So just got back from NAB....(Updates!)

Hey guys,
So whilst at NAB I had a chance to chat with 2 people from blackmagic. It seems that they were somewhat prepared for the "where the F*** is my firmware update" Apparently whilst building the URSA every hand on deck was put to use and although they had a firmware update somewhat ready for NAB they felt it wasn't ready enough. However what I've been told is that there will be 2 more planned to update existing cameras. The first will be within two weeks. It will include the long awaited better pro-res downsampling as well as some more ef lens compatibility and auto focusing for ef mount cameras. The other update which will come later (probably late summer if I had to guess) will include 4k raw for the BMPC and AUDIO METERS! YAAAYYYY... finally

I asked if the older cameras would be updated with the new features of the URSA like waveforms and such and was met with a "they're looking into it, but audio meters are definitely" The other person I talked to though, who wasn't as much of an engineer as the person I was talking to said that the older camera are "as they are."

The good news is that I'll probably sell my 2.5k and buy the URSA and that the current sensor only does up to 60p however when blackmagic acquires another sensor the body of the camera can do 120p. So I guess that's the only silver lining to visiting the blackmagic booth. If anyone has any specific features/upgrades they want me to ask about I'll probably visit them again this week as I live here. Let me know below.

Thank you for doing a face to face with them. I do hope they are telling the truth to you and not more delay/evade/ignore like we have all been getting.

Hearing the BMCC "is as it is"....that is disappointing, but not surprising to me.

I do have a few questions I want answered.....

1. Audio fix....is that fixable via firmware with the current hardware or not fixable? Will they fix it?
2. rec709....are they going to be able to fix that?
3. Black Spot.....?

those are most important to me right now....although I too am interested in formatting, SSD space indicators, more WB adjustability, so if you get the chance, maybe you could ask about those things?

Again, thank you so much. We really appreciate you doing this, and given that no one from BMD would or has ever shared this with us makes your effort even more valuable.

Thank you for posting your findings.


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To be fair, the BMCC was never supposed to have scopes. I guess when I purchased it, I knew what it was going to be.... like shooting on my 7D, but a little more quirky. I knew that was the "cost of low cost." There are tradeoffs for price. The hardware in the camera is probably not capable of doing a lot at all. That's probably one of the things I had to give up because the price was so low.

The URSA is priced around the same as other "normal" video cameras like the FS700 and C100/300. As such, it has all these cool "real video camera" features.

That's just my opinion. That's how I approached my BMCC purchase, so for me, I'm not upset at all.

I'd love to hear more about the URSA plans and expectations that BMD has for the camera so that I can know what to expect and know if it's a good purchase for me or not.

At any rate, thanks for sharing this info.

the audio meters were the only "this is definitely happening" vibe I got from them. And it would be a software update. Also tooootaly forgot about the black hole sun... Damn, I'll have to go back now.

any update regarding FPN? not only in 4K, the pocket has the same issue. thank you for doing this

To be fair, the BMCC was never supposed to have scopes. I guess when I purchased it, I knew what it was going to be.... like shooting on my 7D, but a little more quirky. I knew that was the "cost of low cost." There are tradeoffs for price. The hardware in the camera is probably not capable of doing a lot at all. That's probably one of the things I had to give up because the price was so low.

The URSA is priced around the same as other "normal" video cameras like the FS700 and C100/300. As such, it has all these cool "real video camera" features.

That's just my opinion. That's how I approached my BMCC purchase, so for me, I'm not upset at all.

I'd love to hear more about the URSA plans and expectations that BMD has for the camera so that I can know what to expect and know if it's a good purchase for me or not.

At any rate, thanks for sharing this info.

Pretty much my take as well. I'm still not impressed with their lack of communication however. If they were prepared for it, they should have addressed it and saved everyone a lot of grief. They didn't.

While talking to someone on the floor is nice, believe it when it's online and downloadable. Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but at this point I think that's justifiable.

The all hands on deck comment isn't reassuring either as the camera isn't even done yet. It ships in July...or at least it's supposed to. If history is any indication, that means their staff will be otherwise occupied for a while. Perhaps those firmware updates might get pushed back, again.

I can't believe they didn't mention an fpn fix. How is this possible!

The difference between quirky missing features and footage destroying image problems is night and day.

I can't believe they didn't mention an fpn fix. How is this possible!

The difference between quirky missing features and footage destroying image problems is night and day.

don't own a 4k so not sure about that problem. my advice would be to return all the 4ks and buy an URSA

Same sensor, very possible the issue will exist in both cams until they develop a fix

didn't notice anything wrong with the URSA image. Frankly it looked beautiful

I might be wrong but I suspect sensors can be cherry picked. I imagine you could search through 1000 sensors and find the one or two that happen to exhibit no FPN (at the moment) and put your best foot forward at what you consider to be the ultimate trade show. I get the impression that there's not much of anything BMD wouldn't do to make a big noise at NAB.

Hey guys,
So whilst at NAB I had a chance to chat with 2 people from blackmagic. It seems that they were somewhat prepared for the "where the F*** is my firmware update" Apparently whilst building the URSA every hand on deck was put to use and although they had a firmware update somewhat ready for NAB they felt it wasn't ready enough. However what I've been told is that there will be 2 more planned to update existing cameras. The first will be within two weeks. It will include the long awaited better pro-res downsampling as well as some more ef lens compatibility and auto focusing for ef mount cameras. The other update which will come later (probably late summer if I had to guess) will include 4k raw for the BMPC and AUDIO METERS! YAAAYYYY... finally

I asked if the older cameras would be updated with the new features of the URSA like waveforms and such and was met with a "they're looking into it, but audio meters are definitely" The other person I talked to though, who wasn't as much of an engineer as the person I was talking to said that the older camera are "as they are."

The good news is that I'll probably sell my 2.5k and buy the URSA and that the current sensor only does up to 60p however when blackmagic acquires another sensor the body of the camera can do 120p. So I guess that's the only silver lining to visiting the blackmagic booth. If anyone has any specific features/upgrades they want me to ask about I'll probably visit them again this week as I live here. Let me know below.

Thanks for getting some more info for us. Much appreciated.

I might be wrong but I suspect sensors can be cherry picked. I imagine you could search through 1000 sensors and find the one or two that happen to exhibit no FPN (at the moment) and put your best foot forward at what you consider to be the ultimate trade show. I get the impression that there's not much of anything BMD wouldn't do to make a big noise at NAB.

I don't think they'd be plug and play. As far as I know (which isn't much on this topic), there has to be some sort of optimization between the camera hardware and sensor. I doubt you'd be able to search a catalogue of sensors and pick the one you like best. Blackmagic will offer sensor upgrades in the future that will have features like high frame rates, higher DR, etc.

I'd love to speak with BMD on what their plans are for this camera as far as sensor upgrades and just how "future-proof" the body is. Will they plan a few sensor upgrade packages? 2? 5? How far into the future (estimated) do they think the body will hold up before they have to release another one to handle data rates of the inevitable 8K, 12K, etc future.

I'm going to wait for NAB 2015 for the URSA 2 which will be 2k cheaper and fix all the problems for the URSA which will still need firmware updates. Yes March of 2016 I will enjoy that URSA 2

I'm going to wait for NAB 2015 for the URSA 2 which will be 2k cheaper and fix all the problems for the URSA which will still need firmware updates. Yes March of 2016 I will enjoy that URSA 2

Good luck. History proves otherwise... They promised that this would be up-gradable camera, which means no price drops just buy new sensor... and by 2015 they will be working on a new camera not on fixing old problems. Just BM style.

Hey guys,
So whilst at NAB I had a chance to chat with 2 people from blackmagic. It seems that they were somewhat prepared for the "where the F*** is my firmware update" Apparently whilst building the URSA every hand on deck was put to use and although they had a firmware update somewhat ready for NAB they felt it wasn't ready enough. However what I've been told is that there will be 2 more planned to update existing cameras. The first will be within two weeks. It will include the long awaited better pro-res downsampling as well as some more ef lens compatibility and auto focusing for ef mount cameras. The other update which will come later (probably late summer if I had to guess) will include 4k raw for the BMPC and AUDIO METERS! YAAAYYYY... finally

I asked if the older cameras would be updated with the new features of the URSA like waveforms and such and was met with a "they're looking into it, but audio meters are definitely" The other person I talked to though, who wasn't as much of an engineer as the person I was talking to said that the older camera are "as they are."

The good news is that I'll probably sell my 2.5k and buy the URSA and that the current sensor only does up to 60p however when blackmagic acquires another sensor the body of the camera can do 120p. So I guess that's the only silver lining to visiting the blackmagic booth. If anyone has any specific features/upgrades they want me to ask about I'll probably visit them again this week as I live here. Let me know below.

Thank you! Now it would be nice for them to send this in an official email! Hope your enjoying the show!


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Thank you for going there and getting specifics the only way it seems we can get them.

to resume...

Yes, thanks for getting some answers from BMD. I have to agree with others though, that it's disappointing that we couldn't hear this directly from the company. It's good to know that the BMCC is what it is, mystery solved! The Ursa looks very promising... I'll believe it when I see it... working... with few issues... in mass production.

Shawn

Why do people believe in the hardware upgrade when we can't even get a software upgrade?

Hey guys,
So whilst at NAB I had a chance to chat with 2 people from blackmagic. It seems that they were somewhat prepared for the "where the F*** is my firmware update" Apparently whilst building the URSA every hand on deck was put to use and although they had a firmware update somewhat ready for NAB they felt it wasn't ready enough. However what I've been told is that there will be 2 more planned to update existing cameras. The first will be within two weeks. It will include the long awaited better pro-res downsampling as well as some more ef lens compatibility and auto focusing for ef mount cameras. The other update which will come later (probably late summer if I had to guess) will include 4k raw for the BMPC and AUDIO METERS! YAAAYYYY... finally

I asked if the older cameras would be updated with the new features of the URSA like waveforms and such and was met with a "they're looking into it, but audio meters are definitely" The other person I talked to though, who wasn't as much of an engineer as the person I was talking to said that the older camera are "as they are."

The good news is that I'll probably sell my 2.5k and buy the URSA and that the current sensor only does up to 60p however when blackmagic acquires another sensor the body of the camera can do 120p. So I guess that's the only silver lining to visiting the blackmagic booth. If anyone has any specific features/upgrades they want me to ask about I'll probably visit them again this week as I live here. Let me know below.

Hey, thanks for asking this questions, could you please ask them for a date on the fpn fix? If there's any....

SO Sick! Thanks for the update. Pardon the, "sick," reference. I still spell correctly and am all about internet politeness but i am stoked for the update. Blame it on southern California speak. Seriously stoked to hear the news. Was booked this year so i couldn't attend. Did you go and see Andrew Kramer over at VideoCopilot?

Must commend you on your insistence for answers.

But it really is way too convenient, for BM, to be saying these things off the record. And with no commitment what so ever.

BM is like a girlfriend, or boyfriend, that you caught cheating. All the love in the world still doesn't make you less of an idiot for believing that they won't do it again.

Hey guys,
So whilst at NAB I had a chance to chat with 2 people from blackmagic. It seems that they were somewhat prepared for the "where the F*** is my firmware update" Apparently whilst building the URSA every hand on deck was put to use and although they had a firmware update somewhat ready for NAB they felt it wasn't ready enough. However what I've been told is that there will be 2 more planned to update existing cameras. The first will be within two weeks. It will include the long awaited better pro-res downsampling as well as some more ef lens compatibility and auto focusing for ef mount cameras. The other update which will come later (probably late summer if I had to guess) will include 4k raw for the BMPC and AUDIO METERS! YAAAYYYY... finally

I asked if the older cameras would be updated with the new features of the URSA like waveforms and such and was met with a "they're looking into it, but audio meters are definitely" The other person I talked to though, who wasn't as much of an engineer as the person I was talking to said that the older camera are "as they are."

The good news is that I'll probably sell my 2.5k and buy the URSA and that the current sensor only does up to 60p however when blackmagic acquires another sensor the body of the camera can do 120p. So I guess that's the only silver lining to visiting the blackmagic booth. If anyone has any specific features/upgrades they want me to ask about I'll probably visit them again this week as I live here. Let me know below.

If you get a chance tomorrow...can you ask if there will be any sort of "recording time left meter" on the BMPCC (or other cameras) so we can know if our cameras are going to stop recording in the middle of a take?

Also, is there anything else coming for the BMPCC besides "better mft lens support" which is about the most un-exciting, un-asked for firmware update "feature" I've yet heard of for the BMPCC.

I contacted BMD earlier in the year and received a reply back from a Kristian Lam stating that they had not forgotten the BMCC 2.5k and they were working on further updates for this model

I contacted BMD earlier in the year and received a reply back from a Kristian Lam stating that they had not forgotten the BMCC 2.5k and they were working on further updates for this model

They have said this for a very long time. Hard to take seriously anymore. Either they aren't working on it or they know it simply cannot be done and they aren't telling us.

what about the remaining space on the disk? Crop guides? Audio issues fixed? possibility of 4:3 mode for anamorphic? There are so many things that maybe are possible to get and would make the camera even greater and it'd be a pitty if they let it just like it is now...

Quote Elevate visuals: -

"If you get a chance tomorrow...can you ask if there will be any sort of "recording time left meter" on the BMPCC (or other cameras) so we can know if our cameras are going to stop recording in the middle of a take?"

I am playing with a 'Crude media remaining meter' and made a post about it here today. I was hoping to get some feedback about it but so far there has been no reply.. It is based on a kitchen timer and a Prolanc LANC remote.

So:

1. Remaining time on recording media.
2. Erase or control media on camera.
3. Solution for FPN regarding the pocket and production camera.
4. Audio fix for every camera.
5. 4:3 mode anamorphic.
6. Black sun spots for cinema and production camera.
7. White balance options.
8. Add rec 709 to all cameras.

I think that's everything we've mentioned so far, I left something out, please tell me so I can update this post.
StreetLight, I hope it's not a problem, andt thank you for volunteering and ask this questions, hope they don't move you to the "Off topic" side of the NAB.

Add REC 709 reds to that list.

More white balance options.

More white balance options.

Would be nice to see the image while dialing in the white balance...but that's kind of a luxury as these things go...

To repeat myself: add "purple grid fix" to the list

[Tony Rivera]

I'm doing what I can to get something more official for you folks but I know the show is a big deal for all companies here(not just us). If there's something I can post officially for you guys, I'll do ASAP.

Thanks Tony. Just so everyone knows every person I've talked to at the booth has been more than helpful and transparent about what is going on and they are WELL away about everyone's feature requests and issues. A lot of them seem just as angry about some things not being finished as people on the forum are.