Blackmagic Camera App on iPhone 15 Pro

I’ve started testing the critter in earnest. As a version 1.0… it is an impressive work, with very few (expected) quirks. I haven’t started testing in earnest with the BlackMagic Cloud product and automatic Project exchange etc. It will happen, when I feel the urge overwhelming.

The ProRES 4444 option and IEEE Float (up to 4 channels) are really impressive and highly appreciated options for some of my use cases.

Call me seriously impressed (was a FiLMiC Pro user until the mad Italians took over).

Can’t wait to see a more mature product - honed by practical use and applied “creative user stupidity” - in the future.

Feature requests

The most vital feature missing, is a way to save settings to files/ipreset memory of some form.

During a simple travel walkabout over a few hours, you may need ProRES 4444, 25fps UHD, 2020, HLG and all that jazz, to external storage, soon followed by a less demanding internal recording like simple ProRES 422, 25fps, HDR etc.

It would be nice to be able to save a few named settings (also for moving across several iPhones of same capabilities or after initial “sanity check” preventing (re)use with a comment if made on iPhone 15 Pro, and tried in BMC App on iPhone 12 Pro for instance, if created on an iPhone 15 Pro).

I love the IEEE Float option. It works well up to 96kHz in my tests (haven’t tested 192kHz yet). Linear PCM ay be required in some cases, but I have experienced problems with 24 bit (48kHz in this case) microphones delivering output via USB-C. All recordings seem to be forced into 16-bit LPCM format for each track.

An option to declare “LPCM 24-bit preferred” (not every user knows the capabilities of their gear) option, to override a system preferred default, if possible.

The Trigger Record Indicator “Beep” item could require a rethink. On my iPhone, I get the standard Foto “shutter” sound. Not really usable.

I would prefer a loud and clear “BEEP” sound, that could be heard, but an option with variable volume (if settings can be saved, no problem to use) to allow for use in both quiet surroundings and downtown traffic.

Personally I would prefer a “3-beep” sequence (optional is OK), that is easily identified in post.

Problem

Access to the Log settings are not always given (on iPhone 15 Pro). May typically only need one uninstall/install cycle (loosing all settings), but may require two “rounds” before it sticks. I could suspect a “sanity” check not properly performed at initial startup on any iPhone.

Serious problem

Illegal values, whether entered intentional or by accident, will be accepted. Example: 60fps, ProRES 4444 etc for internal use. Resulting recording is “strange” if not downright “weird”:

I assume a bug, that does not catch the official Apple camera interface protesting loudly. A bug that probably will be remedied. Sooner rather than later, I hope.

Be that as it may, the really, really, REALLY big problem is, that the BMC App now seems locked into using “width: 1214, height: 2160” pixel format. Even if you enter legal values for a following recording, these values stay (h265, 2020, 60fps etc). See entry:

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=188914#p984882

In the thread:

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=188914

Displaying the problem, with the weirs “sticking format” (not specified by user).

This “weird format lock” may require restarting the app, before “internals” seem to be cleaned up. Doable, but not ideal, since there are no presets.

Anyway, keep up the good work!

Regards and remember to have a bit of fun every day

The Trigger Record Indicator “Beep” item could require a rethink. On my iPhone, I get the standard Foto “shutter” sound. Not really usable.

That is silly. It should be a crystal clear beep / two beeps sound. The most unforgiveable characteristic of my Nikon Z6 is its lack of roll/cut audio confirmation. The only way to see if you're rolling is to carefully inspect the top center of the frame and look for the little red dot, both while rolling and after you've cut. Most annoying.

Another reviewer mentioned the lack of pre-sets (apparently present in Filmic Pro). I agree. This would save a lot of button pushing when changing recording modes.

Gerald Undone has some recent interesting data on the iPhone 15 dynamic range.

Still waiting impatiently for my very first iPhone to arrive.

Thanks for the link.

Some surprising results i a way.

I’d love to see CineD doing their similar, but more controlled test, in the same fashion they use on other cameras. Just to get access to a somewhat (?) more comparable test. The video is pretty much well inside the ballpark, but I still need the final sscoring, if you get my drift.

I’m currently playing (fooling) around with an easy approach to CineD’s test of recovery options (2020 HLG is my thing, not 709 Vlog), but hampered a bit by the fact, that you are limited to a -2 stops setting in the standard Camera App.

As much as I love using the Blackmagic Camera App, it’s still a version 1.0 first attempt, so for now Apples App is the goto “standard” (warts and all). It’s also easier to deal with stops (I presume) than the BMC scale with “hi-res” ISO steps, where you go on forever of - I nearly wrote “in micro-ISO”, but it’s not that bad. The “-1” or whatever is far easier to handle, irrespectively of ISO selection in daily use.

Maybe an option to allow you to choose between the two approaches. YMMV - even within a days walkabout.

Regards and remember to have a bit of fun every day

New oddities and bugs

Versions

Today: Blackmagic Camera App 1.1.00026 on iOS 17.0.3 iPhone 15 Pro 256GB - 2TB or 4TB external
Yesterday: Blackmagic Camera App 1.0.10003 on iOS 17.0.2 iPhone 15 Pro 256GB - 2TB or 4TB external

Problem

When Media setting Files is targeting an external Folder on an SSD (for instance “/External/DCIM/BMC”) the string is displayed as “BMC”:

External folder selection handling problem

IMG_4746-Folder problem.PNG (58.86 KiB) Viewed 6003 times

Now, if the connection fails (intended or not) you receive no “real” notification. The setting remains in effect, and when you start a new recording, you may notice “tiny flickering red digits and even far smaller white digits with remaining “use” set to 0 and 0.000GB. If you cover the lenses, the flickering red digits are easily noticed on the black background, but what if the “removal” was unintentional, and you just successfully have made a recording? Chances are, that you are crying “action”, tapping on the record button, seeing the flash, and hearing a really discrete “shutter” sounds (please, choose something better, like an optional triple BEEP!!! that’s easily recognized in post too).

The problem is, that even though the action is not possible, and not startet, the interface executes if it was the case. If you’re even using “Focus Assist” as I do, with red lines all over the place, those tiny critters are nigh to invisible, in the heat of the moment, and the expected flash with - ahem - subdued sound, also is heard. If you do NOT notice, that the “time” indicator in the top of then screen is NOT running…. Then you’re in for a nasty surprise, perhaps even with exhausted talent, that just has delivered the performance of a lifetime. You’ll not win a popularity contest, when… yeah. See the point?

This can be done better!, and - especially - far more clear.

Haven’t tested “target full” (whether internally or externally), but I have a theory….

Do something drastic, like:

Optional emergency sirene or other sound
Optional flashing

Maybe, allow specification of a “near full” warning scenario (screen message preferred, that stays, until manual removed and removal confirmed - avoids accidental removal).

Always offer several options if possible, including allowing to continue immediately internally in a prominent, BIIIIG white menu wirth clear and large black text, displaying the problem, and offer possible solutions, like:

* Stop now
* Eject and replace drive (manual continue)
* Continue recording internally on iPhone

Simple as that, but clearly required for professional use. Not flashing, tiny red digits possible in a sea of “red lines and wiggles” caused by focus assist.

AAAAND if recording is impossible, don’t start “ACTION!” flashing and beeps (and replace the sick “camera shutter” sound with a decent BEEP (preferably an optional three beep sequence).

Things may be less sedate in real life, than in a testing scenario practicing “seeketh and ye shalt find”!

Oddity

The ProRES 4444 has disappeared. Internal or external recording makes no difference.

Yesterday (iOS 17.0.2 and Blackmagic Camera App 1.0.10003) I made some internal videos in ProRES 4444 (also according to MediaInfo readout).

After the version update the option, both internally and externally, has disappeared.

Was it the upgrade from iOS 17.0.2 to 17.0.3 “whod diddid”, is it a newly introduced and unintended bug or has Blackmagic decided to remove the option in version 1.1.00026 (it would be nice to hear the reason behind the removal, just curious)?

Runtime display bug

The Blackmagic Camera App displays external Folder, and indicates 30:47:24, but after switching to landscape, the amount becomes 09:56:59 - probably more accurate), 100% (not true , and 4000GB for the current settings.Settings selection and check was done in portrait, use is intended to take place in landscape mode.

Runtime display orientation problem

Orientation Problem.jpg (387.94 KiB) Viewed 6003 times

Feature requests

Is it possible to add Yellow to Color selections?

It would be nice, if the header info in saved video files contained the iOS version in addition to the iPhone model and Blackmagic Camera App version. The iOS version is found nowhere, according to MediaInfo.

I miss an option to dis/enable one or more overlays, for instance: “Broadcast Safe Area”, “4:3”, “14:9” and “21:9” plus a custom setting (example: xpos,ypos, xsize, ysize allowing “inside frame” or “logo” is inserted, so don’t place vital details here, news or stock exchange ticker, news from our sponsor, whatever).

My preference is Yellow color. Reuse Focus Assist Colors.

An optional (variable opaqueness) black overlay in the top of the screen, would make sure, that the settings are always visible (even the tiny black border is not always enough to "overwhelm" searing glare in high noon sunshine from anywhere.

It would be nice, if you could somehow establish, what external device is addressed. Example "Files BMC". does that mean SSD "/External1/DCIM/BMC/" or SSD "/External2/DCIM/BMC".

iPhone 12 Pro Bug

Vertical settings display in iPhone 12 Pro:

Crop problem on iPhone 12 Pro

IMG_4460-crop-problem.PNG (145.42 KiB) Viewed 6003 times

Some mixup in internal tables here?

Regards and remember to have a bit of fun every day

For the ProRes 4444 option missing part, I think the answer is, the current best iPhone, iPhone 15 Pro series is only capable at shooting 422 HQ, in the first version they were only using 4444 as the container. Keeping the option might be confusing for users, as the underlying data is still 422 only.

I noticed there´s another "bug" or problem with the new app version; currently the fps is wrong, you can´t record 25 or 50 clean fps, now you are recording 25,04 or 50,08, 50,04 fps, and this is leading to timecode mismatch problems when you are editing in Premiere Pro, and exporting an XLM to DaVINCI;