Video Assist update 1.1 now out.

From RedShark website.
New software for Blackmagic Video Assist adds focus peaking, Zebra and more.

The first portable recorder from Blackmagic Design since its good but basic Hyperdeck Shuttle is actually called anything but a recorder. It's title: "Video Assist" only hints at its capabilities obliquely. But be in no doubt that this is a very capable HDMI and SDI recorder that captures HD video to affordable SD cards via HDMI or SDI. It also sports a Full HD screen with a wide viewing angle.

We have one right now and we're reviewing it; you'll see the results very soon.

Meanwhile, Blackmagic has released an important upgrade with some useful new features - some of which are almost essential to use the Video Assist as a credible production monitor.

Adds Focus Peaking indication
Adds Zebra indication for setting iris
Adds central Zoom to aid focus
Adds timecode over HDMI
Improved battery information
Performance and stability updates

Update link.

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/gb/sup ... af63945cfa

YES! THANK YOU!

Just applied the update, the new features work, T/C Run Start/Stop has been applied to the HDMI input also. But have not tested this yet. Focus peaking works great, I,like the adjustable levels. Focus punch in (Zoom) pulls in the center of the image to increase focus accuracy, which to me is more useable than peaking in this high res screen. So all of the missing basic monitor features are now available on the VA.
Cheers

How come they can't add timecode to the BMPCC and BMCC cameras via firmware???

The Cinema cameras record their own clip run time time code, but they do not output it via SDI or HDMI.
BM indicated they were looking into adding this, but would not confirm it, either.

Now this is more like it...it's too bad u can't reframe the image when punched in though...always thought that with the cameras too.

I've just completed the update, but I'm still not having any success in playing back files recorded or encoded elsewhere (have tried ProRes exported in various flavours and Prores files recorded on an Alexa).

Interestingly a file that almost played back prior to the update is now no longer recognised at all. It used to play back stuttered and with no audio.

The video assist seems to also lack a file list and only gives you next and previous controls which is a bit annoying.

Anyone had any playback success?

Alexa supports some ProRes file sizes and formats that the Video Assist doesn't support. What exactly was the format and size recorded on the Alexa?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I had no problem displaying and playing back files recorded on my Pocket camera.

I purchased and picked up a Video Assist from a store in Burbank.
They actually had some in stock.