Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini Pro Remote Operation App and More

Now available free at Apple’s application store, Blackmagic Design has released a new iPad application, Blackmagic Camera Control, which will connect to their Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K cameras to provide basic remote operations from a distance of up to 30 feet. Announced concurrently, the Camera 4.4 Update for the Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro enables the dormant Bluetooth connectivity of Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K cameras, and adds a set of additional features and enhancements, which can be found listed below. 

The Blackmagic Camera Control app will also provide on/off and metadata addition when using a digital slate. As a solution aimed directly at remote-operation camera systems like cranes, drones or underwater housings, Blackmagic is also embracing the programming community with the Camera Control app by publishing the open protocol and developer API alongside sample coding for users looking to create their own remote operation applications. (It will be available this summer.) 

For the first time offering internal ND filtration in the Blackmagic Design Ursa family of cameras, the Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K, flagship in the line of five models, is capable of lossless 12-bit RAW using Adobe’s DNG format as well as Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD capture. With Super 25 sensor, CFast and SD card support, and field-swappable, interchangeable EF, PL and B4 lens mount, the Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K can be updated without cost through the Blackmagic website.

New features for Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K:

• Enabled Bluetooth LE module in URSA Mini Pro.

• Added pairing security passcode in URSA Mini Pro.

• Added ability to control camera settings via Bluetooth.

• Added ability to update metadata features via Bluetooth.

• Added ability to control URSA Mini Pro’s DaVinci color corrector via Bluetooth.

• Added ability to control camera’s lens via Bluetooth.

• Added Bluetooth page in camera setup menu.

• Added Preset record run timecode functionality.

• Added automatic f-stop and T-stop detection for PL and B4 lenses.

• Added iris, focus and zoom control for Canon 18-80mm T4.4 lens via EF mount.

• Added record start/stop for Canon 18-80mm T4.4 with ZSG-C10 hand grip.

• Added support for Canon 18-80mm T4.4 lens image stabilizer.

• Improved lens functionality for EF, PL and B4 lenses.

• Improved status LED functionality.

• Improved slate functionality.

• Fixed bug where focus peaking button did not function in playback.

• Fixed bug where ProRes 422 color was misinterpreted in some applications.

• Fixed bug where taking ‘Stills’ did not update used space in media status page.

• Fixed bug where heads up display disappeared after turning off Color Bars.

• Fixed bug where scaling on 4” display caused monitoring image artifacts.

• Fixed user interface bug in media status page.

• Fixed bug where XLR Phantom Power pad was displayed incorrectly.

• Fixed bug where UI reported wrong power source when powering up unit.

• Fixed bug where SD card icon did not appear on external status display.

• Updated screen grabs and servo zoom lens information in URSA Mini Manual.

 

New features for URSA Mini 4.6K and 4K:

• Added safe area guides and false color options to heads up monitoring options.

• Added automatic f-stop and T-stop detection for PL and B4 lenses.

• Added iris control for Canon 18-80mm T4.4 lens via EF mount.

• Added record start/stop for Canon 18-80mm T4.4 with ZSG-C10 hand grip.

• Added support for Canon 18-80mm T4.4 lens image stabilizer.

• Improved Zebras for URSA Mini 4K in low ISO’s when using Video dyanmic range.

• Improved lens support for EF, PL and B4 lenses.

• Improved slate functionality.

• Improved Door LED functionality.

• Fixed bug where ProRes 422 color was misinterpreted in some applications.

• Updated screen grabs and servo zoom lens information in URSA Mini Manual.

 

New features for URSA Studio Viewfinder:

• Fixed bug in where URSA Studio Viewfinder attempted update to invalid software version in Blackmagic Camera Setup utility. Current software for URSA Studio Viewfinder is Camera 4.1.