Apple Vision Pro "Submerged" Making Of | URSA Cine Immersive

Although this isn't the URSA Cine Immersive shown in this BTS video, I still think we can see what the future holds for the URSA Cine Immersive based on watching this video. Really cool production. Makes me want to see it on the Apple Vision Pro.

This absolutely shows the potential for using the Immersive camera for future productions. I can't wait for Apple to release similar BTS videos showing the Immersive in use. Some exciting times for Blackmagic Design.

I'm also looking forward to it and for the version of Resolve that will allow Vison Pro preview on the edit and color grading tabs.

About the camera, and for those who don't have a production as large as "Submerged", please add a simple method or accessory to send live video feed to a VR headset on stage, for monitoring purpose.

Although this isn't the URSA Cine Immersive shown in this BTS video

How do you know? The only thing that is shown is a shoebox with two lenses. The box fits perfectly around the ursa immersive with outer parts removed. Also, can you name one camera that was worked open and shown by blackmagic ever, next to a model with all parts in place?

Not saying it is the blackmagic, but it would surprise me if it wasn’t

I agree Bunk. And the evidence is that concealed camera. If it was another manufacturer’s camera that already is available, it would be mentioned since there would be no point in hiding the camera. What a lot of talk about the filmmaking experience without a word about working with the immersive camera except that the crew can’t shoot with a field of view that includes the normal trappings of a set like the hanging lights, people close by, etc.

We may not be able to experience the realtime immersive viewing experience without an Apple Vision headset, but from what we see BTS, looks like Apple is sparing no cost in promoting this new technology. Will this be the talk of the town at NAB2025? Apple may even want to have a booth shared with BMD that provides Apple Vision headsets to some attendees.

We may not be able to experience the realtime immersive viewing experience without an Apple Vision headset, but from what we see BTS, looks like Apple is sparing no cost in promoting this new technology. Will this be the talk of the town at NAB2025? Apple may even want to have a booth shared with BMD that provides Apple Vision headsets to some attendees.

If Apple was to do that I would be down for a full on Apple Vision Pro demonstration with Immersive Video. Especially if paired with BMD and using the URSA Cine Immersive.

Hate to be the one to do this. But if they don't want to go the way of BetaMax then there is a certain industry Apple needs to allow in on their products. And, I know that certain industry is already doing a lot of VR content. We all know the industry that shall not be named in these forums. But it was the reason VHS won over BetaMax.

Certainly something for both Apple and BMD to keep in mind and probably part of Apple’s rethinking the costly Apple Vision Pro headset to release a lower resolution and less expensive Apple Vision headset.

There was not much point in touting the superiority of the more expensive Betamax when the world was awash in and satisfied with the cheaper VHS players.

Sometimes when you shoot for the stars, it may be better to start with a smaller objective and get a foothold in the market mindset. Apple’s concept of their current headset offering has a possible Achilles’ Heel with the cumbersome weighty design. I know I wouldn’t want to spend a lot of time with that headset compared to the appeal of pulling out something that looks like spectacles which in sense might even be Apple’s thinking of reaching for the stars from a user interface perspective. The Apple Vision Pro is a technological wonder but I’m not convinced it will be user comfortable for long.

Most people I’ve heard talk about It think this one is for developers to get used to and they’ll manage at some point to make glasses with similar functionality. The tech just isn’t there yet but seems reasonable that that’s their aim.

Good point. We know Apple likes to make obscene margins overall for the sake of supporting shareholders quarterly. I think the current Apple Vision Pro needs to be a product without a discernible profit margin if their intent is to go after developers and creators first to feed the masses later.

Ultimately I see the main thing Apple needs to focus on with how long a user will wear the headset: Lord of the Rings Extended Editions watch day. If you can comfortably wear the headset for the entirety of the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions then you have won over people's desire to use the headset. But for now it is heavy and cumbersome from the people I've spoken with.

It is the first generation. So it will likely improve. But for now the Immersive Video is sort of the chicken and egg situation. They made the headset, but need content. But making the content the question is what's the audience? Because how many of the average consumers are buying this headset and how many are going to watch this content? For now there's not the numbers to do anything major like Lord of the Rings.

So for short films that give an interesting experience then this will be fine. Especially when wearing it is not comfortable at the extended periods that reach the duration of a long movie. Let alone a massive trilogy.

Ultimately I see the main thing Apple needs to focus on with how long a user will wear the headset: Lord of the Rings Extended Editions watch day. If you can comfortably wear the headset for the entirety of the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions then you have won over people's desire to use the headset. But for now it is heavy and cumbersome from the people I've spoken with.

It is the first generation. So it will likely improve. But for now the Immersive Video is sort of the chicken and egg situation. They made the headset, but need content. But making the content the question is what's the audience? Because how many of the average consumers are buying this headset and how many are going to watch this content? For now there's not the numbers to do anything major like Lord of the Rings.

So for short films that give an interesting experience then this will be fine. Especially when wearing it is not comfortable at the extended periods that reach the duration of a long movie. Let alone a massive trilogy.

There's that, but the battery life as-is isn't there either

For decades Apple has concentrated on making devices smaller or lighter or both. The current Apple Vision Pro as Joe mentioned is just the first awkward heavy untenable starting point which begs for the “thinner and lighter” evolution over the next few years. There’s a great opportunity for BMD to be the content enabler now as the captured media is going to work
on these future iterations; hopefully by the time BMD perfects their tools, the product will have evolved into a popular device. I hated 3DTV, but this Apple Vision will work well eventually.

Reports of a M5 SOC for Apple Vision Pro in 2025:

https://apple.news/AEWdol1edRSiGrX9BP-b2bw

Mysteriously the article doesn’t identify any of the sources of the reports they’ve received.

Hate to say it but if I'm paying $3,500+ for an Apple Product it is going to be for a proper computer workstation. My next major purchase needs to be the new M4 Pro 16" MacBook Pro. My late 2018 MacBook Pro is in need of an update. I've estimated it will be around $3,900 for computer, AppleCare, and taxes. That's going to get far more use than an Apple Vision Pro, and will last far longer since I'm averaging 6-years per laptop these days. 4-5 years for the desktop machines like the iMacs. Next year will likely see the M4 or M5 Mac Studio be my other upgrade on the Apple Computer side. But I wouldn't mind waiting till 2026.

So, that's my 2¢ on this matter.

If Apple makes a $1,000 Apple Vision device then maybe I'll consider it. But it's a glorified immersive content device. It's not a computing device for me. So they should give up on those features. I willingly spent $1,000 on a 65" 4K OLED Dolby Vision TV 2-Years ago. So I'm willing to spend $1K for an entertainment device, but not $3.5K.

Pretty sure this device is mostly for devs working in the AR space rather than as a mass consumer device. Mostly to get the content ready before putting the device out without killer apps.

… My next major purchase needs to be the new M4 Pro 16" MacBook Pro. My late 2018 MacBook Pro is in need of an update... Next year will likely see the M4 or M5 Mac Studio be my other upgrade on the Apple Computer side. But I wouldn't mind waiting till 2026..

Totally. I feel the same about the Mac Pro 2019; it’s still a great workhorse and I’ve no serious complaints, but after 6 or 7 years there’s likely going to be a significant upgrade to M4 Ultra or M5 whatever. My most important software is DaVinci Resolve so as long as Intel chips are supported, I’m good.

Apple went out their way to not show the camera .

True, but that reveal may be waiting on some official release announcement from our ‘secretive’ BMD camera department.

Pretty sure Apple developed this camera in-house. There were several working models recording events before Blackmagic announced the development of their cam. Also I’d imagine that if BM designed the cam we’d have heard about it “World’s First Somethingorother!”

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/05 ... eo-cameras

Good Luck

I wasn’t aware of the post you referenced, Howard. But was that cobbled together camera used to record the submarine footage we’re discussing here? I doubt BMD would develop an immersive camera shooting dual full 8K footage within one BRAW file on spec when there’s only one client wanting that resolution.

Time will tell (and apparently not BMD) likely in 2025.

There are multiple cameras, I believe that pic was from an 8 camera live shoot. Apple likely has a couple dozen if not more. To play devil’s advocate here’s Apple’s patent from 2016 for the immersive cam. If you scroll thru the pics you’ll notice a pair of Blackmagic micros??? Pretty odd, it’s like Canon patenting the Komodo. The jargon is difficult for a layperson to parse but I believe the bulk of the patent claim refers the the dual sensor layout and filter assembly presented later.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis ... 979607.pdf

Good Luck

I think Submerged was shot with something else and not the URSA Cine Immersive. I'm sure Apple has pushed for multiple cameras to be made so the content can be made.

A curious question will be what will be the first URSA Cine Immersive shot short to come? And, will Blackmagic promote it along with Apple? I suspect we'll have a Blackmagic Press Release when that day comes.