Blackmagic Design URSA Broadcast Camera

The Blackmagic Design URSA Broadcast Camera is a field and studio production powerhouse. Featuring a native B4 mount for standard 2/3" broadcast lenses means that the URSA Broadcast will be at home on a studio sled behind a box lens just as much as it will be on the shoulder of a news coverage camera operator. The sensor itself features UHD 4K resolution which can facilitate native UHD recording, or downscaled HD recording for productions that don't require the extra resolution. Video can be recorded to UHS-II SD cards or CFast 2.0 cards, with the latter capable of recording raw Cinema DNG files for further flexibility in post-production.

The camera really comes into its own when combined with the separately available URSA Mini Shoulder Kit and EVF. VCT-14 compatibility plus the ability to go shoulder-mounted when you need to is an important aspect of this camera. When shoulder-mounted, a connected B4 lens's grip and the EVF form points of for comfortable and stable shooting. Additionally, a 20-pin lens communication port allows for the URSA Broadcast to communicate with B4 lens servos.

The body itself is designed to be intuitive, with buttons and switches intelligently placed for muscle memory and on-the-fly adjustments. ISO/gain, shutter speed, and white balance are all available on classic toggle switches, while a traditional ND filter wheel lets you reduce the light hitting the sensor for full control over your image. Connections for audio in, video out, plus timecode/genlock input are available on industry-standard connectors, enabling them to interface with professional gear right out of the box.

When you're not in the thick of a shooting day, open the LCD display to access the deeper camera menus and adjust global settings. While standard REC. 709 color is available for broadcast compatibility, extended video mode offers an optional look that has high contrast, yet takes advantage of the 12-stop dynamic range present in the sensor for smoother highlights without the washed-out look common in picture profiles with high dynamic ranges.

If you're setting up the URSA Broadcast for live studio production, separately available fiber converters and studio viewfinders are available. The fiber converter provides all the studio connectivity over a single fiber optic cable, with further adjustments and connections available on the converter itself. Even if your studio produces HD content, the URSA Broadcast only needs to be the first step towards a UHD workflow. When the rest of your studio is UHD-compatible, the URSA Broadcast will be ready for your next UHD production.

Two Cameras in One

The URSA Broadcast was designed to function equally well as a studio camera, or as an ENG/EFP camcorder for both HD and UHD 4K productions. With the separately available shoulder-mount kit, the URSA Broadcast can slot into a studio sled or be used atop an operator's shoulder, ENG-style.

Standard Media and Formats

Media recorded by the URSA Broadcast should need no transcoding. Apple ProRes and Avid DNx can be recorded straight to UHS-II SD cards or CFast 2.0 cards. Just offload the media from the cards, and you can go straight to editing. You can even record lossless or compressed 12-bit CinemaDNG raw files for high-quality programming and post-production workflows. With dual slots for each media type, URSA Broadcast gives you the option for redundant or relay recording. When the first card is full, recording automatically continues onto the next card, so you can swap one card while continuing recording on the other.

B4 Lens Compatibility

While the 4K sensor used in the URSA Broadcast is larger than the familiar 2/3"-type used with traditional B4 glass, a high-quality optical expander built into the mount enlarges the image circle for full sensor coverage. Many high-quality HD lenses can be used at resolutions well beyond HD, all the way up to 2.5K or 3K. Because B4 lenses are par-focal and have a very wide depth of field, the image stays in focus as you zoom in and out, so you don't need to chase focus as you shoot. That lets you work much faster because you don't need to change lenses or refocus between close-up, medium, and wide shots, which is perfect when you're following the action in fast-paced scenarios.

HD Downscaling

For productions only requiring HD resolutions, the 4K image coming off the sensor can be downscaled prior to recording for smooth 1080p or 1080i image rendering. Since the entire sensor is scanned, the full dynamic range of the sensor remains intact and no aliasing artifacts will be introduced.

Optical ND Filters

Spin the ND filter wheel to access 1/4, 1/6, and 1/64 ND filters. These filters are designed in accordance with the URSA Broadcast's sensor, ensuring minimal difference in colorimetry. The filters also block IR wavelengths to prevent IR pollution when reducing visible light with NDs. ND filter values can be displayed as either a fraction, ND value, or stop reduction on the LCD or in the separately available EVF.