Blackmagic Design unleashes a wave of technologies

The great swath of upgrades unveiled includes everything from a digital film camera for live production with 100G Ethernet, to an iOS 3.3 update for its software-based digital film camera for iPhones. The majority of the releases will be available in June from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for prices ranging from $995 to $8,995.

The full list of updates this week is as follows:

Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF 100G

The Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF 100G is a new model in the URSA Cine family with 100G Ethernet for high frame rate SMPTE-2110 live production output up to 440fps. Building on the digital film features of the URSA Cine 12K LF, including the large format RGBW 36x24mm sensor, the new model adds faster networking for cinematic live production workflows. Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF 100G will be available at the end of 2026.

When the camera is set to SMPTE-2110 Live in the menu, it transforms into a live studio camera. Customers get real-time SMPTE-2110 IP video from the Ethernet connector, supporting up to 2160p60 with cinematic quality and 16 stops of dynamic range. Plus, the 100G model outputs live video up to 440 fps for amazing slow-motion sports replays.

"URSA Cine 12K is an incredible camera for digital film, but we really wanted to bring that cinematic quality to live production, and the 100G Ethernet model lets us do that in a way nobody has seen before," said Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. "With 100G Ethernet, customers can get cinematic quality SMPTE-2110 live video at frame rates up to 440fps, and the new Studio Viewfinder and B4 lens mount transform URSA Cine into a true broadcast camera. It's live cine, and we think it's going to be a revolution in image quality for broadcast!”

DaVinci Resolve 21

DaVinci Resolve 21 is a significant update introducing the new Photo page, which includes advanced colour tools for still photos. Other updates include new AI tools such as IntelliSearch for fast content searching, CineFocus for focal point adjustment, tools for facial refinement, and more. The Krokodove toolset adds over 70 new graphics to Fusion, Fairlight folders simplify audio track management, plus there are improvements to keyframing, MultiMaster trim passes, layer list node graphs, and more. DaVinci Resolve 21 public beta is available for download now from the Blackmagic Design website.

"The new Photo page in DaVinci Resolve 21 brings Hollywood’s most advanced colour tools to still photography for the first time," continued Petty. "Professional colourists and photographers now have access to the full DaVinci colour toolset and are able to build complex grades in a node-based workflow that goes far beyond the layer-based approach. They can also use all the DaVinci AI tools, ResolveFX, and FusionFX, and collaborate globally in real time. It’s going to be amazing to see creativity flourish with these tools."

Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3 Update

Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3 is a new update for the software-based digital film camera for iPhones. This update adds support for camera control and monitoring using an Apple Watch, so customers can start and stop recording and monitor the shot from their wrist. There’s also a new feature that adds support for ATEM camera control, so the iPhone can be used as a live studio camera. 

“We really want to help everyone use their iPhones in professional productions and to come up with new ways that the iPhone can be used,” said Petty. “The Apple Watch companion app does that because it means you can mount an iPhone anywhere and still have full control of it from your wrist. But the most exciting feature is the brand new support for ATEM camera control, the Blackmagic Zoom Demand, and the Focus Demand. This means you can use the iPhone as a studio camera while holding onto the tripod handles to focus and zoom. It's a real studio camera, and it's a lot of fun!”

Fairlight Live

Fairlight Live is a new software-based live audio mixer with spatial audio mixing and SMPTE-2110 broadcast workflows. Fairlight Live easily handles thousands of audio channels, working with standard computer audio or USB audio from ATEM live production switchers. Fully customisable, it has built-in effects and professional features such as a cue player, talkback busses, and snapshots. Fairlight Live public beta is available immediately from the Blackmagic Design website free of charge.

In particular, Fairlight Live has: a full-featured software-based broadcast mixer for high end live audio; the ability to support hundreds of channels with wide format and complex mixes; optimised low-latency operation on both macOS and Windows; flexible redundancy with user configurable multiple fail safe levels; direct ATEM connectivity via USB with automatic template support; a snapshots save mixer state for recall during live performances; Virtual Sound Check ISO recording for rehearsal and calibration; a dedicated cue player for sound effects and stingers; a dedicated cue player for MIDI cues to external hardware; extensive integration for Native, AU and VST plug-ins; and dedicated support for remote iOS and Android tablet controllers.

ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP

Blackmagic Design has also launched the ATEM Constellation IP, two models of live production switchers that are fully SMPTE-2110 native. These new models retain the powerful features of the existing ATEM Constellation SDI-based switchers, so they are familiar to users, facilitating a seamless transition between SMPTE-2110 and SDI-based switchers. Designed for high-end broadcast and live production, the new design features front-to-back cooling, extensive redundancy, support for SMPTE-2022-7 on all 100G video ports, redundant PTP clock connections, 2 x 10G Ethernet for control ports, and redundant AC power supplies. 

According to the company, the ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP has a dramatically different design from other models because it is designed for high-end broadcasters. The new design features front-to-back cooling with four fans. All connections feature full redundancy with SMPTE-2022-7 on all video ports, plus additional redundancy on the control and PTP Ethernet ports. A built-in LCD displays all standard ATEM Constellation status information and provides access to settings menus. The front panel even includes a headphone connection and a built-in speaker for local program monitoring.

ATEM Monitoring Rack Panel

The ATEM Monitoring Rack Panel, which will be available in June for $995, is a new combination monitoring converter and control panel that can be used with ATEM Constellation IP live production switchers. The ATEM Monitoring Rack Panel converts SMPTE 2110 IP to HDMI and 12G-SDI for connecting to monitors. However, it also has front-panel input buttons for controlling the switcher as well as an LCD and talkback connections. 

The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP’s broadcast-style design features front-to-back cooling, so there is limited space for front panel controls. To solve this problem, customers can add an ATEM Monitoring Panel to their rack. It has the same controls as regular ATEM Constellation SDI models, but it’s an independent monitoring converter- and control-panel combination. It features a rack-mount design with premium buttons for operating the ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP switcher. There’s also a dedicated Ethernet control port. It’s also a redundant 10G Ethernet SMPTE-2022-7 to 12G-SDI and HDMI converter, so customers can connect to local video monitoring. Additionally, there’s a 5-pin talkback interface on the front panel.

HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G

The HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G is an SMPTE 2110 IP video recorder with 100G Ethernet that lets customers record all their cameras for live production. This means customers can also use DaVinci Resolve for live action replay. HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G uses a single 100G Ethernet connection to connect all eight video channels, plus it records high-quality Apple ProRes video to network storage via 100G Ethernet. 

HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G records to network storage using 100G Ethernet. Only 100G Ethernet can record eight channels of ProRes HQ in Ultra HD. HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G also has two dedicated 100G data ports for redundancy. 

Because HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G records to network storage, customers can have multiple workstations accessing the same storage, even while recording. This makes live-action sports replay easy and low-cost. 

"This HyperDeck is the most advanced recorder we have ever designed," said Petty. "Everything about it is different! But the most exciting use for it is live action replay. We can record eight channels of Ultra HD video in only two rack units. This is dramatically smaller and lower cost than anything possible in the past."

Blackmagic Cloud Store Ultra 

Blackmagic Cloud Store Ultra is a high-performance flash storage with up to 48TB capacity and two independent 100G Ethernet connections. It lets customers record and edit simultaneously without either workflow interfering with the other. Available in 24TB and 48TB models, it also features RAID 5 support, dual redundant power supplies, and Blackmagic Cloud sync. 

Blackmagic Cloud Store can reportedly understand Blackmagic Cloud media sync and support DaVinci Resolve proxy files. This means the camera media will sync within seconds when a remote film crew starts shooting, enabling the post-production team to begin working immediately. A fast flash-based memory core means many users can work simultaneously. 

"When recording eight channels of video and editing at the same time, you need more than a single 100G port because recording ties it up completely," asserted Petty. "The Cloud Store Ultra solves this problem with two completely separate 100G Ethernet ports that won’t interfere with each other. The HyperDeck records to one port, and customers connect their edit workstations to the other. I think it’s a fantastic companion to the HyperDeck ISO Recorder and the centre of a whole film and television post-production workflow!"

Blackmagic Media Dock Ultra

Blackmagic Media Dock Ultra is a new high-performance dock for Blackmagic Media Modules with two fully independent 100G Ethernet ports. It also features SDI and HDMI status monitoring and Blackmagic Cloud sync, which lets customers use Blackmagic Media Modules as high-performance removable storage. 

The Blackmagic Media Dock models use the same high-speed media modules as Blackmagic URSA Cine cameras, so customers get high-performance storage that can be instantly removed. According to the company, this makes the solution well-suited for editing media from URSA Cine cameras directly from the modules without copying files, as well as recording from the HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G. This is reportedly because customers can instantly unplug and take the media module with them as soon as a live production ends. There are two models, one with four 10G Ethernet connections and another with two separate 100G Ethernet connections. They also sync to Blackmagic Cloud.

"Sometimes you need to be able to walk away with the storage, and you don’t have time to hang around after a job is completed," stated Petty. "The Media Dock Ultra solves that problem, as after a job, you can just power down and unplug the storage module. It will be great for broadcast trucks. It’s incredibly high performance, specifically designed for film and television, and I think this will be a great storage solution for live production and replay!"

Blackmagic SDI Expander 8x12G

Blackmagic SDI Expander 8x12G is a new converter that lets customers connect all their 12G-SDI gear to the latest 100G Ethernet SMPTE-2110 IP systems. The converter supports eight bi-directional 12G-SDI connections and has two separate 100G Ethernet connections, allowing SMPTE-2022-7 redundancy. There is also a separate NMOS control Ethernet port and dual redundant AC power supplies for reliable broadcast operation. Blackmagic SDI Expander 8x12G will be available in June 2026 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for $2,995. 

"A lot of customers have existing 12G-SDI equipment they want to bring into a 100G SMPTE-2110 system, and the SDI Expander 8x12G makes that really simple," said Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. "Customers can use it as a breakout box for their existing switchers, adding eight inputs and eight outputs. It’s also a great way to untangle the mess of BNC cables that builds up in equipment rooms. We think customers are really going to love how much easier it makes building and managing their broadcast facilities!"

Blackmagic StudioBridge 10G PWR

The Blackmagic StudioBridge 10G PWR lets customers bridge eight separate 10G Ethernet SMPTE-2110 connections into modern 100G SMPTE-2022-7 redundant systems. This means it’s possible to combine up to eight separate cameras or converters into a 100G Ethernet IP video system. If the 10G Ethernet products use a single connection, then the Blackmagic StudioBridge 10G PWR will also bridge into the 2 x 100G Ethernet connections for a redundant broadcast system. Plus, this converter has four separate internal power supplies so it can provide each of the 10G Ethernet connections with 90W PoE++ power. Blackmagic StudioBridge 10G PWR will be available in June from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for $2,495.

Blackmagic UpDownCross 100G

The Blackmagic UpDownCross 100G is a standards converter that lets customers simultaneously convert up to eight separate channels of SD, HD, and Ultra HD video to any other standard. The new converter has redundant 100G Ethernet for full SMPTE 2022-7 compliance and a dedicated NMOS control port. 

The professional 1RU design features front-to-back cooling that’s reportedly quiet. It also includes redundant 100G Ethernet for full SMPTE 2022-7 compliance, dual redundant AC power supplies, and a separate NMOS control port for connecting to control networks.

Blackmagic 2110 IP products conform to the SMPTE-2110 standard, which specifies the transport, synchronisation, and description of 10-bit video, audio, and ancillary data over managed IP broadcast networks. They can re-sync SDI inputs to a common PTP clock, or external gear can lock to the reference output generated from the PTP clock. Blackmagic UpDownCross 100G will be available in June for $2,435, excluding duties, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

Blackmagic Ethernet Switch 820 

The Blackmagic Ethernet Switch 820 is a new high-performance, low-latency model designed for advanced broadcast systems. This model includes 8 x 100G and 2 x 10G Ethernet connections plus simple front-panel SMPTE-2110 routing. Blackmagic Ethernet Switch 820 also has two redundant PTP clock Ethernet connections, a separate NMOS control port, and a dedicated management port. Blackmagic Ethernet Switch 820 will be available in June from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for $2,295.

Blackmagic Ethernet Switch models have been designed specifically for television. All network connections are on the rear, the same side as ports on their broadcast equipment, enabling customers to loop cables neatly. The Blackmagic Ethernet Switch 820 is a higher-performance design with front-to-back cooling, six fans for redundancy, dual redundant power supplies, and simple router control. 

The more powerful model includes eight separate 100G Ethernet connections using QSFP sockets. The 100G ports connect data ports on HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G and Blackmagic Cloud Store Ultra. They can also be used for SMPTE-2110 networks with ATEM Constellation IP switchers or with a HyperDeck ISO Recorder 100G. The Blackmagic Ethernet Switch 820 also has a dedicated NMOS control Ethernet connection. It also includes two redundant PTP clock inputs. 

Blackmagic Design also recently unveiled its new URSA Cine Immersive 100G camera, billed as the world’s first immersive cinema camera designed for live production with Apple Immersive Video. Discover more here.