Blackmagic Design has announced a firmware update for its URSA cinema camera. The new update, Blackmagic Camera 1.9.9, adds 80fps at up to 4K resolution.
When the URSA was first introduced, we were told that internal components had the ability to process 4K video at up to 120fps. The camera was introduced with 4K 60fps capability and Blackmagic hoped to get above that mark before the camera actually launched. While they didn’t hit that mark, this update comes not too long after the camera’s initial availability.
The variable frame rate can now be set to playback the project frame rate so you can see the effect of over/under-cranked footage in camera. This isn’t baked into the files, so you get the true 80fps or whatever your video frame rate is set to in your file from the camera. Now, you just have the ability to preview the slow or fast motion footage in camera.
RAW format now offers a 3:1 compression option in addition to the existing uncompressed option. The 3:1 compression basically doubles the storage capacity and is about the same as what you would get from ProRes 4:2:2 footage.
The camera also allows you to format CFast cards inside the camera with either HSF+ and exFat formatting options. Menus have been improved and several new options are available, such as on-screen framing guides for different aspect ratios.
The Blackmagic Camera 1.9.9 update is now available to download here on Blackmagic’s website.
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