URSA Cine 12k 24v not activating with proper hardware

Hey guys,

So got my URSA Cine 12k today, already bought the Core SWX Helix Max batteries directly from them, charger, the whole 9 yards. Bought the V mount battery adaptor from Blackmagic with the camera. Whole thing plugged in 100% perfectly without issues AND powers the camera great. However, it does not give me 24v access, I'm stuck at 16v.

I checked the pins on the battery, they're putting out the right power. Checked the V mount plate, all the pins appear to put out the proper power. Updated the software, etc. Still shows 16v on the display and won't unlock full frame rates.

Thanks!

Please forgive my ignorance regarding this, but what's the benefit 24v offers over 16v for the camera?

Correct. 16.8v is a fully charged 14.4v battery. So the 'seemlessly' from the blurb isn't working as you are stating.

Just looking at the b h page for the Core SWX Helix Max it comes in several different mounts.

Could this be the problem? Do you need the b-mount and have the v-mount? Just a wild guess in the dark trying to be helpful. Good luck.

Hey guys,

So yea, the camera doesn't actually do high frame rates without 24v.

CoreSWX makes a great battery solution that's 28v, but evidently it needs a special V mount plate. Even though blackmagic are selling the URSA Cine 12k without a plate at all, the plate they recommend on the website, is actually the wrong one. It's missing the 2nd pin required to send 2x16V to the camera, it only has the single line.

After talking to CoreSWX, they are going to resolve it or us, but it seems like 1 Source, the US distributor of Blackmagic products, doesn't know this error exists.

If anyone has a V mount bace for the Cine 12k, the proper one will have two red positive cables not one. Mine has 1, which is why it only runs at 16v.

Please forgive my ignorance regarding this, but what's the benefit 24v offers over 16v for the camera?

When using low voltage battery you are limited with fps depending of resolution. If you want the max capacity of the camera you need 24v.
When using low voltage battery, the lemo port for accessories is not powered.

Seems you have this resolved as it’s the battery plate. But for my URSA Cine I chose to get B Mount Battery Plate and switch over to B Mount Batteries. Totally worth it and works perfectly.

I was never a big fan of V Mount. Used Gold in college and it was a more secure mount. So B is be next best thing because it’s as secure as Gold but in a new design where the release is on the battery. I now love B Mount and prefer it over Gold.

One of the biggest complaints I had with V Mount was that with just enough pressure from the bottom of the battery it could pop off. I had that happen a few times over the years when doing handheld. Especially low angle handheld where you’re getting low to ground. So leaving V Mount solved that issue.


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I agree with Tim as I shoot V-mount and occasionally it has popped off inadvertently. Good to know B-mount will be more secure.

So yea, the reason we went with V mount was 3 fold;

1) All our lights and other cameras are V mount
2) The V mount battery cost per watt hour, is actually cheaper
3) B mount is more sought after, which means it's harder to get deals/even access them.

So it was a no brainer to use the mount we have been using for years.

All good reasons!