Hopefully BMD will make this thread a "sticky" at the top of the forum page.
First I should say that I love the original BMCC design (as described on the BMD website) so much that I placed a pre-order for one the very first moment it became possible. I'll be very happy with my BMCC even if it never changes beyond the features and specs currently listed on the BMCC product page.
Be that as it may, there's always at least the potential for improvement ...
There are lists of BMCC feature requests on some other 3rd party sites, but it probably makes more sense to continue that effort here on BMD's own forum where the company is most likely to see it (and possibly respond).
So, post your requests for features to add to the original BMCC hardware via firmware updates after the camera starts shipping, or new hardware features for some future new BMCC-like camera from BMD. Of course, neither is certain, and I'm sure BMD is well-aware of most of these ideas, but here we go ...
I'll start:
- Enable additional recording frame rates, with sound if possible, within the hardware capabilities of the original BMCC camera. For example, 1-30 fps in 1 frame increments, and >30 fps in 1 frame increments. If the BMCC hardware can't do this, then include in some possible future BMCC-like camera.
- Enable deleting a clip in-camera without use of a computer.
- Enable formatting an SSD in-camera without use of a computer, or at least enable deleting multiple clips at once in-camera w/o a computer.
- As discussed in another thread, enable setting zebras <75 IRE, perhaps quite low, such as 30 or less. Personally, 50 IRE and above in 5 IRE increments would be nice (for example, I find 50-60 is useful for exposing green screen).
- Enable zebras to display sensor clipping (100%) when the camera is in RAW DNG mode, or IRE clipping (100 IRE) when in ProRes/DNxHD modes. Extra bonus: Zebras at 110 IRE in ProRes/DNxHD modes. Other variations might be possible, such as cam recording RAW DNG, but HD-SDI monitor output displays zebras @ IRE clipping instead of sensor clipping.
- Enable audio VU meters and/or audio peaking indicators on the LCD, including while recording.
- Enable settable timecode, so for example, each SSD can be assigned a unique starting "hour", etc.
- Enable using the BMCC as a "dumb" SSD reader via Thunderbolt, so clips can be copied directly from a SSD in the BMCC to a computer via T-Bolt w/o using a cradle/caddie. However, if this can't be implemented via a firmware update because it requires a diff. hardware design, will have to wait for some future BMCC model.
- Add something like a "Status" checkbox immediately to the right of most menu items, which if checked by the user will display that menu item's current "value" in the status text line across the bottom of the BMCC's LCD. The UI software would auto limit the total number of items displayed so the text fits. So, for example, a user may choose to un-check all status items (no status text displayed), or only check certain items they prefer to display in the status line.
- Enable an actual color temperature value (Kelvin) to be displayed in the status text line at the bottom of the BMCC's LCD. In other words, if a white or grey object is in the middle area of the scene, the color temperature of the light hitting it is displayed.
- Enable a way to synch 2 or more cameras, such as for 3D or perhaps "bullet time", etc. Via one of the audio inputs, or T-Bolt, or USB.
- In the "next" BMCC-like camera, offer the camera with either a EF or an electronic m43 lens mount. I've also heard convincing requests for the new Canon mount, EF-M (do I have that right?). Personally I own several electronic (Lumix brand) m43 lenses which would be nice to use on a BMCC-like camera. These mounts can also be easily be adapted to almost every lens type available, including PL.
- Enable a feature similar to the Panasonic GH2's "Extra Tele Conversion" mode: A 1920 x 1080 pixel for pixel crop of the center of the BMCC's sensor, recorded as 1080p ProRes 422 HQ or DNxHD. This would extend the reach of any lens mounted on the BMCC. For example, the apparent focal length of an ultra-wide zoom lens such as the Sigma 11-16mm could be switched to approx. 14-21mm (?) at the push of a button, with few additional artifacts. (Might be a bit noisier?)
- Enable the double-tap-to-magnify focus aid feature to be positionable/navigable, instead of only being centered on the LCD touchscreen.
- The UI must have a record "time remaining" readout on the LCD, based on current settings. In other words, an indication of approx. how many minutes worth of empty space is there remaining on the SSD @ CinemaDNG or compressed (ProRes/DNxHD) data rates.
Cheers.
First I should say that I love the original BMCC design (as described on the BMD website) so much that I placed a pre-order for one the very first moment it became possible. I'll be very happy with my BMCC even if it never changes beyond the features and specs currently listed on the BMCC product page.
Be that as it may, there's always at least the potential for improvement ...
There are lists of BMCC feature requests on some other 3rd party sites, but it probably makes more sense to continue that effort here on BMD's own forum where the company is most likely to see it (and possibly respond).
So, post your requests for features to add to the original BMCC hardware via firmware updates after the camera starts shipping, or new hardware features for some future new BMCC-like camera from BMD. Of course, neither is certain, and I'm sure BMD is well-aware of most of these ideas, but here we go ...
I'll start:
- Enable additional recording frame rates, with sound if possible, within the hardware capabilities of the original BMCC camera. For example, 1-30 fps in 1 frame increments, and >30 fps in 1 frame increments. If the BMCC hardware can't do this, then include in some possible future BMCC-like camera.
- Enable deleting a clip in-camera without use of a computer.
- Enable formatting an SSD in-camera without use of a computer, or at least enable deleting multiple clips at once in-camera w/o a computer.
- As discussed in another thread, enable setting zebras <75 IRE, perhaps quite low, such as 30 or less. Personally, 50 IRE and above in 5 IRE increments would be nice (for example, I find 50-60 is useful for exposing green screen).
- Enable zebras to display sensor clipping (100%) when the camera is in RAW DNG mode, or IRE clipping (100 IRE) when in ProRes/DNxHD modes. Extra bonus: Zebras at 110 IRE in ProRes/DNxHD modes. Other variations might be possible, such as cam recording RAW DNG, but HD-SDI monitor output displays zebras @ IRE clipping instead of sensor clipping.
- Enable audio VU meters and/or audio peaking indicators on the LCD, including while recording.
- Enable settable timecode, so for example, each SSD can be assigned a unique starting "hour", etc.
- Enable using the BMCC as a "dumb" SSD reader via Thunderbolt, so clips can be copied directly from a SSD in the BMCC to a computer via T-Bolt w/o using a cradle/caddie. However, if this can't be implemented via a firmware update because it requires a diff. hardware design, will have to wait for some future BMCC model.
- Add something like a "Status" checkbox immediately to the right of most menu items, which if checked by the user will display that menu item's current "value" in the status text line across the bottom of the BMCC's LCD. The UI software would auto limit the total number of items displayed so the text fits. So, for example, a user may choose to un-check all status items (no status text displayed), or only check certain items they prefer to display in the status line.
- Enable an actual color temperature value (Kelvin) to be displayed in the status text line at the bottom of the BMCC's LCD. In other words, if a white or grey object is in the middle area of the scene, the color temperature of the light hitting it is displayed.
- Enable a way to synch 2 or more cameras, such as for 3D or perhaps "bullet time", etc. Via one of the audio inputs, or T-Bolt, or USB.
- In the "next" BMCC-like camera, offer the camera with either a EF or an electronic m43 lens mount. I've also heard convincing requests for the new Canon mount, EF-M (do I have that right?). Personally I own several electronic (Lumix brand) m43 lenses which would be nice to use on a BMCC-like camera. These mounts can also be easily be adapted to almost every lens type available, including PL.
- Enable a feature similar to the Panasonic GH2's "Extra Tele Conversion" mode: A 1920 x 1080 pixel for pixel crop of the center of the BMCC's sensor, recorded as 1080p ProRes 422 HQ or DNxHD. This would extend the reach of any lens mounted on the BMCC. For example, the apparent focal length of an ultra-wide zoom lens such as the Sigma 11-16mm could be switched to approx. 14-21mm (?) at the push of a button, with few additional artifacts. (Might be a bit noisier?)
- Enable the double-tap-to-magnify focus aid feature to be positionable/navigable, instead of only being centered on the LCD touchscreen.
- The UI must have a record "time remaining" readout on the LCD, based on current settings. In other words, an indication of approx. how many minutes worth of empty space is there remaining on the SSD @ CinemaDNG or compressed (ProRes/DNxHD) data rates.
Cheers.
Last edited by Peter J. DeCrescenzo on Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:08 pm, edited 18 times in total.