choice of -18 or -20dB reference levels for audio meters. Add ability to remap the HFR button. Add ability to disable function and HFR buttons. Add press-to-focus for EF, PL and B4 lenses with focus servo. Add quick media switching from the heads up display. Add support for HDR metadata in SDI output. Add ‘LUT’ icon to status text overlays. Add ‘PRE’ icon to status text overlays for preset timecode. Add 2:1, 1:1 and 4:5 monitoring frame guides. Add customizable frame guides. Add ability to lock timecode to SDI Input. Retain jam synced timecode after power cycle. Improved jam sync timecode accuracy after playback. Improved stability when using external or program reference. Improved compatibility for embedded audio on SDI outputs. Improved thermal performance. Improved ND filter status text. Improved Canon B4 lens support. Improved EF lens support. Improved auto exposure speed and performance. Improved auto focus performance. Improved media formatting user interface. Improved clip playback for renamed clips. Numerous performance and stability improvements. Removed old Cinema DNG format. New Features for URSA Viewfinders Blackmagic Desing also updates their viewfinders. The URSA Studio Viewfinder receives the following new features: Add support for new URSA Broadcast gain settings. Add support for new 4:5 and 1:1 frame guides. Add improved ballistics and scaling of audio meters. Add choice of -18 or -20dB reference levels for audio meters. Fixed bug where Focus Assist changes colour on power cycle. URSA Studio viewfinder. Image credit: Blackmagic Design The URSA Viewfinder receives the following updates: Add support for new URSA Broadcast gain settings. Add support for new 4:5 and 1:1 frame guides. URSA viewfinder. Image credit: Blackmagic Design Last but not least, Blackmagic Design updated Blackmagic RAW format. Besides the obvious URSA Broadcast support, BRAW version 1.6.1 brings general performance and stability improvements for Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro BRAW plugins. The new update can be downloaded for free on Blackmagic Design support center website. Please note, that there no new features in firmware 6.7 for other camera models. Blackmagic Design also announced they are working on a firmware update for the Blackmagic Camera & Studio Fiber Converters which will follow in 2020. What do you think about the new update for Blackmagic URSA Broadcast? Do you use this camera for your work? Do you like working with Blackmagic RAW? Let us know in the comments below the article.

Atomos continues to improve its Shogun 7 monitor/recorder. They have just released a new firmware update that finally unlocks a long-awaited feature announced when launching the product back in April: multi-camera recording and switching. Let’s take a closer look at it! AtomOS 10.4 for Atomos Shogun 7 A couple of months ago, Atomos released AtomOS 10.3 that updated the panel of the Atomos Shogun 7 to a maximum peak brightness of 3000nit. Also, during Inter BEE 2019, Atomos released a firmware update for the Sumo line of monitor/recorder that enabled multi-camera recording/switching. Otherwise, Shogun 7 users were patiently waiting for this multi-camera recording/switching option that was announced at launch and is a key selling point of the device. We can finally say that the wait is over with the release of AtomOS 10.4 that implement multi-camera switching/recording. Image credit: cinema5D Here is what you need to know about this update: You can record and view up to 4 channels as ISOs, plus a simultaneous program recording. The maximum resolution for the four asynchronous sources is 1080p/1080i  at 60 frames per second using the SDI input ports. All four inputs must be configured to the exact same frame rate. For viewing purposes, you can loop out the program feed to a bigger monitor via HDMI or SDI, or both simultaneously. On the audio side, each ISO channel can record embedded channels plus the analog XLR input. Also, the program feed can be configured to record audio from any single ISO channel and/or the analog XLR audio input. Once your shoot is over, a multi-camera Apple Final Cut .xml project can automatically be created with touch screen selectable options for hard cuts or dissolves. This AtomOS 10.4 update make the Shogun 7 one of the most-affordable quad-stream monitor and recorder available on the market. Pricing and Availability This is a free update for all customers, and you can download it directly on Atomos’ website. Do you own a Shogun 7? Have you been waiting for this feature? Don’t hesitate to share your experiences in the comments below!