Date and Time Issues on BMPCC 4K

Hey guys,

I’m having some issues with the date and time on my BMPCC4K.

It was set automatic by default, however when I import footage shot with the camera, the date and time is all wrong.

I’m on firmware 8.6.

Questions:
1) What’s the best fix for this? Do I update firmware again and if so, which is best version to go for?
2) Is there a way to fix the date and time of footage already shot, either in camera or on my computer after imported?
3) What is the correct UTC for eastern time zone USA (EST)?

Thanks!

Regarding the date and time, we already have a recent thread in this topic.

Regarding UTC offset, if you’re in the Eastern time zone, on standard time, you would use UTC-4 as you have defined. But currently you’re setting the clock applying Daylight Savings time (DST), so I believe it should be UTC-3.

If I’m wrong about that, someone here will correct me. I’m in the Pacific time zone UTC-8, but currently set to UTC-7 for DST.

Right now it seems to me like the auto setting won’t work unless the camera is directly connected to a LAN cable. Connecting to a computer won’t do it.

I’m surprised that this is all that will work. Is this intentional? At least I’d hope that if the camera is connected to a computer running the camera settings app and the camera is set to auto time that the app would update the clock.

Regarding the date and time, we already have a recent thread in this topic.

We've had a bunch of threads about date/time in all Blackmagic cameras: unlike consumer cameras they don't use an internal battery to maintain date and time, they use a supercapacitor that only maintains date/time accurately for a short period, a few days at most. I don't have the BMPCC 4K but on my older OG BMPCC and the BMMCC I have to manually reset date and time every day. I think the supercapacitor lasts a little longer on the newer cameras before time starts drifting off again.

Setting date/time automatically requires connecting to a computer or network, as noted above. On the older cameras all you have to do is plug it in to a computer via USB and the date/time are updated automatically. It's weird that it only works on the BMPCC 4k if you connect it via Ethernet; that doesn't seem right or if it is it seems like something that should be fixed.

As for correcting the metadata, Resolve allows you to edit the "Date Created" field in the metadata.

Eastern is -5 normal and -4 DST.

Thanks, Jim. Another brain fart as I know that stuff. Good thing I’m not piloting a lunar lander!

Thanks Brad, so just to confirm, you’re saying even if I were to set it automatic by connecting a cable, that will only ‘stick’ for so long per the supercapacitor’s limited duration to hold the date & time?

And so, is the only solve then to set the date & time each time before shooting? If so that’s a real bummer, an extra step that hinders the shooting process especially for run & gun. Surely they must rectify this somehow. Something I’d consider switching cameras for honestly, as I’ve hit run into this with other cameras before.

If there’s another way people are working around this issue, feel free to let me know. Thanks!

Regarding the date and time, we already have a recent thread in this topic.

We've had a bunch of threads about date/time in all Blackmagic cameras: unlike consumer cameras they don't use an internal battery to maintain date and time, they use a supercapacitor that only maintains date/time accurately for a short period, a few days at most. I don't have the BMPCC 4K but on my older OG BMPCC and the BMMCC I have to manually reset date and time every day. I think the supercapacitor lasts a little longer on the newer cameras before time starts drifting off again.

Setting date/time automatically requires connecting to a computer or network, as noted above. On the older cameras all you have to do is plug it in to a computer via USB and the date/time are updated automatically. It's weird that it only works on the BMPCC 4k if you connect it via Ethernet; that doesn't seem right or if it is it seems like something that should be fixed.

As for correcting the metadata, Resolve allows you to edit the "Date Created" field in the metadata.

Thanks Brad, so just to confirm, you’re saying even if I were to set it automatic by connecting a cable, that will only ‘stick’ for so long per the supercapacitor’s limited duration to hold the date & time?

And so, is the only solve then to set the date & time each time before shooting?

The BMPCC 4K holds date/time info longer than the cameras I use, but since I don't own one I can't tell you how long. On my cameras (original Pocket and Micro Cinema cameras), I have to reset the date/time every day. They will maintain date/time during a shoot, but if I'm shooting again the next day I often notice some drift and everything's way off two days later. So I just reset date/time before I start for the day. The USB input on my Micro Cinema Camera is impossible to get to if the camera is mounted on a base plate, so I reset it manually using the tiny buttons on that camera, which is very time consuming. But I've gotten used to it.

As far as I know all Blackmagic Design cameras operate this way, but the more recent cameras can maintain date/time longer when powered off (and no battery inserted or attached).

Thanks for the clarification Brad. Upsetting to learn I’ll need to add an extra step before every shoot, but i guess it is what it is. Not sure why other professional cinema cameras don’t seem to have this issue but oh well, something to consider next time I upgrade cameras. Thanks again.

Thanks Brad, so just to confirm, you’re saying even if I were to set it automatic by connecting a cable, that will only ‘stick’ for so long per the supercapacitor’s limited duration to hold the date & time?

And so, is the only solve then to set the date & time each time before shooting?

The BMPCC 4K holds date/time info longer than the cameras I use, but since I don't own one I can't tell you how long. On my cameras (original Pocket and Micro Cinema cameras), I have to reset the date/time every day. They will maintain date/time during a shoot, but if I'm shooting again the next day I often notice some drift and everything's way off two days later. So I just reset date/time before I start for the day. The USB input on my Micro Cinema Camera is impossible to get to if the camera is mounted on a base plate, so I reset it manually using the tiny buttons on that camera, which is very time consuming. But I've gotten used to it.

As far as I know all Blackmagic Design cameras operate this way, but the more recent cameras can maintain date/time longer when powered off (and no battery inserted or attached).

Thanks for the clarification Brad. Upsetting to learn I’ll need to add an extra step before every shoot, but i guess it is what it is. Not sure why other professional cinema cameras don’t seem to have this issue but oh well, something to consider next time I upgrade cameras. Thanks again.

It's probably one of the many cost-cutting measures BMD took to keep these cameras affordable, and since there's no internal battery to replace (those are often hard/impossible for the consumer to reach, I can't get to those internal batteries on any of the cameras I own), it probably cuts down on repair/replacement costs as the camera gets older.

That extra step becomes a habit that you can perform on ‘automatic pilot’ so it becomes less onerous.

If you are using a Timecode generator, synced to the correct time of your phone (for example as easily done by the Tentacle app), for the actual recordings, then the timestamp on the records will be correct even if you forget to set the camera date and time.

That would for me, a major benefit of getting a sync system. Every frickin time out, there's at least major drift on both my UMP4.6K and BMPCC4K.

But as otherwise, I love using the cameras and especially the files they produce, it's ... tolerable.

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Thanks for the helpful replies guys. I had no idea this issue was a thing with Blackmagic cameras.

I’m going to try and make the time/date syncing part of my process before each shoot and see how it goes. If it gets too cumbersome, I might consider a different cinema cam down the line as I’m a fan of simple and minimal.

Loving the Pocket 4K otherwise.

I made it a habit to set time and date the night before a shooting when I do check batteries and packaging.

I'd like to point out that I am using a Canon XF305 camera for live productions which has a built-in battery for holding time, date and settings. The camera is fairly old but does its job. But a year ago it loses not only time, date but also reset all settings. The battery is non-user replaceable and I would have to send it in to Canon for a replacement. Pretty dumb, as earlier cameras just used a standard C2032 battery. Now every time I boot the camera I not only have to set time and date, but also restore the settings from a SD card.