Unprecedented Issues with BMPCC 6K Pro - Freezing Problem

Hello Blackmagic community,

I'm reaching out to share a complex issue I've recently encountered with my Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, and I'm hoping to gather insights, suggestions, or assistance from fellow users and Blackmagic Design.

Camera Model

- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro

- Software Version 7.9.1 (since its release)

Issue Description
Just last week, while recording in BRAW 6K 50fps (HFR) compression 5:1, my BMPCC 6K Pro experienced a rather perplexing problem. It randomly froze during recording, which in itself is unusual. But what's even more concerning is that when this freeze occurs, it results in corrupted files. The camera becomes completely unresponsive; none of the buttons function, and the only way to regain control is by performing a manual shutdown and reboot.

Troubleshooting Steps Taken
In my attempt to resolve the issue, I've taken several troubleshooting steps:

- Suspecting that the issue might be related to my new Portkeys BM5III WR monitor with Bluetooth control, I initially turned off Bluetooth. Surprisingly, this "solved" the problem for about 6 hours before the issue reoccurred.

- In a subsequent shoot, I decided to use an Atomos Shinobi 7 monitor, which I've had since its release, thinking it could be a monitor-related problem. However, the recording froze again after 4-6 hours of shooting.

- In light of online discussions suggesting that Samsung T5 SSDs might be a factor, I decided to stress-test the camera by recording a monitor with a high contrasty video with challenging settings (BRAW 6K 50fps HFR compression 3:1). I also enabled the "Alert" if the card drops frames. Interestingly, the camera alerted me when frames were dropped but did not freeze as it did during previous shoots. I then turned "Stop Recording" if card drops frame to see if it would freeze. Unfortunately, the camera just stopped recording as it should and never froze. So I conclude it is not an SSD issue, because it would've froze and not properly stop recording.

Relevant Context
To provide additional context:

- I've owned this BMPCC 6K Pro for almost 2 years without any prior issues.

- The camera has been used in a variety of productions, including fast-paced sport shoots, music video clips, short films, long podcast interviews (2-3 hours straight), all in various settings and conditions (snow, hot weather, ...) > I live in Switzerland, so the weather is not humid, neither too hot or cold.

- My camera is running on software version 7.9.1, which I've used successfully for over a year. I'm aware of the newer software releases.

Difficulty in Reproducing the Problem
One challenge in addressing this issue is that it's hard to reproduce consistently. As a result, I might not be able to test all potential solutions to see if the problem persists.

Warranty Coverage
It's important to note that my camera is still under warranty, which offers the possibility of sending it in for repair. This could be an option if we can't find a solution within the community.

Other Gear
Here's a list of the equipment in my setup:

- Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 and Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 lenses.

- A V-mount battery setup powering the camera, external monitors, and a wireless video transmitter.

- A Tilta Cage with a USB C cable.

- A Rode Video Mic Pro+ to 3.5mm mini Jack

Videos
To visually demonstrate the issue, I captured two videos:
https://kdrive.samuel-laprand.ch/app/share/184701/1388f890-003a-48e9-b292-53d642d835ca - This video shows the camera freezing during recording.
https://kdrive.samuel-laprand.ch/app/share/184701/2331d3b7-2f8a-446b-b228-45d2c645024c - In this video, you can see the camera in its unresponsive state when the issue occurs.

The goal of this post is not to recover the corrupted files but to seek a viable solution. I'm committed to resolving this problem and maintaining the reliability of my BMPCC 6K Pro. I'm grateful for any insights, suggestions, or experiences you can share. If there are updates regarding this issue in newer software versions, that would be especially valuable information.

Thank you all for your time and support.

First steps may make a difference, but are good practices anyway.

Update your camera firmware to the latest version.

Rather than shoot with the Samsung T5, if it’s feasible shoot with an approved CFast2 card. If the higher cost is a concern, then please acquire a Samsung T7 Shield which has worked well for me and others here. Consider the approved T9 drives if all feedback has been good, but it might not have been available long enough to be a comfortable purchase.

It’s also possible your cables to the SSD are acting up so I’d replace with the best quality cable you can find if you don’t go to CFast2 cards.

Format the drive as HFS+ (Journaled) if feasible but exFAT is acceptable. HFS+ is more reliable if you have problems as handshakes occur to verify successful write operations.

I don’t know how much longer your warranty will be effective but contact BMD Support to advise them if your difficulties. Completing the above actions should be tested to see if the problems appear to be corrected, but it won’t hurt to log the issue with BMD anyway.

Update your camera firmware to the latest version.

I cannot use the latest firmware version (8.1 for BMPCC 6k Pro) because it no longer communicate with Iris of some of my lenses (Tokina 11-20mm F2.8 for example). 7.9.1 is the only one available for me. I very much doubt it's related to the firmware as I have run this version since July 2022 and these problems just occured last week.

Rather than shoot with the Samsung T5, if it’s feasible shoot with an approved CFast2 card. If the higher cost is a concern, then please acquire a Samsung T7 Shield which has worked well for me and others here. Consider the approved T9 drives if all feedback has been good, but it might not have been available long enough to be a comfortable purchase.

Indeed, the higher cost of CFast2 cards is a real problem for me. Samsung T7 Shield also isn't the ideal solution as there is no T7 Shield holder from Tilta, and I cannot stand the solution of other manufacturers, with cold shoe for instance. I could check for a Samsung T9, but not sure it fits in the T5 Tilta holder. Otherwise I was considering purchasing the recommended Wise PTS-1024 Portable SSD 1TB.

It’s also possible your cables to the SSD are acting up so I’d replace with the best quality cable you can find if you don’t go to CFast2 cards.

I could definitely try that, I was also thinking to buy a brand new Tilta USB C cable, the angled one that screw in the cage.

Format the drive as HFS+ (Journaled) if feasible but exFAT is acceptable. HFS+ is more reliable if you have problems as handshakes occur to verify successful write operations.

I could also try that!

I don’t know how much longer your warranty will be effective but contact BMD Support to advise them if your difficulties. Completing the above actions should be tested to see if the problems appear to be corrected, but it won’t hurt to log the issue with BMD anyway.

I have the warranty possible until 17.03.2024, I'll definitely write an email to BMD!

Thanks for the tips, I would love to be able to re-create this problem as maybe none of these will help and I'll end up with a very important recording that will fail during a shoot for no reason.. complex!

Sam

I also use the thin Wise Portable SSD 1 TB drive but its included holder leaves something to be desired compared to the SmallRig holder for larger SSDs in this thread. I’m very pleased with the SmallRig holder as it is much more secure.

T7 shield mount?
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic? ... source=app

It very much could be firmware related.

You should also try not using an SSD and see if it happens on internal media.

JB

I also use the thin Wise Portable SSD 1 TB drive but its included holder leaves something to be desired compared to the SmallRig holder for larger SSDs in this thread. I’m very pleased with the SmallRig holder as it is much more secure.

Tilta is making an SSD Drive Holder for Wise: https://tilta.com/shop/ssd-drive-holder-for-wise/ I am considering going with this.

It very much could be firmware related.

As stated above, the firmware 8.1 has an issue with some electronic lenses which does not display Iris control anymore, therefore I cannot use this version. This bug has already been communicated to BMD but nothing has been done from them. Quite unfortunate. Also, since I own the BMPCC 6k Pro, I never had any issue with this firmware, why now would it cause trouble all of a sudden??

You should also try not using an SSD and see if it happens on internal media.

Well, I would love to, but CFast2 is so expensive and also I would need to go with 2x 1TB for my shoots, which would cost me more than $1500, no way I spend this amount on storage since I could use my BMPCC 6k Pro for 2 years with Samsung T5 with no issue. And having 256GB CFast would restrict me a lot to always have to offload the card especially in BRAW 6k 5:1..
As I said above, it's is super complicated to replicate this problem, so just shooting all days long until it happens again.

The Tilta holder for Wise is an inexpensive improvement but I appreciate the more expensive SmallRig holder for this reason:

The USB-C connector is notoriously flimsy when used on a camera given the likelihood the cable will be jostled during a shoot and even a slight knock can loosen the contact while recording. When that occurs, you may loose your recording. The SmallRig holder has two screws to align the connector and tighten it in place. Over-engineered perhaps but the cost is trivial compared to loosing my irreplaceable clips (given I record long live events).

It very much could be firmware related.

As stated above, the firmware 8.1 has an issue with some electronic lenses which does not display Iris control anymore, therefore I cannot use this version. This bug has already been communicated to BMD but nothing has been done from them. Quite unfortunate. Also, since I own the BMPCC 6k Pro, I never had any issue with this firmware, why now would it cause trouble all of a sudden??

You should also try not using an SSD and see if it happens on internal media.

Well, I would love to, but CFast2 is so expensive and also I would need to go with 2x 1TB for my shoots, which would cost me more than $1500, no way I spend this amount on storage since I could use my BMPCC 6k Pro for 2 years with Samsung T5 with no issue. And having 256GB CFast would restrict me a lot to always have to offload the card especially in BRAW 6k 5:1..
As I said above, it's is super complicated to replicate this problem, so just shooting all days long until it happens again.

I’m just troubleshooting.

Shooting in CFAST successfully means there’s an issue with the SSD. You haven’t been able to eliminate that in my view and it’s a very common issue as a general note. SSD cables, drives, drive overheating etc. it’s the most common I have a problem post around here and it’s almost always to do with SSDs.

Which is why I suggested trying it as a process of elimination. Then you know it’s not the camera (or is)

JB

Shooting in CFAST successfully means there’s an issue with the SSD. You haven’t been able to eliminate that in my view and it’s a very common issue as a general note. SSD cables, drives, drive overheating etc. it’s the most common I have a problem post around here and it’s almost always to do with SSDs.

Which is why I suggested trying it as a process of elimination. Then you know it’s not the camera (or is)

You are very right, I just wish CFast2 weren't that expensive. I might buy some cards at some points, let's see if I can make enough money with video production!

Thanks for the help!

Have you been using the same single T5 media piece for two years? Is there a possibility that your T5 media is simply becoming tired, has many bad areas mapped out and can no longer keep up? Folk with far more knowledge about SSDs may offer more valid advice than myself.

Have you been using the same single T5 media piece for two years? Is there a possibility that your T5 media is simply becoming tired, has many bad areas mapped out and can no longer keep up?

Good point, indeed, I had these T5s since day 1 of the camera. I'll investigate in this direction! Thanks =)

Sadly it’s true the drive’s circuits do wear out and I don’t know how many cycles are available or how to track its use. I guess a good drive misbehaving for no reason may be a symptom of old age. Sounds familiar, eh?

I just solved the issue on my end. After hours of trouble shooting, installing updates, and downgrading...
Only to find out, it was the usb c cable I was using connecting my SSD to my bmpcc 6kpro.
So, try changing the cord!

I’m having the same issue here. But I’m with the latest firmware. Is this a camera problem?
Anyone else had this problem before?the camera freezes after I stop recording and doesn’t save the clip. Very frustrating… I’m working with documentary and if this persists I’ll have to change my camera…